Expanding the Ancient World Workshop:

This workshop will take place online; a Zoom link will be provided via email to registered participants.

Registration is required at THIS LINK.

Expanding the Ancient World is a series of professional development workshops and online resources for teachers. Keyed to the NYC Department of Education Social Studies Scope and Sequence, this program is designed to offer K-12 educators opportunities to develop their knowledge of the ancient world and to provide classroom-ready strategies for teaching the past with reliable sources. Featuring inquiry-based workshops, flexible lesson plans, and up-to-date research, Expanding the Ancient World aims to equip teachers with information and skills that they can share with their students. CTLE credits will be offered to New York State teachers.

This workshop invites students to explore state religion in the ancient Mediterranean and Mesopotamia through modern connections, an interactive lecture, and group activities. Using Egypt, the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and Rome as case studies, students will examine how religion in these societies was inseparable from politics, serving to reinforce hierarchy, express elite values, and justify war—very different from the modern separation of church and state in America.

We will begin with a group brainstorming session on modern expressions of “state religion,” such as military ceremonies, national symbols, and public patriotism, encouraging students to reflect on the varied relationships between governments and religion. A short interactive lecture will then define state religion and introduce the three ancient examples, highlighting their foundational myths, ideology, patron gods, king–god relationships, temple institutions, public festivals, and religious conquest.

Each case study illustrates a distinct model: Egypt’s centralized, conservative divine kingship; Neo-Assyria’s imperial religion centered on the god Assur; and Rome’s broad incorporation—and strategic limitation—of diverse religious traditions. Through these comparisons, students will be asked to consider how rulers across time have used religion to assert power and legitimacy, including in today’s world.

For the main activity, teams will design their own religious festival for a real or imagined ancient state, complete with a poster, proposed ceremonies, and an explanation of how the festival projects state authority. Groups will present their festivals to the class, which will vote on a favorite. The workshop concludes with a discussion comparing ancient practices to students’ own experiences of religion and civic life in the modern world.

Workshop led by Isabel Grossman-Sartain (ISAW PhD Candidate).

Participants will receive 1.5 CTLE hours.

If you have any questions regarding the Expanding the Ancient World program please email ETAW@nyu.edu.

Please check isaw.nyu.edu for event updates.

ISAW is committed to providing a positive and educational experience for all guests and participants who attend our public programming. We ask that all attendees follow the guidelines listed in our community standards policy.