(i) The ancient Greeks created the world's first democracy. Athens started on with a monarchy and then advanced to an oligarchy until it finally reached a democracy.
(ii) The Greek Alphabet was the first alphabet in the western sense of the word, featuring distinct letters for vowels and consonants.
(iii) The first library in the world, the library of Alexandria was actually built in Egypt.
(iv) The Olympic games started in ancient Greece specially in the city of Olympia.
(v) Science and Mathematics - Eratosthenes was the first mathematician to calculate the circumference of the Earth. Aristarchus, Archimedes and Hipparchus were great mathematicians and scientists.
(vi) One of the common examples of Greek Architecture in the modern world is the Column or Pillar.
(vii) Greek mythology has pervaded nearly every form of popular culture imaginable. Many Greek myths have been adapted into modern novels, movies, TV, shows etc.
(viii) The first lighthouse in the world was located in the Greek controlled Egyptian Kingdom of Alexandria.
(ix) The democratic people of ancient Greece, especially Athens, were the first to employ trial by jury as we know it today.

(i) Romans followed new arch techniques which allowed the construction of aqueducts, Colosseums, basilicas and amphitheatres. Not only have many of these structures lasted for thousands of years, but the techniques are still in use today.
(ii) The system of Republic followed by Romans served as a model for others.
(iii) The Romans were also skilled at making solid long-lasting forms of concrete.
(iv) The Romans enjoyed entertainment such as chariot races, gladiator battles, plays at the theatre etc., some of them are enjoyed even today.
(v) Their roads were well engineered, designed to last and allowed for fast travel across the empire.
(vi) The Roman Emperor Augustus started the first courier service.
(vii) Romans law included all facets of life in the ancient empire. The Romans helped shape best practice in the legal system.
(viii) Roman Emperors like Trajan established social welfare schemes.
(ix) They had a very good knowledge about medical tools.
(x) The Romans were greatly admired for their city planning.
(xi) The Romans culture was the foundation of western culture and linguistics which on its turn was spread all around the world.

(i) Jesus was against the rich and the hypocrites.
(ii) Jesus condemned certain observances and ceremonials.
(iii) This was not to the liking of the priests.
(iv) So they turned against Jesus and handed him over to the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate.

(i) Shih Huang Ti crushed all local rulers and established a strong central government.
(ii) However, uprisings of the peasantry, unlike in other cultures, occurred again and again in China.
(iii) Such uprisings led to the collapse of Chin dynasty

(i) Socrates was a great thinker of the Pericles Era.
(ii) The Athenian government, after Pericles, did not like Socrates' way of finding truth.
(iii) He was accused of corrupting the youth.
(iv) The jury found Socrates guilty and sentenced him to die by drinking hemlock (a poison).

(i) Under Oligarchy, the new rich exploited the smaller landholders.
(ii) So this republic was soon replaced by some ambitious men who administered tyrannically

(I) When the Greek City-States first emerged, they still carried the legacy of the past.
(ii) The rulers came from lines of traditional chieftains.
(iii) Those who grew rich from the expansion of trade, resented the privileges enjoyed by the old ruling families.
(iv) The outcome was the overthrow of the kings and the establishment of "oligarchies" in many city-states.