The Story of Civilization: Volume I – The Ancient World
By Phillip Campbell · Published by TAN Books
Overview
Children should not just read about history—they should live it. In The Story of Civilization: Volume I – The Ancient World, Phillip Campbell transforms world history into a vivid and engaging narrative that places young readers directly inside the events that shaped humanity.
Spanning from the earliest nomadic cultures to the conversion of Emperor Constantine, this volume introduces children to the great civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, and Rome, while also weaving in the story of salvation history through the Old Testament and the coming of Christ. Through short, story-driven chapters, students encounter both famous and ordinary figures as they experience battles, discoveries, cultural achievements, and pivotal moments in human history.
What sets this series apart is its faithful presentation of history through the lens of the Catholic Church, offering families a trusted resource that integrates historical truth with the fullness of the Faith.
What Students Will Discover
- The rise of ancient civilizations across the world
- Stories from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, and Rome
- Key figures such as Archimedes, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, and Cleopatra
- The history of the Israelites and the coming of Christ
- The conversion of Emperor Constantine and the dawn of Christendom
Did You Know?
- Minoan youth participated in bull-leaping games
- King Xerxes ordered the sea to be punished during a storm
- Archimedes designed inventions to defend his city
- Hannibal crossed the Alps with elephants
- Julius Caesar formed a famous alliance with Cleopatra
Complete Learning System
- Textbook: 35 lessons presented in story-driven format
- Test Book (Grades 5–8): Chapter quizzes with answer key
- Activity Book & Teacher’s Manual (Grades 1–4): Crafts, maps, comprehension, and creative exercises
- Video Lecture Series: Chapter reviews, visuals, and quizzes led by the author
- Dramatized Audio Book: Fully produced narration with music and sound effects
- Timeline Poster: Laminated 36×18 visual guide covering 75+ major events and figures
From the Book
History comes alive when we see it through the lives of those who lived it, discovering not only what happened, but why it matters.
Intended Audience
This volume is ideal for Catholic homeschool families, educators, and students seeking a faithful and engaging introduction to world history. It is especially suited for grades 5–8, with additional materials available for younger learners.
Parents looking for a complete, structured curriculum rooted in Catholic truth will find this program both comprehensive and easy to implement.
FAQs
What time period does this volume cover?
It spans from early human history and ancient civilizations to the conversion of Emperor Constantine.
Is this part of a larger series?
Yes. This is Volume I of The Story of Civilization, followed by additional volumes covering later periods of history.
Are there supplemental materials included?
Yes. The complete set includes tests, activities, lectures, audio dramatization, and a timeline poster.
Key Themes
- History taught through a Catholic worldview
- Ancient civilizations and cultural development
- Integration of sacred and secular history
- Story-based learning for deeper engagement
- Formation through historical understanding
- Author:
- Phillip Campbell
- Illustrator:
- Chris Pelicano
- Imprint:
- TAN Books
- Publication Date:
- 5/10/2016
- SKU:
- 2465
- Product Format:
- Set
- Wistia Name:
- TAN Academy: The Story of Civilization Volume 1
- Wistia Hash:
- zikgy3n1g4
- Wistia Url:
- https://www.tanbooks.com/tan-academy-the-story-of-civilization-volume-1/
- Wistia Type:
- Series
- atc-product:
- 1719
- atc-product:
- 3193
- atc-product:
- 3761
- cpu-product:
- 1221
- cpu-product:
- 4232
- cpu-product:
- 3002
6 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Engaging
My first grader loves history, thanks to this series! He (and his younger brother) enjoy listening to the audio book, coloring the pictures, and the activities. The snack activities have been a big hit! I appreciate having options for the activities, and having an audio version.
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Great for all ages
My children and I have really been enjoying this series. I think it can be geared toward children of all ages, including High School. I plan to use it all the way up.
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Great for every age
I'vebeen using this history program with my 5th and 8th graders. They ask me every day to read the next section and we are actually finishing the book early! That never happens for us! I plan to use this all the way up through high school (I;ll supplement with note-taking and timelines).
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Overall good, but lacking in some areas
This history program is very good for younger students, but you might want a more thorough one for high-school level. I recommend at least getting the audiobook if you don;t want to get the videos, they really help make it fun, interesting, and accessible for children. The crafts are well thought out and fun, helping to reinforce the week;s lesson. This set works very well as a spine, but I found that it does need some supplementation. There were several civilizations that were not covered (Celts, Indus Valley, Yellow River Valley, Native Americans, etc.), but it was not difficult for me to slip them in between lessons. There is also a lack of color or photographs of actual archeological sites, artifacts, etc. Again, easily supplemented, but enough is missing that I feel justified docking a star. I would, however, recommend this to Catholic families. Overall, I'm happy with this purchase and would recommend it, but also would heavily encourage that it not be the sole source for your history lessons.
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For the first time in
For the first time in my life I can say, I enjoy history and It's all thanks to these wonderful books.
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Wonderful addition to my homeschooling
My children would complain EVERY TIME they had to do history, but now they look forward to it and actually do not want to stop the lesson!
