ancient literature research paper topics

313 Ancient History Topics to Research & Write About

In an ancient history essay or research paper, an adequately chosen topic is critical. A clear and relevant idea is just a starting point for time-consuming writing. You have to do a sufficient analysis together with thoughtful writing to bring history alive.

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If you are looking for ancient history topics to research and write about, you are in the right place. This article contains a list of interesting and controversial essay topics on ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, as well as early world and Indian title ideas. There are also ancient history essay examples added to inspire you even more.

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• Ancient history and classical antiquity: the difference
• Ancient history: the main source texts
• Early Iron Age: the key achievements
• Religion and philosophy in ancient Greece
• Science and technology in ancient Rome
• Ancient Chinese technology
• Music in ancient Greece and Rome: the comparison
• The major Mesopotamian civilizations
• The Nok culture and its history
• The Americas: pre-Columbian era
• William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” According to Wyke, the play explores the dramatic structure of Julius Caesar’s ambition to take to the throne of the Roman Empire.
• Mesopotamian and Ancient Greek Civilizations Comparison Socially, the two civilizations were very different; the Greeks were known for their strong sense of democracy, while the Mesopotamians were ruled by kings and queens. The ancient Mesopotamian and Greek civilizations were two of […]
• Cleopatra and Her Influence on the Ptolemaic Dynasty C and he left the will that he allowed Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII, her younger brother, to rule the kingdom and Cleopatra was directed to wed her brother and deputy ruler because of the Egyptians’ […]
• Ancient Greek Mythical Characters The story of Icarus and Daedalus is told in a Roman source, Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”; the Isle of Crete was blocked by the order of King Minos, but Daedalus wanted to return to his home, Athens.
• The Enuma Elish (Babylonian Genesis) and Genesis: A Comparison In fact, leading researchers across the globe are of the opinion that the New Testament was written on the basis of the Enuma Elis.
• Queen Elizabeth I and Cleopatra as Female Leaders She led her country with a lot of zeal and determination to give the best and rectify the shortcomings of her predecessors.
• Personality of Julius Caesar and His Effect on Rome Caesar’s role in the play is not immense, though he dominates the play, even after his demise in the third act of the play.
• Mathematics in Ancient Greek Architecture One of the pillars of the art of architecture has been mathematics, and the development of this science in Ancient Greece enabled Ancient Greek architects to create beautiful buildings.
• The Ancient Greek Tragedy “Antigone” The theme raised by Sophocles in the play is the theme of duty and family, which is still relevant to this day.
• The Ancient Mayan Civilization The political-social organization of the Maya was hierarchical with a king, nobles and priests on top and the common people and slaves on the bottom.
• The Concept of Deduction in Ancient Greek and Egyptian Mathematics The work of the famous and great Ancient Greek mathematicians has played a vital role in permeating every aspect, section, and part of life, especially from the sector of sending the rockets into space, accounting, […]
• Julius Caesar an Iconic Roman This was highly unexpected, as Caesar, a declared dictator, had the support of all the people of Rome, and his death resulted in administrative imbalances.
• The River Nile and Its Contribution to Ancient Egyptian Civilization The source of the river remained a mystery to the early inhabitants of ancient Egypt for a considerable amount of time.
• Comparison Between Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece’s Burial Rituals On the other hand, the burial rituals of the ancient Greeks in the period of 750BCE and 700BCE were affected by the age of geometry.
• Mesopotamia and Egyptian Civilizations Comparison The social structures of Mesopotamia and Egypt were similar in the fact that they both had broad social class systems with many tiers of power.
• Political Impacts of Julius Caesar This enables Lepidus to see the leadership potential in Caesar and makes his wish to work with him in the government.
• The Architecture of Ancient Greece Found in Los Angeles This paper is aimed at presenting an exploration of the reinterpretations of the stylistics period of the Ancient Greek epitomized in the architecture of the ancient Greece.
• Art History: Female Figures in Ancient Greek Sculpture The development of female figures in ancient Greek sculpture was noticeable during those times; each period added something new; the influence of other countries and their cultures was reflected in almost each piece of work, […]
• Julius Caesar’ Desire for Power Unfortunately with the death of Crassus by 53 BC and Caesar’s subsequent rise to power this as a result eclipsed the political standing of Pompey resulting in a distinct shift in the balance of power […]
• Religion and Society in Ancient Egypt The king sought to control the flow of resources which were collected from the provinces and peasants and channeled upward. The class division was strongly present in the mythology of Ancient Egypt and was accepted […]
• Why Julius Caesar Was Assassinated There is clear indication that Caesar wanted to be called a king and this was the biggest mistake that he made.
• The Role of Poets and the Place of Poetry in Ancient Greece The Muse is the giver of gifts and in this case it is the gift to create words that are melodious to the ear but at the same time the power to move the hearts […]
• Comparison of Sumerian and Egyptian Civilization The most important similarity, which also explains the prosperity of the Sumerians and Egyptians, is the territory and environment. Some similarities can be traced to the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians and the Sumerians.
• Do Antony and Cleopatra Transcend the East-West Divide in Their Relationship? This piece of work gives a critical analysis of the play, Antony and Cleopatra, with much emphasis given to the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra. From the play, it is palpable that the relationship between […]
• The Eloquent Peasant Story and Ancient Egyptian Law The characters in the story are the peasant Khun-Anup, the vassal of the high steward, Nemtynakht, the high steward Rensi, and King Nebkaure.
• Ancient Egypt’s Geographical Features and Development Thanks to the flooding of the river, the Egyptians received irrigation of the land, and it was also used for fishing and hunting. The specific situation of the country was the key to the highest […]
• Urbanization Process in Mesopotamia History of the involvement of the cities in the world has different reasons that lead to the development and establishment of the towns.
• Religion: Sumerian and Genesis Creation Account The Sumerians and Christians believed that the gods first started with energy through the creation of light and then followed this up with form as seen through creation of the planets, then that form was […]
• Mesopotamia vs. Mexica (Aztec) Civilizations The society was located in the Valley of Mexico, and its capital was Tenochtitlan, now the site of modern Mexico City. The Mexica religion was a major part of their culture and played a significant […]
• Ancient Greek Philosophers: A Critical Evaluation of Their Impact on Modern Thought However, according to the article, it is imperative to note that neither reason nor the quest for evidence started with the ancient Greeks, but the pre-Socratic philosophers endeavored to identify a single underlying standard that […]
• Mythology’s Role in the Ancient Greece – God Poseidon He was believed to be the creator and the controller of the sea therefore, people gave him respect and they make him to become angry. Poseidon was a god of the sea and therefore was […]
• Comparing and Contrasting the Confucius Ideas With Ancient Greek Thinkers As far as the body and the soul interacted, Plato also commented on the things that the soul could be influenced by the work or the actions of the body.
• Culture and Society Through the Babylonian Sufferer The Poem is a kind of reflection of alienation from the divine, drawing attention to injustice and the problem of morality. First and foremost, the Poem is seen as one of the beginnings of the […]
• Persian Letters by Montesquieu I chose the 24th letter from the collection to demonstrate the peculiarities of the author’s style that contributed significantly to the book’s unfading success.
• The Sumerian Achievements in Modern Times The Sumerians were able to designate the limits of their country precisely. In the early Sumerians, they sought the assistance of spiritual healers to exorcise the demons they believed were causing people’s illnesses.
• Civilization in Ancient Egypt The civilization of ancient Egypt happened at the same time Mesopotamian civilization was taking place in other areas in the nations of the Akkadians, Babylonians and the Sumerians. Indeed, religion in ancient Egypt led to […]
• BBC Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth The presenter of this video talks about the importance of theater culture to the people of ancient Athens. In the days of the ancient Greeks, the people of Athens learned the latest news from theatrical […]
• Religion in Ancient Rome, the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire Religion in the Holy Roman Empire was a far contrast to the religion in ancient Rome. In the Byzantine Empire religion is the lifeblood of the whole society.
• Ancient Egypt vs. Ancient Greece In this paper, the researcher seeks to investigate the extent to which Ancient Egypt became Greek and the extent to which it remained the same during and after the rule by Ancient Greece.
• Cleopatra’s Life, From Her Ascension to the Throne to Solemn Death The bond between Antony and Cleopatra continued to strengthen and resulted in the return of most of Egypt’s empires that had been conquered by the Romans.
• Ancient Greek Culture, Philosophy and Science A few early Greek philosophers of the 6th century BCE began forming theories about the natural formations of the cosmos that went beyond the commonly held beliefs of the divine beings in the sky2.
• Roman History: Why Julius Caesar Was Assassinated Julius Caesar was both a politician and a strong leader for the Romans, who were responsible for the changes in the history of the Greco-Roman. Caesar’s behavior in the temple was observed to be a […]
• Polytheism of Ancient Greek and Babylonians Compared Turning on to the cult and political organization the gods do participate in the political and governance structures of the societies.
• History: Ancient Greek Olympics Hence, the myth concerning the emergence of the Olympic Games involves Zeus. The Olympic Games owed their integrity and significance to religion.
• History of Ancient Greek It was the accuracy and correctness of the prediction that daunted astronomers for years to come. This event hailed a new set of astronomers who tried to figure out the means to predict such future […]
• The Role of Women in Ancient Egypt Right to the property for married women and their right to private inheritance and inheritance of the community property belonging to the husband was an essential nature of the status of women in Ancient Egyptian […]
• Persuasion, Manipulation, Survival, Success at Work in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” Since the beginning of the play edited by Roma Gill, Brutus is presented as a character who is very close to Caesar and is a “great friend” of his.
• Astronomy: Ancient History of Science At the very center was the sphere of Earth; around it, the shell of water, then the shell of air, and finally the shell of fire.
• Greek City-States – Ancient History Using the case of the early Greek poleis, this paper shows that commercialisation and changing attitudes about leadership have changed the nature of states.
• Suffering in the Ancient, Roman and Greek Periods It can be noted that in all cases suffering was seen as evil in some quarters of the ancient world as is seen today.
• Ashoka Pillars: The Mystery of the Ancient Civilization One of the most incredible creations of the ancient civilizations, the Ashoka Pillar is the reminiscence of the bygone times and the most incredible specimen of the ancient art.
• Pride in Ancient Greek This paper discusses the character and behavior of two Heroes in the Iliad with the aim of explaining the Geeks’ concept of pride.
• Sumerian and Mayan Cultural Similarities As for the meaning of such similarities, both cultures honored the origin and holiness of humans, the earth, and all other sacred objects.
• Why Ancient Egypt’s Old and Middle Kingdoms Collapsed? The fact that the construction of the famous Egyptian pyramids began approximately at that time shows the capabilities of the civilization.
• Ancient Greek vs. Roman Sculpture in the Late Classical Period The left-hand drops her clothes onto the jar of water, the head is turned to the left, and the right hand is extended in front of the pudenda.
• Homa Capital Columns’ at Ancient Persian Persepolis City Alexander the great later raided the city and demolished the palace of Xerxes to symbolize the end of the PanHellenic revenge war.
• The Ancient Greek Society: Role of Religion In the cultural sense, the phrase ‘ancient Greece’ refers to the way of life of the ancient Greek people as depicted in their mode of worship, language, governance, entertainment and their understanding of the physical […]
• Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead It is a critical and ending part of the journey in the afterlife when the individual would arrive at the Hall of Maat and the purity of their soul is judged before entering the Kingdom […]
• Family Structure and Women Status in Ancient Egypt The family structure was also changed in an attempt to match with the wishes of the pharaohs. Many people in this country believed that the practice was important and helped to support the integrity of […]
• Julius Caesar’s and Czar Nicholas II’s Leadership He had to overcome numerous difficulties during his life that have led him to the path of becoming a leader. He had to face the first revolution in the history of Russia and has changed […]
• Chimera of Arezzo: A Conventional Example of Etruscan Art The height of the bronze is 80 cm and it is now a part of the collection of Museo Archeologico in Florence.
• Race in Ancient Egypt Due to race infiltration in Egypt, majority of the black people were under-educated and denied the facts that spelled out the true history of Ancient Egypt, achievements of the black population, and their original works […]
• Cats in Ancient Egyptian Culture: Religious, Social, and Cultural Significance The Egyptians faced lions, panthers, and jungle cats in the woods. In Ancient Egypt, cats were an embodiment of the sun god.
• Deduction in Ancient Greece and Egypt Mathematics and the use of formulas have played an important role in the development of the modern world. The Golden Ratio concept was used in this part of the world.
• The Ancient Roman Aqueducts and Their Structure This work focuses on the principles of building aqueducts, the materials utilized in the process, the key uses, and the specifics of the repair.
• The Democracies of Ancient Greece and the Roman Republic Any democracy which, at least formally, is based on the power of the majority, equality of citizens, protection of their rights and freedoms, a system of separation of powers, and electability of authorities implies a […]
• Ancient Egyptians’ Origins and Ethnicity For the longest time in the period from the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century, the Caucasian theory of the origin of the ancient Egyptians dominated.
• Herbal Medicine and Remedies in Ancient Egypt Additionally, the water lily, a plant belonging to the genus Nymphaea, was utilized for religious purposes and as a kind of medicine in ancient Egypt. 2005 The Art of Medicine in Ancient Egypt.
• Culture of Ancient Greece in The Odyssey by Homer The Odyssey is one of the oldest and most well-known epics in the world. This can be attributed to Homer’s ability to describe the culture and life of the people of the ancient era with […]
• An Agrarian Pyramid of the Hittite Kingdom However, the king did not control all aspects of the kingdom: some branches were controlled by the elites, for example, the Chief of the Scribes.
• Tigris and Euphrates’ Significance for Mesopotamia Now, Mesopotamia is understood mainly as a valley in the lower reaches of these rivers, and lands are added to it east of the Tigris and west of the Euphrates.
• Ethnic Minorities in Ancient Egypt The main topic of the article is the study of the characteristics of various ethnic groups and social organizations in the Ancient Egyptian civilization.
• How “African” Was Ancient Egypt? Some argue that the Ancient Egyptians must have been Black Africans, while others state that cannot be true, at least in terms of physical appearance, Combined with the peculiarity of Egyptian culture, from this emerges […]
• The Ancient Greek Culture Impact on Western Civilization The most significant public structures in the city were gathered around the temple in the city’s center, which served as the power headquarters.
• The Story of the Tower of Babylon The questions of interest regarding the Tower of Babylon are: Which language did the people speak before the Tower of Babylon?
• The Standard Babylonian Poem of the Righteous Sufferer The poem is preserved in a copy from the Applurian Library of King Ashurbanipal, where it was transcribed from the original in the library of the Nippur temple.
• Ancient Greek Civilization: Culture and Arts To begin with, the earliest period of Greek history was the Bronze, and it is characterized by the usage and production of essential tools and the formation of two civilizations, which further contributed to the […]
• Art of Ancient Greece: The Diadoumenos Statue The marble statue of the Diadoumenos depicts an athlete with a victory armband and is a reconstruction of the original based on Roman marble spears. Polykleitos’ sculpture is a typical example of the classical period […]
• Ancient History of Greek Civilization In ancient Greece, the body was the material means of constructing and transmitting social values; the body’s visual representation exemplified the moral codes of the time.
• Ancient History of Mesopotamia and Egypt Both Mesopotamian and Egyptian rulers employed art as one of the methods to reinforce their ideology and remain in the cultural memory.
• Persian vs. Greek Cultures & Political Structures One argument suggests that after surrendering to the Spartans, Greece lost most of its political and military power, primarily accumulated in Athens.
• Greece History: Ancient History Points Moreover, Herodotos’ text depicts the extinction of Cretans, which corresponds to the archeological data, although they mention the eruption as the main factor for the demise of Minoans.
• Civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt In Mesopotamia and Egypt, the first kings similarly worked alongside priests and depended on their support. The religious and agricultural development inevitably led to the intellectual and cultural progress of the countries.
• The Art of Ancient Greece: The Marble Head of Athena The art of Ancient Greece played an essential role in the development of the culture and art of humankind. In Greece, the first principles of democracy in history were formed within the framework of a […]
• Democracy in Ancient Greece and Today From the lecture, I discovered that the word democracy partly originates from the word demes which means the small division of the bigger sections that Athens was divided into during the ancient time.
• Ancient Egyptians’ Ethics of War The initial religion of ancient Egypt was to realize the Gods in the form of birds and beasts. With the beginning of agriculture, the Egyptians became more dependent on nature, so they started to revere […]
• Venus de Milo, Sculpture of Ancient Greece Art The statue also depicts the story of the Judgment of Paris. The findspot of the figure of the goddess is still unknown, and it cannot be said where exactly it was found.
• Mastaba of Mereruka in Ancient Egypt The Matsaba of Mereruka is a great example of the Old Kingdom tomb and its purpose of ensuring a prosperous afterlife for the buried one. The first mention of the king of the afterlife was […]
• Ancient Egyptian Tomb of Mereruka at Saqqara The tomb of Mereruka at Saqqara is one of the most famous monuments, which is the tomb of the non-royal person.
• The Gallic War and Julius Caesar’s Life One notable difference between Caesar’s and Plutarch’s descriptions of the siege of Alesia is how the authors list the numbers of the Gauls.
• The Impact of Ancient Greek Civilization and Architecture on Modern Culture The connection between ancient Greek architecture and modern culture in the United States is evident because of the presence of similar constructions and continuous use of terms that originated from that civilization.
• Visual Arts: Ancient Art of the Greeks Ancient art plays a significant role in helping the individuals of the current generation explain the civilizations of the ancient past. Fresco painted the Bull-leaping fresco from Knossos art to depict the civilizations of the […]
• Captive’s Statuettes of Ancient Egypt In particular, they were used in the rituals of protection of the land and the king, which were conducted in temples to eliminate the enemies of the king of Egypt.
• The Role of Kingship in Ancient Egypt Moreover, the king was considered the incarnation of the god Horus and “the central figure in the world view of the ancient Egyptians”.
• Foreigners Depicted in Neo-Assyrian and Persian Palaces Models of the Neo-Assyrian palace walls portray a wide range of art and sculptures that recorded the events during that era.
• Ancient Egypt: Geography and Environment Thus, the country’s main river occupies a central place in the peculiarities of the culture and development of Egypt. Being a transit region, Egypt also managed to absorb the influence of other areas and enrich […]
• Roles in Diplomacy: Cleopatra and Hatshepsut The reemergence of Nubia and the Kushites, which were the allies of Hyksos, was a major threat to the survival of the kingdom and Hatshepsut was expected to take a strong action to salvage the […]
• Art History: The Prehistoric Aegean, Ancient Greece The relationship between curvilinear forms in Minoan art and the primary role of nature is that nature provided the curvilinear shapes and forms that formed the basis for the artwork.
• Art Before History, the Ancient Near East, Egypt Under the Pharaohs 5 million years ago and was marked by the development and use of chipped stone tools Mesolithic- This is a cultural period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras that began around 10,000 years ago and […]
• The Mindset and Ancient Greek Philosophy Metaphysics studies the nature of reality, the structure of the world, the origin of man, God, truth, matter, mind, the connection between mind, body, and free will, and the correlation between events.
• Ancient Greek History: The Most Important Events of the Period Ancient Greece was home for most of the famous personalities of the ancient world. The introduction of Olympic Games was one of the most significant events in Ancient Greek History.
• The Values of the Babylonian Society: Hammurabi’s Laws Five and Twenty-One In this paper, Hammurabi’s laws number five and twenty-one will be evaluated as the guidelines that secured the ideas of justice and property protection, which were of particular significance to the Babylonians.
• Ancient Egyptian and Greece Literature The history of literature began in the Bronze Age with the invention of writing in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. In Egypt, hieroglyphs and the similarity of drawings were used for writing.
• Scientific Approach to Magic in Ancient Greece 2 The dual attitude towards magic in Ancient Greece is deeply rooted in those people’s focus on knowledge and the use of the scientific method that was born during that period.
• Assyrian Prophecy and Book of Isaiah 45 Comparison Thus, the theme of each of the passages is the prophecy of the gods for the chosen kings. The conceptualization of the gods lies in their confidence, perseverance, and selflessness.
• Women in Ancient Greek and Roman Art The ancient Greek and Roman art, both textual and visual, are a rich source of information on the social history of women in these cultures.
• The Ancient Greek and Republican Roman Architects The ancient Greek and Roman architects sought to express cultural and aesthetic perspectives guided by the adoration of classical qualities such as maturity, moderation, order, balance, and harmony.
• Art Tendencies in Europe and the Persian Empire This research paper focuses on the works of art that represent tendencies peculiar to Europe and the Persian Empire between the second half of the seventeenth century and the mid-eighteenth century.
• Rulers From Different Cultures: Cleopatra and Wu Zetian The main difference was the family background of Cleopatra and Wu Zhao. The second cultural divergence was the governments of the two countries in which Cleopatra and Wu Zhao ruled.
• Art History: Art and Medicine of the Ancient Egypt According to the Egyptian historian Manetho, Imhotep was the first architect who invented the technique of building with the use of a dressed stone. In ancient Egypt, the falcon represented the god Horus who was […]
• Aegean Art: The Minoan Stone Vase Overall, the evaluation of parameters of the stone vase along with its cultural significance suggests that Minoan culture is the synthesis of values promoted by the Minoan Cretan civilization that are wealth accumulation and facilitation […]
• Ancient Greek Mythology: Deities of the Universe Hades is the eldest son of Kronos and Rhea, the god and the guardian of the Underworld, the realm of the dead.
• Black Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt That was the home to the earliest culture of the black people in Africa. It is claimed in the article that the first rulers of Egypt were black.
• Democracy Emergence in Ancient Greece and Why Plato Was Opposed to It The result of this war was the defeat of Athens by Sparta at the end of the fifth century which led to the overthrow of many democratic regimes.
• The Impact of Geography on Agriculture: Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia Due to the fact that the river overrode the Ethiopian lowland, the inclined gradient of the River Nile sent the water torrent which overflowed the river banks resulting in over flooding of the river.
• Male Dominance in Sumerian Civilization The Civilization in Sumer was the first in the world starting from the early Bronze Age. The women here had the authority over the religious group and were held in high esteem.
• The Hetaerae Women of Ancient Greece In the Greek society, the hetaerae women consisted of women who were liberal and commanded great influence in the society. The hetaerae women were noble in one aspect of the other.
• Oedipus the King and Ancient Greek Culture Oedipus consults the servant who was sent to abandon him as a child and it is revealed that he was the child of Laius and Jocasta.
• “Cleopatra” by Michael Grant Life of Cleopatra is still one of the most captivating subjects in a world’s history. In the introduction to Cleopatra the author designates the main thesis of his work.
• Ancient Civilization of Rome and Athens The city of Rome and the city of Athens had great influence and authority over their neighbors and allies. The city of Athens had great influence throughout the Aegean and the influence lasted for about […]
• Americas, Egypt, and Mesopotamia Between 3500-500 BCE Bentley and Ziegler examine the world as a whole and focus on the development and formation of the world’s major societies, ‘traditions’, and also interactions and connections that have always been established among societies, ‘encounters’.”Traditions […]
• Origin of the Olympics in the Ancient Greek Society It exhaustively explains the importance of the Olympic Games to the Greek society in the ancient times and the significance they played in shaping the locals lives.
• Western Civilization: Ancient Greek Theater However, the modern theater has become more commercialized and has become a potential arena of political, social, and cultural discourses, increasingly involving the masses.”Theatre, which had been dominated by the Church for centuries, and then […]
• The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Ancient Egyptian Culture The Epic of Gilgamesh and the culture of the ancient Egypt have their own similarities and differences based on the historical events that took place in this cultures and the religious beliefs of the two […]
• Sumer and Akkadian Cities, Towns and Villages, 3,500 – 2,000 BC Table 1.shows the number of cities in Mesopotamia with a population of more than 10,000 and the table covers the years between 3600 BC to 2000 BC.
• Western Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome,Greece The history of Mesopotamia traces back to the emergence of the urban centers in the Middle East in the 4th millennium.
• The Culture of Ancient Egypt To the advantage of Egyptians in the ancient times, the floods carried with them silt, fertile soils, and minerals which when the flood receded lift rich thick mud that the people grew crops during October […]
• Democracy and Dictatorship in Ancient Greece and Today Recalling the speech of Thucydides, democracy is when the power is in the hands of not a minority but of the whole people when all are equal before the law when political life is free […]
• Machiavelli: Modern Philosophy Against Ancient Greek The main purpose of current research is to understand the main points of significant departure Machiavelli’s model of politics, state, and ethics comprehension from Ancient Greek philosophy represented in the works of such thinkers like […]
• Ancient Civilization of Rome Through innovation, town planning was very important in Rome, the roman in the city plans considered factors like the climate, purpose of the town, and the environment.
• Act 1 Scene III of “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” Analysis The third scene is full of phrases and descriptions appealing to the reader. Short phrases deliver messages to the reader about the true essence of Cassius, Casca, and Cicero.
• Minoan Civilization and Its Collapse in 1450 BC There was a strong influence of the Minoan palace culture that was greatly affected by the earthquakes that took place in that area most of the time, and therefore it became hard as the palaces […]
• The Changes of the Ancient Greeks’ Conceptions of Heroism Through the Times According to the primary task of the essay, it is necessary to say, that the characters of Iliad, Odysseus, and the conclusions by Socrates belong to various epochs of Greek history.
• The Culture of Ancient Greece The Archaic period and the Classical periods are separated by the Persian Wars and the reign of Alexander the Great is taken as separating the Classical from the Hellenistic periods.
• Ancient History of Babylon and Mohenjo-Daro Cities The importance of water for Babylonian infrastructure, thus, became leading, influencing the lives of peasants through the necessity of irrigation and the lives of city-dwellers through the integration of water canals into the city’s infrastructure.
• The Ancient Near East: Civilization of Mesopotamia and Great Flood The Great Flood in Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh both depict the flood, the boat, the God of gods, and persons responsible for preserving humanity.
• “Cleopatra” Movie by Joseph L. Mankiewicz The movie spans the last years of Egypt before it became a Roman province, with the political intrigue around it and the emotional intrigue that Cleopatra stirred with her wit, beauty, and ambition.
• Ancient Egypt in “Gardner’s Art Through the Ages” by Kleiner The part of the first chapter of “Gardner’s Art Through the Ages” dwells upon the history of Ancient Egypt from the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt to the period of the New Kingdom.
• Ancient Greece: Relief of the Temple of Artemis The statute represented on the relief of the Temple of Artemis is one of the typical examples of Ancient Greek sculpture.
• Architectural Marvels of Ancient Mesopotamia Also, it will be possible to illustrate the distribution of wealth with the help of decorative elements. In addition, it will be critical to depict citizens’ attitudes to nature with the help of architectural and […]
• Ancient Egypt’s Socioeconomic & Cultural Relations From this perspective, the research of ancient Egypt society as one of the earliest civilizations can help to acquire the idea of how it impacted the further evolution of our views on social, economic, and […]
• The Indus Valley Civilization’s Development For example, both the region of the Indus Valley and the area near such bodies of water as the Yellow and Yangzi Rivers can be considered as cradles of early civilization.
• Ancient History: Polybius on the Roman Republic As Polybius states himself, he is so interested in the Roman Government because he wants to explain to his readers how “almost the whole world fell under the rule of one power, that of Rome”.
• Ancient Egyptian Culture: Religion, Art, Sports The Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza, the Karnak Temple Complex, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Temples of Luxor are among the most famous constructions in the world.
• History of Mesopotamia and Egypt The central characteristics of the Egyptian state and religion were anchored on the monarchy. In a nutshell, the Egyptian myth demonstrated the wouldeath’ of the older creation and the advent of the new creation.
• Stylistic Features: Ancient Middle East and Roman There are several peculiarities of design indicating that the contemporary dress can be viewed as the adaption of the ancient stola. In Ancient Rome, this type of clothing was used to conceal the sexuality of […]
• Ancient Greek Sports: Boxing, Wrestling, Running So, one can conclude that the cruelty of a blow increased, and for this reason, ancient gloves can be regarded to be offensive weapons.
• Ancient History: Periclean Athens and Augustan Rome What building was connected to Augustus’ house on the Palatine through a series of ramps? Octavia is believed to be the first Roman woman who was depicted on Roman coinage.
• The Immortals Army of Persian Empire The caravan was in charge of food supplies, which was unusual for the army, and of alongside attendants and concubines responsible for the well-being of the Persian Immortals before and after battles.
• Alexander the Great’s Conquest of Persian Empire The death of Alexander the Great shook the empire, beginning the process of the division and undoing of his legacy as many of the conquered regions saw opportunities to relinquish the Hellenistic rule.
• Ancient Egyptian Culture and Society Vizier, who was the second powerful man after the king and the next person to the king, was in charge of legal matters and at the same time the commander of the police.
• Ancient Anasazi and Their Civilization Nevertheless, remains of farmsteads and hamlets point to the active involvement of the Anasazi in construction and agriculture and trade with neighboring communities.
• Ancient Roman Myth and Historical Facts Indeed, compared to the Greeks, who composed legends about the creation of the cosmos and the gods, the central place in Roman mythology is given to Rome itself and its heroic people and the specific […]
• Cleopatra: Heartless Oppressor or Conscientious Goddess Caesar was embroiled in a civil war against the Roman general, Pompey, who had fled to Egypt with the hope of garnering support from Cleopatra’s brother and Pharaoh at the time, namely, Ptolemy-XIII, whereby the […]
• Islamic Art of Armor: Persian Hauberk of Mail In order to understand this piece of art better, one needs to consider the history of Islamic philosophy and the mindset of people of the time.
• Public Speaking in Ancient Greece and Roman Empire With this in mind, investigation of some main peculiarities of the development of art of public speaking public can help to understand its peculiarities better.
• Etruscan-Padan Pottery Archaeometric Study by Maritan Textural features of the samples are discussed with the help of the description that focuses on inclusions and voids. Chemical quantitative analysis and its findings are in the focus of the author’s attention A petrographic […]
• The River Nile’s Importance to the Ancient Egyptians This work is an analysis of Abdul’s assignment on the importance of the River Nile to the Ancient Egyptians. This work analyses Abdul’s task in terms of the satisfaction of the demands of literacy and […]
• Ancient Indian and Roman Civilizations Traditionally, the system had four main categories, namely ‘Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras.’ The Brahmins were highest in the ladder of social stratification, while the Sudras comprised the lowest group.
• Ancient Greek and Roman Myth Characters Romulus is the legendary founder of the city of Rome, a son of Rhea Silvia the Vestal and Mars the God of War.
• Ancient Greek Temples Architecture This temple was built using the Ionic order and formed the Seven Wonders of the World. Another known and oldest temple that used this order is the Apollo Bassae constructed in 420 BC.
• The Roman Villa Role in the Ancient History As the family is rich, the floor mosaics should be an integral part of the villa demonstrating the wealth of the family.
• Early Civilization in Mesopotamia Chavalas presents the notion that one of the drawbacks behind the hunter and gatherer stage that existed prior to the development of complex and stratified societies was the lack of sufficient concentrations of native populations.
• The Persian Empires’ Rise and Fall One of the reasons why the Persian empires rose was due to some of the leadership skills attributed to the leaders.
• Ancient Greece Heroes: The Iliad and The Knight’s Tale It is rather tempting to see the later work as a reflection of the ancient Greek story, but Chaucer’s work is rather a re-evaluation of the old story.
• The “Epic of Gilgamesh” and Mesopotamia
• Ancient India and Greece Sculptures Comparison
• Cleopatra – The Queen of Egypt
• Ancient Greek Philosophy: Socrates and Plato Comparison
• Ancient Greek Art and Sculpture
• Mummification in Ancient Egypt
• Agamemnon as a Leader – Ancient History
• The Philosophy of Ancient Greece
• Ancient History: the Great Pyramid of Giza
• Cleopatra: The Last Queen of Egypt
• Cleopatra’ and Caesar’ Relationship
• Ancient Societies in Mesopotamia and Ancient Societies in Africa
• City States in Ancient Greece and Renaissance Italy
• Ancient Greek Civilization History
• Infanticide in Ancient Greece
• Ancient Greek Democracy That Still Makes People Strive for Perfection
• The Kings of Ancient Egypt
• Music in the Ancient Greece
• Transformation of the Ancient Greece Art
• Ancient Art of Rome and Greece
• Persian Music: Improvisation and Composition. Welcome to Dariush Eghbali’s Enchanted World
• Welcome to Ancient Egypt: When Legends Were Born
• Concepts of Ancient Greek Culture
• Civilization in Mesopotamia and Egypt
• The Ancient Greek Play Antigone by Sophocle
• Ancient Mediterranean Civilization
• Julius Caesar and Rome
• The Evolution of the Division of Labor Theory Starting From Ancient Greek Economists to the Present
• Ancient Greek History: Athens
• The Story of Gilgamesh in Sumerian Versions
• Gods and Humans: Myths of Ancient Rome and Greece
• Ancient Egypt History
• Concepts of the Rise and Fall of the Babylonian and Egyptian Empires
• What is the role of archaeology in historical research?
• Greek Mythology: what are its key figures?
• How were Egyptian pyramids built?
• The Pompeii eruption: how did it happen?
• Ancient Greek art: what is its influence on the world’s culture?
• What were the causes and effects of the Trojan war?
• Spartan warrior culture: how was it organized?
• Socrates: why is he the key figure of Western philosophy?
• What were the origins of the Colosseum?
• What were the causes of the Battle of Marathon?

📜 Ancient History Essay: How to Write

You might be wondering which events of the past are considered ancient history. Usually, this term refers to the circumstances from the beginning of writing human history to the beginning of post-classical history.

Be mindful that people can also apply it to the discipline itself!

Historians estimate the span of recorded history to be around 5000 years. It begins with the Sumerian script and ends with the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

There are three main ways to examine ancient history:

• Through primary sources
• Through archaeological discoveries
• Through secondary sources

We divided this list periodically and regionally. In our opinion, it is by far the easiest way to present ancient history topics for essay writing.

• Intellectual Achievements of Ancient Philosophers
• The concept of time in Presocratics
• The religious and social function of Greek Mythology. This essay strives to understand the function of mythology in Ancient Greece. Consider it both from the religious but also from a social function. Surprisingly, these functions cannot be fully isolated from one another. Just as religion explains society, society, at the same time, shapes the religion.

• The role of poets in Ancient Greece
• The primary emphasis of Spartan Education
• Three stages in burial rituals in Ancient Greece
• Causes of the Trojan War. In this research paper, comment on the roots o the Trojan War as recorded in myths. Consider other historical documents as well. An excellent source for anyone who is writing an essay about the Trojan War would be Homer and his works. Check Iliad out if you haven’t done it yet.
• Agamemnon as a leader of Greece . This historical figure made a significant impact on Greece and the ancient world in general. In the essay, you should write about his military achievements. Elaborate on his reforms and his policy, both foreign and domestic.
• History of Greek Alphabet
• Homer’s influence on the history of Greece
• The origin of the Olympic games. Most of us get excited about the Olympic Games. In this research topic, students can learn more about the way this sport event originated. What sports were included from the very beginning? Who was able to participate?
• Plato and Aristotle political philosophy
• Divine Support during the Greco-Persian Wars
• Plato’s Allegory of the Cave . This essay is a bit more challenging but great for someone who wants to understand Plato on a much deeper level. Talk about what the philosopher meant when he spoke about the Cave. Why was he so concerned with the nature of human perception? What was the main message there for us?
• Slavery in Ancient Greece. As in many other societies of the ancient world, slavery was a widely accepted practice. Some of the most famous philosophers, such as Aristotle, thought that slavery was natural. In this essay, students can discuss how slavery became an acceptable practice in ancient Greece. How did the owners treat their slaves? What jobs did the slaves do?

• The main features of Ancient Greek Architecture
• Roman influence on the development of Ancient Greek Art
• Basic principles and notions of Euclid geometry
• Ancient Greek Drama
• Ancient Roman Emperors: the best and the worst
• Gender relationships in Ancient Rome . Expose the gender roles in Ancient Rome by examining the mythology and position in the family. Look for the representations in art, literature, and poetry. These sources will reveal the true position that men and women held in Ancient Roman society.
• Law and Justice in Ancient Rome
• Slavery in Ancient Rome
• Constitutional System in Ancient Rome
• Trade and Economy in Ancient Rome
• The architecture of Ancient Rome . A great essay topic to consider. First of all, we can still see some of its remainings today and appreciate it for its beauty. Second of all, it allows us to understand the power that Rome had. Talk about the most famous Roman architecture and implemented styles. What are the innovations used by Roman architects?
• Agricultural deities in Ancient Rome
• Clothing in Ancient Rome
• Ancient Roman Diet
• Languages in Ancient Rome: Classical and Vulgar . You cannot claim to understand a culture without understanding its language. Look at this linguistic division. Consider what it tells us about the social structure of Roman society.
• Epicurean philosophy and how it influenced the Roman way of thinking

• Entertainment and sports in Ancient Rome . Romans engaged in a variety of different sports, including racing, boxing, jumping, wrestling, etc. The theater was significant as well. You can also talk about board games that were popular in Ancient Rome.
• Julius Ceasar and the Rise of the Roman Empire
• Dictatorship and Democracy in Ancient Rome
• Early Latin Literature
• Constitutional reforms of Julius Ceasar
• Architecture, art, and technology in the Old Kingdom
• Egyptian Pyramids and the construction techniques . One of the most mysterious structures ever. Egyptian Pyramids intrigued generations and generations of people. In this essay, you can talk about the history of the pyramids in Egypt. Elaborate on the techniques that were used to build them.
• The purpose of the pyramids in Giza
• History of the Great Sphinx
• Tutankhamun’s Tomb
• Ancient Egyptian beliefs about life and death . You cannot talk about Ancient Egypt without touching upon their belief system about life and death. Students can talk about how the idea of immortality influenced their beliefs. How did Ancient Egyptians get into the afterlife? What did they have to do?
• Mummification process in Ancient Egypt . Mummification was an integral part of ancient Egyptian religion. They saw this step to be essential to living well in the afterlife. Comment on the way the mummification process took place in Egypt, starting from “the most perfect” method. Mention a technique used to avoid major expenses.
• Ancient Egypt in the Bible. Ancient Egypt is one of the most commonly mentioned locations in the Bible. The Egyptians play critical roles in the Bible accounts. Does the Bible give an accurate description of Ancient Egypt?
• The importance of the Nile river
• The place of religion in Egyptian Civilization
• Innovation during the Reign of Hatshepsut
• Who were pharaohs?
• The formal writing system in Ancient Egypt
• Entertainment in Ancient Egypt . Learning about what people of the past did for fun is enjoyable, isn’t it? For instance, Ancient Egyptians liked to go swimming, rowing, dancing, fishing, and hunting. You can write about one, or about several activities that Egyptians did. Just pick and see what you can find!

• Burial Ceremonies in Ancient Egypt
• Arts and Music in Ancient Egypt
• Gender role of women in Ancient Egypt
• Clothing and makeup in Ancient Egypt: why were cleanliness and appearance so important?
• The significance of the Silk Road for Ancient China
• Why was the Great Wall built?
• What was the purpose of the Forbidden City? Explain what the Forbidden City was built for. Why was it was this way? You can talk about how its symbolic meaning changed over the centuries. What did it mean then and signifies now?
• The Terracotta Army as a symbol of life and power
• The Battle of the Red Cliffs: the causes and the outcomes
• History of science and technology in Ancient China . Ancient China is famous for its inventions. It held leading positions in the world in many fields. Of course, you can examine the four primary inventions—papermaking, printing, gunpowder, and the compass. There are other less known inventions such as bronze, acupuncture, a toothbrush, and paper money.
• The key accomplishments of the Han Dynasty in Ancient China
• Three Major Religions in Ancient China
• Literature and Philosophy in Ancient China
• The teachings of Confucius

• The Sumerians and Mesopotamia
• How did the Sumer Language develop and die?
• The Hanging Gardens of Babylon the Great. One of the Seven Wonders of the World. No one knows if they existed for real, but they were included in the list. You can simply try to answer a question: what is so special about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?
• Science and Technology in Mesopotamian Civilization
• Gender roles in Ancient Mesopotamia . Just like many other nations in the ancient world, ancient Mesopotamia was a patriarchal society. Men were the heads of the household. The gender roles were clearly defined. Talk about what women were allowed to do in Ancient Mesopotamia. What were they not allowed to do, and why?
• Ancient Mesopotamian Religion and Philosophy
• Akkadian Empire: the rise and the fall
• A written history of Ancient Israelites . Consider archeological excavations, the Hebrew Bible, and other ancient scrolls. Ancient Israelites have a long and exciting story to talk about. Write about it if you agree with this statement.
• The Pre-Islamic Middle East
• The consequences of the Persian-Greek Wars

It is tough to identify one single ancient historical figure to write about. First of all, there were a lot of them. Furthermore, this period of history is very long.

The abundance of influential rulers, artists, writers, and religious leaders is incredible. Even a very determined person can get confused. However, there is no need to worry because we are here to help.

These 15 historical figures can be a great focus of your next essay writing:

• Cleopatra . One of the most captivating women that ever lived. She was beautiful, smart, and extremely powerful. The last queen of Egypt is worth writing about.
• Julius Ceasar . A powerful ruler, a philosopher, a writer. Julius Ceasar is played a critical role in the events that led to the rise of the Roman Empire.
• Tutankhamun . His reign is not as significant as his tomb. You can still talk about his short reign and the cause of his death. You can also elaborate on the recent DNA and genographic research. Conducted as an attempt to understand the story of Tut, the latest findings are quite intriguing.
• Alexander the Great . He was believed to be a descendent of God. Alexander was a military genius, an incredible warrior, an influential leader. What accomplishments made him earn the title “great”?

• Aristotle . Many consider him to be one of the greatest philosophers of all time. He made notable contributions to logic, criticism, biology, and many other topics.
• Plato. Known as the Father of Western political philosophy, Plato is never underrated. His most remarkable contributions include the theory of forms. There, Plato looked for solutions to universal problems.
• Augustine of Hippo. We all heard of him as Saint Augustine, or Augustinus, or the doctor of the Church. Why was he considered one of the best theologians of Western Christianity? For more information about his life and personality, read the autobiographical book The Confessions .
• Jesus Christ . There are a lot of debates happening regarding the nature of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, historians do not doubt that he existed. He was the most famous person that has ever lived. Besides, he is the central figure of the Christian religion.
• Caligula. Almost all the accounts of this Roman Emperor agree that he was cruel and vicious. However, he was a noble and moderate ruler in the first years of his reign. Some historians believe that Caligula was mentally ill.
• Cicero . Cicero was a Roma orator, lawyer, and philosopher. He believed in the existence of an ideal form of government. You can talk about his political or philosophical views and accomplishments.
• Confucius. In the essay about Confucius, talk about what he believed in and the religion that he started. Confucianism rests upon the belief that human beings are teachable, perfectible, and ultimately kind. The Golden Rule of Confucius that he taught all his followers to apply can become a great topic to discuss.
• Constantine the Great . This Roman Emperor can rightfully claim his title. For starters, he made Christianity into the religion of the state. That’s just one of the many things students can write about.

• Euclid . He was the father of geometry. What did he discover? What were his major works and accomplishments? Students all over the world still apply the principles that this great mathematician once discovered.
• Hammurabi . Much can be said about this Babylonian king. However, the most significant accomplishment of Hammurabi is the Code that he developed.
• Homer . Homer and his works had an immense effect on Western Culture. Nevertheless, we know very little about Homer himself. Some people even believe that Homer did not exist.

By definition, a good historical analysis is to be analytical. It means that it should go beyond simple description and narration. So, strive to do that.

The focus of historical analysis is on interpretation and building connections between events. Plus, it depends on the goals of your research paper. Sometimes you will concentrate on understanding how and why certain things happened. Other times, you will be looking into the way a specific event was recorded. You may even take a more historiographical approach. It all depends on the type of assignment you’ve received.

To be able to produce an excellent historical analysis, follow these steps:

• Read your assignment carefully and understand what you have to do;
• Ask the right questions;
• Collect the sources: both primary and secondary;
• Read them. Examine them. Understand them;
• Build your arguments based on the sources;
• Keep looking for some additional relevant information;
• Strive to be original and creative.

Additionally, make sure you use a proper style. Don’t be afraid to ask your reader rhetorical questions. Bring up citations from various sources and seek opportunities to open up a discussion.

Engage your readers to think. For that, don’t choose an obscure history topic. Stay focused on the issues and historical events that are truly important and influential.

Here are some ancient history topics for historical analysis:

• An impact of Genghis Khan on the ancient world
• How did Mongol rule in Russia differ from the one in China?
• A juxtaposition of the Sumerian and Mayan civilization
• Did the Trojan Horse exist?
• The historical significance of Carthage, and why is it unknown?

We hope you enjoyed this blog post. Do not hesitate to share ancient history topics with your peers. Take this as a learning opportunity, and good luck!

🔗 References

• Research Paper Topics about Ancient and Classical History: Online Research Library Questia
• Ancient History Topics: Thames & Hudson
• Points About Ancient Greek History: N.S. Gill for ThoughtCo
• Ancient and Medieval History: Infobase
• Ideas about Ancient world: TED Talk, Ideas Worth Spreading
• Writing: Joshua L. Mark for Ancient History Encyclopedia
• A Brief Guide to Writing the History Paper: Harward College Writing Center
• Reading, Writing, and Researching for History: A Guide for College Students by Patrick Rael, Bowdoin College
• Writing about History: Elspeth H. Brown, Department of History, for Writing Advice, University of Toronto
• Useful Links: History Department, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Boston College
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 21). 313 Ancient History Topics to Research & Write About. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ancient-history-essay-topics/

"313 Ancient History Topics to Research & Write About." IvyPanda , 21 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ancient-history-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '313 Ancient History Topics to Research & Write About'. 21 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "313 Ancient History Topics to Research & Write About." February 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ancient-history-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "313 Ancient History Topics to Research & Write About." February 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ancient-history-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "313 Ancient History Topics to Research & Write About." February 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ancient-history-essay-topics/.

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Library Research Guide for History

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• Exploring Special Collections at Harvard
• Introduction
• Classical Indexes

Pre-1920s Literature

Bibliographies, introduction and basic index: l'annee philologique.

The basic index for classical studies is L'Annee philologique. Good results may also be obtained with Social Sciences/Arts and Humanities Citation Indexes . There are many other indexes, some print and some electronic, which are more specialized and/or cover the earlier literature.

L'Annee philologique; bibliographie critique et analytique de l'antiquite greco-latine , 1924/26- .

Classified, annotated bibliography of world literature, including book reviews, on all aspects of classical studies, not just philology. Covers 2nd millennium B.C. to 500-800 A.D. Abbreviations from L'Annee Philologique

Continues: Marouzeau, Jules. Dix annees de bibliographie classique, bibliographie critiques et analytique de l'antiquite greco-latine pour la periode 1914-1924 . LOCATION: Smyth Classical: Gen 1.13 Library has: 2 v. LOCATION: Widener: Class 509.27 Library has: 2 v. in 3

First volume includes studies and texts of individual authors. The 2nd volume covers works on other subjects, arranged in a subject classification. Includes book reviews with the book citation.

Bulletin analytique d'histoire romaine , 1962- . LOCATION: Widener: AH 7002.5

Diotima: Women and Gender in the Ancient World includes an online bibliography.

Dyabola includes:

• German Archaeological Institute in Rome catalog (1956-2004)
• Bibliography of Iberian Archaeology from the German Archaeological Institute in Madrid (1991-2002)
• Archaeology of Roman Provinces from RGK Frankfurt (1992-2004).
• Database of Attic Grave Reliefs
• Census of Antique Art and Architecture Known to the Renaissance
• Corpus of Antique Monuments Known to Winckelmann.

User manual (Important!)

Fasti Archaeologici Annual bulletin of classical archaeology , 1946-1997. LOCATION: Widener: Arc 6.2 --Abstracts of books, periodical articles, reports, etc., arranged by subject. Book reviews are included with the citation for the book reviewed. Fully indexed by authors ancient and modern, geographical names, subjects, lexicalia, and literary and epigraphical sources. Ran late: 1983-1986 was published in 1997.

Continued by: FastiOnline offers information on excavations and conservation initiatives in the Roman Empire region.

Gnomon Bibliographical Database, 1925- . LOCATION: Widener: Ask for CD-ROM at Reference Desk

Gnomon Online : A selection from the Gnomon CD-ROM 2005 with special consideration of the years since 2002.

Gnomen is an index to publications in Classical philology and history, with some archaeology. Includes from the journal Gnomon:

Book reviews, 1925- . Personalnachrichten (personal notes) and obituaries, 1925- . Quarterly Bibliographische Beilage (bibliographic appendix), 1990- . Augmented by:

• Indexing of numerous periodicals, some back to their inceptions, others only of recent volumes.
• Indexing of collective volumes, Festschrifts, conference proceedings.
• German dissertations, 1902-1995.

The number of entries for included periodicals is listed in the thesaurus.

Online manual

Augmented electronic version of

Gnomon: Kritische Zeitschrift für die gesamte klassische Altertumswissenschaft , 1925- . LOCATION: Andover-Harv. Theol: Period. 709.83 Current issues: R.R. (1962- ) LOCATION: Smyth Classical: Ordered--currently received (1986- ) LOCATION: Widener: Philol 168 (1932- ) Current Issues: Periodicals Reading Room

Largely a book review journal. Bibliographische Beilage lists new books, articles, and websites by author or editor. Gives contents of edited volumes. Includes a list by ancient authors as subject. In German.

JSTOR allows simultaneous or individual searching, full-text searching optional, of several classical journals from their inceptions to about 5 years ago.

Lustrum: Internationale Forschungsberichte aus dem bereich des klassischen altertums , 1956- . LOCATION: Widener: Philol 182 --Annotated bibliographies and bibliographical essays on classical topics, e.g., "Platon, 1985-1990", "Greek lyric poetry since 1920". Text in English, German, or French.

Nestor: Bibliography of Aegean Prehistory and Related areas (1957- ) is an international bibliography of Aegean, eastern Mediterranean and southeastern European prehistory, Homeric society, Indo-European linguistics, and related fields. The Aegean and neighboring areas, including Greece, Italy, Sicily, the Balkans, the Cyclades, Anatolia, the Levant, and Egypt are covered. The chronological range is Paleolithic through the Early Iron Age.  It is searchable by the text in the titles of the books, articles, journals, author names, and by publication dates. There is a separate book review file.

Online Egyptological Bibliography is an online version and continuation of the Annual Egyptological Bibliography (1947-2001) and the Bibliographie Altägypten (1822-2002, partial coverage of 2003-2008).

Supplementum epigraphicum graecum (SEG), 1923- . LOCATION: Smyth Classical: Ordered--currently received LOCATION: Widener: Class 5009.23 LOCATION: Widener: Class 5009.23.2 Indexes --Indexes epigraphical literature, geographically arranged, with personal name, geographical name, Greek word, selected topic, etc., indexes.

TOCS-IN (1992- ) indexes the tables of contents of over 150 periodicals of interests to classicists, covering Classics, Archaeology, Religion, and Near Eastern Studies.

Bibliotheca philologica classica , 1874-1938. LOCATION: Widener: Class 508.74 --Unnannotated citations classed by subject with author index.

Engelmann, Wilhelm. Bibliotheca scriptorum classicorum . 8. Aufl., umfassend die Literatur von 1700 bis 1878, neu bearb. von E. Preuss. LOCATION: Smyth Classical: Corridor Gen 1.2 Library has: 2 Abth. LOCATION: Widener: Catal. Dept. Library has: 2 v. LOCATION: Widener: Class 508.31.12 Library has: 2 v.

Klussmann, Rudolf. Bibliotheca scriptorum classicorum et graecorum et latinorum. Die literatur von 1878 bis 1896 einschliesslich umfassend . LOCATION: Smyth Classical: Corridor Gen 1.9 Library has: 2 v. LOCATION: Widener: G 3.2 Library has: 2 v. LOCATION: Widener: Philol 170 vol.146, 151, 156, 165 Library has: 2 bde in 4 teile

Lambrino, Scarlat. Bibliographie de l'antiquite classique , 1896-1914. LOCATION: Smyth Classical: Gen 1.17 Library has: v. 1 LOCATION: Widener: Class 509.51 Library has: v. 1

To find bibliographies of books and articles in the HOLLIS Catalog, in Advanced Search do a variety of keyword searches (Keywords Anywhere) plus the standard term "bibliography" (Subject words). Notice the Subjects on pertinent records for terms for additional searches. Examples: <classical antiquities> and <bibliography>, <aeschylus and <bibliography>.

Bibliotheca Classica Selecta offers links to online bibliographies.

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Navigating the Historical Labyrinth of Ancient Rome: Essay Topics

Welcome, intrepid time travelers and history enthusiasts! As we stand on the brink of another academic exploration, the historical labyrinth of Ancient Rome beckons us. Famous for its grandeur, societal advancements, and dramatic political turmoil, Rome offers a goldmine of captivating topics for your next argumentative essay. To help you on this journey, we present a robust selection of 99 exciting essay topics that span various aspects of Roman civilization.

Table of content

Peeling Back the Layers: Rome Uncovered

What makes Rome so special that it commands our attention more than two millennia after its founding? The city is a fascinating embodiment of countless narratives, where every stone and monument whispers tales of yesteryears.

The story of Rome is one of power and decline, glory and catastrophe. A city that rose from a humble settlement on the banks of the Tiber River to rule a vast empire stretching across three continents. It is an epic tale filled with influential leaders, grand political schemes, momentous battles, and artistic innovations that continue to shape our world.

A plunge into Roman history is akin to unraveling a complex web of interactions, directly and indirectly, affecting societies today. Their architectural innovations, from aqueducts to roads, set a precedent for urban infrastructure. The Roman legal system became a foundation for numerous global legal practices. Concepts of citizenship and governance, notions of entertainment, and even parts of our language owe much to Rome.

Moreover, Rome represents a pivotal point in religious history, being central to the spread of Christianity. The development and dissemination of Christian thought within the Roman Empire and the eventual adoption of Christianity as the state religion had enduring consequences on global religious landscapes.

In a broader sense, understanding Rome means understanding the roots of Western civilization. The rise and fall of this once-majestic Empire provide a window into our collective past, offering insights into humanity’s capacity for creativity, resilience, ambition, and even self-destruction.

Rome offers an abundant, complex, and fascinating field of study, a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be discovered and appreciated. Unearthing the secrets of Rome is a journey, an intellectual adventure that promises to be as enriching as it is exciting. So, are you ready to join us as we traverse the annals of Roman history, picking up the echoes of the past to comprehend our present better?

Topics Galore: Categories for Your Consideration

To aid your exploration, we’ve organized these essay topics into five broad categories: Society and Culture, Politics and Leaders, Warfare and Conquests, Religion and Mythology, and Architecture and Innovations.

The Mosaic of Society and Culture

Step into the everyday life of a Roman citizen, explore their social norms and examine the pivotal Role of culture in shaping the Roman Empire.

Topic Examples:

• The Class Structure of Roman Society: Patricians and Plebeians
• The Evolution of Roman Law and Its Impact on Modern Legal Systems
• The Role of Women in Roman Society
• Slavery in Rome: A Comparative Analysis with Ancient Greece
• The Significance of Roman Festivals and Public Spectacles
• Gladiatorial Games: a Societal Necessity or Brutal Entertainment?
• The Impact of Roman Colonization on Indigenous Cultures
• The Role of Patronage in the Roman Arts
• Language Diversity in the Roman Empire: a Study of Vernacular Languages
• Roman Festivals: an Exploration of Seasonal Celebrations and Their Societal Implications
• The Roman Culinary Arts: From the Simple to the Extravagant
• The Influence of Greek Culture on Roman Society
• The Impact of Rome on Modern Western Civilization
• The Societal Impact of Roman Clothing and Fashion
• An Analysis of the Roman Education System
• Roman Theater: a Societal Mirror or Mere Entertainment?
• The Role of Sports and Recreation in Roman Society
• Roman Marriage Customs and Their Influence on Societal Structure
• Influence of Latin: from Roman Streets to Modern Linguistics
• Roman Literature and Its Reflection on Society
• Graffiti in Pompeii: a Snapshot of Roman Culture
• The Significance of Patron-Client Relationships in Roman Society
• The Societal Role of the Roman Baths
• Roman Dining Customs: a Look at the Convivium
• Examination of Roman Social Clubs and Associations
• Roman Funeral Rituals and Beliefs About Death
• Childhood in Rome: From birth to Adulthood
• Roman Slavery: a Study of Manumission and Freedmen
• The Impact of Greek Philosophy on Roman Society
• Urban Versus Rural Life in Roman Society
• The Contribution of Rome to Modern Theatre
• The Influence of Rome on Western Literature
• The Effect of Roman Tax Policies on Its Citizens
• Examination of Roman Housing and City Planning
• Trade and Commerce in the Roman Empire
• An Overview of Roman Education: From Wax Tablets to Schools
• Influence of Roman Laws on Today’s Legal Systems
• The Cultural Significance of Roman Mosaics and Frescoes
• An In-Depth Look at Roman Entertainment
• Roman Citizenship: Privileges and Responsibilities
• The Role of Public Speaking and Rhetoric in Roman Society
• Influence of Roman Numerals on Modern Numbering Systems
• Roman Jewelry: More than Mere Decoration
• The Life of a Roman Soldier: Expectations and Reality
• The Societal Implications of Roman Expansion
• The Significance of Roman Trade Routes
• The Role of Women in Different Sectors of Roman Society
• The Societal Influence of the Pax Romana
• The Importance of the Family Unit in Roman Society
• An Analysis of Roman Coinage and Its Symbolism
• The Societal Impact of the Roman Calendar
• Roman Music: Its Characteristics and Influence on Modern Music

The Grand Stage of Politics and Leaders

Dive into the tumultuous political arena of Rome and discover the individuals whose leadership shaped the Empire’s destiny.

• Julius Caesar: Revolutionary Leader or Tyrant?
• The Political Implications of Caesar’s Assassination
• The Influence and Impact of the Twelve Tables
• The Transition From the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire
• A Critique of Emperor Nero’s Reign
• The Political Structure of the Roman Empire: a Detailed Study
• The Role of the Roman Senate in the Governance of the Empire
• Analysis of Augustus’ Policies and Their Impact on Rome
• The Rise and Fall of Julius Caesar: a Critical Analysis
• The Political Genius of Emperor Augustus
• The Significance of the Roman Consuls
• An Analysis of the Political Reforms of the Gracchi Brothers
• A Critique of the Rule of Emperor Marcus Aurelius
• An Examination of the Roman Legal System
• The Legacy of Roman Law on Contemporary Legal Practices
• The Reign of Emperor Hadrian: Rome’s Grand Builder
• The Roman Republic vs. the Roman Empire: a Comparison
• The Political Impact of Rome’s Geographic Location
• The Role of the Praetorian Guard in Roman Politics
• Examination of Political Propaganda in Ancient Rome
• The Political Implications of Roman Citizenship
• Influence and Power: the Political Role of Roman Women
• The Effect of Roman Colonization on the Provinces
• Examination of the Political Climate During the Pax Romana
• The Political Strategy behind Roman Road Construction
• The Rule of Emperor Constantine and the Christian Shift
• An Analysis of the Reign of Emperor Diocletian
• Influence of Roman Political Ideologies on Western Political Thought
• Examination of Roman Provincial Administration
• The Influence of Roman Bureaucracy on Modern Administrative Systems
• The Role and Power of the Roman Assemblies
• Impact of the Roman Legal Code on International Law
• Political Conflicts and Their Impact on Rome’s Fall
• An Overview of the Roman Tax System
• The Rule of Emperor Trajan: Rome at Its Zenith
• Role of Foreign Policy in Rome’s Expansion
• The Societal Impact of the ‘Bread and Circuses’ Policy
• The Transition of Power: from Republic to Imperial Rule
• Examination of Treason Laws in the Roman Empire
• The Influence of Stoicism on Roman Leaders
• The Political Significance of the Roman Forum
• The Use and Misuse of Political Power in Rome
• The Influence of Roman Political Architecture
• An Examination of Roman Diplomacy
• The Influence of Emperor Justinian on Roman Law
• Roman Economy: a Source of Political Power?
• The Political Implications of the Roman Census
• The Impact of Corruption on the Decline of the Roman Empire
• Analysis of the Social Mobility in Roman Political Structures
• Examination of the Power Dynamics within the Roman Imperial Family
• The Impact of the “Princeps” Title on the Image of Roman Leadership
• The Role of Tribunes in the Roman Political Landscape

Epic Battles: Warfare and Conquests

Explore Rome’s military might, strategic brilliance, and the monumental conquests that expanded its boundaries.

• The Significance of the Punic Wars in Rome’s Rise to Power
• Roman Military Tactics: a Study of the Roman Legion
• The Impact of Rome’s Military Conquests on Its Economy and Culture
• The Reasons Behind the Fall of the Roman Empire
• The Role of the Roman Navy in the Expansion of the Empire
• A Comparative Study of Roman and Greek Military Strategies
• Analysis of the Barbarian Invasions and Their Effect on Rome
• The Causes and Effects of the Roman Civil War
• Rome vs. Carthage: a Comparative Study of Military Might
• The Military Strategies of Julius Caesar
• An Analysis of the Roman Siege Warfare
• The Military Significance of the Battle of Actium
• The Influence of Roman Military Tactics on Modern Warfare
• Examination of the Roman Siege of Jerusalem
• The Role of the Roman Navy During the Punic Wars
• The Influence of Roman Military Gear and Equipment
• Analysis of the Roman Military Training and Discipline
• Roman Logistics: a Key to Military Success
• The Societal Implications of Rome’s Military Victories
• The Role of the Military in Roman Politics
• The Impact of Rome’s Military Culture on Its Society
• The Roman Army: an Instrument of Imperialism
• The Effect of the Roman Military on Conquered Societies
• The Influence of Roman Fortifications on Modern Military Architecture
• A Study of the Roman Auxiliary Troops
• Analysis of the Roman Military Hierarchy
• The Significance of Roman Military Law
• The Role of Military Engineering in Roman Conquests
• The Strategic Importance of Roman Camps
• A Detailed Study of the Roman Cavalry
• Examination of the Roman Defenses along the Rhine and Danube
• An Analysis of the Roman Supply Lines and Logistics
• The Societal Impact of the Roman Military-Industrial Complex
• The Psychological Warfare Employed by the Romans
• A Study of Roman Battlefield Medicine
• The Role of Intelligence and Espionage in Roman Military Strategy
• The Influence of Roman Military Formations
• The Significance of Roman Veterans in Society
• A Study of the Roman Military Standard
• An Analysis of the Role of Mercenaries in the Roman Army
• The Military Innovations of the Romans
• The Impact of Rome’s War Economy on Society
• A Detailed Study of the Roman Military Roads
• The Influence of Roman Naval Warfare
• A Study of the Roman War Chariots
• An Analysis of the Military Decorations and Honors in Rome
• The Impact of Military Defeats on Rome’s Societal and Political Landscape
• The Influence of Military Infrastructure on the Expansion of the Roman Empire
• The Role of Strategic Fortifications in the Defense of the Roman Empire
• Roman Imperialism: A Study of the Motivations Behind Rome’s Territorial Expansions
• An Examination of Roman War Elephants
• The Impact of the Roman Military on the Spread of the Latin Language

Religion and Mythology: Unraveling the Intricacies of Divine Rome

Unravel the complexities of Roman religious beliefs and mythology and their influence on Roman society.

• The Role of Religion in Roman society
• The Influence of Greek Mythology on Roman Religious Beliefs
• The Cult of the Emperor: Its Inception and Impact
• The Role of Augurs and Oracles in Roman Society
• The Introduction and Spread of Christianity in Rome
• Analysis of Roman Gods and Their Societal Significance
• Mithraism in the Roman Empire: a Detailed Study
• The Impact of Roman Mythology on Roman Societal Norms
• The Significance of Sacrificial Rituals in Roman Religion
• Comparative Study of Roman and Greek Gods
• The Societal Role of Roman Priesthoods
• An Analysis of the Roman State Religion
• The Influence of Roman Religious Festivals on the Societal Structure
• The Role of Religion in Roman Military Campaigns
• An Examination of the Roman Funeral Rites
• The Impact of the Roman Belief in Omens and Divination
• The Societal and Political Implications of the Vestal Virgins
• The Role of Astrology in Roman Religion
• An Analysis of the Eastern Religions in Rome
• The Significance of Roman Temples in Society
• The Evolution of the Roman Pantheon
• The Transition from Roman Polytheism to Christian Monotheism
• The Impact of Roman Religious Tolerance
• Examination of the Religious Symbolism in Roman Art
• The Influence of Roman Religion on Roman Law
• A Detailed Study of Roman Religious Festivals
• The Effect of Christianity on Roman Society and Culture
• A Study of the Persecution of Christians in Rome
• An Examination of the Religious Implications of the Roman Imperial Cult
• The Relationship between Roman Religion and Philosophy
• The Cultural Implications of Roman Burial Practices
• The Role of Mythology in Roman Literature
• The Impact of Roman Religious Architecture
• The Role of Roman Religion in Public Life
• The Influence of Roman Mythology on Western Culture
• Examination of the Roman Religious Calendar
• The Role of Religious Syncretism in Rome
• The Societal Implications of Roman Oracles and Prophecies
• The Significance of Roman Mystery Cults
• An Analysis of the Religious Landscape of Rome
• The Impact of the Roman Catacombs on the Christian Religion
• A Study of the Religious Rites and Rituals in Roman Society
• The Role of Roman Religion in the Preservation of Rome’s Heritage
• An Examination of the Roman Beliefs about the Afterlife
• The Influence of Roman Religion on Roman Music and Theater
• A Detailed Study of the Capitoline Triad
• The Societal Implications of Roman Religious Sculptures and Carvings
• The Impact of Roman Religious Beliefs on Medical Practices
• Examination of Syncretism in Roman Religious Practices
• Influence of Roman Religious and Mythological Narratives on European Literature
• Roman Death Rituals: a Study of Belief in the Afterlife
• The Societal and Political Impact of the Cult of Isis in Rome

Architecture and Innovations: Standing on the Shoulders of Roman Giants

Delve into the architectural marvels of Rome and discover the innovations that advanced Roman society.

• The Architectural Grandeur of the Colosseum: an In-Depth Analysis
• The Significance of Roman Roads and Their Influence on Modern Infrastructure
• The Invention of Concrete and Its Impact on Roman Architecture
• The Design and Purpose of Roman Aqueducts
• A Comparative Study of Roman and Greek Architecture
• The Engineering Marvel of the Roman Sewage System: the Cloaca Maxima
• The Cultural Significance of Roman Baths
• The Architectural Significance of the Roman Arch
• The Role of the Roman Pantheon in Architectural History
• An Analysis of the Roman Domus: From Layout to Lifestyle
• The Influence of Roman Architecture on the Renaissance Period
• An Examination of Roman City Planning
• The Architectural and Cultural Significance of the Roman Basilicas
• The Societal Implications of the Roman Insulae
• A Study of the Construction Techniques of Roman Bridges
• The Innovation and Importance of the Roman Hypocaust System
• An Analysis of the Use of the Arch in Roman Architecture
• The Architectural Marvel of the Roman Thermae
• The Influence of Roman Architecture on Modern Stadium Design
• The Evolution of Roman Wall Painting Styles
• The Architectural Significance of the Roman Villa
• An Examination of the Engineering of the Roman Aqueducts
• The Societal Implications of Roman Road Construction
• A Study of the Roman Forum and Its Buildings
• An Analysis of the Principles of Roman Urban Planning
• The Influence of Roman Architecture on Western Civilization
• The Impact of Roman construction materials and Techniques
• The Use and Symbolism of Roman Sculpture in Public Spaces
• The Aesthetic and Functional Aspects of Roman Gardens
• The Architectural and Societal Importance of Roman Theatres
• The Influence of Roman Military Architecture on Modern Fortifications
• The Significance of the Appian Way
• An Analysis of the Roman Use of the Dome
• The Roman Use of Concrete and Its Influence on Modern Architecture
• The Societal Role of the Roman Circus
• An Examination of the Architectural Innovations in the Colosseum
• A Study of the Architectural Layout of a Roman Military Camp
• An Examination of the Impact of Roman Architecture on Religious Structures
• The Design and Functionality of the Roman Sewer System
• An Analysis of the Roman Use of Column Orders
• The Societal Implications of Roman Public Squares
• The Architectural Legacy of Emperor Hadrian
• A Study of the Architecture and Design of Roman Ports
• An Examination of Roman Lighthouses and Their Architectural Importance
• The Architectural and Societal Impact of Roman Catacombs
• The Influence of Roman Architecture on European Cathedrals
• An Analysis of the Architectural and Artistic Features of Roman Triumphal Arches
• Roman Engineering: a Study of the Design and Construction of Roman Harbors
• The Societal Implications of Roman Apartment Buildings (Insulae)
• Roman City Defenses: a Study of Walls and Fortifications
• The Architectural Significance of the Roman Triumphal Columns
• Roman Villas: a Study of Country Houses and Their Impact on Roman Society

As you embark on this journey through time, remember that the goal of an argumentative essay is to present a balanced view substantiated by solid research and evidence. Choose a topic that excites you, gather your evidence, and embark on an intellectual adventure into the heart of Ancient Rome.

Let the spirit of Rome guide your pen! Happy writing, history explorers!

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• Published: 09 June 2023

Disentangling the cultural evolution of ancient China: a digital humanities perspective

• Siyu Duan 1 , 2 ,
• Jun Wang 1 , 2 , 3 ,
• Hao Yang 2 , 3 &
• Qi Su 2 , 3 , 4  

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications volume  10 , Article number:  310 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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• Anthropology
• Cultural and media studies
• Language and linguistics

Being recognized among the cradles of human civilization, ancient China nurtured the longest continuous academic traditions and humanistic spirits, which continue to impact today’s society. With an unprecedented large-scale corpus spanning 3000 years, this paper presents a quantitative analysis of cultural evolution in ancient China. Millions of intertextual associations are identified and modelled with a hierarchical framework via deep neural network and graph computation, thus allowing us to answer three progressive questions quantitatively: (1) What is the interaction between individual scholars and philosophical schools? (2) What are the vicissitudes of schools in ancient Chinese history? (3) How did ancient China develop a cross-cultural exchange with an externally introduced religion such as Buddhism? The results suggest that the proposed hierarchical framework for intertextuality modelling can provide sound suggestions for large-scale quantitative studies of ancient literature. An online platform is developed for custom data analysis within this corpus, which encourages researchers and enthusiasts to gain insight into this work. This interdisciplinary study inspires the re-understanding of ancient Chinese culture from a digital humanities perspective and prompts the collaboration between humanities and computer science.

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Introduction.

Although still in its infancy, digital humanities research supported by big data and deep learning has become a hot topic in recent years. Researchers began to use digital methods to study cultural issues quantitatively, such as examining cultural evolution (Lewens 2015 ) through the diachronic changes of n-gram frequency (Michel et al. 2011 ; Lansdall-Welfare et al. 2017 ; Alshaabi et al. 2021 ; Newberry and Plotkin 2022 ) and word-level semantics (Newberry et al. 2017 ; Garg et al. 2018 ; Kozlowski et al. 2019 ; Giulianelli et al. 2020 ). This trend also spread to the study of ancient civilizations. Scholars from different cultural backgrounds have investigated the culture of ancient Rome (Dexter et al. 2017 ), ancient Greece (Assael et al. 2022 ), and Natufian (Resler et al. 2021 ) with the assistance of computer technology. It is acknowledged that ancient China was one of the longest-standing civilizations in human history, with a culture that evolved over the past thousands of years. Various ancient literature has been handed down over time, providing extensive textual records of Chinese culture. With the digitized versions of these classics, we can gain a glimpse into the cultural evolution in ancient China.

Ancient Chinese classics are highly intertextual texts. Since the doctrine “A transmitter and not a maker, believing in and loving the ancients” proposed in Analects (Legge 1861 . VII.I), quoting previous texts became a convention of literary creation in ancient China. Chinese scholars have long studied this cultural phenomenon from different perspectives. For example, Pan-ma i-t’ung (published around AD 1200) demonstrated the character differences between two history books, Records of the Grand Historian (published around 91 BC) and Book of Han (published around AD 82). Since Qing Dynasty, scholars began to enumerate parallel intertextual associations between ancient classics (Chen 1989 ; He et al. 2004 ). However, intertextuality (Kristeva 1980 ) is not only the connections of words and phrases but also manifests at higher levels hierarchically (Riffaterre 1994 ; Alfaro 1996 ), such as document, author, and community. The traditional form of high-level intertextuality studies was the overall literary criticism by scholars. For example, Ming dynasty scholar Ling Zhilong compiled previous scholars’ literary criticism of the above two history books. Literary criticism was themed on the style, skill, and viewpoints of literature, which was seen as a formidable endeavour due to the complexity of Chinese culture. Both parallel enumeration and literary criticism are limited by the reading and memory of scholars, which restricts the discussion on the large-scale corpus. Assisted by computer technology and digital literature, scholars recently began to study intertextuality within large-scale data.

Various natural language processing (NLP) methods have been applied to the intertextuality modelling of ancient literature. The previous automatic detection methods of text-level intertextuality aimed to discover similar phrases or sequences by lexical matching approach (Lee 2007 ; Coffee et al. 2012a ; Coffee et al. 2012b ; Ganascia et al. 2014 ; Forstall et al. 2015 ), which are insufficient and rigid in semantic modelling. The non-literal feature like synonym (Büchler et al. 2014 ; Moritz et al. 2016 ) and rhythm (Neidorf et al. 2019 ) also implies intertextuality, yet it requires language-specific design. Topic modelling lends a hand to passage-level modelling (Scheirer et al. 2016 ), while its dependence on expert annotation limits its generalization on diverse corpora. Simple statistics on text-level results contribute to document-level modelling (Hartberg and Wilson 2017 ). However, it ignores their overall connections. Besides, graph structure seems to be an appropriate way for the community-level modelling of intertextuality (Romanello 2016 ; Rockmore et al. 2018 ). Intertextuality modelling on classical literature widely supports cultural studies, such as quantitative literary criticism and stylometry (Forstall et al. 2011 ; Burns et al. 2021 ). Existing related studies on Chinese literature were limited to the detection methods (Liang et al. 2021 ; Li et al. 2022 ; Yu et al. 2022 ) and shallow studies of intertextual texts on small corpora (Sturgeon 2018a ; Sturgeon 2018b ; Huang et al. 2021 ; Deng et al. 2022 ), short of macroanalysis (Jockers 2013 ) on Chinese culture.

In this paper, we conducted a macroanalysis of ancient Chinese culture on an unprecedented large-scale corpus spanning nearly 3000 years. Figure 1a presents a schematic of this corpus. This corpus consists of 30,880 articles from 201 ancient Chinese books (or anthologies). It covers various topics, such as philosophy, religion, and politics, including the famous works of major cultural groups (e.g., Analects of Confucianism; Tao Te Ching of Taoism). The history books (e.g., Book of Han) and comprehensive anthologies (e.g., Collected Works of Han) of each era are also involved.

a The dataset of ancient Chinese literature with an instance in each era. The names of the dynasties and the approximate AD years are marked on the timeline. For each period, it gives one instance book and indicates its subject. b Hierarchical framework with three modules for multilevel intertextuality modelling.

In this work, we modelled ancient Chinese literature with a hierarchical framework. The cultural thought of civilization is composed of multiple levels, such as doctrines, individuals, and communities. Moreover, cultural evolution manifests hierarchically with microevolution and macroevolution (Mesoudi 2017 ; Gray and Watts 2017 ). A comprehensive discussion of cultural evolution requires multilevel perspectives. Therefore, this framework models intertextual associations from the text level to the community level with three modules. A schematic of the framework is shown in Fig. 1b . The text-level detection module tracks intertextual sentences with deep-learning models. The book-level aggregation module gathers text-level clues and abstracts various books into an association graph. The community-level inference module applies topological propagation to explore intertextual associations in the cultural community. After the modelling, millions of intertextual sentence pairs and a book-level intertextual association graph are ready for cultural analysis.

In the experiment, we detected 2.6 million pairs of intertextual sentences and then built them into an association graph. For a specific text collection, its intertextual distribution refers to its quantitative intertextual associations with other texts. Based on the modelling results, we can study ancient Chinese culture through the intertextual distribution among ancient literature.

In the cultural analysis, we considered cultural evolution from the perspective of cultural groups and religions. Schools of thought and religions were part and parcel of ancient Chinese culture (Schwartz 1985 ). The Hundred Schools of Thought that originated in the axial age were the prototype of ancient Chinese philosophy (Graham 1989 ). They rose and fell over the millennia that followed. The introduction of foreign cultures, like Buddhism (Chen 1964 ), also influenced the evolution of native culture. In this paper, we disentangled the cultural evolution of ancient China on three levels: (1) The interaction between individual scholars and philosophical schools; (2) The rise and fall of schools in Chinese history and culture; (3) The cross-culture communication with Buddhism.

Specifically, we validated several acknowledged cultural phenomena: the evolutionary paths of Confucianism and Taoism, and the booms and declines of the Hundred Schools of Thought. We also provided quantitative suggestions for cultural problems that are yet to be definitely resolved, such as the school attribution of Lüshi Chunqiu , the authorship attribution of Collected Works of Tao Yuanming , and the influence of Confucianism and Taoism across different cultural domains. Furthermore, we quantitatively discussed the interaction between Buddhism and native culture, revealing how cultural integration has evolved over time.

In addition, we have developed an online platform to display this corpus, along with millions of intertextual associations detected in this work. The platform supports custom data analysis, which encourages researchers and enthusiasts to gain insight into this work.

Two datasets were built respectively, the classic dataset and the era-text dataset. We considered several factors when building the dataset: era balance, representativeness, and official-folk balance. Two datasets consist of 30,880 articles from 201 books (or anthologies).

Classic dataset

The classic dataset is composed of the most prominent and influential books that represent the core culture of ancient China. Before the Tang Dynasty (618–907), literature was copied manually. Due to the long history and the limitations of publishing technology, only time-tested classics have been handed down to this day. Therefore, we added all the collected pre-Tang literature to the classic dataset. In the Tang Dynasty, the invention of block printing led to the rapid development of the publishing industry, resulting in explosive growth in the amount of literature. Until the mid-18th century, China printed more books than the rest of the world combined (Gernet 1996 ). Considering that this study focuses on the evolution of early thought in ancient China, we selected several most famous classics after Tang Dynasty. The well-known digital library of ancient Chinese classics, CTEXT ( https://ctext.org/ ), also adopted similar rules to build a collection of core classics. We considered the literature samples of CTEXT and built the classic dataset.

Our research focuses on ideological evolution, so books in the classic dataset should reflect cultural thought with good data quality. Therefore, we further screened the classic dataset to filter out inappropriate books, including commentary books, mathematics books, dictionaries, excavated literature (e.g., Mawangdui Silk Texts), and lengthy novels.

Finally, the dataset of ancient Chinese classics contains 133 books, including 8984 articles. Table 1 shows the time-period statistics of this corpus. It covers various aspects of culture, such as philosophy, mythology, politics, and religion. In this dataset, the earliest book was created around 1000 BC (e.g., Book of Documents), while the latest book was published around AD 1750 (e.g., The Scholars).

Era-text dataset

We aim for the era-text dataset to reflect the contemporary culture of each period, encompassing both official and folk traditions. To achieve this, we set our sights on history books and anthologies. As ancient China had a tradition of producing history books for each dynasty, history books typically reflected official attitudes. We added the official history (Twenty-Four Histories), large-scale chronicle history books ( Zizhi Tongjian and Continued Zizhi Tongjian Changbian ), and 15 other influential history books to the era dataset. In addition, we included Quan shang gu san dai Qin Han San guo Liu chao wen , a series of large-scale anthologies organized by era. It collected a wide variety of works from numerous authors, including prose, essays, religious scriptures, inscriptions, etc. These anthologies comprehensively record the contemporary culture of ancient China. To further enrich the era-text dataset, we added 13 well-proofread anthologies.

We categorized these history books and anthologies by era. For history books (e.g., Zizhi Tongjian ) that cover multiple eras, we divided them into corresponding eras. Finally, we got 55 history books and 13 anthologies, containing 21,896 articles. Table 2 shows the time-period statistics of this corpus. These works chronicle Chinese history and culture from the legendary period (e.g., Bamboo Annals , from 2600 BC) to the Ming Dynasty (e.g., History of Ming , ending in AD 1644).

Data processing

Ancient Chinese characters may have multiple written forms, we use the open-source toolkit OpenCC ( https://github.com/BYVoid/OpenCC ) to map them to a unique root character before encoding them using deep learning models. The maximum sentence length was set to 50 characters. Sentences exceeding this length were divided into two sentences. This setting can cover more than 99% of sentences.

Intertextuality detection usually aims to discover meaningful textual connections. It is important to note that texts without actual meaning cannot indicate the ideological connection between texts. Therefore, we use additional computational rules to avoid inappropriate text pairs. First, we filtered out sentences (clauses) with less than three remaining characters after removing the stopwords (such as prepositions and pronouns). Then, with predefined rules, we filtered out meaningless sentences, such as tone, dates, lengths, quantities, and formats. After filtering, there are about 436,000 sentences with 840,000 clauses in the classic’s dataset, and 2,113,000 sentences with 4,526,000 clauses in the era-text dataset.

Challenge and limitation

The collection and processing of ancient Chinese literature present challenges and limitations. Although we used punctuated text in this work, the original ancient Chinese literature has no punctuation. When it comes to no-punctuation data, an automatic punctuation model should be applied beforehand. Moreover, ancient literature could have multiple versions. In our dataset, we opted to include only one widely circulated version of each book. It may restrict the applicability of the dataset for researchers interested in different versions.

Additionally, the selection of appropriate literature collections for cultural analysis from a vast pool of ancient literature requires expert knowledge. In our study, humanities scholars specializing in Chinese history and philosophy were consulted.

Modelling framework

Considering that intertextuality and cultural evolution can manifest at multiple levels, we developed a hierarchical framework to analyze ancient literature. This framework captures intertextuality at three levels, ranging from micro to macro. At the text level, similar sentence pairs shared between books are detected by deep neural networks. At the book level, books are abstracted into an intertextual association graph based on the text-level results. At the community level, information propagates through the topological structure of the book-level graph, thus exploring intertextuality in the cultural community. This hierarchical approach provides both micro-evidence and macro-quantification for intertextual associations and cultural evolution.

Text-level detection

The study of cultural evolution is concerned with the connections of thoughts. Each sentence often expresses a distinct thought, making it a suitable quantitative unit. Therefore, we traced the intertextuality at the sentence level. We considered that the more similar sentences the two books share, the more closely connected they are.

The dissemination of text is not static but mutates. The micro-evolution of texts has multiple patterns (Tamariz 2019 ), such as replication, expansion, and succession. Therefore, this module traced similar sentence pairs shared between books with three patterns: overall similarity, partial similarity, and paraphrased similarity. A sketch is given in Fig. 2a .

a Three patterns of similarity between sentences. Darker colour indicates more similar text. b The explicit intertextuality and implicit intertextuality between the three books.

Overall similarity

Two sentences explain the similar meaning with close language expressions.

Partial similarity

Two sentences share similar parts.

Paraphrased similarity

The similar meaning is explained by different language expressions. The text may be disrupted and reorganized.

Deep neural networks (Vaswani et al. 2017 ) and pre-train methods (Devlin et al. 2019 ) have shown excellent performance in text feature extraction. Contrastive learning (Chen et al. 2020 ) can help to obtain personal-defined text similarity models without supervision, which is suitable for text-level intertextuality detection. To get sentence representation for these three patterns, we introduced the RoBERTa base (Liu et al. 2019 ), a pre-trained language model that can be further fine-tuned for our task using different training strategies.

For the overall similarity pattern, it can be treated as the overall semantic similarity between sentences. To train the model 1 , we used SimCSE (Gao et al. 2021 ), a contrastive learning method for extracting sentence embeddings.

For the paraphrased similarity pattern, the sentence structure could be reconstructed. We trained another model 2 for this pattern, with its loss being a weighted sum of loss 1 and loss 2 . The loss 1 was calculated in the same way as for model 1 .

For loss 2 , we randomly dropped and shuffled the clauses and n-grams in the original sentence to obtain a new sentence. It serves as another positive sample of contrastive learning. Negative samples are other sentences in the batch. The final loss for the model 2 is:

r is a hyperparameter that modulates the emphasis between sentence structure and semantics.

For the partial similarity pattern, sentences are considered similar if they share similar clauses. We detected similarities at the clause level using both model 1 and model 2 .

In large-scale information retrieval, brute-force search is often impractical due to the time and resources required. Therefore, it usually follows a multi-step process for the balance of precision and efficiency.

The first step is to recall potential candidates. In our work, we identified K members that were most similar to each sentence embedding. Then, we selected appropriate candidates and calculated a threshold to further filter out similar candidates.

For each pattern, we used the following steps to detect:

1. Extract embeddings of all sentences using the RoBERTa model.

2. De-duplicate embeddings. For each embedding, find its Top K similar embeddings. Denote all embedding pairs obtained as P .

3. Calculate the Euclidean distance of embedding in P and find the t th percentile as the similarity threshold d thr .

4. Filter out sentence pairs whose embedding distance is closer than d thr .

We detected similar pairs with these three strategies separately and gathered their results. The detected similar sentence pairs give concrete evidence of text-level intertextuality.

Book-level aggregation

Text-level results can support textual research on microevolution. However, to analyze at the macro level, text-level results must be gathered and aggregated. In this module, we aggregated text-level intertextuality results and synthesized them into a book-level intertextual association graph g . In this graph, each node B i represents a book, and there are N books in total. The edges indicate the intertextual associations between books. Suppose there are two books B i and B j , they contain n i and n j distinct sentences, respectively, and s ij distinct similar sentence pairs were detected between them. The edge weight α ij between B i and B j is calculated as follows:

For node B i , it has a one-hot node feature \(x_i = [x_{i1},x_{i2} \ldots x_{iN}]\) , where \({x_{ii}} = {1}\) .

Community-level inference

Text-level intertextuality can be observed explicitly. However, some intertextual connections can be implicit, with no direct textual association. In this study, we treated these classics as a cultural community and explored the implicit intertextuality at the community level. A schematic is shown in Fig. 2b .

Explicit intertextuality

If two books share similar sentences, they are explicitly intertextual.

Implicit intertextuality

If Book 1 and Book 2 are explicitly intertextual, and Book 2 and Book 3 are explicitly intertextual, then it can be inferred that Book 1 and Book 3 are implicitly intertextual.

This module performs inference by propagating and aggregating information through the topology of the intertextual association graph:

The first operation gathers explicit intertextuality I ex to the node feature. The second operation infers and integrates the implicit intertextuality I im . r ′ is a custom weight that adjusts the emphasis of implicit intertextuality. After twice graph computations, the node feature of B i is \(y_i = [y_{i1},y_{i2} \ldots y_{iN}]\) , where y ij indicates the united intertextual score I ij between B i and B j .

The node feature reflects the distribution of intertextuality for each book within the community. Excessive aggregation of information on the graph can lead to over-smoothing, which is detrimental to node features. Therefore, we set the number of graph computations to twice. Sparsity is an issue that often plagues text-based cultural analysis. With this method, the sparsity of intertextuality detection results can be alleviated.

Settings and modelling results

In text-level detection, we trained the model on an Nvidia 1080ti GPU. The optimizer is Adam (Kingma and Ba 2015 ). We took the pre-trained ancient Chinese RoBERTa base model as a basis. For both model 1 and model 2 , we fine-tuned the base model 10 epochs at a learning rate of 1e-6. The batch size was 32. The r for the loss of model 2 was set to 0.2. For similarity detection, we set K to 100 and t to 1 based on our data scale and observations. The large-scale vector searching tool Faiss (Johnson et al. 2019 ) was applied to speed up vector retrieval.

In book-level aggregation, we found that diverse genres have variant punctuation styles, disturbing the total number of sentences. After observation, we found that in this dataset, the number of sentences with at least two clauses is relatively stable. Therefore, we set the number of sentences n i of the book B i to the number of sentences with at least two clauses.

In community-level inference, r ′ was set to a value that makes implicit intertextuality one-fifth of explicit intertextuality. \(x_i^\prime\) and I im were clipped with a ten-fold mean. In the modelling after adding era-text, the information propagation between era-text nodes was blocked to evaluate each era independently.

As a result, the detection module identified over 411,000 pairs of similar sentences between classics and 2,209,000 pairs between classics and era-text. An intertextual association graph was built from these pairs.

Manual evaluation of text-level detection

Note that in this corpus, each sentence has millions of intertextual candidates from books on diverse topics. As a result, the likelihood of any two sentences being intertextual is extremely low. Building a hand-labelled test set to evaluate the recall rate is nearly impossible. Therefore, we manually evaluated the accuracy rate with the same number of recalled sentences.

We invited three people with graduate degrees and research experience in Chinese classical literature to conduct the manual evaluation. The evaluators were asked to assess the intertextuality of each detected sentence pair. If the two sentences share a similar meaning, topic, or structural style, give 1 point. Otherwise, give 0 points. We took the single-pattern methods as baselines. We used the SIMCSE (Gao et al. 2021 ) model to detect the same number of pairs at the sentence and clause levels, respectively. One pair is randomly sampled from each book in the dataset of classics. There are three groups with 133 pairs each.

The results are shown in Table 3 . The average accuracy of our proposed multi-pattern detection model is 82.22% ( Pearson ’ s r  = 0.74), while the single-pattern baseline is 73.70% and 45.92%. It suggests that the multi-pattern design can improve intertextuality detection performance.

Ablation of community-level inference

We performed an ablation study on a specific book to validate the designed inference module. Figure 3 shows the intertextual connection between Analects and other classics. To compare the modules fairly, we adjusted the weights r ′ so that explicit and implicit intertextuality have equal status in united intertextuality.

They are mean-normalized, and their standard deviations are given respectively. a Number of similar sentence pairs s . b Explicit intertextual scores I ex . c Implicit intertextual scores I im . d United intertextual scores I .

The number of similar pairs varies widely due to the varying length of books. After aggregation, normalized explicit intertextual scores are obtained. However, some books do not share similar sentences, resulting in vacancies. Implicit intertextual scores are positively correlated with explicit intertextuality. It fills the gap of explicit intertextuality and alleviates sparsity. In addition, the introduction of implicit intertextuality brings smoothness, leading to more robust united intertextual scores ( std  = 0.81) than explicit intertextual scores ( std  = 1.07).

Indicator robustness

A metric that is susceptible to data variance is not ideal. Therefore, we examined these two concerns regarding the intertextual score I :

• Q 1 : Is the intertextual score affected evidently by data size?

• Q 2 : Does the intertextual score decrease noticeably due to language discrepancy in different eras?

For Q 1 , we calculated the correlation between data size and intertextuality with the classic dataset. The two variables used in the correlation calculation are as follows:

Data Size: the number of sentences involved in intertextuality detection for each book.

Intertextual Score: The average intertextual score of each book with all other books.

Our results show that there was no significant correlation between data size and intertextual score ( \(r = - 0.1427,\,P = 0.1025,\,n = 133\) ). Therefore, we considered that the decrease in the H index is not due to data size.

For Q 2 , let us examine some cases. Jin Si Lu of the Song Dynasty (published around 1175) and Chuan Xi Lu of the Ming Dynasty (published around 1472–1529) are two famous works of Neo-Confucianism, which emerged as a continuation of Confucianism thousands of years after its birth. Compared with previous books, is the intertextuality between these two books and Confucianism prominent?

To answer this question, we ranked the intertextual scores between all books and keystone works of Confucianism and observed where these two books are placed. We found that these two books rank highly (1/131, 2/131), even surpassing Confucian books that are more recent to the Axial period. Therefore, we consider that language differences across different eras do not have an obvious impact on the intertextual score.

Through these two examinations, we can conclude that the indicator, intertextual score I , is robust to data variance.

Study 1. Interaction between scholars and schools

At the first level, we discussed the interaction between scholars and schools. Schools can be remoulded by later generations of scholars during their thousands of years of evolution. Confucianism and Taoism were the most influential philosophical schools in ancient China. We examined their evolutionary paths by assessing the preference of their followers through intertextual distributions of literary works. Besides, some literature is controversial or ambiguous in the mists of antiquity. To clarify the true path of cultural evolution, we provided quantitative suggestions for the school attribution of Lüshi Chunqiu and the authorship attribution of the Collected Works of Tao Yuanming .

In the axial age, religion and philosophy transformed drastically in various civilizations. The Hundred Schools of Thought, which arose in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (500 BC), were the prototype of Chinese philosophy. The enduring and pervasive influence of schools such as Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, Legalism, and Military make them essential to any discussion of ancient Chinese culture (Sima 1959 ; Ban 1962 ).

Scholars and schools are symbiotic. Scholars were inevitably exposed to mainstream schools of their periods, while the doctrines of schools needed to be passed down to subsequent scholars. In this section, we investigated the interaction between scholars and schools through the intertextual associations of their literature. We calculated the Tendency Index T between 125 ancient Chinese classics and the five schools mentioned above. This index shows the ideological tendency of a particular collection of texts toward each school. The schematic diagram of this index is shown in Fig. 4a , and the details of its design are as follows.

a Calculation of Tendency Index T . b Calculation of Historical Status Index H .

Based on the consensus of Chinese philosophy (Feng and Bodde 1948 ), we selected the keystone works as the benchmarks for each school. We first calculated the average intertextual score between a book and the keystone works of each school. The Tendency Index is defined as the ratio of the average intertextual score with a specific school to its means across all schools. Suppose there are books \(B = \{ B_1,B_2 \ldots B_m\}\) and schools \(S = \{ S_1,S_2 \ldots S_v\}\) . The intertextual score between any two books B i and B j is I ij , which can be obtained from the node features of the association graph. For the book B i and the school S k , the school S k has l keystone works, T ik is calculated as follows:

T ik reflects the tendency of book B i for school S k compared to other schools. When T ik  > 1, Book B i has an above-average preference for school S k .

We also examined the significance of text-level intertextuality. Specifically, we investigated whether sentences from a specific book have a significantly greater probability of being detected in the keystone works of a school than the average of other schools. Considering that these books typically contain a large number of sentences \(({\text{Median}} = 2739)\) , we employed a one-tailed Z -test statistic. This statistic was constructed from the similar sentence pairs detected. Suppose there are books B i and B j containing n i and n j sentences after data processing. There are s ij distinct similar sentence pairs detected between them. For book B i and school S k , the calculation of test statistic Z is as follows:

We set the significance level α to 0.05. With the Tendency Index and P-value , we developed quantitative discussions on the scholar-school linkages.

Evolutionary path of philosophical schools

The schools in ancient China were constantly evolving as scholars reshaped previous theories. As acknowledged in the history of Chinese philosophy (Feng and Bodde 1948 ), the original Taoist philosophy inspired the Taoist religion and Wei Jin metaphysics, while Neo-Confucianism inherited the theories of Confucianism. This section validates these evolutionary paths of Taoism and Confucianism quantitatively.

Taoism was a philosophical school that mainly advocated conformity to nature. Taoist religion evolved from Taoist philosophy, developing into the most prominent native religion until now (Raz 2012 ). The representatives of Taoist philosophy, Laozi and Zhuangzi, were revered as the founder and patriarch of the Taoist religion respectively. Figure 5a shows the Tendency Index of two Taoist religious classics, Cantongqi and Wen Shi Zhen Jing . They were significantly inclined towards Taoist philosophy ( Cantongqi , \(T = 2.48\) , \(P = 0.0142\) , \(n = 529\) ; Wen Shi Zhen Jing , \(T = 2.62\) , \(P = 0.0019\) , \(n = 879\) , for Taoism). It demonstrates the consistency between Taoist religion and Taoist philosophy in their evolution.

The dynasty of publication and the corresponding AD years of each book are shown below. The keystone works of each school are listed on the right, including the time of the publication. a Tendency Index of two Taoist classics, Cantongqi and Wen Shi Zhen Jing . And the Tendency Index of the collected works of two scholars, Ruan Ji and Ji Kang. b Tendency Index of two Neo-Confucianism classics, Jin Si Lu and Chuan Xi Lu . c Tendency Index of Lüshi Chunqiu . d Tendency Index of the Collected Works of Tao Yuanming . And the Tendency Index of its widely accepted and controversial parts.

Apart from the religious re-creation, Taoism inspired a new school of philosophy. Wei Jin metaphysics, a variant of Taoist philosophy, arose during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280) and flourished in the Jin Dynasty (266–420). Ruan Ji and Ji Kang were two representative scholars. Figure 5a shows the Tendency Index of their collected works. Compared with the other four schools, scholars of Wei Jin metaphysics were closer to the theories of Taoism ( Collected Works of Ruan Ji , \(n = 1590\) ; Collected Works of Ji Kang , \(P = 3.57e - 06\) , \(n = 2209\) , for Taoism).

This kind of transformation also occurred in Confucianism. Confucianism, which originated in 500 BC (Yao 2000 ), had an extensive impact on ancient Chinese culture and spread throughout East Asia. Over millennia, the philosophy evolved, and Neo-Confucianism became the new representative of Confucianism in the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) (Bol 2008 ). Jin Si Lu and Chuan Xi Lu , written by Zhu Xi, Lv Zuqian, and Wang Yanming, were two of the most famous classics. Their Tendency Index is shown in Fig. 5b . The significant intertextual connection between the two works and Confucianism confirms their inheritance ( Jin Si Lu , \(T = 2.84\) , \(P = 1.01e - 13\) , \(n = 2914\) ; Chuan Xi Lu , \(T = 3.36\) , \(P = 2.33e - 15\) , \(n = 2495\) , for Confucianism).

Controversial literature attribution

Because of its antiquity, the information of some classics has become vague over thousands of years of circulation. Attributing ancient literature to appropriate schools and original authors has been a long-discussed issue in Chinese cultural studies, and in recent times, scholars have embarked upon quantitative investigations in this regard (Zhu et al. 2021 ; Zhou et al. 2023 ). In this section, we provide quantitative suggestions for controversial literature based on its intertextual distributions among schools.

Appropriate school attribution could contribute to the study of the influence and evolution of cultural thought. For example, Lüshi Chunqiu , an encyclopedic classic from the Warring States Period, was compiled in 239 BC with the support of the politician Lü Buwei. It brought together doctrines from various schools. However, there is no conclusion about its predilection among them (e.g., Syncretism theory, Taoism theory, and Confucianism theory (Chen 2001 )).

In Fig. 5c , our quantitative modelling result shows that Lüshi Chunqiu is a syncretic work ( \(T = 0.78\sim 1.43\) ) led by Taoism ( \(T = 1.43\) , \(P = 0.0004\) , \(n = 6118\) , for Taoism). It indicates that the editors have done a syncretic compilation of the theories in that period, with a slight inclination toward Taoism.

The variation of intertextual distributions can also be applied to controversial authorship attribution. Some ancient books were published in the name of famous scholars, but the real authors maybe someone else. However, the creations by different people have their own styles. The thought divergence between the real celebrity and their impostor could be implied in the intertextual variation of their works.

For example, Tao Yuanming is widely recognized as a representative of Chinese individual liberalism (Swartz 2008 ). He refused to serve the government and pursued a pastoral life. His yearning for a free life was depicted in his poems, which is highly consistent with the claim of Taoism. He is considered to have a strong predilection for Taoism and was slightly affected by Confucianism. Therefore, it is puzzling to find that the Tendency Index shown in Fig. 5d indicates a significant predilection for Confucianism in the Collected Works of Tao Yuanming ( \(T = 2.41\) , \(P = 0.0007\) , \(n = 2119\) , for Confucianism).

Further investigation revealed that the authorship of some parts of the Collected Works of Tao Yuanming is controversial. The version compiled by Xiao Tong (501–531) did not contain Five Sets of Filial Piety Biographies and Book of Ministers , while the version of Yang Xiuzhi (509–582) added them. Yang Xiuzhi mentioned in the preface that Xiao Tong’s version was missing these two parts, so he added them to prevent them from being lost in future generations.

However, later scholars gradually became suspicious of these two parts. The most famous one is the assertion in Siku Quanshu (Ji 1997 ). For its “self-contradictory” and “meaningless”, Siku Quanshu declared that Five Sets of Filial Piety Biographies and Book of Ministers were counterfeit. This view remains popular today, owing to the authority of Siku Quanshu .

To find clues to this dispute, we compared the intertextual distributions of the widely accepted and controversial parts. We divided the Collected Works of Tao Yuanming into two parts: collection 1 included Five Sets of Filial Piety Biographies and Book of Ministers , while collection 2 contains the remaining works. The Tendency Index for the two collections is shown in Fig. 5d . The “Tao Yuanming” of collection 1 exhibited a significant preference for Confucianism ( \(T = 3.02\) , \(P = 0.0002\) , \(n = 436\) , for Confucianism), while the “Tao Yuanming” of collection 2 inclined towards Taoism ( \(T = 2.45\) , \(P = 0.0658\) , \(n=1683\) , for Taoism) and has an above-average preference for Confucianism ( \(T = 1.51\) , \(P = 0.1985\) , \(n = 1683\) , for Confucianism). The modelling result of collection 2 is consistent with the actual behaviours and mainstream cognition of Tao Yuanming.

The Tendency Index shows an antithesis between the controversial sections and other parts in terms of their intertextual connections to Confucianism and Taoism. Considering the life experience of Tao Yuanming, our finding lends further support to the speculation: Five Sets of Filial Piety Biographies and Book of Ministers were forged by others in the name of Tao Yuanming.

Nevertheless, it is also worth considering that these two books were intended as textbooks for family education. If we treat them as the original works of Tao Yuanming, the intertextual discrepancy in the results reveals the divergence between the personal pursuits of Tao Yuanming (Taoism) and his aim to educate future generations (Confucianism).

Study 2. Vicissitudes of schools

At the second level, we studied the rise and fall of schools in different eras and domains. Scholars have employed character co-occurrence (Yang and Song 2022 ), syntactic patterns (Lee et al. 2018 ), and topic analysis (Nichols et al. 2018 ) to quantitatively measure the grammatical and ideological connections in ancient Chinese literature, thus supporting research into cultural differences and thought evolution. In this section, we studied cultural phenomena through diachronic and field-specific intertextual distributions. We investigated quantitative evidence for the connections between historical events and school status. Besides, schools’ claims have their own focus, making them favoured by different aspects of culture. We quantitatively discussed the status of Confucianism and Taoism in various cultural domains.

To achieve this, we divided ancient China into 12 eras and built an era-text corpus from history books and anthologies. The era-text corpus is a comprehensive collection of literature from official and folk sources, allowing them to be taken as indicators of the prevailing thought of that time. The era-text was then classified into 12 eras and added to the intertextuality modelling. For a specific collection of text, its intertextual association with the era-text implies its popularity in that era. The Historical Status Index H was designed to measure the school status in each era. The schematic diagram of this index is shown in Fig. 4b , and the details of the calculation are as follows.

We first calculated the average intertextual score between the keystone works of each school and the era-text in each era. For each school, its index H is defined as the ratio of the average intertextual score in a specific era to its mean across all eras and schools. Let \(S = \{ S_1,S_2 \ldots S_v\}\) denote the set of schools, and \(E = \{ E_1,E_2 \ldots E_f\}\) denote the set of eras. For a given school S k and era E e , where school S k has l keystone works and era E e has c books in era-text, the Historical Status Index H ke is calculated as follows:

H ke reflects the status of school S k in the era E e . If its mean value \(\bar H\) in era E e exceeds 1.00, it suggests that the school had an above-average influence in era E e . The Historical Status Index of five schools in 12 eras is shown in Fig. 6 .

The timeline gives the name of each era, with the approximate AD years of its beginning and end. The histogram shows the H of each school, while the line chart indicates its mean value in each era.

School transformation in history

As society changed, schools of thought experienced booms and declines in Chinese history. Historical events like wars, policies and regime changes have impacted the school’s evolution. In this section, we investigated the quantitative textual evidence of these connections through the diachronic changes in their intertextual distributions.

The results show that the keystone classics of these five schools were highly intertextual with era-text within about a thousand years ( \(\bar H > 1\) ) and then gradually decreased ( \(\bar H < 1\) ). Although the original texts created during the axial period were still classic, they gradually became unsuitable for the new era (Feng and Bodde 1948 ). This could be the reason for the decrease in the \(\bar H\) index. Throughout the millennium of prosperity, we can observe the connections between school transformation and historical events.

The popularity of the school of Military was affected by the division of the country in the Three Kingdoms period (220–280), when China was divided into three comparable kingdoms. The country was in turmoil, and wars often broke out between these three kingdoms. Against this background, the school of Military, which was themed on the philosophy of war, reached its heyday ( \(H = 3.15\) , for Military in the Three Kingdoms period).

The linkage between political events and the prosperity and decline of the school manifested in the quantitative results. Confucianism was a school of humanism (Juergensmeyer 2005 ), while Legalism was a school that advocated legal institutions. Some scholars believe that ancient China was influenced by both Confucianism and Legalism (Zhou 2011 ; Zhao 2015 ). In Qin (221 BC - 207 BC) and Han (202 BC - 220) Dynasties, favour from the government made two schools stand out rapidly. The Shang Yang Reform (356 BC & 350 BC) and the advocation from the emperor Qin Shi Huang brought Legalism to a peak in the Qin Dynasty ( \(H = 3.67\) , for Legalism in the Qin Dynasty). However, this brief prosperity ended with the demise of the Qin Dynasty. The policy implemented in the Han Dynasty, which banned other philosophical schools and venerated Confucianism, caused the drop of \(\bar H\) and made Confucianism ( \(H = 1.73\) , for Confucianism in the Han Dynasty) exceed others ( \(H = 0.94\sim 1.23\) , other schools in the Han Dynasty). This advantage continued since then, and Confucianism had long been the dominant philosophical school in ancient China.

School influence in various domains

Confucianism and Taoism were representative schools of collectivism and individualism in ancient China (Munro 1985 ). As the two most prominent native philosophical schools, Confucianism and Taoism have often been compared. In this section, we studied the influence of Confucianism and Taoism through their intertextual distributions among various cultural domains.

Confucianism placed greater emphasis on family and social relations, whereas Taoism focused more on nature and the spirit. For most of the time since the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220), Confucianism was far superior to other schools of thought. Nevertheless, there was an anomaly in history. As shown in Fig. 6 , Taoism experienced a revival from the Three Kingdoms period (220–280) to the Jin Dynasty (266–420). In the Jin Dynasty, the status of Confucianism ( \(H = 2.14\) , for Confucianism in the Jin Dynasty) and Taoism ( \(H = 2.10\) , for Taoism in the Jin Dynasty) was very close. It stemmed from the collapse of the Han Dynasty, which advocated Confucianism. During this period, people sought to find a successor from the theories of other schools (Feng and Bodde, 1948 ). In the background, Wei Jin metaphysics developed from Taoism theory. However, this prosperity did not last long. After the brief revival, Taoism decayed while Confucianism remained the mainstream.

In addition to the diachronic investigation, we discussed the status of Confucianism and Taoism in different cultural domains according to their intertextuality with texts on related topics. History books in ancient China tended to record political events. Therefore, we took the intertextual associations with history books to indicate the political status of a school. The average Tendency Index of history books is shown in Fig. 7a . We also test whether the Tendency Index of Confucianism exceeds Taoism significantly with a one-tailed paired samples t-test. The distribution of their difference value is shown in Fig. 7b , which corresponds to normal distribution. The significance level α is set to 0.05. Confucianism exceeded Taoism significantly in the political domain ( \(P = 2.22e - 15\) , \(n = 55\) ).

a The average Tendency Index of history books. b Difference value distribution of Tendency Index between Confucianism and Taoism among 55 history books. c The average Tendency Index of 125 classics from various cultural domains. d Difference value distribution of Tendency Index between Confucianism and Taoism among 125 classics. e Tendency Index of 125 classics towards Confucianism and Taoism, sorted by their difference value.

Although Taoism did not replace Confucianism in the political domain, it is comparable to Confucianism in broader cultural communities. We calculated the average Tendency Index of 125 classics from various cultural domains, and the result is shown in Fig. 7c . We test whether their Tendency Index is variant with a two-tailed paired samples t -test. The distribution of their difference value is shown in Fig. 7d , which corresponds to normal distribution. The significance level α is set to 0.05. There is no significant difference between Confucianism and Taoism among these classics ( \(P = 0.8014\) , \(n = 125\) , not rejecting the null hypothesis). Specifically, Fig. 7e shows the Tendency Index of 125 classics towards two schools. Among these classics, Confucianism and Taoism had respective advocacy groups. Books on politics and regulations are highly intertextual with Confucianism, while books on mythology, occultism, and medicine are close to Taoism.

These indicators show that Confucianism has advantages in the political field, while Taoism attempted to surpass Confucianism yet failed. However, Taoism was on par with Confucianism in other fields of ancient Chinese culture. Thus, it is suggested that in ancient China, the political domain was the territory of collectivism, while individualism flourished in the diverse cultural fields.

Study 3. Communication with foreign culture

At the third level, we investigated the communication between ancient China and foreign cultures, with a focus on Buddhism, one of the most influential foreign religions in ancient China. The preaching of Buddhism experienced imitation and integration (Zürcher 2007 ). We started by identifying the native schools that are most intertextual with Buddhism and then discussed the different stages of the infiltration between Buddhism and native Chinese culture.

Although the dissemination of information in ancient times was much slower than it is now, ancient China had extensive communication with foreign cultures. As a result, the cultural evolution of ancient China was not isolated. Buddhism, a religion that originated in ancient India, spread to ancient China during Han Dynasty. Buddhist scriptures were translated into Chinese versions, which were widely disseminated over the next millennia.

In this section, we investigated the preaching of Buddhism in ancient China through the intertextual association between Buddhist scriptures and native classics. We selected the four most influential Buddhist scriptures in ancient China ( Diamond Sutra , Lotus Sutra , Shurangama Sutra , and Avatamsaka Sutra ) as the keystone work of Buddhism and added them to the modelling. The diachronic changes of intertextual distributions reveal the evolution of cultural integration in different stages. The topics of intertextual associations show the commonalities between Buddhism and native culture.

Analogue in native cultural groups

As a newly introduced religion, Buddhism inevitably interacted with the existing native cultural groups in its preaching. Taoist religion, which developed from Taoist philosophy, was the dominant indigenous religion in China. Scholars generally believe that Buddhism and Taoism imitated each other in many ways (Mollier 2008 ), including textual scriptures, image symbols, and organization. In this study, we concentrate on textual scriptures. Figure 8a shows the Tendency Index of Buddhist scriptures towards the five native schools. Taoism is the closest native school as expected ( \(T = 1.83\) , \(P = 0.0131\) , \(n = 62693\) , for Taoism).

Besides, we found that Buddhist scriptures borrowed language expressions from existing Chinese terms in the translations of Buddhist concepts. Figure 8b shows two cases from the detected intertextual sentences. The term “Amrita” (meaning “immortality drink”) was borrowed from the word “甘露“ (gan lu, meaning “sweet dew”) when translated into Chinese. This word refers to “rain” in the native Taoist classic Tao Te Ching . Similarly, the Chinese translation of “Sattva” (meaning “sentient beings”) employed the term “众生“ (zhong sheng, meaning “all living beings”), as found in the Taoist classic Zhuangzi .

Evolution of cultural integration

Apart from the philosophical schools, intercultural communication manifested in various aspects of society. Therefore, we expanded the horizons to broader cultural domains. In this section, we compared the intertextual associations between Buddhism and native literature before and after its introduction.

During the Jin Dynasty (266–420), these four Buddhist scriptures were translated into Chinese, paving the way for Buddhism to flourish in ancient China. After separating the texts before and after AD 420, we ranked native classics based on their intertextual scores with Buddhist scriptures. The top 10 classics are shown in Fig. 8c and e . We also juxtaposed Buddhism with five native schools and calculated the Tendency Index of these classics.

Before the introduction of Buddhism, its similar native classics often focused on myth and religion, implying that the Chinese version of Buddhist scriptures retained the original theme. Besides, it may attribute to their assimilation of the corresponding native literature in the Chinese translation of Buddhist scriptures. Specifically, three similar cases from the top three classics are shown in Fig. 8d . The Chinese version of Buddhist scriptures shares similar phrases with native myths in their discussions of mysteries, including the control of ghosts and gods, and the description of the mysterious phenomenon of “burning day and night”. It also mimicked the language expression of native religious discourses. For example, the description of the choice between justice and evil is highly consistent between Cantongqi and Avatamsaka Sutra .

After the introduction of Buddhism, Buddhist doctrines diffused into various domains of native culture. Compared to the previous period, there was an overall increase in the Tendency Index of Buddhism among the top 10 classics. It indicates the promotion of Buddhism’s influence on Chinese culture. One notable change is the emergence of three native Buddhist works. It symbolizes that Buddhism built its advocacy group in ancient China. These works remoulded Buddhism in a new cultural environment with localized doctrines. In addition to expanding its own religious territory, Buddhism integrated into other native religions (Zürcher 1980 ). For example, the top 1 work shown in Fig. 8e is the native religious classic named Xuan Zhu Lu , which deeply absorbed Buddhist theories. In terms of missionary targets, the preaching of Buddhism was not limited to ordinary people and even reached the supreme ruler, such as the Emperor Wu of Liang (464–549), which ranks third in Fig. 8e . With the advocacy of the emperor, the Liang Dynasty was the heyday of Buddhism in the Southern Dynasty (Strange 2011 ). For details, Fig. 8f shows three similar cases from the top three native classics after the introduction of Buddhism. Religious concepts from Buddhism were mixed into Chinese as new words (e.g., ten directions, immeasurable and Buddha). India’s “Ganges River” flowed into ancient China along with Buddhist scriptures.

Online platform

In this paper, we focused on the theme of cultural evolution. However, there are many other meaningful findings in our modelling results, which await further explanation by relevant scholars. Therefore, we have developed an online platform ( http://evolution.pkudh.xyz/ ) featuring an interactive visualization system that displays the corpus and intertextual sentences. This platform shows millions of intertextual cases detected in this work and provides support for further data analysis. Even researchers without programming backgrounds can gain valuable insights into our work and develop further studies using this convenient tool. We gave several screenshots of the platform in Fig. 9 .

a Intertextual sentence browsing from corpus. b Intertextual sentence statistics and visualization within a custom collection. c Visualization of intertextual sentences distribution among different chapters of a book within a custom collection.

With the leap forward of big data and AI technology, computer-assisted cultural studies have expanded in both scale and depth. Intricate cultural problems can be discussed quantitatively with the support of large-scale data. In this paper, we used digital methods to quantify the cultural evolution of China over the past thousands of years within a large-scale corpus of ancient literature.

We gave validated results for several acknowledged cultural phenomena. The two evolutionary paths of Taoism and Confucianism, inspiring new branches of school and migrating to religious fields, were confirmed by intertextual associations. Besides, we provided quantitative evidence for the connections between the schools’ status and several historical events. It shows the intertwining of philosophical schools and politics in ancient China.

Through our analysis, we gained quantitative insights into some long-debated cultural problems. For literature with controversial school attribution, our findings suggest that Lüshi Chunqiu is a syncretic work headed by the theory of Taoism. As for literature with controversial authorship attribution, we revealed that Five Sets of Filial Piety Biographies and Book of Ministers are divergent from other works of Tao Yuanming in ideological preference. In the comparison between Confucianism and Taoism, we propose that collectivism represented by Confucianism was mainstream in the political domain, while individualism represented by Taoism was active in extensive fields of ancient Chinese culture.

Furthermore, we investigated intercultural communication between Buddhism and Chinese native culture. The results suggest that the influence of this foreign culture evolved at different stages, from imitation to integration. In the early days, Buddhism imitated similar aspects of native culture to ease resistance (Kohn 1995 ). After the initial prosperity of Buddhism in China, it was remoulded through localized Buddhist works. As time went by, Buddhism became a part of the local culture. It was evident in various cultural domains of ancient China.

Our study demonstrates that hierarchical intertextuality modelling is a promising tool for cultural analysis within the large-scale corpus. However, there are still limitations in quantitative intertextuality research on Chinese literature. The evolution of language over time presents challenges in detecting intertextuality between ancient Chinese and modern Chinese is challenging. Besides, intercultural communication from different languages requires cross-lingual detection, which is still an area that remains underexplored.

This research represents an innovative attempt to study the evolution of Chinese culture from a digital perspective. It provides new insights into the interpretation of ancient Chinese culture and raises important questions for further exploration: How did ancient Chinese culture evolve into its modern form? What was the impact of global culture on this process of evolution? To conduct more comprehensive research, interdisciplinary and intercultural collaboration is necessary.

Data availability

The open-sourced code, data catalogue and online platform can be found here: https://github.com/CissyDuan/Evol . The textual data can be downloaded from open websites: http://www.xueheng.net and http://www.daizhige.org/ . The pre-trained model is accessed from an open-sourced model: https://github.com/ethan-yt/guwenbert .

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Acknowledgements

This research is supported by the NSFC project ‘the Construction of the Knowledge Graph for the History of Chinese Confucianism’ (Grant No. 72010107003).

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Duan, S., Wang, J., Yang, H. et al. Disentangling the cultural evolution of ancient China: a digital humanities perspective. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 10 , 310 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01811-x

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Are you looking for an engaging literary research paper topic? Whether you're writing a college-level essay or a master's thesis, the right literature research paper topics can make all the difference. They range from exploring particular genres or authors to examining the use of language in literary works. By researching these topics, you will gain a greater understanding of the ideas, improve your critical thinking skills, and learn to appreciate the nuances. This article will explore such literature topics for research and open up endless possibilities for analysis and interpretation, ranging from classic to modern-day texts. Are you ready to choose a trending topic and write a paper that will win your professor’s heart? 

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• Representation of LGBTQ characters as represented by contemporary fiction.
• Technology's impact on modern literary works.
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Great Literature Research Paper Topics

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Unique Literature Research Paper Topics

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• The role of jealousy in 17th-century literary works.
• Gender identity as represented by reformist fiction.
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• The relationship between gender and power in Shakespeare's plays.
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• Metaphors in the works of Gabriel García Márquez .
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• The role of women in medieval romance literature.
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• Racial stereotypes during 19th-century English literature.
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• Politics and power representations in Latin American poetry.
• Gender, race, and class representations in English renaissance drama.
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Coming up with fresh ideas for literature research topics can be daunting. Students may want to look at the works they have studied or venture outside the traditional reading list and explore different authors and genres. Some literature research paper ideas comprise studying how certain authors influenced the literary movement, analyzing how language has been used throughout history, or examining gender, race, and class representations from a literary text. Here is a perfect list of fresh ideas!

• Aesthetics as presented by postmodern fiction.
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• Gender, race, and class representations within British romanticism.
• American literary realism and naturalism.
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• Social injustice theme during early 20th-century American drama.
• The relationship between social identity and language during postcolonial fiction.
• Values and beliefs representations as presented by ancient Greek mythology.

Literature Research Paper Topics for Students

For students looking for research topics in literature for study, there is a wide variety of options available. Depending on the level and course, they might focus on analyzing particular authors, literary movements, or genres, exploring the use of language throughout history, or examining representations of gender, race, and class in books. You also need to study literary devices and their effects on readers when exploring literary topics for a research paper . Below are examples of literature topics for different students:

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• Racism as presented during early 20th-century works.
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• Literature as a tool for social change.

Literature Research Paper Topics for College Students

These titles entail more serious and in-depth scrutiny than a high school literary paper. A college-level literary research paper topic provides students with a broader range of analysis. It encompasses looking at literature as a form of political commentary to get its relationship with other art forms. Below are literature research paper topics for college students:

• Identity construction during postmodern poetry.
• Alienation themes within modern fiction.
• Gender role representations in Shakespearean tragedies.
• The relationship between narrative and memory within Holocaust literature.
• Nature's role in contemporary American fiction.
• Authority and subversion themes during the early 20th-century drama.
• Race, class, and gender representation within African American autobiographies.
• Social media influence the literary language.
• The relationship between social identity and language in postcolonial fiction.
• Values as presented by ancient Greek mythology .
• Psychological distress during 20th-century war narratives.
• Attitudes towards mental illness as portrayed by gothic texts.
• The relationship between science and literary imagination.
• Social hierarchy within Victorian novels.
• Religion's role in southern American literature.

Literary Research Paper Topics by Categories

Research paper topics for literature by category offer an exclusive and stimulating perspective on literary analysis worldwide. They can be grouped into literary movements, authors, and genres, as well as topics related to language and history. If you are interested in European, American, and English literature topics, these ideas will help you find the perfect literary research paper topic for your project.

World Literature Research Paper Topics

Research paper topics for world literature allow students to explore literary works from any part of the world, including texts written in English, Spanish, and other languages. Below is a list that provides original world literature research topics for any project:

• Impact of colonialism on native literary traditions.
• Gender representation within French literature.
• Religion's role within literary works from Latin America.
• Symbolism in English poetry from the 19th century.
• Themes of nationalism within modern Russian fiction.
• Power and politics in Spanish plays.
• Conflict as portrayed by African literature.
• The role of folklore within Chinese fiction.
• Themes of cultural identity in Japanese drama.
• Family ties in Italian poetry.
• Symbolism in Arabic literature.
• Social class representation in Indian novels.
• Impact of globalization on middle eastern fiction.
• Human rights themes by contemporary Australian poets.
• Western representations of other cultures in modern literature.

American Literature Research Paper Topics

In research paper topics for American literature, you examine the works of early American writers and poets, as well as those from later periods. Here is a list of American literature topics for your paper!

• Attitudes towards race in early American novels.
• Colonialism during 19th-century poetry.
• Freedom and rebellion themes within revolutionary literature.
• The emergence of gothic horror in American fiction.
• Impact of transcendentalism on American writing.
• Gender representation during pre-civil war literature .
• Themes of morality in post-World War II American fiction.
• Role of religion during 19th-century American novels.
• Slavery and its abolition by American poets.
• Social class representation during early American drama.
• Themes of identity in postmodern American fiction.
• Industrialization of 20th-century literature.
• War and conflict representation by contemporary American playwrights.
• Racism in 20th-century American novels.
• Assimilation and immigration themes in post-World War II American literature.

British Literature Research Paper Topics

In British literature research topics, you explore works from early British writers to contemporary authors. Ideally, research topics for British literature should encompass works written by authors from all eras, including Medieval, Renaissance, and modern. Here is a list of English literature research paper topics for your perfect essay!

• Gender representation during medieval English literature.
• Colonialism's effects on British literary works during the 18th century.
• Influence of British writers on modern literature.
• The role of nature in 18th-century British novels.
• Interpretations of classic British literary works.
• Social class representations during 19th-century British fiction.
• Themes of love and romance within Victorian literature.
• Industrialization's impact on 20th-century British novels.
• Patriotism and nationalism during post-World War II literary work.
• Multiculturalism representations in postmodern British fiction.
• Effects of censorship on British authors during the 20th century.
• Mental health representation in modern British poetry.
• Representation of historical events in British works throughout time.
• Technological representations in 21st-century British Novels.
• Intersectionality by contemporary British playwrights.

Did you know that you can generate a bunch of title ideas using our Research Paper Topic Generator ?

European Literary Research Paper Topics

European literature research paper topics offer an excellent opportunity to explore the works of European authors. They allow you to study and analyze the academic traditions and cultures of some of Europe's most influential writers. You can find such literary research paper topic ideas in the list below:

• Representations of the European monarchy in classic novels.
• Censorship effects on European authors during the 20th century.
• Impact of World War II on European authors.
• Gender representations within Victorian poetry.
• Literary works from different countries and cultures in Europe.
• Use of language, symbolism, and imagery to explore themes in European texts.
• Themes of nature and environment within German short stories.
• Technology representations in late Victorian poetry.
• Popular culture's influence on European literary movements from the 20th century to modern times.
• Impact of European literary works on people's perceptions of other cultures.
• Use of supernatural elements within European gothic writings from the 18th to 19th centuries.
• Identity representations in French social realism texts.
• Technology's impact on contemporary European literary works.
• Family and community representations during post-war theater.
• Themes of justice and injustice within European dystopian texts.

Literature Research Paper Ideas by Periods

You may aspire to find literature topics for research papers from different historical periods. This involves studying literature from various cultures or eras, such as ancient, medieval, or modern ones. These ideas also cover the examination of themes and symbols used in writings and scrutinizing characters and their development through various works. Other topics include the exploration of texts from a political perspective in relation to their historical contexts. These ideas contain some literary research topics from various periods:

Ancient Literary Research Paper Topics

There are many exciting options to consider if you're looking for ancient literature research paper topics. They can be studied with regard to history, culture, art, and philosophy. To gain more insight, you could explore the works of Homer, Henry James, Virgil, and the Mahabharata, or old Egyptian writings, such as The Iliad and Odyssey . Below is a list of ancient literature topics for research you can choose from.

• Gender representations in epic poetry.
• Role of mythology and religion in ancient texts.
• Influence of philosophy on ancient literature.
• Power representations in Greek tragedy.
• Heroism by early epic authors.
• Love and marriage in ancient texts.
• Ancient narratives of war and conflict.
• Slavery representations in Roman poetry.
• The role of music and art in classical literature.
• Nature representations in ancient texts.
• Politics' influence on Greek comedy.
• Family and community representations in roman narratives.
• Characters' representation in epic poetry.
• The role of technology in early literary works.
• Representations of the divine in ancient texts.

Medieval Literature Research Paper Topics

The medieval literary study provides a unique opportunity to explore literature research topics of the Middle Ages. From Beowulf to The Canterbury Tales , these works offer insights into this era's cultural beliefs and values. Here are such literary topics for research papers to focus on:

• Representations of medieval chivalry in literary works.
• Religion's influence on medieval works.
• Gender representation in medieval texts.
• The role of magic in medieval narratives.
• The impact of feudalism on medieval texts.
• Honor and loyalty representations by chivalric texts.
• The role of courtly love in medieval works.
• Knights and warriors' representations in literary works.
• Warfare representations in medieval texts.
• The role of education and learning in medieval literature.

Renaissance Literary Research Paper Topics

The Renaissance literature research paper ideas explore works of literature during the Renaissance era, which spanned from the 14th to the 17th century. They focus on the themes, authors, and literature of this period to provide a better understanding of how literary works have evolved within this timeframe and their impact on our current literature. Some of the most influential figures who contributed immensely to writings during this era were William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. If you are interested in researching this period, you can consider a literature research paper topic from the list below:

• Love and romance representations in Renaissance texts.
• Science and technology in 16th-century literature.
• Class and social status representations in Renaissance literary works.
• Classical mythology in Renaissance poetry.
• Representations of family and community in Renaissance narratives.
• Effects of humanism on Renaissance literature in Europe.
• Imagery role by William Shakespeare .
• Representations of art, music, and theater in Renaissance texts.
• Politics' role in 16th-century literary texts.
• Nature representation by John Milton or Torquato Tasso.
• Exploration influence on Renaissance narratives.
• Influence of Renaissance literature on modern writing.
• Women's representation in literary texts by Anne Bradstreet or Aphra Behn.
• Magic and supernatural representations in literary works of Renaissance.
• Humanism and individualism themes within Renaissance literature.

Romantic Literature Research Paper Ideas

Romantic literature emerged during the late 18th century and flourished throughout the early 19th century in Europe. It is characterized by its focus on emotion and depictions of nature. This movement had a lasting impact on literary works and has been highly influential. Research topics in literature can explore the writings of authors such as Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and William Wordsworth. Here are some ideas related to romanticism:

• Nature representations in Romantic texts.
• The role of emotion as depicted in 19th-century literature.
• Influence of Romantic authors on modern literature and culture.
• Women's representation in Romantic narratives.
• Industrialization impact on 19th-century texts.
• Influence of religion and superstition in early Romantic texts.
• Use of technology to discuss themes in Romantic texts from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
• The role of education as portrayed by Romantic narratives.
• Character analysis and plot structure in gothic fiction.
• Nationalism and patriotism as represented by post-Napoleonic war poems.

Modernist Literary Research Paper Topics

Modern literature emerged during the early 20th century until the end of World War II. It is characterized by a rejection of traditional conventions and focused on experimentation with form. This movement had an unprecedented impact on literature research topics and is highly influential today. If you are looking for literary topics for research papers that focus on modernism, consider exploring the following:

• Nature representations by modern texts.
• Social inequality in 21st-century novels.
• Modernism's influence on current literature and culture.
• Climate change within contemporary fiction.
• Impact of social injustice on 20th-century literary works.
• Urbanization representations by modern literary texts.
• Education's influence on modernist narratives.
• Wealth and power in early modernist texts.
• Themes of urban life by Ezra Pound or Wallace Stevens.
• Modernism's impact on classical literature.
• Globalization themes within postmodern poetry.
• Multiculturalism themes in contemporary literary works.
• Mental health representations in modern British novels.
• Global conflict representation in modern fiction.
• The influence of psychoanalysis on modernist literature.

Current Literature Research Paper Ideas

Current literature paper topics can look at the latest trends. They include exploring contemporary works such as Harry Potter by J.K Rowling and Stardust by Neil Gaiman. These topics may also involve analyzing social media's effects on literary writings. If you are looking for current literary topics for a research paper, consider the following:

• Technological impact on literary works in the 21st century.
• Art, music, and theater in modern texts.
• Impact of conflict on recent literary works.
• Social injustice in 21st-century narratives.
• Racism, ethnicity, and slavery in contemporary texts.
• Wealth and power in recent literary works.
• Globalization themes in postmodern poetry.
• Urbanization in modern writings.
• Immigration within postmodern British novels.

In case you need more paper topics, feel free to browse our blog. We have a wide arsenal of ideas starting from philosophy research paper topics to education research paper topics .  

Bottom Line on Literature Research Paper Topics

Literature topics for research can explore a wide range of themes and works. Whether you are looking for visionary ideas about poetry, fiction, or books from different eras, there is no shortage of literature paper topics to choose from. To narrow down your focus and find the best idea for your project, consider researching literary movements, reading widely, and thinking about the areas that interest you most.  Literature topics for research papers should be chosen based on students' interests and areas of expertise. By conducting in-depth research, you will gain a greater appreciation for literary work and its impact on society. With this article as a guide, you can take the time to find a topic that speaks to you and create an engaging research paper.

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Read more: History Research Topics for Students 

100 Best Literary Research Topics – Fresh Perspectives on Literature Pieces

Selecting the right literature topics for a research paper work can be challenging due to the wealth of literary works and themes available. To find the perfect topic, focus on your personal character interests, the scope of your assignment, and the availability of resources or requirements of American universities. Reflect on the literary periods, authors, or themes that captivate you, and investigate potential questions or ideas related to them. Seeking guidance from your instructor or peers can also be beneficial, as can browsing academic journals, literary critiques, or scholarly databases to discover trending literature research paper topics or ongoing debates in the literary and cultural field.

How to Understand If a Topic Is Good?

Choose literary topics for research paper works that genuinely interest you ensure there is a sufficient amount of primary and secondary sources, and contribute to the existing body of knowledge. You need to determine if literary research topics in history are suitable for your literary research paper, consider the factors: interest and engagement with the literary research topic, the scope and maintenance of the subject.

Test it with an Outline

You need to create a preliminary outline for your paper, organizing your ideas and potential arguments logically. Together with our research paper writing service , you gain the success results. In another way, you can concentrate on the text`s main points and reveal the literary research topics intricacy, pertinence, and scope.

Write a Thesis Statement

Craft a premise statement that encapsulates your central argument and offers a fresh perspective on your chosen literature research paper ideas to ensure it is neither overly broad. An effective premise statement should be clear, concise, and debatable, sparking further discussion and analysis, and if you feel troubled with managing this task our website writes for you any essay .

List of Literature Research Topics

When choosing literary research topics, consider exploring various spheres of interest that offer diverse subjects for examination. For instance, focus on the works of specific authors, the characteristics of a particular literary period, or the themes and poetry that recur across different eras. Delve into the representation of historical and social issues in literary research topics, such as gender roles, race, or mental health, and investigate how to make the list of the best research paper topics . By examining American literature research topics, you can find literature topics for research that resonates with your interests and contributes to the existing body of literary knowledge. Additionally, you may explore genres like science fiction or magical poetry, examining their impact on society and culture. Investigating the relationship between literature and other disciplines, such as philosophy, psychology, or history, can also yield fascinating American or British lit research paper topics.

British Literature Research Paper Topics

You can investigate captivating elements of literary research paper topics through an array of research work topics. By scrutinizing distinct themes, genres, and historical eras, you can profoundly comprehend the multifaceted and diverse landscape of English literary research subjects and their impact on American authors. This exploration allows you to broaden your knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and foster a genuine appreciation for the creative and intellectual contributions within the field of English literature research topics.

• Gender Roles in Shakespeare’s Plays.
• Power Representation in Jane Austen’s Novels.
• Love and Marriage in John Donne’s Poetry.
• Gothic literature’s influence on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
• Imperialism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.
• Symbolism in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.
• Nature’s Role in William Wordsworth’s Poetry.
• Social Class in George Eliot’s Middlemarch.
• Supernatural Elements in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
• World War I’s Impact on Early 20th-Century Literature.

American Literature Topics

From iconic novels to influential authors, these literary research topics encompass the essence of American identity, history, and culture. Unravel the complexities of this vast literary landscape as you delve into themes of race, ethnicity, the American Dream, and more, uncovering the unique perspectives and voices that have shaped and defined American literature throughout the centuries.

• The American Identity in Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
• The American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
• The American Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter.
• Race and ethnicity in James Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain.
• The American Slavery in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
• Road Trip in Jack Kerouac’s On the Road.
• Magical Realism in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude.
• The American Civil Rights Movement’s Impact on 1960s American Literature.
• The American Religion in Flannery O’Connor’s works.
• The American West in Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian.

Science Fiction Literary Research Essay Topics

With these topics, you can delve into a myriad of literary research topics that explore the depths of futuristic societies, alternate realities, and advanced technology. Unearth the themes, symbolism, and socio-political commentary embedded within these stories, fostering a deeper appreciation for the power and allure of sci-fi literary research topics.

• Artificial Intelligence in Asimov’s “I, Robot” and Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”
• Dystopia in Orwell’s “1984” and Huxley’s “Brave New World.”
• Alienation in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” and Vonnegut’s “Cat’s Cradle.”
• Time Travel in Wells’ “The Time Machine” and L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time.”
• Genetic Engineering in Huxley’s “Brave New World” and Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake.”
• Environmentalism in Herbert’s “Dune” and Butler’s “Parable of the Sower.”
• Virtual Reality in Gibson’s “Neuromancer” and Stephenson’s “Snow Crash.”
• Post-apocalyptic settings in McCarthy’s “The Road” and Mandel’s “Station Eleven.”
• Identity in Le Guin’s “The Left Hand of Darkness” and Delany’s “Dhalgren.”
• Extraterrestrial Life in Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” and Lem’s “Solaris.”

High School Literary Research Essay Topics

These subjects should be carefully selected for their relevance and appeal, they provide the perfect foundation for developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and a love for literature. Discover thought-provoking issues relevant to high school readers with these high school literary research topics. By delving into contemporary literary research topics that resonate with teenage audiences, you can foster a greater appreciation for literature and its impact on young minds.

• Mental Illness in Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” and Plath’s “The Bell Jar.”
• Symbolism in Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” and its relevance today.
• Identity and Self-Discovery in Baldwin’s “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and Walker’s “The Color Purple.”
• Racism and inequality in Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” and Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye.”
• Nature and Symbolism in Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights” and Frost’s works.
• Isolation and Loneliness in Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” and Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
• Gender Roles in Bronte’s “Jane Eyre” and Chopin’s “The Awakening.”
• Magical Realism in Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” and Allende’s “The House of the Spirits.”
• War and its effects in Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms” and Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five.”
• The American Dream in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.”

Modernist Literature Research Paper Topics

Discover interesting literature topics of self-discovery, rebellion, and experimental styles that resonate with teenagers, while gaining an understanding of the cultural and historical influences that fuelled this revolutionary movement. Fell the groundbreaking literary movements in these modernist research topics in literature and chose the best one for you.

• Fragmentation in Modernist Literature: Joyce’s Ulysses and Eliot’s The Waste Land.
• Modernist Literature and Trauma: Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises.
• World War I’s Influence on Modernist Literature: Owen’s Works and Ford’s Parade’s End.
• Time in Modernist Literature: Proust’s In Search of Lost Time and Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury.
• Women’s Role in Modernist Literature: Barnes’ Nightwood and Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea.
• Identity in Modernist Literature: Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain and Ellison’s Invisible Man.
• Stream of Consciousness in Modernist Literature: Mansfield’s “Bliss” and Woolf’s To the Lighthouse.
• Modernist Literature and the City: Pound’s “In a Station of the Metro” and Eliot’s “Preludes.”
• Modernist Literature and the Movement: Pound’s The Cantos and H.D.’s Trilogy.
• The “Lost Generation” in Modernist Literature: Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises and Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.

Renaissance Literature Research Paper Topics

The era, characterized by a remarkable resurgence in culture, art, and intellectual pursuits, has impacted the trajectory of human civilization. Uncover the rich tapestry of the revival literary research topics for your literary research paper.

• Love in Shakespeare’s Sonnets
• Women in Twelfth Night and the Duchess of Malfi
• Humanism in Utopia and Petrarch’s Sonnets
• Fate in Romeo and Juliet and Doctor Faustus
• Courtly Love in the Faerie Queene and Astrophil and Stella
• Classical Themes in Julius Caesar and Dido, Queen of Carthage
• Reformation in Paradise Lost and the Temple
• Power in Macbeth and The Revenger’s Tragedy
• Revival Influence on Hamlet and the Spanish Tragedy
• Kingship between Richard II and Edward II

Controversial Literature Research Paper Topics

Debate and analyze character issues in literature with these controversial literature literary research topics. These subjects allow you to explore literary research topics, ethical dilemmas, and social commentaries within literary works, providing an opportunity for intellectual growth and open dialogue.

• Mental Illness Portrayal in Literature: Helpful or Harmful?
• Cultural Appropriation in Literature Ethics.
• Racial Slurs Use in Literature Controversy.
• Trigger Warnings in Literature and Free Speech Impact.
• Censorship Effects on Literature and Society.
• Authorial Intent Ethics in Literary Interpretation.
• Sexuality Representation in Literature Controversy.
• Violence against Women’s Portrayal in Literature and Society’s Impact.
• Cancel Culture’s Impact on Literature and Publishing.
• Literary Classics Value Debate in Modern Society.

World Literature Research Topics

Embark on a literary journey around the globe with these World literary research topics.

• War Depiction in Global Literature
• Novel Evolution in Different Cultures
• Immigration and Diaspora in Literature
• Love and Relationships in Global Literature
• Colonialism’s Impact on Global Literature
• Mythology in Global Literature
• Cultural Identity in International Literature
•  Political Oppression and Resistance Themes
• Eastern Philosophy’s Influence on Western Literature
• Spirituality and Religion in Global Literature

Literature Research Paper Topics for Students

These literary research topics are designed to challenge students’ critical thinking and analytical skills while fostering a deeper appreciation for literature.

• Technology’s Impact on Contemporary Literature.
• LGBTQ+ Community Portrayal in Literature.
• Mental Health Representation in Young Adult Literature.
• Feminism’s Role in Shaping Contemporary Literature.
• Globalization’s Impact on Literature and Culture.
• Social Justice and Activism Themes in Modern Literature.
• Race and Ethnicity in Contemporary Literature.
• Postmodernism’s Influence on Contemporary Literature.
• Environment and Climate Change Representation in Literature.
• Science Fiction’s Role in Reflecting and Shaping Contemporary Society.

Modern Literature Research Paper Topics

Analyze the intricacies of modern literary research topics masterpieces for university students.

• Magic Realism in Garcia Marquez’s Works
• Morrison and Baldwin’s Literary Techniques
• Feminism in Alice Munro’s Short Stories
• Postmodernism in Don Delillo’s Novels
• Mental Illness in the Bell Jar and the Yellow Wallpaper
• Identity in Adichie and Lahiri’s Works
• Colonialism’s Impact on Achebe and Ngugi WA Thiong’O
• Stream of Consciousness in Mrs. Dalloway and Ulysses
• Masculinity in Hemingway’s Novels
• Memory Role in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Novels

Ancient Literature Research Topics

Delve into the origins of storytelling and literary research topics for your literary research paper. These literary research topics will allow you to investigate various themes, genres, and styles across different time periods, ultimately enhancing your appreciation for the transformative power of storytelling. 

• Women in Greek Tragedies
• Mythology in Homer & Virgil Epic
• Poetry: Greece vs Rome
• Prophecy in Greek Tragedies
• Fate in Oedipus Rex & Macbeth
• Dreams in Egyptian Literature
• Gods in Mesopotamian Literature
• Love Poetry: India & China
• Oral Tradition in African Literature
• Karma in Mahabharata 

In conclusion, selecting literary research topics is an essential step in the writing process, as it sets the foundation for your entire paper. Explore various subjects within English, American, or global literature, and consider literary research topics such as gender roles, power representation, or the impact of historical events on literature discuss. Remember to choose literary research topics that genuinely interest you, as this will make the literature discussion and writing process more enjoyable and engaging. Test your literary research topics with an outline and a premise statement to ensure it is focused, specific, and manageable.

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Top 150 Literature Research Paper Topics For A Brilliant Essay

Choosing the best literature research paper topic is not an easy task for many learners. In case you are looking for some tips on how to choose a perfect topic for your essay, this post is right for you. Discover the hottest prompts on picking up the best topic for your academic paper, as well as explore the most popular ideas for creating an essay on literature.

How To Choose The Literary Topic For An Essay

There are several ways on how to pick up an idea for a successful academic paper. Feel free to choose the most fitting alternative from the list below.

• Select a literature style as a topic for your paper. This is one of the most common ways to pick up an idea for your essay. You will need to determine the basic features of a chosen literature style, choose the masterpieces you are going to describe, and classify the literature works. However, it might be a bit difficult since there are many controversial literature examples that are not easy to analyze.
• Choose an author as a topic for your academic paper. This way, you will describe the main ideas, concepts, and innovations created by a particular writer, as well as the impact of this personality on literature as a whole. Still, avoid turning your research paper into a biography.
• Pick up a certain book as an essay topic. It is a good idea but it might appear to be difficult to add something new to the chosen field.

Top Literature Research Topics: Heroes And Characters

Many students believe that it is easier to write an essay about a certain person or character rather than a particular trend in literature. By the way, creating an academic paper about a hero requires being precise and sticking to the chosen topic.

• Oedipus: An Essay Outline
• The Tragic Hero In The World Literature
• Reflection On Hamlet
• Emma By Jane Austen: The Destiny Of The Main Heroine
• The Bright Personality Of The Old Man And The Sea
• The Classic Hero In Literature
• The Features Of The Epic Hero
• The Willing And Unwilling Heroes: The Main Differences
• The Basic Concepts Of The Antihero
• Stylistic Devices And Rhetorical Strategies In Literature
• Beowulf: An Example Of The Scandinavian Hero
• Pierre Beaumarchais: Figaro
• For Whom the Bell Tolls: The Character of Robert Jordan
• Abraham van Helsing from Dracula by Bram Stoker
• Atticus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Wilhelm Tell by Friedrich Schiller: The Legend
• The Character Of Heathcliff From Wuthering Heights
• Alice From The Alice In Wonderland
• The Three Musketeers
• King Arthur
• Sherlock Holmes
• Romeo And Juliet
• Harry Potter
• Sinbad The Sailor
• Don Quixote

Literature Topics For Research Papers: Women In Literature

The role of women in society has been changing over time. The topics below will help you understand the basic issues a common woman faced in different centuries, as well as discover the most impressive literature masterpieces created by female writers.

• The Aged Mother: Criticism Essay
• The Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin: Response Paper
• La Estrategia De Chochueca by Rita Indiana Hernández: The Summary
• Women And Children In Modern Literature
• The Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen
• Charlotte Bronte And Her Role In The World History
• J.K.Rowling As A Bright Example Of A Successful Female Writer
• Harper Lee: To Kill A Mockingbird Summary
• The Stories Of Virginia Woolf
• Inspiring Female Writers And The Lessons They Teach Us
• Gender Roles In Literature

The World Literature Research Paper Topics

There is nothing new that world literature research topics remain popular among students for years. These topics allow you to improve the knowledge of the global trends in literature, discover the masterpieces of the world literature, and understand the cultural processes in various countries in different centuries.

• Barn Burning By William Faulkner: Loyalty And Blood Themes
• Cliches In The Modern Literature
• Critical Issues In Literature
• The Social Issues In The Literature Of 20th Century
• Modern Trends In Literature
• The Difference Of Literature In Various Countries
• The Influence Of Literature On The Society
• Masterpieces In The Literature Of 18th Century
• Masterpieces In The Literature Of 19h Century
• Masterpieces In The Literature Of 20th Century
• Reading Literature As A Modern Way Of Self-education
• Greek Mythology And Its Role In The World Literature
• The Impact Of Literature On Modern Culture
• Literature Periods
• The Role Of Comedies In The World Literature
• The Role Of Tragedies In The World Literature
• Psychological Trends In World Literature
• Politics In The World Literature
• Romance In Literature

The Best Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Literary analysis is one of the most common solutions for choosing easy-to-write research paper topics. The fact is that analysis is one of the inevitable steps of understanding the basic concepts of literature. Therefore, the analysis topics might become a perfect option for beginners in the world of literature. Moreover, you don’t need to be exceptionally creative when composing essays on analysis.

• Car Crash While Hitchhiking: The Analysis Of The Literary Fiction Story
• The Ethics Of Belief by Clifford: An Advanced Summary And Analysis
• The Lesson By Toni Cade Bambara: Analysis And Summary
• An Advanced Analysis Of Tree And Culinary Lesson
• Mcwp 6-11 Leading Marines: The Analysis
• My Native Land, My Home by Claude Mckay: In-Depth Analysis
• Analysis Of Salvation By Langston Hughes
• Preventive Corrective And Detective Controls
• A Black Man Talks Of Reaping Analysis
• Servant Leadership And Diverse Context
• The Impact Of Literature Nowadays

Satire Topics Ideas For A Successful Essay

Satire has been the main trend in literature for years. But how did it change over time? What is the difference between satire and irony? What are the satire’s basic features? Writing an essay on these topics might be an excellent idea.

• Ancient And Modern Satire
• Trends In The Modern Satire
• Literature Techniques In Writing Satire
• Satires Of Rome
• Satires Of Ancient Greece
• Satire In Political Poems
• Satire And Comedy: Common Features And Differences
• English Satire
• Satire In The 18th Century
• Satire In The 19th Century
• Shakespeare's Satire
• World Famous Satirists
• The Difference Between Anecdotes And Satire
• The Motivation Of Satirists
• Satire And History
• Satire And Irony: The Main Differences
• Humor And Satire In The Modern Literature
• The Origins Of Satire
• Radicalism And Satire
• Black Humor And Satire

Controversial Topics In Literature Of All Times

In case you are looking for something contradictory to write about, the controversial literary research paper topic might be a nice option for your needs. The conflict of generations, formalism, and Franz Kafka are no longer the only alternatives to write about.

• Is Modern Youth More Self Centred Than The Other Generations
• Common Theme Between Xla And Faat Kine
• Franz Kafka And His Role In The Literature
• Formalism In Literature
• Structuralism In Literature
• The Parents And Children In Literature
• Documentary In Literature
• War And Peace Topics
• The Role Of Family In The Modern Literature
• The Conflict Of Generations

Western Literature Topics For A Brilliant Research Paper

Western literature holds a special place in the history of world literature. Wars, conflicts, riots, totalitarianism, technical progress, and other topics are all common for western literature.

• Witches Loaves By O'Henry: The Lessons The Story Teach Us
• Ernest Hemingway And The “Lost Generation”
• Mark Twain And His Most Brilliant Characters
• Welsh Literature
• Latin American Literature Masterpieces
• Oscar Wilde And His Impact On Literature
• Trends In Celtic Literature
• Trends In Icelandic Literature
• American Dream In Literature
• Death In Western Literature
• Identity In Literature
• Imperialism In Literature
• Race Issues In Literature
• Travel In Western Literature
• Utopian Literature

Most Popular European Literature Topics

The literature of the Renaissance and the Middle Ages has lots of masterpieces many students admire. The development of the culture can be also easily studied by creating an essay on the European literature research paper topic.

• The Use Of Setting And Atmosphere In Dracula By B Stoker
• Theme Of Power In Othello By William Shakespeare
• French Literature
• German Literature
• Spanish Literature
• Finnish Modern Literature
• Danish Modern Literature
• Polish Modern Literature
• Latvian Modern Literature
• Renaissance Literature
• Medieval Literature
• Realism And Symbolism Trends
• Political Poems And The Role In The World History
• Postmodernism Trends
• Latin Literature Trends
• The literature of the 17th century

Eastern Literature Research Paper Topics For Diligent College Students

Eastern literature covers lots of periods and countries. You can write about Japan, China, Egypt, Ancient East, or Mesopotamia, as well as explore the cultural trends in different countries.

• Turkish Literature
• Arabic Literature
• Sanskrit Literature
• Famous Arabic Poets
• Persian Literature
• The Main Trends In Modern Chinese Literature
• The Main Trends In Modern Japanese Literature
• Confucianism
• Famous Chinese Fiction
• The Topic Of Death In Eastern Literature
• The Topic Of Honor In The Eastern Literature
• The Issues In The Eastern Literature
• Saint Pachomius
• Khalil Gibran
• Anthony Of Egypt
• Philosophy In Ancient Chinese Literature
• Metaphor In Japanese Literature
• Masculinity In Arab Literature
• War In Persian Literature
• Wisdom In Eastern Literature

How To Create A Brilliant Paper On Literature Topic

Choosing a suitable and easy-to-write topic for your essay is only half of the job you need to do. The most challenging thing is to create a concise, precise, fresh, and understandable academic paper with no mistakes. So, here is what you need to do to get the highest score for your essay:

• Create an attractive and catchy introduction
• Pick up the most interesting ideas for your paper
• Create an outline
• Point out the most important facts in the body of your essay
• Choose only reliable and up-to-date sources
• Create a paper in a proper voice and tone
• Complete the paper with a fitting conclusion
• Make your paper look solid
• Avoid any grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes, as well as typos
• Use proper formatting

As far as you can see, creating a successful paper is not as easy as it might seem from first glance. In case you feel this task is unaffordable for you, you can get professional help with creating a winning academic paper according to your needs for a reasonable cost. Buying an essay is as simple as 1-2-3, while the entire job of creating an academic paper will be done by professional writers.

REFERENCES:

• Research tips for students
• Basic facts about literature
• The literature of ancient China
• The literature of ancient Rome
• Shakespeare's Life and World
• The benefits of reading literature
• Classic literature study guides

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Best books for academic research.

50 American Literature Research Paper Topic Ideas

The most defining aspect of your American literature research paper is the topic. It determines the books you will read and the perspective you take in the discussion. The topic also invites readers or will repel them. The topic plays a huge role during grading. Above all, it will determine the perception with which readers approach your paper.

There are many research paper topics American literature you can consider in your writing. When asked to pick a topic for your paper, here are a few considerations to make.

• Freshness – are you discussing the same old American literature research topics that your professor explored decades ago? No one will pick your paper from the shelves. Choose the most recent and forward-looking ideas. The oldest professor in your department will be looking for fresh ideas in your work. You would better provide that.
• Unique – look for unique American literature research paper ideas to discuss in your paper. Avoid perspectives that every student would discuss in their paper. Choose a topic that immediately captures the attention of the vetting panel because it is original and unique.
• Specific – what do you want to discuss about American literature? The area is so wide that it cannot fit into one research paper. Choose a specific idea that creates boundaries for your paper. The person reading the paper should have a clear idea of what to expect based on the topic.
• Researchable – can you get reference materials for your literature research paper topic? Choose a strong and researchable topic, especially one that is relevant to the unit you are studying. It must be within the scope of American literature to make sense to a reader. Avoid shallow topics that deny you the opportunity to express your ideas. At the same time, the topic should not be too demanding that you fail to make a comprehensible argument.

Here are the best American literature topics to consider for your paper:

• American dream in literature
• Labor movement depiction in writing
• Cross-generational American authors
• Most influential American literature
• American literature and social media
• Contribution of American writers to the world
• American literature and the Nobel price
• Religion in the American literature
• American book topics ideas across races
• Racism depiction in American books
• Politics and the growth of the American literary scene
• The tradition of the theater and its influence on American literature
• Modern American poets
• Literature of the American Civil War
• Depiction of the indigenous people in American literature
• The language of American writing
• The place of film in American writing
• Authors who have influenced American writing
• Sports and literature
• The opera and literature
• Immigrants writers
• American wars and their influence on literature
• Capitalism captured in American writing
• Influence of foreign languages
• Impact of the school system on American writing
• The gender divide in literature
• Mark Twain influence
• Literature and age
• Samuel Clemens
• Technology and impact on literature
• Literature out of quarantine
• Gender-based violence in literature
• LGBTQ in literature
• Sign language and literature
• Human rights
• The international community in American Literature
• American legends
• Mythology in American writing
• Fiction in American writing
• WWI literature
• Bibliographies and autobiographies
• Literature and propaganda
• Literature of the city
• Feminism in writing
• Social identity
• Evolution of American literature
• Interracial love
• American performed literature
• Liberty in American Novels
• Black poets

There are many topics you can explore in your American literature research papers. Choose a topic that allows you to exercise your mind and deliver the most insightful discussion. You may also hire a professional writer to assist you with the paper.

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Ancient Art History Research Paper Topics

This page presents a comprehensive guide for students examining ancient art history research paper topics . The field of ancient art history, encompassing a vast spectrum of civilizations and epochs, offers countless areas of exploration. We have prepared an extensive list of 100 research paper topics, meticulously categorized into ten sections, each reflecting a specific region or era in ancient art history. Expert advice on selecting relevant ancient art history research paper topics is provided, complemented by practical tips on writing an impactful and academically robust ancient art history research paper. In the next segment, we introduce iResearchNet’s custom writing services. Students have the opportunity to order a personalized ancient art history research paper on any chosen topic.

100 Ancient Art History Research Paper Topics

Introduction: In this section, we present a comprehensive list of ancient art history research paper topics. By exploring these topics, students studying art history can find inspiration for their research papers and delve into the fascinating world of ancient art. The following 10 categories encompass various aspects of ancient art history, providing a wide range of options to explore.

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Prehistoric Art

• The Origins of Cave Paintings: Symbolism and Interpretation
• Neolithic Sculpture and its Cultural Significance
• Paleolithic Venus Figurines: Representations of Fertility and Power
• Rock Art Across Different Prehistoric Cultures
• Megalithic Monuments: Exploring the Purpose and Construction Techniques
• Shamanistic Art: Unveiling the Spiritual Beliefs of Early Humans
• Artistic Expressions in Ice Age Cultures
• Portable Art of the Paleolithic Era: A Window into Ancient Lifestyles
• The Role of Animals in Prehistoric Art
• Decorative Motifs in Prehistoric Pottery

Ancient Egyptian Art

• Symbolism in Egyptian Funerary Art and Architecture
• The Role of Pharaohs in Shaping Egyptian Art and Culture
• The Amarna Revolution: Artistic Expression under Akhenaten
• Artistic Techniques in Egyptian Wall Paintings and Reliefs
• The Influence of Ancient Egyptian Art on Later Civilizations
• The Temple Complexes of Ancient Egypt: Sacred Spaces and Rituals
• Egyptian Tomb Paintings: Depicting the Afterlife Journey
• Hieroglyphs and the Art of Writing in Ancient Egypt
• The Role of Women in Egyptian Art and Society
• Religious Iconography in Ancient Egyptian Art

Ancient Greek Art

• The Evolution of Greek Sculpture: From Archaic to Classical
• Athenian Vase Painting: Themes, Styles, and Significance
• Greek Temples and Architectural Innovations
• Alexander the Great and Hellenistic Art: Blending Cultures
• The Parthenon Marbles: Controversies and Repatriation Debates
• Mythology in Greek Art: Gods, Heroes, and Legends
• Greek Pottery: Form, Function, and Decoration
• Greek Theater and its Visual Representations
• Olympic Games in Ancient Greek Art
• Portraits of Rulers and Statesmen in Ancient Greece

Roman Art and Architecture

• Roman Portraiture: Capturing Identity and Power
• The Colosseum: Function, Design, and Entertainment
• Roman Wall Paintings: Exploring Domestic Art
• The Pantheon: Engineering Marvel and Religious Symbolism
• Roman Mosaics: A Reflection of Society and Culture
• Roman Imperial Sculpture: Ideals of Power and Authority
• Roman Frescoes and their Themes
• Roman Triumphal Arches: Commemorating Victories
• Roman Coinage and its Depiction of Emperors and Deities
• The Influence of Etruscan Art on Roman Civilization

Ancient Mesopotamian Art

• Mesopotamian Cylinder Seals: Significance and Iconography
• The Ishtar Gate: A Symbol of Babylonian Power
• Sumerian Ziggurats: Architecture and Religious Beliefs
• Assyrian Palace Reliefs: Depictions of Conquest and Royal Life
• The Code of Hammurabi Stele: Legal System and Visual Representation
• Mesopotamian Jewelry and Adornment
• The Epic of Gilgamesh in Art and Sculpture
• Mesopotamian Clay Tablets: Cuneiform Writing and Record-Keeping
• Babylonian Astronomical Instruments and their Depiction in Art
• Mesopotamian Influence on Ancient Near Eastern Art

Ancient Asian Art

• Buddhist Art in Ancient India: Symbolism and Iconography
• Chinese Calligraphy: Script as an Art Form
• Japanese Woodblock Prints: Beauty and Narrative
• The Terracotta Army: Commemorating Emperor Qin Shi Huang
• Gandhara Art: Fusion of Greek and Indian Influences
• Silk Road Art and Cultural Exchange
• The Art of Tea in East Asia: Ceramics, Utensils, and Rituals
• The Zen Garden: Artistic Expression and Spiritual Contemplation
• Hindu Temples and their Architectural Features
• Korean Celadon Pottery: Techniques and Aesthetics

Ancient African Art

• Nok Terracottas: Early Nigerian Artistic Expressions
• Egyptian Influence on Nubian Art and Architecture
• Great Zimbabwe: Architecture and Cultural Significance
• Ife Bronze Heads: Portraits of Royalty and Divinity
• African Masks: Rituals, Symbolism, and Performance
• Rock Art of the Sahara: Depicting Ancient Life and Beliefs
• Benin Bronzes: Courtly Art and Royal Power
• Sahelian Architecture: Mud Brick Structures and Design
• Dogon Sculpture: Ancestral Spirits and Cosmic Order
• Ethiopian Christian Art: Illuminated Manuscripts and Iconography

Pre-Columbian Art of the Americas

• Mayan Glyphs and Hieroglyphic Writing: Decoding Ancient Texts
• Aztec Temples and Sacred Spaces
• Inca Metalwork: Techniques and Cultural Significance
• Olmec Colossal Heads: Mystery and Meaning
• Native American Rock Art: Communication and Spiritual Practices
• Chavin de Huantar: Architecture and Rituals in Ancient Peru
• Nazca Lines: Geoglyphs and Astronomical Alignments
• Moche Pottery: Figurines and Narrative Scenes
• Maya Murals: Religious and Historical Narratives
• Inca Textiles: Weaving Techniques and Symbolism

Byzantine Art and Iconography

• The Hagia Sophia: Architecture and Religious Symbolism
• Iconoclasm and the Shifting Role of Religious Images
• Byzantine Mosaics: Glorious Decoration and Spiritual Expression
• The Byzantine Influence on Russian Iconography
• The Empress Theodora: Power and Patronage in Byzantine Art
• Illuminated Manuscripts in Byzantium
• Byzantine Ivory Carvings: Religious and Secular Themes
• The Byzantine Iconostasis: Artistic Elements and Liturgical Function
• The Byzantine Cross: Symbolism and Variations
• Early Christian Symbols in Byzantine Art

Early Christian Art

• Catacomb Paintings: Early Christian Devotion and Symbolism
• The Basilica of San Vitale: Byzantine Influence in Ravenna
• Early Christian Mosaics: Expressions of Faith and Worship
• Early Christian Manuscripts: Scriptural Illustrations and Decoration
• Christian Iconography in Roman Catacombs
• Christian Pilgrimage Art: Relics, Shrines, and Devotion
• The Cult of Saints in Early Christian Art
• Early Christian Basilicas: Architecture and Liturgy
• The Book of Kells: Illuminated Manuscript from Early Medieval Ireland
• Early Christian Sarcophagi: Representations of Salvation and Resurrection

This comprehensive list of ancient art history research paper topics offers students studying art history a wide range of fascinating and engaging subjects to explore. Whether focusing on specific civilizations or broader themes, these topics provide ample opportunities for research, analysis, and the appreciation of the rich artistic traditions of the ancient world. Delve into the captivating realm of ancient art history and unlock the secrets of our cultural heritage through these intriguing research paper topics.

Ancient Art History: Exploring the Range of Research Paper Topics

Ancient art history is a captivating field that allows us to delve into the artistic traditions and cultural expressions of past civilizations. From the dawn of human creativity in prehistoric times to the remarkable achievements of ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and beyond, studying ancient art provides us with valuable insights into the beliefs, aesthetics, and societal contexts of these ancient cultures. In this section, we will explore the diverse range of research paper topics in ancient art history, highlighting the breadth and depth of this fascinating field.

Ancient art encompasses various time periods, regions, and artistic styles, offering a rich tapestry of human creativity and cultural heritage. It provides us with a window into the past, shedding light on the values, ideologies, and social structures of ancient societies. Whether you are interested in the grandeur of Egyptian pyramids, the refined sculptures of ancient Greece, the monumental architecture of Rome, or the intricate craftsmanship of ancient China, there is a wide array of research paper topics to explore within the realm of ancient art history.

• Prehistoric Art : The origins of art can be traced back to prehistoric times when our ancestors expressed their creativity through cave paintings, rock art, and small figurines. Research paper topics in prehistoric art could delve into the techniques used, the symbolism behind the artworks, the role of art in prehistoric societies, and the cultural significance of these ancient expressions.
• Egyptian Art : The art of ancient Egypt is renowned for its monumental architecture, striking sculptures, and elaborate burial rituals. Topics in Egyptian art could explore the symbolism and religious beliefs reflected in tomb paintings, the techniques employed in sculpting statues of pharaohs, the evolution of artistic styles over different dynasties, and the social and political functions of art in ancient Egypt.
• Mesopotamian Art : Mesopotamia, known as the cradle of civilization, boasts a rich artistic heritage. Topics in Mesopotamian art might delve into the symbolism and religious beliefs conveyed through monumental ziggurats, the intricate details of cylinder seals, the royal reliefs adorning palace walls, and the role of art in communicating power and authority in ancient Mesopotamian societies.
• Greek Art : Ancient Greece was a cradle of artistic achievement, with its sculptures, architecture, and pottery serving as enduring legacies. Research paper topics in Greek art might focus on the idealized representations of the human form in classical sculpture, the influence of mythology on Greek vase painting, the architectural wonders of the Acropolis, and the significance of art in shaping Greek identity and civic life.
• Roman Art : The Romans built upon the artistic traditions of the Greeks and created their own unique contributions to the art world. Topics in Roman art could explore the realistic portraiture that adorned public spaces, the engineering marvels of Roman architecture such as the Colosseum and aqueducts, the narrative scenes depicted in wall paintings in Pompeii, and the role of art in propaganda and the projection of imperial power.
• Ancient Near Eastern Art : The ancient Near East encompasses a diverse range of cultures, including Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians. Research paper topics in ancient Near Eastern art might examine the iconic Ishtar Gate of Babylon, the divine symbolism in Assyrian relief sculptures, the development of cuneiform writing and its influence on art, and the connections between art, religion, and politics in the ancient Near East.
• Indus Valley Art : The Indus Valley Civilization flourished in ancient South Asia and left behind a rich artistic legacy. Research paper topics in Indus Valley art could explore the significance of the iconic Dancing Girl sculpture, the intricacies of the seal script, the representation of animals in the art of the region, and the cultural and religious contexts of Indus Valley artworks.
• Chinese Art : China has a long and illustrious artistic tradition spanning thousands of years. Topics in Chinese art could include the symbolism and spirituality of traditional Chinese painting, the intricate craftsmanship of porcelain and jade, the significance of Buddhist sculptures in the ancient Silk Road trade, and the role of art in representing imperial power and social status in ancient China.
• Celtic Art : The art of the ancient Celts is characterized by intricate metalwork, stone carvings, and vibrant designs. Research paper topics in Celtic art might explore the symbolism of Celtic knotwork, the cultural and religious significance of Celtic artifacts, the stylistic variations across different regions and time periods, and the interactions between Celtic art and other ancient artistic traditions.
• African Art : The art of ancient Africa is characterized by its diversity, creativity, and cultural significance. Research paper topics in African art might focus on the spiritual symbolism of masks and sculptures, the aesthetics of body adornment and textiles, the representation of power and authority in royal art, and the cultural exchange and influence between different regions and civilizations in ancient Africa.

The study of ancient art history allows us to explore the rich cultural heritage and artistic achievements of past civilizations. By examining the diverse range of research paper topics in ancient art history, students can gain a deeper understanding of the artistic techniques, cultural contexts, and social functions of art in different ancient societies. From prehistoric cave paintings to the monumental sculptures of ancient Egypt, the refined pottery of ancient Greece, and the intricate artworks of ancient China, the world of ancient art history offers a captivating journey into the past. By conducting research and writing papers on these topics, students can contribute to the ongoing exploration and appreciation of ancient art and its significance in shaping human history.

Choosing Ancient Art History Research Paper Topics

Selecting the right research paper topic in ancient art history is crucial to the success of your project. It allows you to explore an area of interest, contribute to the existing scholarship, and showcase your analytical and research skills. In this section, we will provide you with expert advice on how to choose compelling and engaging ancient art history research paper topics that will captivate your readers and demonstrate your expertise in the field.

• Define Your Interests : Begin by reflecting on your personal interests within the realm of ancient art history. Consider the time periods, cultures, artistic styles, or specific artworks that intrigue you the most. Are you fascinated by the enigmatic beauty of Egyptian hieroglyphs? Or perhaps you have a passion for the classical sculptures of ancient Greece? Identifying your areas of interest will help narrow down potential research paper topics.
• Explore Uncharted Territory : While it’s important to study well-established topics in ancient art history, there is also value in exploring lesser-known or understudied areas. Look for gaps in the existing literature or unexplored aspects of ancient art that pique your curiosity. By choosing a unique and original research topic, you can make a valuable contribution to the field and generate fresh insights.
• Consider Cross-Cultural Connections : Ancient art was not created in isolation but often influenced by interactions and exchanges between different cultures. Consider exploring the cross-cultural connections and artistic influences between ancient civilizations. For example, you could investigate the influence of Egyptian art on Minoan frescoes or the impact of Hellenistic art on the Gandharan sculptures of ancient India.
• Analyze Artistic Techniques and Materials : Artistic techniques and materials used in ancient art offer a wealth of research possibilities. You can delve into the methods of sculpting, painting, pottery-making, or metalworking employed by ancient artists. Explore how technological advancements or regional resources influenced artistic production and the evolution of artistic styles.
• Investigate Social and Cultural Contexts : Art is a reflection of the society and culture in which it was created. Choose research paper topics that allow you to delve into the social, political, religious, or economic contexts of ancient art. For example, you could explore the role of art in ancient burial practices, the depiction of power and authority in royal artworks, or the symbolism of religious motifs in ancient artistic traditions.
• Study Iconography and Symbolism : Ancient art is often rich in symbolism and iconography, conveying deeper meanings and cultural significance. Analyze the symbols, motifs, and visual language used in ancient artworks and their connections to religious, mythological, or social contexts. Investigate the messages and narratives embedded within the visual representations to gain a deeper understanding of ancient cultures.
• Examine Restoration and Conservation Efforts : Restoration and conservation play a vital role in preserving ancient artworks for future generations. Research topics could focus on the techniques and challenges involved in restoring ancient murals, sculptures, or architectural elements. Explore how modern conservation practices have evolved over time and their impact on our understanding and appreciation of ancient art.
• Investigate Art and Identity : Ancient art provides insights into the formation of individual and collective identities. Choose research paper topics that examine the representation of gender, ethnicity, or social status in ancient art. Explore how artists depicted diverse identities, challenged societal norms, or reinforced cultural hierarchies through their artworks.
• Explore the Intersection of Art and Politics : Art and politics often intersect in powerful ways. Investigate the role of art in political propaganda, cultural diplomacy, or the projection of power in ancient civilizations. Examine how rulers used art to legitimize their authority, promote specific ideologies, or communicate with their subjects.
• Embrace Interdisciplinary Approaches : Ancient art history is a multidisciplinary field that can benefit from interdisciplinary approaches. Consider integrating insights from archaeology, anthropology, history, or other related disciplines into your research paper. This interdisciplinary approach can provide a broader understanding of ancient art and enrich your analysis.

Choosing the right research paper topic in ancient art history requires careful consideration and exploration of your interests, the existing scholarship, and the broader cultural and historical contexts. By defining your areas of interest, exploring uncharted territory, considering cross-cultural connections, analyzing artistic techniques and materials, investigating social and cultural contexts, studying iconography and symbolism, examining restoration and conservation efforts, investigating art and identity, exploring the intersection of art and politics, and embracing interdisciplinary approaches, you can find a captivating and meaningful research topic. Remember to select a topic that not only engages you but also contributes to the scholarly discourse and demonstrates your expertise in the fascinating world of ancient art history.

How to Write an Ancient Art History Research Paper

Writing a research paper in ancient art history requires careful planning, diligent research, and effective organization. In this section, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write a compelling and well-structured ancient art history research paper that showcases your knowledge and analytical skills.

• Understand the Assignment : Before you begin writing, thoroughly understand the requirements and guidelines of your research paper assignment. Clarify any uncertainties with your instructor to ensure you are on the right track. Pay attention to the formatting style, word count, and specific research parameters.
• Conduct In-Depth Research : Gather relevant and reliable sources to support your research paper. Consult scholarly books, academic journals, museum catalogs, and reputable online databases. Take comprehensive notes, highlighting key arguments, supporting evidence, and relevant quotations. Ensure that you use a combination of primary and secondary sources to provide a well-rounded analysis.
• Develop a Strong Thesis Statement : Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument or research question of your paper. Your thesis should be specific, debatable, and supported by evidence from your research. It sets the foundation for your entire paper and guides the direction of your analysis.
• Organize Your Research : Create an outline to organize your research and structure your paper. Divide your paper into logical sections, such as introduction, literature review, methodology, analysis, and conclusion. Within each section, outline the main points and supporting evidence that you will discuss.
• Introduction : In your introduction, provide background information on the topic and context of your research. Present the significance of your research question and explain why it is relevant to the field of ancient art history. Finally, end your introduction with a clear thesis statement that outlines the main argument or objective of your research paper.
• Literature Review : In the literature review section, critically analyze and synthesize the existing scholarship on your chosen topic. Identify the main theories, arguments, and debates within the field of ancient art history related to your research question. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of previous studies and highlight the gaps in the literature that your research aims to address.
• Methodology : If applicable, describe the research methodology and approach you will use in your study. Explain the sources you have used, such as archaeological findings, textual analysis, or visual analysis. Justify your chosen methodology and discuss any limitations or challenges you may encounter.
• Analysis : Present your analysis and interpretation of the evidence gathered from your research. Use a combination of visual examples, textual references, and scholarly arguments to support your analysis. Be clear and concise in your explanations and provide sufficient evidence to back up your claims.
• Use Visuals : Ancient art is primarily visual, so it is essential to include relevant images, illustrations, or diagrams to support your analysis. Ensure that you provide proper captions and citations for all visuals used in your research paper.
• Conclusion : In your conclusion, summarize the main points of your research and restate your thesis statement. Reflect on the significance of your findings and their implications for the field of ancient art history. Discuss any limitations or areas for further research. Leave your readers with a thought-provoking final statement that encourages them to contemplate the broader implications of your research.
• Citations and References : Properly cite all the sources used in your research paper using the appropriate citation style (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago). Create a bibliography or reference list that includes all the sources consulted. Ensure that you follow the formatting guidelines for your chosen citation style accurately.
• Revise and Edit : After completing your initial draft, take the time to revise and edit your research paper. Check for clarity, coherence, and logical flow of ideas. Ensure that your arguments are supported by evidence and that your writing is free of grammatical and spelling errors. Seek feedback from peers or professors to gain different perspectives on your work.
• Proofread : Before submitting your research paper, thoroughly proofread it to eliminate any lingering errors. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. Ensure that your paper adheres to the required formatting style and meets all the guidelines set by your instructor.

Writing an ancient art history research paper requires meticulous planning, in-depth research, and effective organization. By following the steps outlined above, you can develop a compelling and well-structured research paper that demonstrates your knowledge and analytical skills in the field of ancient art history. Remember to carefully analyze your sources, develop a strong thesis statement, present a clear and coherent argument, and support your analysis with relevant evidence. With dedication and attention to detail, you can create an exceptional research paper that contributes to the ongoing scholarly discourse in the field of ancient art history.

iResearchNet’s Writing Services

At iResearchNet, we understand the challenges that students face when it comes to writing ancient art history research papers. We recognize the importance of in-depth research, critical analysis, and effective writing skills required to produce a high-quality paper. That’s why we offer our professional writing services to provide you with the support and expertise you need to excel in your academic journey. Let us be your trusted partner in crafting outstanding ancient art history research papers.

• Expert Degree-Holding Writers : Our team of writers consists of experts with advanced degrees in art history and related fields. They possess a deep understanding of ancient art history and have extensive experience in conducting research and writing academic papers. With their expertise, you can be confident that your research paper will be in capable hands.
• Custom Written Works : We believe in delivering custom-written research papers that meet your unique requirements. Our writers carefully analyze your instructions and tailor their approach to address the specific objectives and guidelines of your assignment. Each paper is crafted from scratch, ensuring originality and authenticity.
• In-Depth Research : Research is at the core of any successful ancient art history paper. Our writers are skilled in conducting thorough and comprehensive research using reputable scholarly sources, museum catalogs, archaeological findings, and other relevant materials. They delve into the depths of ancient art history to gather the most current and accurate information for your research paper.
• Custom Formatting : Proper formatting is crucial for an academic research paper. Whether your institution requires APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard style, our writers are well-versed in all major formatting guidelines. They will ensure that your paper adheres to the specified style, including proper citations, references, and formatting of headings, margins, and spacing.
• Top Quality : We are committed to delivering top-quality research papers that meet the highest academic standards. Our writers pay meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accurate information, logical organization, coherent arguments, and impeccable language. Your paper will showcase your knowledge and understanding of ancient art history in a professional and polished manner.
• Customized Solutions : Every research paper is unique, and we understand that your specific research topic may require a tailored approach. Our writers take the time to understand your research objectives, provide personalized guidance, and develop a research paper that aligns with your academic goals. We value your input and ensure that your voice shines through in the final product.
• Flexible Pricing : We offer flexible pricing options to accommodate students with varying budgets. We understand the financial constraints students often face, and we strive to provide affordable services without compromising on quality. Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees or extra charges. You can select the pricing package that suits your needs and budget.
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100 Best Literature Research Paper Topics For Students

Literary research paper topics are among the most interesting to write about. Books are the best teachers for most learners. And, students love reading interesting literature books. But, when asked to write research papers, most students have difficulties choosing their topics. That’s because many issues can be investigated and written about.

For instance, literary topics can be about characters’ personalities in certain works. They can also be about particular characteristics of specific literary genres. Learners can also choose literary analysis topics that focus on the life story of famous writers or poets. But, regardless of what a learner opts to write about, they should choose interesting topics.

What are Interesting Literary Research Paper Topics?

Several factors make a topic interesting to write about. A topic for a research paper or a graduate thesis should generally be definite, specific, and innovative. Also, it should be interesting to research and write about. Here’s how to select interesting literature topics:

Think about something. Explore the idea to select a topic for which you can find sufficient research data from credible sources. Narrow down your subject if you find it too broad.

English literature topics can be classified into different categories. Here some of these categories and topics can be considered in each category.

Great World Literature Research Topics

Perhaps, you’ve been asked to write a literature research paper with a global perspective. Here are some of the literary analysis research paper topics that you can consider.

• Explain how the supernatural and spirituality help in furthering the development of the plot in the Latin American literature of the early 20th century.
• What themes are common in the Japanese poems of the early 20th century? How do they differ from those of the early 19th century?
• Compare the early Chinese literary works and European literary works of the middle ages. How different or alike are they?
• How were European literary works in the early 20th century shaped by the revolutionary works of Engels and Marx? What examples can demonstrate this influence?
• Explain how the Muslim philosophers’ work of the 15th century led to new ideas and inventions across the globe.
• Compare and contrast different anti-British works that originated in India in the 19th century with pro-colonialist works that came from England at the same time.
• How did the nightmarish utopian future ideas of Aldous Huxley influence modern-day science fiction writers across the world?
• Explain how the Antigone play by Sophocles deals with the conflict between the central characters while relating to the state laws and individual conscience.
• How are the sentiments of the authors reflected in Animal Farm by George Orwell and concerns about the October Revolution?
• Explain some of the examples of literary fiction pieces that have shaped cultures in the world. Have historic, societal, and cultural factors played some roles in shaping these literature pieces?
• Being a prolific writer in the early and mid-19th century, Charles Dickens’s works were published in serialized forms. How and why has this approach become less fashionable?
• Compare and contrast the early Japanese literature works and the early Chinese literature works. How do they differ in terms of values and culture?
• Explain how comedy differs in literature across cultures. What comedy appeared in the early theatrical performances and it’s still present in modern literature?
• Analyze chivalry and honor critically in the Green Knight and Sir Gawain. What are the qualities of these works from a similar period?
• Compare and contrast the Odyssey and Iliad by Homer the Ancient Greek. Explain how cultures across the world have adapted the themes presented in the poem.

Top Literary topics for Research Paper

Some topics for literary analysis stand out among students. These are topics that educators recommend for students across the study levels.

• How is literature an aspect of modern culture?
• Explain how feminism has influenced modern literature
• How is psychology utilized in literature?
• Explain the major social issues that have been exposed by literary works
• Explain the philosophical tradition of Daoism in the Chinese literature
• Explain the roles played by death and honor in Japanese literature in the 20th century
• Explain how the European culture influences the Mid-West literature
• How has European culture affected modern literature?
• Analyze the personality of Don Quixote
• Explain how literature differs between countries.
• Discuss poetry in the innovative ear of the 21st century
• Examine racism in the novels of the 1960s and 1970s
• Explain the exile’s perception in literature
• Literature and culture? Which one affects the other?
• How has literature addressed homosexuality?

These can also be great literary debate topics. That’s because learners can have varying opinions about them.

British Literature Research Paper Topics

Students have many topics to choose from when it comes to British literature essay topics. Here are some of the best literature topics from the works of British authors.

• Discuss Victorian England’s picture with the works of Charles Dickens in mind
• Discuss the theme of Orphans with the Oliver Twist character in mind
• Explain how British Literature has influenced different cultures
• Explain how British literature has addressed gender issues
• Explain how King Lear highlights the differences between anti-heroes and villains
• Explain William Shakespeare’s personality- Highlight facts and myths
• Choose two famous British novels and then compare the characters in them
• Explain the viewpoint of different writers about the Utopian civilization idea
• With Harry Potter books in mind, explain why some literature books are considered classics
• Explain how love and romantic love are presented in Charlotte Bronte’s works
• Explain how modern literary works have been affected by the Victorian period works
• Discuss the adultery theme in Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Who are the main characters in Lake Poets’ works?
• Explain how violent imagery was used in World War I poetry
• Explain talent as a theme in Milton’s on His Blindness
• Explain innocence loss in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
• Explain the theme of individualism versus collectivism in Oliver Twist
• Explain why the popularity of detective novels increased in the XIX century
• What role did the supernatural play in Macbeth: a case study of three witches
• Class demarcation in XVII century- The vengeance theme

American Literature Topics

Some teachers ask students to choose American literature research topics for certain reasons. If asked to write on such topics, here are some of the American literature research paper topics to consider.

• Analyze key aspects of American ideology, particularly in the literature written before the 20th century.
• Determine thematic concerns and literary styles of the major historical period of American literature between the colonial period and post-modernism.
• Show the American identity uniqueness of texts
• Propose connections between the American literature concerns and themes in the larger historical development and social issues that face the present world
• Examine major concerns and themes that reappear across the American literature
• Highlight the major themes in Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner
• Explain the African American Experience with female authors like Alice Walker, Zora Neal Hurston, and Toni Morrison
• Explain the predominant theme in The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
• Explain how Jonathan Edwards epitomizes Puritan definitions in his sermons
• Explain the use of historical personalities and events by Washington Irving as the background for his works
• The Crucible demonstrates how a community can be torn apart by hysteria. Explain
• Explain how Sylvia Plath demonstrates the social pressure faced by women in the 1960s in the Bell Jar.
• Explain how John Knowles demonstrates the impact of war on everyone
• Explain the strong belief in the education power by Maya Angelou as depicted in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
• Explain how Thornton Wilder conveys life as a gift in Our Town
• Discuss the themes of anger and pity in the Grapes of Wrath
• Explain how Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck portrays the Great Depression struggles
• Discuss the portrayal of the unconquerable spirit in Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.
• Plays by Eugene O’Neil are tragically realistic. Explain
• God is humanized in The Creation poem by James Weldon Johnson. Explain

Some of the ideas here are great poetry topics. Nevertheless, they require careful research and analysis to write about.

High School Literary Essay Topics

Some topics in literature are ideal for high school essays. Here are examples of literary analysis paper topics for high school students.

• Compare and contrast the major characters in your preferred book
• Choose your favorite character in a book and explain your reasons for liking it
• Please explain why the quality of a literature book is not determined by its length
• Highlight the similarities of your favorite books
• Discuss the top 4 authors in horror books
• Explain why reading some books is more difficult than reading others
• Explain what it takes to write a high-quality poem
• Who is your favorite poet and why?
• Explain what makes your favorite book interesting
• Who is your favorite character in literary works and why?
• What makes some literature books difficult to read?
• Who are your favorite top 5 authors and why?
• Should the age of readers be restricted to some books?
• What is your favorite literary genre?
• Explain why the author determines the quality of a book more than the story
• Discuss the literary works of your favorite authors
• Why is it important to captivate readers with the introductory chapter of a book?
• Which book genre makes great movies?
• Why is the work of Harry Potter so popular?
• Explain why your favorite horror book is scary

Unique Research Topics in English Literature

Some literature research topics are unique and can be written about by learners at different study levels. Here are examples of such topics.

• Analyze the use of literary devices in novels
• Discuss the author’s autobiography
• Analyze literary genres and the role played by an artist in them
• Compare the works of a similar genre
• Highlight the gender roles of characters in literary works
• Social stratification and Harry Potter- Discuss
• With Charles Dickens’ work in mind, explain the peculiarity of the bildungsroman genre.
• Explain how The Lord of the Rings uses artificial language
• Explain how the Sherlock Holmes image influences the world of detective fiction
• Explain the war theme in the world literature

These are also great literary journalism topics. Nevertheless, they require extensive research to write about.

In a nutshell, students have many literary argument topics to consider. The most important thing is to choose an interesting topic that you can find sufficient data to write about. Also, don’t hesitate to check our history topics .

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