Ancient History, from History.com

History.com/topics -  Today's civilizations owe an immense debt to the powerful empires and mighty cities of antiquity. Their inventions, techniques and concepts enabled the advancement of humankind and lay the foundation for life in the modern world.

From the literary legacy of ancient Greece to the majestic pyramids of the Maya, vestiges of their greatness still grace the globe, continuing to enthrall, inspire and mystify us.

Thousands of years after these ancient cultures' declines, historians, archaeologists and other scholars of the distant past spend entire careers striving to unlock their secrets and walk in the footsteps of the people who created them.

Explore related articles on events including the Punic Wars, the Peloponnesian War, the Battle of Marathon, and the Trojan War.

Other topics include Cleopatra, Tukankhamen, Julius Caesar, Caligula, Spartans, Hannibal and Leonidas.