Free Ancient and Medieval History Courses
Here are some online ancient and medieval history courses offered free by three top universities: Utah State University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Open University.
Utah State University (USU)
USU offers a course exploring the development of civilization in the West, and touches on other continents as well. The course is designed to scratch the surface of ancient world history for beginning/amateur historians.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT's Open Courseware contains a number of course materials from history classes previously taught at the institution. The Making of a Roman Emperor course focuses on the culture and politics surrounding Rome's God-Ruler. Another course, The Emergence of Europe: 500-1300, explores the political, cultural and social development of Western Europe.
- The Ancient World: Rome
- The Renaissance, 1300-1600
- The Emergence of Europe: 500-1300
- The Making of Russia in the Worlds of Byzantium, Mongolia, and Europe
- History of Western Thought, 500-1300
- The Ancient World: Greece
- The Ancient City
- The Making of a Roman Emperor
The Open University
The Open University offers a free introduction course for exploring world history during the Classical Era.
Free Online Ancient and Medieval History Courses at a Glance
| Course & School | Program Level | Format | Assignments | Quizzes & Exams | Downloadable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| History and Civilization course from USU | Undergraduate | Audio Lectures | No | No | No |
| The Ancient World: Rome course from MIT | Undergraduate | Textbook | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Renaissance, 1300-1600 course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Emergence of Europe: 500-1300 course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Making of Russia in the Worlds of Bysantium, Mongolia, and Europe course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| History of Western Thought, 500-1300 course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| The Ancient World: Greece course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| The Ancient City course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| The Making of a Roman Emperor course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| Introducing the Classical World course from Open University | Intermediate | Text Lessons | Yes | No | Yes |
