You are to write two essays

# ESSAY 1

The ancient Mediterranean world was interconnected and saw interactions between numerous civilizations throughout the period. Despite the common focus of history books on the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, they were continually influenced by surrounding civilizations, from Northern Africa to the modern Middle East, stretching as far east as the Indus river at some points. For this essay, I would like you to discuss the influence that these interactions had on classical Athens during the 5th century BCE, the empire created by Alexander the Great, the Roman Republic of the 3rd century BCE, and the early decades of the Roman Empire established in 27 BCE. How was western civilization shaped by these interactions?

Your essay does not need to be exhaustive but chooses at least one example from each time period in order to help you construct your argument.*

# ESSAY 2

Compare and contrast the roles of religion in the Islamic, Byzantine, and western European worlds in the period from around 500-850. How central was religion to governmental and/or societal structure in these areas during those 350 years?

A complete answer will attempt to cover the entire period in question and try to keep your examples in chronological order. Finally, remember that it is generally more fruitful to search for differences rather than similarities when you compare and contrast different ideas and events.

HERE’S THE LINK TO THE TEXTBOOK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10yGv6kmMkI0Gymg10…