本課程將介紹西洋上古時期，包括古埃及、兩河流域、希臘與羅馬的歷史，是人類文明十分重要的部分。這些文明在西元前三千年到西元五百年之間，達到驚人的複雜與精緻的境界，從農業、文字、城市、法律與政治制度的出現，到教育、烹飪的方式與清潔身體的概念，以及哲學、文學、科學、藝術與文化的成就，這些文明雖然離我們如此遙遠，許多方面也許與我們的觀念並無太大的差異，也為我們當前的世界立下許多的基礎。課程進行大約按照時代順序，其中也對重要的主題進行說明。當我們審視西洋上古時期璀璨的文明，除了將認識人類豐富的遺產，也將反省我們的世界、以及我們本身所面臨的問題。

This course will introduce the ancient Western period, including the history of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome, which is a very important part of human civilization. Between 3000 BC and 500 AD, these civilizations reached a state of astonishing complexity and sophistication, from the emergence of agriculture, writing, cities, laws and political systems, to education, cooking methods and concepts of body cleansing, as well as achievements in philosophy, literature, science, art and culture. Although these civilizations are so far away from us, many aspects may not be much different from our concepts, and they also laid many foundations for our current world. The course proceeds approximately in chronological order and important topics are explained. When we look at the splendid civilizations of ancient Western times, we will not only understand the rich heritage of mankind, but also reflect on our world and the problems we ourselves face.

Brewer, D. J., and Teeter, E., Egypt and the Egyptians, 2nd ed., (Cambridge, UK ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007).

McIntosh, J. R., Ancient Mesopotamia : new perspectives (Santa Barbara, Calif. : ABC-CLIO, c2005).

Pomeroy, S.B., Burstein, S.M., Donlan, W., and Roberts, J.T., Ancient Greece: a political, social, and cultural history (New York, Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2012).

Boatwright, M. T., et al., The Romans: from village to empire (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003).

蒲慕洲編譯，《尼羅河畔的文采》，台北：遠流，1993。

邢義田編譯，《西洋古代史參考資料》，臺北市 : 聯經, 1987。

Brewer, D. J., and Teeter, E., Egypt and the Egyptians, 2nd ed., (Cambridge, UK; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007).

McIntosh, J. R., Ancient Mesopotamia : new perspectives (Santa Barbara, Calif. : ABC-CLIO, c2005).

Pomeroy, S.B., Burstein, S.M., Donlan, W., and Roberts, J.T., Ancient Greece: a political, social, and cultural history (New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012).

Boatwright, M. T., et al., The Romans: from village to empire (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003).

Compiled by Pu Muzhou, "Literary Talent on the Nile", Taipei: Yuanliu, 1993.

Compiled by Xing Yitian, "Reference Materials on Ancient Western History", Taipei City: Lianjing, 1987.