Augustus Caesar’s World

About this curriculum

An overview of world history during the life of Augustus Caesar (Octavius). Wonderfully conversational tone! Recommended for grades 7–12. In her unique “horizontal history” approach, Foster weaves a story of the world around her central character. Rather than focusing exclusively on geo-political events, as most textbooks do, she includes stories of scientific discovery and invention, music, literature, art, and religion. In Augustus Caesar’s World , Foster traces the seven major civilizations—Rome, Greece, Israel, Egypt, China, India, and Persia—from 4500 B.C. to the time of Augustus Caesar in 44 B.C. and culminating in 14 A.D. Readers learn not only the stories of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Marc Antony, but also the historian Livy and how Virgil came to write the Aeneid. The author then takes her readers all over the world to learn what was happening at this same time in China, Persia, India, and more. Foster’s detailed pen and ink drawings are fresh and appealing, and her illustrated timelines give a clear sense of chronology, enriching the engaging text. Note: The author tends to treat all religions as equal in this book