ANCIENT CHINA
"China is very old. Its written history goes back 3,500 years. In 221 b.c., when European kingdoms and states were still fighting among themselves, one of China's first great rulers united warring states to form a great empire. For over two thousand years-from 221 b.c. until a.d. 1912-the empire developed under the watchful eyes of more than a dozen ruling families, called dynasties. In 1912, the l. . . "

ANCIENT EGYPT
"What's the first word that comes to mind when you hear "ancient Egypt"? Mummies? Pyramids? Pharaohs? Mummies, pyramids, and pharaohs were all important parts of life in ancient Egypt. But there is much more to know about this long-lasting civilization. Come visit the ancient Egyptians where their civilization began-on the banks of the Nile River. The earliest known settlements in Egypt were farming. . . "

ANCIENT GREECE
"When the Olympics are on TV, do you sit spellbound, awed by the skill of the athletes? Do you enjoy going to plays? Do you feel lucky to live in a country where you can say what you please about any subject at all? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to say a silent thank you to the ancient Greeks. Many aspects of our life, such as the Olympics, the theater, and democracy. . . "

ROMAN EMPIRE
"The ancient Romans were a remarkable people. From a small city on seven hills, over time the Romans built the mightiest empire of the ancient world. Between 400 b.c. and a.d. 100, Roman armies conquered Italy, defeated the Greeks, and then took control of North Africa, Spain, the Middle East, and parts of Britain. However, the Romans were not just soldiers and conquerors. More than 2,000 years after. . . "