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Mr. Hundert taught about the classical period of history, which focuses on ancient Greece and ancient Rome. The ancient Greeks valued high ideals like bravery, intelligence, loyalty, and honor, as exemplified in the Greek hero Odysseus. In The Odyssey, an epic poem by Homer, a king wins a war and then battles through a decade of challenges, proving his worth before returning home. Homer's works are considered the first examples of Western literature. From ancient Greek culture came the principles of democracy and a new written language. Greek culture influenced thought, politics, language, and art throughout Europe until Rome began to seize control. The Romans built on Greek philosophies and transformed their idea of democratic government into a republic with territories ruled by elected magistrates. The Roman Republic experienced great progress and prosperity for centuries. However, over time, inner battles for greater power culminated in the assassination of Julius Caesar, followed by the rise of the first Roman emperor. While the Roman Empire amassed wealth and land, the government shifted to authoritarian emperors. 

Though the Roman Empire eventually fell, the success of humanity during the Greco-Roman period became a central focus of Western education. Until the mid-1900s, most Western college students still learned both Greek and Latin languages, but in the second half of the century, teaching these languages fell out of popularity. The arrival of Sedgewick Bell coincides with the shift in Mr. Hundert's teaching from Greek to Roman rule, emphasizing the beginning of the end not just for Mr. Hundert's career, but for teaching philosophies that centered around classic civilizations. By the 1980s, when Mr. Hundert retires, most schools were no longer teaching Greek and Latin.

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