The study of the ancient world is deeply shaped by war, yet it is often taught through a narrow focus on battles, weapons, and elite male leaders. This approach overlooks the wider human consequences of conflict, including the experiences of civilians, women, children, and marginalized groups, as well as the lasting impacts of famine, disease, displacement, and trauma. It also leaves little room for exploring ancient ideas of peace, conflict prevention, and post-war recovery.

How ancient war and peace are taught has real consequences today. Simplified or heroicized narratives can normalize violence; at the same time, approaches that centre suffering can activate personal or inherited experiences of trauma. When taught sensitively, however, ancient history can foster peace literacy, empathy, and critical reflection on how conflict narratives get told.

This project brings together interdisciplinary expertise to research current practice and future opportunities in ancient war and peace teaching. Engaging with learners and teachers at all education levels, our goal is to develop new resources and inform education policies that will enrich both classroom experiences and wider understandings of conflict and peace today. In reviewing how we teach ancient war and peace here in the UK, we aim to contribute to pedagogic research and practice that spans many different periods and places.

This project is directed by Prof. Alice König, and connects to the University of St Andrews’ Visualising War Project and the Ancient Peace Studies Network.