This course traces the development of western culture from its beginnings with the ancient city states of Mesopotamia to the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. Students read diverse primary sources such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, the writings of Herodotus, and the diary of St. Perpetua as they seek to understand how ancient people ordered their communities, made sense of the world around them, and shaped their environments. This course also helps students develop analytical thinking and writing skills.