Learning From Our Past – Reasons For Studying Ancient History

Reading the buzz surrounding this latest discovery from Pompeii prompted me to ask the following questions: Why should I study ancient history? Does learning about ancient events, such as the Peloponnesian Wars, the destruction of Pompeii, or the rise and fall of the Ptolemaic kingdom in Egypt, really have any relevance today?
After all, we now live in a modern age where the average person has, thanks to the Internet, instantaneous access to a wealth of information on demand, sourced from around the globe, at a rate and volume unimaginable to those living just a few decades ago.
Contributions to Human Knowledge
So how does ancient history contribute to human knowledge, progression and the future? A common answer presented is that it lets us recognize the mistakes of the past, in order to prevent ourselves from repeating them in the future. Studying ancient history allows us to understand where we have come from and why we are here, and by doing so, shows us how the ancients’ attempts to shape their futures relate to our own actions in the present day.
Knowing about how ancient people and societies dealt with issues in the past helps us to recognize, and be prepared for, dealing with our own issues both currently and in the future. While the causal relationship between the ancient era and our own isn’t as apparent as say, more modern historical periods (where we are still living through the aftereffects of ‘recent’ historical events such as the American Revolution and World War I, for example) – there is still enough common ground for us to learn from our forebears’ words and deeds.
Intellectual Development
There are also other reasons for studying ancient history that go beyond the “avoiding the past” trope.
Studying ancient history contributes to our cultural understanding and intellectual development. If we don’t know where we come from and the trials and tribulations which faced our forebears how can we understand ourselves? The study of history on any level can potentially help to define our own identities. I know that if I didn’t know about my culture I wouldn’t be the person I am today. If my society didn’t know about its past what would there be for them to celebrate or avoid in its future. History builds who we are and by furthering our understanding of our past we better understand ourselves. One cannot deny that understanding oneself is vital to the progression of humanity – otherwise how could we better ourselves as a species?
Scientific Progress
Studying ancient history also contributes to scientific progress. If we understand the origins of issues, then we can better understand similar issues that we face today. One example is the study of disease, starting with their origins. There are historical accounts of plagues, etc. that have allowed scientists to track the progression of the disease through the ages to the present day. This has helped them to work on new treatments or cures. In other cases, these scientists are able to work with actual physical evidence, gathered from archeological sites, such as those dating back to ancient Rome or Egypt. An example is the work being done in cancer research, thanks to mummies, that is providing new information for scientists as to the progression of the disease over a wider temporal period than previously thought possible.
History is intertwined with hundreds of other areas that could not so easily progress without it. These include medical knowledge, sociology, psychology, social structure, health and safety, linguistics, forensics, construction, planning; the list goes on and on.
A Moral Obligation
In addition to being able to explain certain modern situations, the study of history is essential to the progression of the human race. Understanding the past, for instance, gives us comfort because we are not the first people to experience things and we can see the potential of the future. A person moving to the other side of the world is comforted and enabled by the fact that thousands of people (if not more) have done so previously. A company sees potential in the future because of what people have achieved in the past.
Studying history in itself is a tradition and one with a firm base, it is vital to the progression of humanity personally and on a wider stage, but above all it fulfills a moral obligation to our ancestors. It allows cultures to continue with a better understanding of where they came from, and gives them a respect for their heritage. Perhaps, most importantly, it provides a better and wiser comprehension of everything passed down to us.
Thoughts on this post? Additional ideas on the importance of studying history? Please feel free to share them with the OTA community on our Facebook page; we would love to hear from you!
Interested in learning more about ancient history? You can review a list of OTA’s History courses here:
Historical Fiction: Refugee – Monday – Spring 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 7 – 9
“Some novels are engaging, and some novels are important. Refugee is both.” ~ Ruta Sepetys Three […]
Find out more »Top Ten American Presidents – Grades 7-10 – Spring 2023 – 10 Weeks
Every president is a human being. Some presidents made good choices. Some presidents made not […]
Find out more »CSI: American History – Grades 5-8 – Spring 2023 – 10 weeks
Have your learner join us this fall for a fun-filled, hands-on investigations into some great […]
Find out more »Biography: Hidden Figures – The Women who Changed NASA Forever – Monday – Spring 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 5 – 7
Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group […]
Find out more »You Decide! Applying Court Cases to the Bill of Rights – Grades 7-10 – Spring 2023 – 10 Weeks
The United States Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention. However, […]
Find out more »I Survived…. Session Three – Tuesday – Spring 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 2 – 5
When disaster strikes, heroes are made! Students will be reading three books from the I Survived series […]
Find out more »Six! The Musical: The Life and Times of King Henry VIII and his Wives – Tuesday – Spring 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 6 – 9
Six: The Musical is one of the NEWEST sensations on Broadway! This powerful 75 minute […]
Find out more »Day: Holocaust Education – Wednesday – Spring 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 8 (mature) – 12
In its opening paragraphs, a successful journalist and Holocaust survivor steps off a New York […]
Find out more »Exploring American History through the American Girls: 1954 – 1974 – Wednesday – Spring 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 2 – 5
Have your child learn American history through the lens of the American Girls. We will […]
Find out more »Traveling the World through Art & Cooking – Thursday – Spring 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 2 – 5
During this 10-week class, we will travel to nine different countries around the world. Together, we […]
Find out more »Profiles in History: Leaders who Changed the World… Both Large and Small – Tuesday – Fall 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 2 (mature) – 6
The greatest connection we can have throughout history is the human one. Together, in Profiles in […]
Find out more »United States History for High School Students – Preparation for APUSH (or Honors Option) – Tuesday – 30 Weeks – Grades 9-12
This course will explore America’s past, reviewing and examining various political, geographical, economic, cultural, and […]
Find out more »Geography Matters: World Geography – Tuesday – Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 – 20 Weeks – Grades 7 – 9
“In 2002, 89% of Americans aged 18-24 could locate the United States on a map. […]
Find out more »World History (Honors and AP options) – Tuesday – Full Year – 30 Weeks – Grades 10 – 12
Please note that this class will be following an AP schedule. Learners MAY opt to […]
Find out more »European History (Honors OR AP options) – Tuesday – Full Year – 30 Weeks – Grades 10 – 12
Please note that this class will be following an AP schedule. In this European history […]
Find out more »United States History for Middle School Students – Full Year – 30 Weeks – Grades 6 – 8
This three-part course explores the rich and diverse history of the United States, from its […]
Find out more »United States History for Middle School Students: From Prehistoric Times to the Jacksonian Democracy – Fall 2023 – 10 Weeks – Grades 6 – 8
This three-part course explores the rich and diverse history of the United States, from its […]
Find out more »Think like an Economist: Introduction to Economic Theory – Wednesday – Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 – 20 Weeks – Grades 9 – 12
In Think like an Economist, Jonathan Meola will provide your students with a solid introduction to […]
Find out more »Ancient World: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome – Full Year – 30 Weeks – Wednesday – Grades 5 – 7
This course, in its entirety, will follow the dramatic history of the world’s early civilizations […]
Find out more »Ancient World: Egypt – Fall 2023 – 10 Weeks – Wednesday – Grades 5 – 7
This course, in its entirety, will follow the dramatic history of the world’s early civilizations […]
Find out more »American Government 101: From the Continental Congress to the Iowa Caucus, Everything You Need to Know About United States Politics – Thursday – Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 – 20 Weeks -Grades 8-12
Too often, Government classes turn the noteworthy details into tedious discourse that would put even […]
Find out more »Geography Matters: Exploring our Fifty States United States Geography – Thursday – Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 – 20 Weeks – Grades 5 -7
Did you know that about 75 % of graduating seniors admitted to not being able […]
Find out more »History: Conflicts of the 20th Century- Thursday – Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 – 20 Weeks -Grades 8-12
In this class, we will explore World Wars I & II, the Cold War (along […]
Find out more »Profiles in History: Heroes of America’s Growth and Freedom – Tuesday – Winter 2024 – 10 Weeks – Grades 2 (mature) – 6
The greatest connection we can have throughout history is the human one. Together, in Profiles in […]
Find out more »United States History for Middle School Students: From the Panic of 1837 to the Progressive Era – Winter 2024 – 10 Weeks – Grades 6 – 8
This three-part course explores the rich and diverse history of the United States, from its […]
Find out more »Ancient World: Greece – Winter 2024 – 10 Weeks – Wednesday – Grades 5 – 7
This course, in its entirety, will follow the dramatic history of the world’s early civilizations […]
Find out more »Profiles in History: Stories of those who are Worthy of Remembrance – Tuesday – Spring 2024 – 10 Weeks – Grades 2 (mature) – 6
The greatest connection we can have throughout history is the human one. Together, in Profiles in […]
Find out more »United States History for Middle School Students: From Woodrow Wilson to Present Day – Spring 2024 – 10 Weeks – Grades 6 – 8
This three-part course explores the rich and diverse history of the United States, from its […]
Find out more »Ancient World: Rome – Spring 2024 – 10 Weeks – Wednesday – Grades 5 – 7
This course, in its entirety, will follow the dramatic history of the world’s early civilizations […]
Find out more »Little House in the Big Woods – Grades 2 – 5 – Spring 2024 – 10 Weeks
Can you imagine growing up in a log cabin? Hunting for and growing all your […]
Find out more »Junior Historian: The Civil Rights Movement – Thursday – Spring 2024 – 10 Weeks – Grades 4 – 7
Did you know that the second you were born, you were granted rights? That's right […]
Find out more »
Comments are closed.