Sunday, November 22, 2009
Islam and the Great Spread
Islam started with the creation of the Earth. It did not start to gain a large following however until the prophet Mohammed was born in 570 A.D. He began preaching about the God and reading the scriptures of the Quran. He brought together the many tribes in the Middle East and began to preach what Islam truly means, “submission to God”. The Muslims, this is what followers of Islam are called, also started to conquer land to spread their faith. They conquered large parts of northeast Africa and the Middle East. This is the only area where the spread of Islam was done by the sword in this time. When the faith spread to other parts it was done by the draw of the faith. Here is a religion with one God, and he showed mercy on his subjects. This expansion was done after the death of Mohammed. He died in 632, and through his followers Islam saw this great expansion. Islam spread to the Southern tip of France, India, China, more of Africa, and numerous other parts of the world. Today, Islam is still the fastest growing religion, and it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. It gets a bad rap because of the terrorist attacks, but at its heart it is a religion founded on love and equality to all. A select few have distorted the image of an entire religion.
If you would like to find out more about Islam check out these sites:
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/islam/history.html
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/islam/history.html
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Islam and Europe
The crusades created a constant demand for shipping and men to travel to and from the middle east to gather goods. The economy of many European countries benefited from the invasion and conquest of this area. Items from the middle east were so enchanting and captivating that there simply was not enough of it to satisfy as many Europeans that wanted such goods.
As for many of the Aristocrats and wealthy people who set out for the middle east in search of wealth and prosperity from these lands many of them never returned and the their land and belongings were granted to the kings and queens of these countries. this gave prominence back to many of the kings and queens of the European realm.
Many of the ideas and intellectual advancements of the time for Europe came from the middle eastern realm. The people of the East were far more intellectually advance than their western European brothers and many scientific ideologies were brought back to Europe with the crusaders.
http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/effects-of-crusades.htm
Surrender
Muslims serve Allah in hopes of receiving a gift from him in return. They recite prayers and obey his commands in order to receive earthly or heavenly rewards. The most precious gift they can receive is eternal salvation, which Allah has already given them. Therefore, they behave self righteously to achieve many good deeds and Allah’s grace.
In Islam, prayer to Allah is not voluntary, but rather an obligation. Many different regulations have been enforced in order to ensure Allah is the center of everything. For example, it is mandatory that everyone washes their hands, feet, arms, mouth, and face before prayer. This law is enforced to create a sense of purity in the mosques, and anyone who does not oblige to the rule has nullified their prayer.
One main prayer in Islam is “guide us in the straight path, the path of those whom thou hast blessed, not of those against whom thou are wrathful, nor of those who are astray.” This particular prayer expresses a Muslim’s dependency on Allah. Each Muslim frequently calls out to their god in prayer, and desires to serve him and fight for him wholeheartedly.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Richard the Lionhearted Encounters Saladin
Richard the Lionheart king of England raised money through taxes and assembled an army with the help and support of France to retake Jerusalem from Saladin and the Muslims. “The two most significant remaining leaders to set out on crusade from the West were Richard of England and Philip of France, who set out by sea separately in 1191. Richard stopped at Cyprus on his way to the Holy Land and conquered the island before meeting up with Philip at the siege of Acre on 8 June 1191. Saladin was unable to break the Christians' blockade, and the city fell to the crusading kings in a little over a month, after which Philip departed to return to the West and Richard turned south toward Jaffa.” During the march on 7 September 1191, Saladin attacked the crusaders on the plains near Jaffa, but he suffered a heavy loss. Richard was then able to take Jaffa, and secure the use of its port. Soon after Saladin tried to retake Jaffa but was unsuccessful.
“However, Saladin's relationship with Richard was one of chivalrous mutual respect as well as military rivalry. When Richard became ill with fever, Saladin offered the services of his personal physician. Saladin also sent him fresh fruit with snow, to chill the drink, as treatment. At Arsuf, when Richard lost his horse, Saladin sent him two replacements. Richard suggested to Saladin that Palestine, Christian and Muslim, could be united through the marriage of his sister Joan of England, Queen of Sicily to Saladin's brother, and that Jerusalem could be their wedding gift.”
Soon after the two commanders agreed on a three year truce. King Richard returned to home to England and shortly after Saladin in 1193. The Third Crusade failed to recapture Jerusalem, but it did secure the coastline from Jaffa to Tyre, creating a point from which future crusades could be launched.
1 Lawson, Rich. Richard and Saladin: Warriors of the Third Crusade
2 Lawson, Rich. Richard and Saladin: Warriors of the Third Crusade
found at http://www.shadowedrealm.com/articles/exclusive/richard_saladin_warriors_third_crusade
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Expansion of the Islamic/Arab Empire
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World. Vol. 1. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2009. 2 vols. Print.
http://books.google.com/books?id=mBuaPAAACAAJ&dq=ways+of+the+world+strayer&ei=0Tj7Su_vK46OMoSi_YQP
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Western Christendom’s face was the Byzantine Empire. It was the eastern half of the Roman Empire that still remained. Byzantine was based at Constantinople, which is modern day Istanbul, Turkey. The empire was in a war against the Muslim people of the Middle East. The Byzantines were in existence for over 1,000 years, and their empire ended because of the Ottomans. The Byzantines had one of the finest navies of the time, and they were able to repulse the Muslim’s from gaining ground and breaking through their massive walls. This would not last forever though, as the Ottoman Empire united the Muslim people and were able to make a full out attack. The city finally fell in the mid 1400’s, and the Roman Empire fell with it. It was a severe defeat for Christianity and they would repay the Muslims at the Battle of Lepanto. This battle helped to stop the spread of Islam across Europe, and gave people a choice of which religion was right for them. This holds true to what the United States of America was founded upon, and what we still believe today.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Uh oh, it is spreading!
One of the biggest influences in the modern world still today is religion. It has been said for years that there should be a separation of church and state, however religion still determines many of the decisions made globally today. One of the largest religions on Earth today is Christianity, and a major question is what factors and mechanisms helped this religion spread and grow to what it is today.
Global trade, with the establishment of the silk road and other trade networks. was one of the biggest influences in the spread of all religions as well as Christianity. With these established routes people of the Christian faith, such as missionaries, could travel great distances spreading the word of their religions to regions of the world that were not as easily accessible before. Not just missionaries but even merchants and anyone really was able to help spread the word of religion.
When the ruler of the entire Roman empire converts to Christianity it is going to make the idea of this religion a bit more popular. When Constantine converted to Christianity it made Christianity much more popular within the empire, and had one of the biggest impacts on the religion still today.
Christianity was appealing in many ways to simple people as well. The idea of salvation was a huge factor in the conversion of so many. Normal people, not rulers, aristocrats or any other elite class was able to reach salvation through this faith which compelled so many. Such a simple route to salvation would be very appealing to many.
http://mr_sedivy.tripod.com/r_life.html
Caesaropapism.
At times civic leaders would make Church decisions which is classified as caesaropapism. Caesaropapism was originally created in the Byzantine Empire in its efforts to combine the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Emperor under one throne. Other cases of caesaropapism have came up past the years of the Roman Empire's fall. In Medieval times, the Church and State were not separated. Taxes would go to the Church as well as the government. Examples would be King Henry VIII taking over the Church in England. www. encyclopedia. com
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Papal States
In class we have discussed the spread of Christianity and as many know this religion had overwhelming effects on the world. In fact the leader of the catholic church, the Pope, became the ruler of a state called the Papal States. The Pope was the sovereign leader of this large chunk of central Italy from 754 to 1870. The Papal State gained its territory by lands given to the Pope. Although the Papal State had little military strength and barely had control over its territories because of Emperors and nobles contesting the rule of the Papacy, it did have a role in the politics of Europe.
The Pope has the power to excommunicate members of the church. This includes kings and leaders of other countries. This can lead to growing political opposition in excommunicated leader's territories and unhappy Christians because their leader has been cast out of the church.
From 1305 to 1378, the Popes lived in Avignon, in what is now France. While the Papacy was in France their were strongly under the influence of the French Kings. 1378 to 1417 was a period know as the great schism. During this period Gregory XI had returned the papacy from Avignon to Rome. Shortly after he died and the Cardinals under fear of an Italian mob elected another Pope named Urban VI because he was Italian. Shortly after this he acted very offensive to all in the church and the Cardinals declared his election null and void because they were under duress when they elected him. The Cardinals elected Clement VII but Urban VI remained in Rome, refusing to step down, and Clement VII fled to Avignon. From there on until 1417 were two declared Popes of the church, both declaring that the other was illegitimate. Many Christians were confused and perhaps some left the catholic church because of the schism.
Slowly of the centuries the Papal States declined and Italy declared war on the Papal States and took Rome. The Papal States technically lives on as the State of the Vatican City.
All this information and more can be found at the following sources.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/441848/Papal-States
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Great_Schism.aspx#1E1-Schism-G
http://www.ohio.edu/chastain/ip/papalsta.htm
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Constantine the Great
In 312 CE, Constantine invaded Italy. During his march to Rome, he claimed to have a vision of the sun with the Chi-Ro shining above it. The Chi-Ro is a divine symbol of Christ, so he had all of his soldiers paint it on their shields. They then battled an army with thousands of soldiers, and surprisingly overpowered them.
Constantine attributed this victory to the Chi-Ro he saw before the battle. He then thought of himself as an emperor of the Christian people. He soon became a dominant leader in Rome, and ordered that authorities stop executing the Christians. For a while, he was not familiar with Christian beliefs, but he learned as time went on. He often tried to solve disputes peacefully. However, at time he became increasingly brutal, and even persecuted the ‘wrong type’ of Christians.
For many years, Constantine only ruled the western half of Rome. While he didn’t force Christianity onto any citizens, he appointed Christian officials and was involved with the Christian church. In the east, however, the second emperor Licinius adamantly opposed the religion. There were several confrontations between the east and west, ultimately ending with Constantine defeating Licinius and becoming the single emperor of Rome.
As the emperor of Rome, he enforced many new laws. First he banned Pagan practices and built Christian churches. He implemented a harsh tax system, ruled that any girl who eloped would be burned alive, and sentenced rapists and their women victims to death. Despite these ruthless laws, Constantine still ruled as a Christian.
Toward the end of his life, Constantine planned to invade Persia. He wanted to be baptized along the way, in the river of Jordan where Jesus was baptized. However, he became sick in 337 CE and never made it to the river. Instead, he asked the bishop of Nicomedia, Eusebius, to baptize him on his deathbed.
For more information, follow this link:
http://www.roman-empire.net/decline/constantine-index.html
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Church after the fall of the Roman Empire
There was a large hole left with the collapse of Rome and the Church became one of the main powers that stepped in to fill it. The Church, which based its hierachial organization of popes, bishops, priests, and monastaries on the organization of the Roman Empire, began to take over some of the functions of the government in the new nations which took the place of the Western Roman Empire. These functions included, politics, administration, education, and welfare. These new functions gave the Church more power than it had previously had, while also causing it to become quite wealthy. This new found power and wealth lead to the conversion of the many "pagan" people of Europe and to the expansion of christianity.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World. Vol. 1. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2009. 2 vols. Print.
http://books.google.com/books?id=mBuaPAAACAAJ&dq=ways+of+the+world+strayer&ei=0Tj7Su_vK46OMoSi_YQP
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The First Crusade
In 1095 Pope Urban II spoke at the Council of Clermont to a large group of clergy, nobles, and commoners. Dr. E.L. Skip Knox gives a summary of the pope's speech, which has been recorded differently in various sources.
"The noble race of Franks must come to the aid their fellow Christians in the East. The infidel Turks are advancing into the heart of Eastern Christendom; Christians are being oppressed and attacked; churches and holy places are being defiled. Jerusalem is groaning under the Saracen yoke. The Holy Sepulchre is in Muslim hands and has been turned into a mosque. Pilgrims are harassed and even prevented from access to the Holy Land.
The West must march to the defense of the East. All should go, rich and poor alike. The Franks must stop their internal wars and squabbles. Let them go instead against the infidel and fight a righteous war.
God himself will lead them, for they will be doing His work. There will be absolution and remission of sins for all who die in the service of Christ. Here they are poor and miserable sinners; there they will be rich and happy. Let none hesitate; they must march next summer. God wills it!" Pope Urban II
Christianity by this time had spread all across Europe and the Catholic church headed by the Pope had a great deal of power. The Crusading army grew to around 10,000 men and they gathered in Constantinople to prepare for their journey to the Holy Land.
First the army captured Nicea and after a seven month siege captured Antioch. The First Crusade came to an end with the capture of Jerusalem in 1099. It was not easy for the Crusaders. They had to travel by land and pillage/scavenge for food and supplies. After the success the conquered territory was divided up into four Latin kingdoms charged with protecting all Christians and defending them from the Muslims.
Christianity was very popular in Europe and the power of the church can be seen by the popularity of the crusades.
more information can be found at
http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/bible/crusades.stm
http://crusades.boisestate.edu/1st/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/cru2.htm
Friday, November 6, 2009
We Were Not the Only Humans Facing Climate Change
The different climates on the earth have changed, where hot climates have cooled, and cool climates have gotten warm in a matter of a few years and early man has had to adjust to these changes. For some example when wet climates dried out in a few years and massive fires happened, or floods in other regions many of animals in the regions died out, along with many early humans. When there is such a quick and large population decrease different traits become more important. It was during times like these where early hominids developed better hunting skills and tools that helped them cope with the environment that they have been given after being forced into the situations where they had to work on cooperation and innovation in order to survive. Granted, a tool might be considered a sharpened stick or a sharp rock.
These changes in climate happened many times, and every time there was an effect on early man. the biggest effect that it had on early mas was when the ice ages started happening about 2.5 million years ago, brain size of early man started to increase. According to what we know today australopithecine ancestors had the brain the size of an ape, and it did not grow for about ten thousand years. Until ice ages started to occur and then the Hominid brain grew.
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/092011.html
The Council of Nicea
Nihil Obstat. February 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Movement of the Continents
Plate tectonics under the earth's surface shift to cause the continents to move and many different environmental features to form. the earth changed a great deal throughout the years. Around 250 million years ago the continents formed a supercontinent called Pangea.
This supercontinent allowed for the distribution of different animals and plants on different continents. Pangea is the reason that people find fossils of a certain type of species on Africa and also on South America; at one point, these continents touched.
Pangea began to break up around 150 million years ago. the continents began their drift to the position that they are in today. this took millions of years. When dinosaurs existed on earth (around 66 million years ago), the planet looked like this:
The continents are not done moving. In millions of years they will look much different than they do now. It is estimated that the continents will look like the following picture when 250 million years has passed. It is believed that another supercontinent will form.
If you would like to know more about the movement of the continents over the years you should visit http://www.scotese.com/earth.htm.
Saint Paul
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked
"I am Jesus whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up an go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Paul was then lead into Demascus by the men that were traveling with him because he could not see. For three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything. It was then when, according to the Acts 9, God sent a disciple named Ananias to speak to Paul. When he arrived at the house where Paul was staying Ananias placed his hands on Paul and said, "Brother Saul, theLord--Jesus, who appered to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see agin and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Paul, who was imediately able to see again, was baptised and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Then, according to Acts, Paul spent the next few days preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
Paul went on to author many writings that would play a major part in the establishment of the Christian religion, including many books of the Bible. This includes Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon. He also established many of the beliefs that still carry Christianity today, such as the importance of celibacy and the theory of divine grace and salvation. Paul also played a key role in making Christianity a universal religion because he not only preached his beliefs to Jews and fellow Christians, but also Gentiles. He continued this preaching until his death in either 64 or 67 CE. Paul probably believed that what he was teaching was important, but I wonder if he could of even fathomed that his teaching would help lead to what is now considered one of the largest, if not the largest, religion(s) in the world?
Men's Devotional Bible- New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corporation, 1993. Print.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/christians/p/PaulTarsus.htm
Monday, November 2, 2009
Fun fact: the Toltec used wooden swords in battle so as not to kill their enemy
The Toltec were superior in architecture. The name Toltec actually means “master builders” in Nahuatl. They were architecturally advanced because they had access to many materials, such as different metals and stones. Their influences were from Teotihuacán and the Olmec cultures. They built many churches and Olmec inspired pyramids, one of which was in the famous city of Cholula.
The Toltec were polytheistic, but focused their practices on Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl was a deity who represented the forces of good and evil. He resided in Tula until he left in search of his homeland. In his honor, they built a large pyramid in Cholula. The Toltec also practiced human sacrifice, sun worship, and a sacred ball game called tlatchli.
Around 1000 CE, the Toltec began to expand toward the south. Eventually, they dominated the Mayan empire. It wasn’t until the thirteenth century that the empire weakened, and nomadic people called the Chichimec destroyed them.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Impact of the Silk Road
The Silk Road brought people far across Asia and Europe, bring different aspects of their culture with them. With these people came items and goods from different culture that some people of the west had not seen, and these things became more readily available for people of the west. Other than goods, religion traveled along the Silk Road. Buddhism spread great distances and much of the reason why it spread was because of the Silk Road.
The Silk Road was used in forms of communications as well. In the times of the Mongol Empire the Silk Road was used as a major route for communication and spreading of ideas for the Mongols, more than most were open to ideas and religions. Kubilai Khan, for example was one of the most sympathetic and understanding of most religions. During the mongol reign many people across Asia and other lands took part in this trade, spreading culture, religion and many other aspects of their lives all across the continent.
http://www.ess.uci.edu/~oliver/silk.html
The Silk Disaster
In Western Europe in the fourteenth century, a plague affected a large population. The plague earned the name the “Black Death” in the nineteenth century, but originally had the name the “Great Plague” or “Great Pestilence.” The spots on the skin of contaminated people inspired the name “Black Death,” since the spots were black and dark blue.
The disease originated in Central Asia. Traders that travelled across the Silk Road carried the disease all the way to Europe. It quickly infected Spain, England, Ireland, and France. Within five years, the plague had killed around one third of the European population.
It seems that people unintentionally spread the disease more than they knew. When the disease threatened a city, citizens frantically fled and unknowingly brought the disease with them. Also, people attended crowded parties in attempts to comfort themselves and relieve their stress. Instead, they ended up spreading the disease even more rapidly, since they were so close to so many other people.
The plague created major changes in Europe. There were fewer workers, and they demanded higher wages. Many teachers died, so uneducated people taught the schools. Also, people spoke Latin less often, since not all the survivors were familiar with the language. In total, the plague killed as many as seventy five million people.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Buddhism's is Brought to China
Up until the creation of the Silk Road, in the second century BCE, Buddhism was found primarily in India and some Central Asian nations. With the creation of this major trade network Chinese merchants began traveling west in order to trade goods with Rome, Egypt, India, and the nations of Central Asia. While they were in India came upon this new religion called Buddhism. It is believed that Buddhism reached China sometime in the first and second century CE. Having heard of this religion many monks throughout the next centuries would traveled the Silk Road to India in order to study Buddhism, they would then return to China and teach others what they had learned. Some of these iffluental monks included Zhu Shixing from the Three Kingdoms (220-280CE), Fa Xian and Kumrajva in the Jin Dynasty (265-420CE), Song Yun and Hui Shang in the Northern Dynasty (420-589CE), and Xuan Zang in the Tang Dynasty (618-907CE).
. ">"Culture of Silk Road." Travel China Guide Travel China Guide.com, 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Russian shift after Mongol invasion
Cross culture contact was common by 1000 AD but still had strong and long lasting effects. The Mongol invasion of
Before the Mongolian invasion Russian society and power was divided into three levels. At the top there were many princes that were scattered around the country each ruling over his own territory. Bellow the princes were nobles who had a great deal of independence. At the bottom were merchants, shopkeepers, and free peasant farmers who met at times to decide local issues by popular vote. After the Mongol invasion and occupancy
The Mongolians were all united under a Khan or emperor. The Russians on the other hand were scattered across a large territory and each individual kingdom was power hungry. They princes were suspicious of there neighbor rulers intentions and often made war on each other. One by one the individual princes fell to the Mongolians. They were unwilling to band together to repel the invaders. The Mongolians killed most of the princes, nobles, and anyone else the felt like killing.
Eventually after the Mongolians were no longer united under one ruler there was a Russian uprising and they were able to take back their country. The country now was more accustomed to centralized authority and would be lead by tsars. This new beginning would not tolerate independence or democracy and would eventually become the
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Olmec Civilization
In Mesoamerica, the first indications of complex life were that of the Olmec civilization. This civilization is thought to have been around since 1500 BCE until about 100 BCE or until sometime in the Common Era. The Olmec Empire was very small; at its largest, it had less than 1,000 people. The area where the Olmec people once lived, south of the Gulf of Mexico, is about 125 miles long and about 50 miles wide.
The word “Olmec” means “rubber people” in the Aztec language, Nahuatl. The Olmec people were given this name because they discovered how to make rubber by removing latex from a rubber tree, called Castilla Elastica, and then adding the juice from a vine, called Ipomoea Alba.
Making rubber is not the only accomplishment of the Olmec people. They also constructed great centers with sophisticated architecture and drainage systems. In these centers there were many public-ceremonial buildings, and also houses for both commoners and the elite, so it is obvious that the Olmec centers were for everyone.
It is also believed that the Olmecs where the original creators of the Mesoamerican ball game, played by many tribes in Mesoamerica, and the rubber ball that was use for it. There was a recent discovery of many rubber balls and a ball court where the Olmec people once lived. The Olmecs also might have been the first of the Mesoamerican civilizations to develop a written language, but this is not yet known for a fact.
If you would like to know more about the Olmec civilization, check out this website: http://www.crystalinks.com/olmec.html.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Where is Everyone?
One of the main reasons for the difference in population was in Africa and America there was a lack of animals available for domestication. With this, there was not as much food, nor animals to be trained and ready to pull a plow for agriculture or to help transport things over large distances. Eurasia was able to do all of these things because of live stock, horses and other animals. However, because Africa was so close to Eurasia, it was not long until these animals were in use in Africa.
Several technological differences were holding back some of the African and American civilizations from advancement. The civilizations in Africa and America did not have the tools that Eurasian settlements had because of a less developed system of Metallurgy. Weapons and Tools made of iron that very very important in the development of Eurasian civilizations were not around in early African and American civilization.
One of the things that advanced the society of Eurasian civilizations the most was a complex system of writing. African and American civilizations had forms of writing but they were not as effective or widespread as Eurasian writing. Without a form of communication advancement of a culture was very difficult.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2009. Print.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Norse Discovery of North America
The Norse were led by Leif Erickson and made their discovery around 1000. This is approximately 500 years before Columbus discovered the Bahamas. The Norse spotted land west of Greenland in 986 when Bjarni Herjolfsson left Iceland to reach a settlement on Greenland but because of high winds and fog lost his course. He spotted land that was unlike the description of Greenland and corrected his course back east eventually making it to Greenland without landing in North America.
Leif Erickson very interested in Bjarni’s story left Greenland in search of these new lands. Erickson explored the coast and eventually founded a small settlement where they stayed a winter. They called the new land Vinland because of the grape vines that were growing there. In the spring they returned to Greenland.
The archaeological site of L'Anse aux Meadows is believed to be an attempted colony by Leif Erickson and the Norse in 1003. At this site many Norse objects have been found and carbon dating estimates the date around 1000. A list and pictures of these objects can be found at http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/vinland.html
It is believed that the colony failed due to the same problems found in Greenland. The climate got colder and the colonies could no longer sustain themselves with agriculture. The colonies simply vanished in Greenland and must have also failed in North America.
It is very interesting that this is not common knowledge among students growing up in North America. Although research is still being done knowledge of the Norse discovery is being more commonly accepted.
Information found at
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/vinland.html
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Jenne-jeno
The civilization, which was located near the Niger River, attracted migrants who were in search of a dependable water supply. They brought their domesticated animals, their skills, and their iron technology to the region.
Jenne-jeno did not have an organized class structure like the Egyptians or Romans. Instead, they lived in equality without any political authority or warfare. They built many settlements that surrounded a middle city. These smaller settlements specialized in different trades, for example iron smiths, potters, and leather workers. Eventually these occupational groups became segregated. Parents would teach their children the family job, and children only married within their group. Some groups shared services with each other, but still remained physically separated.
Although the Niger provided nutrients for agriculture and clay for pottery, it did not provide other resources such as iron and fuel. This led to a large system of trade throughout West Africa. They used boats to travel the Niger and donkeys to travel by land. The people of Jenne-jeno traded grain, fish, and meats in return for salt, iron, and copper.
Eventually, a cultural shift occurred. Larger empires emerged and West Africa became connected with North America and Islam. However, parts of the culture and life style of the Niger Valley remain today.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2009. Print.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Teotihuacan
Unfortunately there is also quite a bit that is not known about the city, including the original name of the city, language which was spoken by its citizens, or what kind of government was in place in the city. We do know, though, that it was, physically, very large and impressive. The city was built with broad avenues, big marketplaces, large plazas, palaces, and marketplaces. There was a main boulevard which went through the city, now known as the Street of the Dead. Along this street there were the majestic homes of the elite, the headquarters of the authorities of the state, many temples, as well as two giant pyramids. One pyramid was known as the Pyramid of the Sun, while the other was known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. It is believed by many people that the citizens of this Teotihuacan believed that the Pyramid of the Sun was the site of creation itself, birthplace of the sun and moon. In the Temple of Feathered Serpents archeologists have found the bones of 200 people who were apparently unwilling sacrificial victims that were forced to accompany the high ranking individuals that were buried there into the after life. The city also contained thousands of apartment complexes which were built of the main avenues in a gridlike pattern of streets. These apartments were home to the commoners that called this city home.
Besides all of these great buildings, the city also contained waterways, reservoirs, drainage systems, and many colorful murals. The buildings of the city were all decorated with these murals, as well as sculptures, and carvings. Most of these pieces of art work displayed abstract geometric and stylized images, while others portrayed gods and goddesses in many different forms, such as serpents, starfish, jaguars, flower, and warriors. The artwork found in Teotihuacan was not like that of the Mayan civilizations though because it did not contain many images of self adoring rulers and individuals. Many people believe that “the rulers of Teotihuacan might have intentionally avoided the personality cult of the dynastic art and writing” which was characteristic of the Maya. There are also many people that believe that the rulers of this great city may have been made up of a council of high ranking elites instead of a single monarch. Although the form of government of the city is not known it acknowledged by many historians that around the time 300-600 CE there was a region of about 10,000 square miles that was administered directly from the city, as well as other areas that likely provided tribute to the city.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2009. Print.
Unlocking long-sealed cave may solve Mexican pyramid mystery. 2008. xenophilius.wordspress.com. Web. 21 Oct. 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
What Both China and Rome Have in Common
In the Classical era, both Rome and China are expanding their empires. What both Rome and China shared was that they both built a system of roads. The roads were key to the empires because it made trade easy and it made communication throughout the empires possible. One Roman road started in Sicily and it stretches the northwestern shore line of the Mediterranean Sea and ends at the Red Sea. The Chinese the Imperial Roads stemming from the central Xi'an City to the Great Wall and to both the East and South China Sea. The Silk Road ends in the city of Xi'an. Both empires specialized in building public works such as roads, aqueducts, and walls (Strayer 1) . All were for the good of the public and the quick mobility of the military. The walls were used to blockade any type of invader from reaping havoc upon the empires. Both Rome and China believed in their own supernatural meaning behind their ruling. The Romans regarded their dead emperors as "gods." The Chinese were quite different by the Emperor being titled the "Son of Heaven" and he was said to govern the "Mandate of Heaven." They believed that when the Chinese were raided or something bad happened, it was linked to the emperor for bad ruling. With a catastrophic even happening, he had losted the Mandate of Heaven thus the emperor will loss his power. A foriegn religion has blosomed out of both these two empires. In Rome, Christianity derived out of Jerusalem and spread around Rome during the Pax Romana. At first Rome did not accept Christianity. They persecuted Christians but the offered one more chance to denouce their beliefs, if refused then they were executed. Around 300 C.E. the emperor Constantine pass a edict that made Christianity legal to praticed which was titled "The Edict of Milan." Later on, Christianity became the official religion of Rome. In China, Buddism was brought in through the Silk Road. Merchants from India and from other lands where it was praticed brought Buddisim to Han China. The religion was not fully supported by the Han Dynasty. It was not till the end of the Han Dynasty when Buddisim was spread throughout China (Strayer 2) .
1 Robert W. Strayer. Ways of the World. Bedford/St.Martin's 2009.
2 Robert W. Strayer. Ways of the World. Bedford/St.Martin's 2009.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Wheel: A Great Invention
People have been inventing things since the dawn of mankind. My dad is an inventor along with thousands of other people who have an idea that would make life a little better for us all. Although the inventions these days are much more advanced than the inventions that the first humans made, I believe that the invention of the wheel was one of the best inventions of all time.
Many people believe that the wheel has been around since 8000 BCE, however, that date that it was made is not exactly known. The oldest wheel ever discovered was made in 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia. This wheel is thought to have been a potter’s wheel used to make pots and other clay artifacts. Around 3200 BCE, the Mesopotamians began to use the wheel for transportation by putting it on their chariots. The Egyptians later made improvements to this wheel by making it a spoked wheel.
Before the wheel was invented for transportation, people used rollers (logs) to transport heavy objects. They would put one roller beneath the object, roll it, and then place another roller in front of the first, and so on. The invention of the wheel made transporting goods a thousand times easier for these earlier people.
Today, we use wheels all the time; on cars, buses, trains, planes, bicycles, luggage, lawn mowers, trailers, wheelbarrows, etc. The list goes on and on. Wheels make life so much better for everyone, and we can all thank the Mesopotamians for that.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Invention-of-the-Wheel
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/wheel.htm
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Astronomy and The Anceint Egyptians
Ancient Egyptian Priests, who were also astronomers helped use astronomy to give humans and understanding of the timing of the seasons as well. Egyptian astronomers realized that the all important flooding of the Nile always occurred at what we know as the summer solstice. Using this information the priests were able to predict the annual flooding of the Nile. This also gave the entire human race one of their first calenders. From their information they were able to create our very first three hundred and sixty five day calender which consisted of twelve, thirty day months with a five day feasting period.
Egyptians even built building according to some of the things that they viewed in the sky. Temples of certain religion would be oriented to having sunlight shine in a certain point of the temple at a certain time of year. Even the great pyramids were aligned in different ways according to the stars. The 2 of the edges of the pyramids are aligned directly north and south, and it is believed that the Egyptians used constellations that we know very well today as the Big and Little Dipper. to help with this orientation. Orientating the pyramids this way was believed by Egyptian mythology to give the deceased access to the northern sky. Also, it is theorized that the positioning of the pyramids is directly correlated to the orientation of Orion's belt. This would make much sense, since Orion was believed to be Osiris the Egyptian God of death, rebirth, and the afterlife. From the interest that the Egyptian had in the stars it would not come as much of a surprise if the pyramids did have such an orientation.
http://www.egyptologyonline.com/astronomy.htm
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/stars_pyramids_wg_001116.html
http://www.robertbauval.co.uk/articles/articles/gizaorion.html
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Vikings establish Dublin
The Vikings started making raids on
In 841 a Viking by the name of Turgeis lead his band ashore at present day
Information available at
http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/vikings.html
and in this book
http://www.amazon.com/Barbarian-Invasions-Shaped-Modern-World/dp/1592333036/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255586303&sr=8-5
Confusius Say
Confusianism is a religion based on the thoughts and ideas of Confusius. He believed in three main principles. The first principle is Ren. It is the source of all the virtues that Confusius believed that people should express. These virtues included kindeness, empathy, charity and respectfullness. The second principle was Li. This term means propriety. Confusius believed that some people were superior, while others were inferior, and people should know there place in society. The third principle was Xiao, which is the term for filial piaty. Confusius believed that it was important to respect elders. Confusius also had a optomistic view of human nature and this view has become a key characteristic of Confusianism. Although it may not have been the intention of Confusius, his teachings, which are viewed today through the Analects written by his students, have become one of the most well known religions/phylosphies in the world today.
http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/confucianism.htm
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World. Boston : Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2009. Print.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Mayans Master Math
Unlike the number system we use, which is based on the number ten, the Maya system is based on the number twenty. This means that the Mayans counted from zero to nineteen before they moved to the next order, while we currently only count to nine. While we learned to count on our fingers, the Mayans must have learned to count using their fingers and toes.
There is also a difference in the symbols we use to count. We recognize a different symbol for each of the ten numbers. On the other hand, the Mayans only used three symbols. They used a shell for zero, a dot for one, and a line for five. For example, to represent the number thirteen, the Mayans would use two lines and three dots.*
The Maya system, in my opinion, was more efficient than the previous systems of the Romans and Greeks. Try to imagine writing a large number using the Roman numeral system in comparison to the new and improved Maya system.
Also, I cannot help but compare our decimal system to the ancient Maya system. I may be a little biased, but I do believe our decimal system is the most efficient system thus far. However, since our system is based off of the Maya system, I feel the need to say thank you ancient Mayans, for making math class easier.
*To see a picture of the symbols used, or to read more about the application of Maya mathematics, follow this link: http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1122-the-maya-civilization-maya-numerals-and-calendar
Sunday, October 4, 2009
One of these scientists is Aristotle, a great philosopher. He was a student of Plato and a teacher to Alexander the Great before he was known as "The Great". He wrote many books about many different topics, ranging from politics and physics to dreams and poems. Many people say that he was one of the most intelligent philosophers of all time.
Another philosopher from ancient Greece is Democritus. Democritus was the founder of the atomic theory. He hypothesized that matter was made up of atoms (which is entirely correct) and that is why matter can change. The atoms are always moving and clustering in different ways and sometimes atoms are added, therefore, things can change from solid to liquid and can grow.
Archimedes is a well known engineer from ancient Greece. He discovered the law of Archimedes which states that an object floating in a liquid weighs less than it did on land; the object's initial weight subtracted by the amount of the liquid that is displaced by the object equals the weight of the floating object. Archimedes also invented the lever and used it to transport ships from the dock to the water.
Hippocrates is known as the greatest physician of all time. He said that one could not study an illness secluded in the body, but had to study the patient as a whole. He often believed that the cause of an illness was due to bad life choices. Hippocrates is believed to have written the Hippocratic Oath (hence the name), which physicians and medical personal follow today.
Aristarchus is a Greek astronomer. He was the first person to view the immense size of the universe. He discovered that the moon, planets, sun, and stars do not rotate around the earth. He found that the sun was actually much, much larger than the earth, which lead to the conclusion that the earth rotates around the sun, instead of the other way around. Aristarchus' findings on the earth and sun where not proved to be correct until 1839.
These are just a few of the many amazing scientists and their contributions from ancient Greece. This was definitely a time of great wisdom.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Introduction
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Man Behind The First Crusade
Pope Urban II was born to the noble de Lagery family of Chatillon-sur-Marne, northern France, around the year 1035. Urban grew up in a region of north-eastern France known as the Champagne region. This was an extremely localized environment where even the nobles were not likely to have traveled more than a hundred kilometer from home within their life time. This area was controlled by a class of noble warriors, which was dominated by the knightly profession. This area where Urban grew up was an exceptionally violent society, which was dominated by bloody feud and vendetta. Everyone throughout this region, including the more peacefull nobles took part in the plunder.
Although there was much violence in the area in which Urban grew up, he was still always surrounded by the christian religion. Most people within this society was extremely dedicated to their faith and their daily lives were run by its principles. Most of Urban's early life was dominated by the struggle to avoid sin and attain heavenly salvation. In order to obtain this goal Urban turned to a monastic life style. Within a monasticism Christians dedicate their lives to prayer and the service of God, within an enclosed environment. They embrace the principles of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In order to live within in this type of life style Urban was sent to study at the cathedral school of Rheims, as a young man. He soon joined the church in Rheims and attained the position of archdeacon.
Urban remained in Rheims until his mid thirties, when he made a major decision, choosing to become a monk. Urban joined probably the most influential and respected monastery at the time, the Burgundian house of Cluny. While in Cluny Urban's administrative skills did not go unnoticed for long. By 1074, he had risen to become the grand prior of Cluny, which is second in command to the abbot. While holding this position Urban helped to uphold Cluny's reputation as a stronghold for uncompromising spiritual purity.
Urban's career did not end in Cluny though. While he was there he enjoyed a mutually beneficial alliance with Rome. This lead to his recruitment to become cardinal-bishop of Ostia, one of the most powerful ecclesiastical offices in Italy, around 1080. In the winter of 1084 and 1085 Urban worked in Germany as the papal legate for the man who had brought him to Italy, Pope Gregory VII. While in Germany Urban worked to gain support for Gregory in his struggle against the Holy Roman Empire.
In 1088, after the death of Gregory in 1087 and the short lived papacy of Victor III, Urban was finally elected pope. Although Urban to gain great power, his papacy began in a position of great weakness and vulnerability. In 1088 the Latin West seemed ready to turn their backs on Urban and side with his rival to the papal throne, Clemont III. It was not until 1094 that Urban recovered possession of the Lateran Palace in Rome through bribery and even then he did not have a strong hold over the city. He did begin to gradually restore papal authority though and in march of 1095, while Urban was in the southern Italian City of Piacenza a messenger from the embassy in Constantinople, the capital of the Greek Christian Empire of Byzantium, arrived. He appealed for military aid from their Christian brothers in the West against their Islamic neighbors. This is the request that would eventually lead to Urban's speech at Clermont on November 27th 1095.
Asbridge, Thomas. The First Crusade: A New History. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc, 2004. Print.
The Power of the Pharaoh
The original Pharaohs in recorded had the same names as some Egyptian Gods and it is still not known today weather or not these were actually people who lived. The Pharaoh was considered to be a direct descendant of the Gods, meaning that Egyptians believed that a God took the form of the Pharaohs father and impregnated his wife. Meaning that the people of Egypt thought that the Pharaoh had a divine purpose to rule the land and help powers such as the annual flooding of the Nile river every year. Also, the Pharaoh was responsible for mingling with the gods and keeping their kingdom free of chaos which did not always work in the favor of the pharaoh.
Kings and Pharaohs were the figure that the whole administrative government rested on. All decisions made in the Kingdom were made by the Pharaoh. For example they commanded what was done with the harvest, the army and every other aspect within the Kingdom. The amount of resources and power the Pharaoh controlled was astonishing. One of the best examples of this is the great pyramids. The amount of riches and treasure in terms of, gold jewelry and other things, let alone the amount of manpower and labor it took to build a pyramid is still hard to comprehend today.
What I found most interesting is that from inscriptions being studied today, the almighty Pharaohs had a very difficult time making friends and many people did not like the Pharaoh. Even when this ruler commanded the respect of all the people within his kingdom he or she had a difficult time viewing anyone as equal and lived a somewhat lonely life. I do not mean lonely in sense that the Pharaoh dint have anyone around, being surrounded by advisers and priests, but never having someone that they could relate to.
For more information about Pharaohs and Kings of Egypt this website provided a good resource. http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/administration/pharaoh.htm. Another valuable resource that can give a basic knowledge of pharaohs: http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/pharaohs.htm.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The destruction of Ur and the fall of Rome
The Goths were lead by their king Alaric. Alaric had once fought with the Romans as a mercenary solder. He led a legion of Goths fighting for the emperor. In a battle he lost many men and after the victory was never recognized as a hero and was never granted a high rank in the Roman army. The alliance between the Goths and the Romans collapsed within months. The Goths turned on the Romans and used their own technology to destroy Rome. Much like the Elamites used horses and chariots to go long distances quickly, the Goths used the Roman’s own road system against them. They were able to mass an army and quickly move through Italy. They sacked cities and towns as they pleased while marching on Rome.
When they reached Rome they laid siege and made sure to cut off all food and supplies. Once the food ran out and the bodies started stacking up the senators struck a deal with Alaric. Alaric demanded all slaves of barbarian nations be released, thousands of pounds of gold, silver, and pepper. In return the Goths would leave Rome unharmed. The senators agreed. Alaric and his Goths left with 40,000 liberated slaves and wagons full of loot.
Alaric then again asked the emperor for a military title, specifically commander of Rome’s army in the western provinces. Instead of granting or denying Alaric the position the emperor instructed his men never to grant high rank to a barbarian. The king of the Goths Alaric was insulted and again marched on Rome. They again laid siege to the city but this time in the middle of the night on August 24, 410 someone opened the gates from inside Rome. It was never discovered who let them in but the barbarian Goths flooded the streets and sacked Rome.
More information can be found in
Craughwell, Thomas J. How The Barbarian Invasions Shaped the Modern World The Viking, Vandals, Huns, Mongols, Goths, and Tartars Who Razed The Old World And Formed The New. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press, 2008. Print.