Ancient Civilizations

Dive into the mysteries of Ancient Civilizations with Meridian Stories. This sub-category within our History content area invites students to explore the cultures, innovations, and legacies of early societies. From the pyramids of Egypt to the philosophy of Ancient Greece, these challenges provide a captivating journey into the roots of human civilization. Engage with the wisdom of the ancients and inspire a new generation of historians, thinkers, and explorers.

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2022 — 2023 Meridian Stories Competitions

History

Historical Paintings and the Stories They Tell - A Dramatic Re-imagining

One critical source of historical knowledge comes from the period illustrations. Each illustration – from portraits to battle scenes; family gatherings to famous moments in history – when analyzed, reveals telling details about attitudes, status, traditions, emotional states, fashion trends, and, above all, in the pre-photographic age, what people really looked like, famous and otherwise. In this Challenge, you will select a picture from a time or moment in history that you are studying and bring to life one, two or three characters from that illustration. As they figuratively step out of the frame, they will tell us the story of the picture. The stories may be based on historical knowledge if the illustration is meant to document a seminal historical moment, or made up, based on your research into the period about what these people might be …posing for, or doing later that afternoon. The best place to start this Challenge may be with a visit to …your nearby art museum.