Would emphasis on the roots of ancient civilization in school would help us understand modern problems more?

Answer 1

I say no. Modern problems are far more complex than ancient problems, thanks to globalization, urbanization, and technological advances. I assume by 'ancient civilization,' you mean BCE civilizations, which are very far removed from -any- current nation-states. The earliest major 'ancient' events that we can look at would be the rise of Muhammed and Islam in the 7th century AD, and the Crusades in the 11th to 15th centuries AD.

Answer 2

Yes it would, since most problems can be solved by reading what the ancients did to solve some of these problems. History does repeat itself.