This course delves into the rich tapestry of ancient Rome, the evolution of monotheistic religions, the foundations of mathematics, and the development of scientific methodologies. It begins with an investigation of Rome's blend of myth and history through the works of Vergil, Livy, Tacitus, and Plutarch, examining understandings of the interplay between individual actions and Rome's development. These writers provide a lens through which to view the nature of politics and leadership, yielding enduring insights into political dynamics and ethical leadership. Next students study the foundational texts of the Jewish and Christian traditions, exploring the emergence of monotheism, the character of God, and the divine-human relationship. Through critical analysis and interpretation, students engage with the complex themes and ethical dilemmas presented in these texts, developing a nuanced understanding of their significance in shaping Western thought. From there, the course retraces the steps of ancient Greek mathematicians, focusing on the axiomatic method pioneered by Euclid and further developed by Apollonius, Archimedes, and Ptolemy. This introduction to the geometric and logical foundations of mathematics and astronomy reveals the legacy of Greek mathematical thought and its impact on the development of these disciplines. Through a close examination of seminal works, students appreciate the precision and depth of ancient mathematical logic and its relevance to modern mathematical and scientific inquiry. Finally, the course follows the emergence of scientific methodology from Aristotle's empirical investigations to Lucretius's atomic theory and Galen's anatomical experiments. Tracing the evolution of scientific thought from observation and logic to experimentation underscores the shift from mythological to empirical explanations of the natural world. Students gain insights into the historical context of scientific discovery, appreciating the continuity of inquiry that links ancient methodologies with contemporary scientific practices.