Curated OER
Olympics (World Celebrations)
Students recognize the meanings and symbolism of the Olympic Flag and Torch and apply this to their own feelings of the classroom by creating their own symbol/flag to represent these feelings.
Curated OER
Egg-citing Easter Art Activities
Easter art projects can be used to teach students about a variety of cultural art forms.
Curated OER
Mother's Day: Reading Comprehension
In this reading comprehension activity worksheet, students read a 10 paragraph selection entitled "Mother's Day". Students respond to 10 multiple choice questions pertaining to the passage.
PBS
Pbs: Recovering the Material World of the Early Christians
A scholarly article in which the author discusses the recent archaeological discoveries that have allowed us to construct a picture of the world of the early Christians. These findings include ancient manuscripts, ancient inscriptions...
PBS
Pbs: Peter and Paul and the Christian Revolution
A companion website to the documentary about the early Christian movement. Includes interactive activities, timelines, and primary sources.
United Nations
Unesco: Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna
This World Heritage website features Ravenna in Italy, which was the center of the Roman Empire at one point, and later of the Byzantine Empire in Italy. Presented on this website are eight Christian buildings, and their mosaics, from...
PBS
Pbs: Chronology of Early Christianity
A detailed timeline on the early history of the religion from the time of Julius Caesar (44 B.C.E.) to 327 C.E. and the death of Constantine.
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Religious Tolerance: Christian History
This site provides an interpretation of early Christian history as seen by religious liberals and historians. Includes Pauline Christianity, Jewish Christianity, and Gnostic Christianity. Details early movements by each branch to revolt...
Stanford University
Stanford History Education Group: Roman Empire and Christianity
[Free Registration/Login Required] Lesson in which young scholars investigate several sources to determine why the Roman Empire persecuted Christians. Inlcudes downloadable lesson plan, PowerPoint, original documents, teacher and student...
Friesian School
Fresian School: Rome and Romania
This article, which is provided for by the Fresian School, covers a large part of Roman history, but pays particular attention to the reign and effects of Emperor Nero.
Franco Cavazzi
Roman Empire: Roman Religion
This site describes the Roman religion. It explains the gods and goddesses and their origins, prayer and sacrifice, offices of the state religion, festivals, and the beginning of Christianity.
PBS
Timeline of Peter and Paul
A timeline that is a part of a PBS documentary about Peter and Paul. The timeline shows what is happening in the Roman Empire at the same time as events in the Jewish communities.
PBS
Pbs: The Roman Empire of the 1st Century: Religion and Politics in Daily Life
In this lesson plan, students will examine various aspects of religion in ancient Rome including the role of mythology, polytheism versus. monotheism, the treatment of Jews and Christians, and the spread of Christianity. To guide their...
Other
University of Illinois: The Early Centuries of the Greek Roman East
Read about the history of the Romiosini, or Greek Middle Ages and the development of the Greek-Roman east. The article is divided into two different sections. The first section includes the foundation of Constantinople as a means to...
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Roman Catacombs
This provides in depth information about many aspects of the catacombs of Rome which were used by early Christians. Position, history and artifacts are all discussed. Please note that ?The Catholic Encyclopedia? is a historic reference...
PBS
Pbs Frontline: Letters of Pliny the Younger & Emperor Trajan
The actual letters written between Pliny and the Emperor about the issue of early Christianity. It was the first time the Romans recognized the religion as separate from Judaism.
Other
Music History Online: Music Before the 16th Century
Learn about music dating from the early Neanderthals to the Proto-Renaissance period. Also included is music from the Greeks and Romans as well as the early Christian church.
Other
Rock Island Books: Political & Religious Background During Life of Jesus
This short article describes some of the various political and religious groups and individuals that were operating during the time of Jesus. Some of these include the Romans, King Herod, the Pharisees and others.
Curated OER
Unesco: Hungary: Early Christian Necropolis of Pecs (Sopianae)
In the 4th century, a remarkable series of decorated tombs were constructed in the cemetery of the Roman provincial town of Sopianae (modern Pecs). These are important both structurally and architecturally, since they were built as...
PBS
Pbs Frontline: Pliny's Policy of Execution
An nice article which describes the first attempt of the Romans to deal with early Christians in 112 C.E. Pliny the Younger decided to use execution and it marks the beginning of the Roman persecution of the Christians.
PBS
Pbs Frontline: The Martyrs
A very nice account which delves into the background of the persecutions of the early Christians under the Romans. The article provides specific historical details as to why and how Christians were being attacked.
Georgetown University
Augustine the African
A short but detailed biographical sketch on St. Augustine with nice information about his early life, his role in early Christianity and more.
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius
An in-depth study of the Christian philosopher from the 6th century C.E. There is a comprehensive biographical sketch plus nice analysis of his major works and ideas.
Other
Prayerbook: The Letter of Paul to the Romans
Details about Paul's letter to the Christian community at Rome, which centers on the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.