Biographies

This biography of Dante Alighieri focuses on his seminal work, the Divine Comedy, and its role in helping to increase literacy rates throughout Europe. The biography also details Dante's conflict with the Catholic Church and his exile from his home...

The biography includes a series of questions based on the reading. In using this in my own class room, students are encouraged to: 1. Number the paragraphs 2. Read the biography 3. Highlight answers in the reading 4. Use complete sentences The...

This biography of Thomas Aquinas focuses on the concepts set forth in his seminal work, Summa Theologica, his attempts to reconcile faith with reason, his belief in natural law, and his influence on other philosophers such as John Locke and Thomas...

This biography of St. Francis of Assisi focuses on his upbringing, his decision to embrace poverty, his establishment of the Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church, and his attempt to spread the Gospel to lands beyond Italy. The biography includes a...

This biography of Henry IV focuses on the dispute with Pope Gregory VII over lay investiture, his subsequent excommunication, the journey to Canossa, and the legacy of his reign over the Holy Roman Empire. The biography includes a series of questions...

This biography of Charlemagne, the first "Emperor of the Romans," focuses on his rise to power, his role in reforming both the monetary of educational systems of Europe, and the collapse of European unity upon his death in 814CE. The biography includes...

This biography on Niccolò Machiavelli focuses on his government service during the Florentine republic, the arguments presented in his seminal work The Prince, and his impact on political leaders throughout the modern west. The biography includes...

This biography leads students through the rise of the Byzantine emperor, Justinian I. The biography focuses on Justinian's goals of re-uniting the Roman Empire, and describes the challenges Justinian faced during his reign, including criticism that his...

This biography on Thomas Hobbes focuses on his seminal work, Leviathan. Here, Hobbes argues that the selfish, often violent nature of people necessitates the creation of a strong central authority. Under an unspoken agreement, people agree to give up...

This biography profiles Queen Nzinga Mbande, the leader of Angola during the early 17th century. Tracing her rise to the throne, the biography focuses on Nzinga's dealings with Portuguese officials, who had colonized the region and were securing African...

This biography of Constantine the Great focuses on his early life and education, his service in the Roman army, and his eventual rise to Roman emperor. Additionally, the biography traces Constantine's gradual conversion to Christianity. The biography...

This biography of Augustus describes his origins, including his introduction to public life by Julius Caesar. The biography traces Augustus' rise to power and the beginning of the Pax Romana. The biography includes a series of questions based on the...