Microsoft Ancient Lands

Reviewer: Joe Kelly
Omaha, Nebraska
Latin Teacher
jrkelly@unlinfo.unl.edu

Microsoft Ancient Lands
Microsoft
CD-ROM only
PC requires: 386SX or better, Multi-media, 4mbRAM, 1mbHD, Super VGA, Windows 3.1 or Windows/95, CD-ROM
MAC requires: LC II or better, system 7 or above, 4mbRAM, 4mbHD, color monitor, CD-ROM
Evaluated on: MAC
Date published: 1994-95
Date reviewed: 10/24/96
List price: $34.95 PC or MAC

Microsoft Ancient Lands

It is a "dies rarus" (a rare day) when a Latin teacher comes across a program as interesting, amusing and useful as Microsoft's ANCIENT LANDS.

ANCIENT LANDS is a CD-ROM driven multi-media program designed to introduce students to the geography, history and culture of the three major ancient civilizations - Egypt, Greece and Rome. The program opens up with an active map which allows the user to click on the particular civilization to be examined. Handy index tabs at the side of the screen allow the user to switch databases with one click. The program can be run actively or passively; the viewer can click on "slide show" for example, and the program will begin a narrated tour of the particular subject the viewer selected. The viewer can also choose a topic in whatever order or civilization desired.

The "guide" toolbar allows the viewer to understand the various cultures through different characters. In Egypt, one could click on a figure of a Pharoah who would take the viewer on a multi-media tour showing scenes from home life, society and religious practices as seen through the eyes of the Pharoah. On the other hand, a Roman boy would provide a tour appropriate to his station in life. Some of the toolbars provided are entitled: "Monuments & Mysteries", "People & Places", "Work & Play" and "Maps".

The program is designed for the younger student and thoughtful touches include the use of a "BACK" button an "INDEX" button and a "HELP" button. The program gives the feel of being on the Web at a giant interactive website. The features load and play with ease and rapidly. Sound is on/off controlable.

For teachers and students, a handy picture gallery with images of excellent resolution is supplied although the captions are not included with the pictures. Images and pages can be printed out for personal use.

The program starts from Ancient Egypt and to my surprise goes as far as the 5th century A.D. in Rome. There is an entire section on Alexander the Great which is well worth the program alone. The use for a program like this stretches to many disciplines. History classes will find a wealth of information and Geography classes will find the maps interesting. Students who like architecture will enjoy the "Monuments & Mysteries" section. As a foreign language teacher, this is a cornucopia of ideas for students to work with that will compliment many Latin programs.

Obvious mistakes are rare with the exeception of this blooper under the Greece section "Wining & Dining": "...everyone drank plenty of wine, which might explain why the Greeks liked to eat lying down." (The practice of reclining at meals was thought to aid the digestion.)

The only major problem is the glaring failure to include a section on Language. Latin and Greek make up a huge part of modern spoken English (and other languages) and while there is an interesting section on Hieroglyphics - a pictographic Egyptian alphabet, there is not a mention of the Greek or Latin alphabet or any passages in Greek or Latin.

Sound is used mainly to narrate visual presentations and stories. Most any age can benefit from this program, but for school applications I would say that this program would be geared toward grades 4-10. This software is great and the multi-media approach, active maps, slide show (the Greek Mythology scene is excellently done) and authentic guides are only some of the reasons this program is FRIGIDISSIME! (Way Cool!)

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