Tuesday, June 7, 2011

rome post 3

Rome compared to today

Alike:
·         Military prowess can lead to political rise
·         The rich have more power in society
·         Religious tolerance was an issue for different religious faiths
·         Coin was used for the economy alike ours
·         Food seemed like ours
·         Diverse cultures under one banner
Unlike:
·         Romans had a republic at first based off of 2 consuls where we have on president.
·         Romans believed in slavery
·         Required military service for citizenship of the family
·         Riches elevated your political status easily

roman post 4

MVP-Augustus Julius Ceaser

I have Augustus as the MVP of Rome. He was an excellent politician and unified the empire. He was Rome's first emperor and ended civil war. His defeat of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra secured a safe roman empire united under one emperor. With this military victory it enabled him to stabilize the empire. This showed his military prowess and that he was a superior tactician.

He also, reformed much f the Roman empire ranging from everyday laws to military codes. These military changes limited the size of the army to make it more manageable and efficient. Also, he changed many everyday things mainly focusing on water supply to the city. His combination of military superiority, political genius, and also public servitude makes him my MVP.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Greek blog#3

Sources for table:
1.http://www.greek-gods.info/greek-gods/
2.http://www.hipark.austin.isd.tenet.edu/mythology/gkgods_heroes.html
3.http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/greek-mythology.php?_gods-list
4.http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_myth_gods_index.htm

The main gods from my research were as follows:
Zeus and Hera (King and Queen of Gods)
Posieden and Hades ( Gods of Death and the Sea, also brothers of Zeus)
Hermes( Messanger of the Gods)
Ares and Aphrodite ( God of War and Goddess of Beuty and Love)
Apollo ( God of Light)
Athena ( Goddess of Wisdom)
Eros ( also God of Love)

Greek blog#5

Top 5 Ancient Greek Contributions:
1. Modern Government structure( how we base our democracy)
2.Military drilling and schooling
3.Literature
4.Architecture
5.Theatre

All 5 gave modern day society many major things in our lives. Our government structure or base was built off of the example of the Ancient Greek city-states. Our military drills are also structured in the way the ancient Spartans strictly drilled their soldiers.Much of our knowledge of Greek mythology derives from the Odyssey and Iliad which were all made during the time of the Ancient Greeks. Our government architecture models that of Ancient Greek buildings, especially the column work at the Lincoln Memorial and the White House. Finally, theatre is a big thing in everyday life from Hollywood to school plays, all originating from the public shows in Ancient Greece. All are great contributions to modern day society and are essential for our further development into the future.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Greek blog#4

This would make a great cover for the cahpter. It shows alot of the Greek main gods sitting atop Olympus and portrays Greek culture and what the chapter will talk about rather well.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Greek blog#2

Sparta VS. Athens
  Athens and Sparta are the typical opposites which show how two different societal structures can work. The Athenians were a very democratic and closest at the time to our type of government with voting and structured law. The Spartan society was very militaristic and would coincide with Darwin's expanded theory of "survival of the fittest." The Spartans were a powerful force, but secluded to many of the population and could not keep up these old ways of singling out "perfect" soldiers since they eventually declined due to a shortage of warriors and increase of Helots. The Athenians also had their own flaws such as they're overly peaceful ways which at that time would have weakened their hopes for expansion compared to Sparta's aggressive nature.

If I could choose to join one of these nations it would most defiantly be the Spartans. They are a much stronger nation and better suited for that time. For me, It would be easier to assimilate into their culture of a military view since for me I do plan on joining the military and all my steps before that are to prepare me for this. Not to be perfect since no one can be, but to prepare myself as much as possible. So, their culture would fit along side my modern day thinking and I would enjoy at least living a day in the Spartan military.
Sources:
1.http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/SPARTA.HTM
2.http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/ATHENS.HTM

Greek blog#1

Things I learned from quizes:

1.55,000 years ago the Minoans lived in Greece.
2.Mycenaeans were a warring nation that eventually took over Crete.
3.Linear B was the form of writing used by the Minoans.
4.Most centers for city forts were built atop the Acropilis.
5.An agora is a marketplace.
6.Homer made oral poetry into 2 great epics.
7.The Olympics were held to honor the Gods.
8.Hoplites were heavy infantry who carried long spears.
9.The Iliad was about the Trojan war.
10.The Odyssey was about mycean king after the Trojan War.
11.Sparta was known for its military discipline and physical strength.
12.Helots were the lower class of the Spartan city state.
13.Athens was known well for its democracy and laws.
14.Spartan goals were to make every adult male part of the military and to incorporate them into it.
15.In 621 B.C. is the first written law in Athens.
16.Metics in Athens were free and not born of Athens.
17.Metics could not participate in the Government or own land.
18.Trade was the main supply of Athenian income.
19.Athenian women were citizens, but had no rights to vote or land.
20.Girls usually married around 13-14 to older men.
21.Most Athenians believed in spending for the common good.
22.Athenians placed great value in learning and literacy.
23.Hoplites were the bulk of the Athenian infantry.
24. The Delian league was the alliance of Greek-city states against Persia.
25.Xerxes defeated the Spartans at the battle of Thermopylae.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Post 12 Resources/Possibles for ancient egyptian martial arts research

1.http://www.bullshido.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-60024.html
2.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Egyptian_martial_artists
3.http://www.egyptsearch.com/forums/Forum8/HTML/000502.html
4.http://ejmas.com/jcs/2007jcs/jcsart_riddle_0807.html
5.http://www.intermartialarts.com/forum/1451-post8.html
6.http://www.better-human.com/2010/03/culture/

Post 11 Seebek-Kha

 I will be researching ancient Egyptian martial arts. The main two will be Tahtib and Seebek-Kha, both have claim to be the oldest Martial arts in the history of mankind. Although Tahtib is much more musical and alike a dance, Seebek-Kha is much more combative. This research should provide greater insight into ancient Egyptian military ways and also ancient martial arts.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Post 10 Darius I the greatest

Darius the first was the most influential and powerful Persian leader by far.He at first united the country, riding the empire of any rebellion and challenge. Next he revolutionized the military, greatly improving Cyrus the Great's army structure by building a paid army and an elite force within. With the new training it enabled Darius to take over more lands all the way up to the Mediterranean in the east and far west Hindu Kusch. With these victories he portrayed a godly view or as he said, " King of Kings." With these New Lands came a empire to large for one man, so he developed a sort of democratic monarchy which allowed for Satraps to rule in his stead. With all of these combinations made him in my point of view, the greatest leader of the Persian Empire.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Post 3 2 timelines

Time lines
1.http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=13&title=Babylon
2.http://www.suite101.com/content/timeline-of-the-ancient-history-of-wine-a327213

These time lines would be a great addition to the textbook. The first gives a broad world timeline and also specifics for certain kings. The second timeline gives a different look at Sumerian and Persian history following wine! It does give sufficient information and shows the level of these civilizations.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Post 7 Northern's Code

1. All those hurt or bullied on, will be punished 10 fold.

2. Any feeling sad or are in remorse, will be excused from the day's activities that are found stressful.

3.Any grade given to a student that is unsatisfactory to the student, will be voided and retaken a week later.

4. Any teacher disrespectful to a student will be shunned by other faculty on sight.

5. All habits of each student deemed annoying or distracting will not be allowed, if continued, that habit will be stopped by the removal of that area of the habit.

6. All classes are required to have 50" flat screen TVs for non-educational purposes only.

7. All homework must have a limited due date of 2 days.

8. All teachers will go through phsycological evaluations and physical fitness monthly.

9. If a student and teacher have any issues, the student is permitted to hit the teacher once.

10. All students are required to do after school physical activities for at least 2 hours a day.

11. Any violaters of any of these laws will be required to run 2 miles.

12. Every student in the school is a equal member and should be treated as such.

Post 6 Hammurabi's Code Modern Day

Laws from Hammurabi's Code of Law that should be enacted today.


1.If he hire it out for one year and then return, the house, garden, and field shall be given back to him, and he shall take it over again.  I feel like this would be great for modern day since it would force people to be loyal to their contracts.

2. If he have no money to repay, then he shall pay in corn or sesame in place of the money as rent for what he received from the merchant, according to the royal tariff. This would allow for more leniency with debts which could mean the barter system could be back in place.
3.If the agent is careless, and does not take a receipt for the money which he gave the merchant, he can not consider the unreceipted money as his own. Evidence needs to be fact and material, meaning when someone says they owe them something, they need hard proof.

4. If any one have a claim for corn or money upon another and imprison him; if the prisoner die in prison a natural death, the case shall go no further. In today's world, this would mean people would not be able to go after someone/s family for that one family member's mistake.

5. If any one leave his house, run away, and then his wife go to another house, if then he return, and wishes to take his wife back: because he fled from his home and ran away, the wife of this runaway shall not return to her husband. This would make sure that wives are not just used and will not be a supply depot of money or shelter for this man.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Post 5 Writing back to the travel agent

Dear Agent Flores,

We Sumerians  have a long and proud heritage in the Fertile Crescent. It provides us with enormous amounts of supplies from which we make huge profits. The land is renewed yearly so that we could stay here forever and we have rivers that link us to the rest of the world. The Jordan River Valley's salt and dust do not even compare to the luscious green valley of the Fertile Crescent. I would suggest that you take your own advice and stay far away from us in the Jordan  River Valley.

Sincerely,
Sumerian Bob

post 4 travel agent

Dear Sumerians,

I believe that your people need to move to a smarter location from which you can set up a even more prosperous civilization. The Jordan River Valley is the new premiere location for any civilization trying to become a empire. This valley has the Mediterranean sea to its left and then the dead sea and natural fortifications to the right. This would make for a defensible position and amazing position for a world trading port. If you have any sense i would suggest that you get up and move to the Jordan River Valley.

Your Agent,
Alex Flores

post 2 things i learn during a quiz.

1.Neolithic people, called Sumer, settled in this fertile valley and began to grow crops.
2.Sumerains may have been the first ones to invent and use the arch.
3.The code of hammurabi was one of the first written down codes of law.
4.Sumerians originally were organized into city-states.
5.The Hittites were one of the first to smelt iron.
6.Nebuchadnezzar made Babylon into a rich and florishing city including the Hanging Gardens.
7.The Assyrians were a fierce warrior like society which eventually invaded the Fertile Crescent.
8.Israel,Lebanon, and Syria were all once part of Phoenecian lands.
9.The Phoenicians invented the art of Glass-blowing
10.The Phoenicians developed the alphabet.
11.The barter system was a big part of trade before coinage of gold and other precious metals.
12.The Lydians passed down the concept of the money economy to the Greeks and Persians.
13.The Sumerians practiced Polytheism or the belief in more than one god.
14.Sumerian Ziggurats and many other buildings were all made out of brick clay which would be stacked like modern day bricks.
15.The most powerful Akkadian king was Sargon.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

POST 1 for western civ and how this might be pretty cool.

I have always been interested in all ancient civilizations particularly ancient Rome during the reign of the first Augustus after Julius Ceaser's death and Constantine the Great since both in my opinion were the greatest overall leaders of the time.

 I play soccer in the fall, Winter and Spring track as a sprinter, and year round I participate in a martial arts which includes muy thai, phillipino and indonesian silat, JKD, wing chun. I love sports and outdoor activities so I'm usually pretty busy looking for some fun. I am also very active in my church youth group ever since our volunteer work in New Orleans which was a very enlightening experience.

My wide variation of friends has allowed me over the years to become very acceptable and helpful to many for different situations which means I like to help people out if theyre in need of anything. I feel that our treatment of others reflects who we are.

Ive actually taken Western Civ since the class looks so cool and my interest in ancient history drives the coolness rating up next to talking hamsters and Usain Bolt. I can't lie that the Usain Bolt thing is up there so it may take awhile for Wstern Civ to even beat hamsters.

Western Civilizations are always interesting, or just there connection to the modern world, but also the comparison in how our daily lives are so much easier makes your appreciation for what the ancient civilizations did just increase.

This class seems interesting and will actually capture my attention. I hope that I get to learn more about the military aspects of these early civilizations. Also, the thinking of previous leaders without the complications of electronics and the temptations that new technology brings should be interesting. Finally, I just want to have a more clear understanding of middle-eastern  culture.