The Crusades, which took place in the Middle Ages, were a source of various literature and even operas were written based on the Crusades.   Some translations of literature based on the Crusades can be found at http://ksumail.kennesaw.edu/~bstevens/crusadeslit.htm

The purpose of the Crusades was to free the Holy Land from Muslim rule. The First Crusade (1095 A.D.) was in response to a sermon by Pope Urban II.

The Second Crusade (1147 - 1149) was announced by Pope Eugene III.

The Sumerians lived during the Middle Bronze Age. They developed one of the earliest writing systems, known as Cunieform, based on making v-shaped markings in clay.

This page contains observations about daily life from ancient and classical literature.