The Interactive History Company

Ancient Civilizations
     When one thinks of ancient civilizations, images of magnificent ruins may come to mind. Remnants of temples and fortresses still stand witness to the amazing accomplishments of the people who built them:  The Palace of Knossos on the Island of Crete, the Parthenon in Athens, the Coliseum in Rome.

     But those were times of life, bone, blood and sweat, not just marble columns and clay bricks. Our modern science is more advanced in some things; our abilities magnified by our modern technology, but much of what we are now is based on these ancient peoples' pursuit of knowledge, their "philosophy" – literally: “love of knowledge”, their desire to understand the world. 

     The programs of the Interactive History Co. bring taste & touch, experience & exploration, performance & play to the arts, sciences & everyday chores of this magnificent age.

     We’ll wear the tunics and tell the tales and learn to argue (properly). We’ll  examine their very different views on the order of the universe, religion, social rank, and slaves. We can re-create the Athenian Agora - the market place – where we’ll come together to trade more than just our wares... Perhaps we will create a play with you: (Tragedy or Comedy?) write it on a scroll, build a mask, and perform a new masterpiece.
After all, we are The Interactive History Co. – we bring you history you can grasp…

IHC's Tunics & Chitons Class is based on period references such as this Greek amphora below
Plays in the theaters of Athens were considered such an important aspect of Athenian life, that some prisoners were even allowed out of jail to attend the events
 

School Assemblies

Test Your Olympic Skills Assembly:  A wide variety of Greek, Roman & Mesopotamian Games and Athletic Challenges are presented at stations set up around a large school venue, such as a cafeteria, gym or library with student volunteers and class groups invited onto the floor to test their skills in front of their classmates - Appropriate for all ages

School Assembly: Sparta - With Your Shield...Or on it!    A fully engaging demonstration of the rigorous extremes of life in the ancient City-state of Sparta. In some ways the most egalitarian of all the  cities of Greece, allowing women more freedom than anywhere else in the ancient world, but also a harsh, militaristic society.  Student volunteers are brought forward to demonstrate Spartan practices, from physical drills with round shields and paper javelins to games designed by the Spartans to teach stealth and cunning - by encouraging stealing(!)

Multi-media introduction to the period: Ancient Attitudes Assembly    A one hour multi-media Powerpoint presentation - recommended for Upper Middle School to Community college students and interested Community Organizations.  A colorful, sometimes startling, look at the similarities and differences between our modern sensibilities and the civilization that western culture was born out of.  Attitudes about nudity, social strata, wealth, slavery...

First Person Interactive Performance:

Galatea - Good Woman of Greece  

Focus on History Classes               Click on a specific class for a full description.

• Ancient Alphabets & Mathematics 
  
• Greek Drama & Storytelling
  
• Tunics & Chitons
• Games & Athletics
• Ancient Tools & Measurements 
  
• Fiber Arts of the Ancient World
• Ancient Astronomy
• Out of the Labyrinth...
• Greek Amphora Art
  

Living History Workshops:

Living History in the Greek Theater

Living History at the Athenian Agora

Hands-on-History Faire:

  The Athenian Market Faire

 - A young student enjoys working an ancient style of pump-drill