Overall Theme: Foundations of the Hero: Explanation vs. Truth
Yearlong Question: “How did different cultures try to explain the world before knowing the Absolute Truth?”
- Quarter 1: Gods & Goldsmiths (Egypt & Early Greece)
- Theme: Myth and Origins
- Quarter 2: Heroes of the Horizon (The Heroic Age)
- Theme: Valor and Hubris
- Quarter 3: Citizens & Conquerors (The Golden Age to Rome)
- Theme: Order and Law
- Quarter 4: Legions & Lambs (Rome & Redemption)
- Theme: Strength vs. Sacrifice
Spirit: Comparing ancient myths and Roman power to the True Hero (Christ)
Core Reading: The Golden Goblet, Greek Myths, Homer, The Aeneid, The Bronze Bow
Key Icon: The Pillar (Stability & Law)
Description: “This course explores the foundations of Western Civilization through its earliest stories, myths, and legends. From the mysteries of the Egyptian Goldsmith to the legendary Heroes of the Horizon, students analyze how ancient man grappled with fate, pride, and the divine. By evaluating the clash of Roman legions with those following the Lamb of God, students discover that the ultimate ‘Hero’ is found not in a myth, but in the historical story of Redemption. Ultimately, comparing the capricious, human-like Greek gods with the unchanging character of the One True God prepares students for their final capstone analysis of ancient versus biblical virtue.”
Key Writing: Students will master the Character Bio and the Symbol Hunter’s Log, culminating in a Comparative Analysis of ancient versus biblical heroism.
The A.S.K.:
- A – Archetypes & Symbols: Decode the “Hero of Force” vs. the “Hero of Sacrifice” and the “Feather of Truth.”
- S – Search for the Transcendent: Find the True, the Good, and the Beautiful hidden within ancient “shadows” and myths.
- K – Knightly Character: Apply the virtue of Prudence to discern between ancient hubris and biblical wisdom.
