Practice for Exam day 1

What is history?

Thesis: History is every single event that has occurred, no matter how large or how trivial it is.

George Washington makes big history by creating his own holiday:

"Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be."

This is an example of lasting history that affected many people, but history also includes things as simple as this:

Einhard writes that Charlemagne "often complained that fasts injured his health."

This history may not have been a lasting  event in everyone's mind, but it did occur, and therefore is history.

Some events affect someone, and then that person may later affect many, many other people. The original event has an indirect affect on us, like this situation with Julius Caesar:

"In the course of his sixteenth year he lost his father ." (Suetonius).

This event probably had a huge impact on him, and defined some of his life choices, which later affected all of the people that he ruled over.

Sources:

De Vita Caesarum, Divus Iulius. Suetonius. Ancient History Sourcebook. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/suetonius-julius.html.

The Life of Charlemagne. Einhard. Medieval Sourcebook. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/einhard.html#Habits.

Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789. George Washington. Modern History Sourcebook. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1789thanksgiving.html.

What is "Important"?

Thesis: The word "important has a different meaning to each and every person, and what one finds important can very greatly from the person next to them.

Summary of primary source- "Suetonius: The lives of the Caesars"

http://ht.ly/1SwBQ

Summary of primary source- "Polybius: The Battle of Cannae"

http://ht.ly/1SwxN

Summary of primary source- "Livy's history of Rome" book 1.1-1.8

This article is about the defeat of the Trojans, and their life afterwards. They now needed a new permanent home, because their city had been massacred. They combined forces with the Enetians, who were also looking for a new permanent home. Aeneas was the leader of this group, and they landed in someone else's territory, named Latinus. After Latinus had heard their story, he  accepted them into his village and allowed them to build their own town. They were overjoyed because they had found a new home. Latinus also gave his daughter's hand in marriage to Aeneas. This sparked a war, because Turnus, the King of the Rutulians had been betrothed to Latinus' daughter. The Trojans and the Aborigines won, but Latinus was killed in battle. They thought that they needed more allies, so they turned to the Etruscans. The story goes on, life continues, countries and boundaries develop, peace is created, amount of power is decided, and basically the world is changing or being formed.

Example Essay Question for Exam

From the Primary sources that we have on Greece and Persia, how do you think things would have been different if the Persians had won the Persian wars. (Have a thesis and primary sources to back it up. You may take like 25 minutes on this question. On the exam he is going to have us write outlines, instead of essays.)

Paragraph 1- Introduction- Give background info on the Persian wars.
                    Topic sentence- What if the course of history had been changed, due to just one war? But this war was one of the most influential, important wars in history.
                    Thesis: The world would not be the one we know if Persia had won the wars; the whole course of history would be changed.
                    Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Salamis

Paragraph 2- Tell what happened at the end of the wars, including the Athenians victory at the final battle.
                   Xerxes(Persia)- "I may obtain vengeance from the Athenians for the wrongs committed by them against the Persians and against my father." (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/herodotus-xerxes.html).
                  Xerxes(Persia)- "we shall extend the Persian territory as far as God's heaven reaches. The sun will then shine on no land beyond our borders; for I will pass through Europe from one end to the other, and with your aid make of all the lands which it contains one country." same link as above quote
                  Wikipedia on Xerxes- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerxes_I_of_Persia
            These quotes show what the Persian ruler was planning to do when invading Greece.

Paragraph 3- Tell what would have happened if the Persians had won the war.
                   Here is a quote of some of the intentions of Xerxes, and more things like this would happen if the Persians had won the war. "My intent is to throw a bridge over the Hellespont and march an army through Europe against Greece" (same link as above)

Paragraph 4- Give different examples of things in history that would be different if the Persians had won.
                The declaration of independence would not have happened if the Persians had won, they probably would have gone on to conquer the world. "When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth." (http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm)

Paragraph 5- Conclusion
             Restate thesis- The world would not be the one we know if Persia had won the wars; the whole course of history would be changed.

Leonardo da Vinci Writing

Funeral Orations in history: Pericles vs Lincoln

Many funeral orations have been made throughout the course of history. Each is very different, some better than others, but one may wonder if there are any connections between them. One may take a look at Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address and Pericles' funeral oration. Lincoln wrote his Gettysburg address during the American Civil war, while Pericles' speech was delivered after the Peloponnesian War. Both of these speeches were made to honor the dead for all of the good they have done for their country, and to show that it is noble to fight hard for one's country. Though it may not seem it at first, these speeches have many connections because both speakers have great love for their nation.

Both Pericles and Lincoln use different appeals in their speeches, including appealing to Patriotism. When soldiers die in battle, fighting for their country, they show the most extreme form of patriotism. In his speech, Lincoln says “These died will not have died in vain” and Pericles says that the Athenian men “nobly fought and died." It is obvious that everyone respects those who die for their country.

Another appeal used is pride. Through their patriotism and other references to the greatness of their country, the speakers show pride for their country, while implying that all listeners should as well. Lincoln glorifies the beginning of America: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." Pericles done the same: "In short, I say that as a city we are the school of Hellas, while I doubt if the world can produce a man who, where he has only himself to depend upon, is equal to so many emergencies, and graced by so happy a versatility, as the Athenian." When a leader is speaking so highly of the country in which one lives, how could they not be proud?

Making the people proud of their nation is easy if one glorifies and honors the accomplishments it has made. Lincoln says that a tough time is coming, but he wtill glorifies the nation by saying: “Now we are engaged in a great civil war. . .testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated. . . can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.”

"For Athens alone of her contemporaries is found when tested to be greater than her reputation, and alone gives no occasion to her assailants to blush at the antagonist by whom they have been worsted, or to her subjects to question her title by merit to rule". (Pericles).

Conclusion

Throughout history, wars have gone on. Soldiers that die in war have always been honored, so one can see this in many funeral speeches. The people that deliver the speeches want to show how honorable these people were, fighting hard for their great country. This is why many funeral speeches in history are similar and connected.

Pericles vs Lincoln combined outline

Introduction

Many funeral orations have been made throughout the course of history. Each is very different, some better than others, but one may wonder if there are any connections between them. One may take a look at Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address and Pericles' funeral oration. Lincoln wrote his Gettysburg address during the American Civil war, while Pericles' speech was delivered after the Peloponnesian War. Both of these speeches were made to honor the dead for all of the good they have done for their country, and to show that it is noble to fight hard for one's country. Though it may not seem it at first, these speeches have many connections because both speakers have great love for their nation.

Appeal to patriotism

Both Pericles and Lincoln use different appeals in their speeches, including appealing to Patriotism. When soldiers die in battle, fighting for their country, they show the most extreme form of patriotism. In his speech, Lincoln says “These died will not have died in vain” and Pericles says that the Athenian men “nobly fought and died." It is obvious that everyone respects those who die for their country.

Appeal to pride

Another appeal used is pride. Through their patriotism and other references to the greatness of their country, the speakers show pride for their country, while implying that all listeners should as well.

Lincoln: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

Pericles: "In short, I say that as a city we are the school of Hellas, while I doubt if the world can produce a man who, where he has only himself to depend upon, is equal to so many emergencies, and graced by so happy a versatility, as the Athenian."

Pericles: "For Athens alone of her contemporaries is found when tested to be greater than her reputation, and alone gives no occasion to her assailants to blush at the antagonist by whom they have been worsted, or to her subjects to question her title by merit to rule".

Appeal to Honor, Glory, Nation, etc

“Now we are engaged in a great civil war. . .testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated. . . can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.” (Lincoln)

Conclusion

Throughout history, wars have gone on. Soldiers that die in war have always been honored, so one can see this in many funeral speeches. The people that deliver the speeches want to show how honorable these people were, fighting hard for their great country. This is why many funeral speeches in history are similar and connected.

Primary source comparison outline

Outline

I Explanation of events leading up to each Oration (with reference sources)

Thesis- There are many connections between Lincoln's Gettysburg address and Pericles' funeral oration, even though many cannot see it.

Many funeral orations have been made throughout the course of history. Each is very different, some better than others, but one may wonder if there are any connections between them. One may take a look at Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address and Pericles' funeral oration. Lincoln wrote his Gettysburg address during the American Civil war, while Pericles' speech was delivered during the Peloponnesian War. Both of these speeches are

II Primary Sources: Pericles vs. Lincoln (use quotes) support topic: Appeal to Patriotism?

Both Pericles and Lincoln use different appeals in their speeches, including appealing to Patriotism.

Lincoln: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

Pericles: "In short, I say that as a city we are the school of Hellas, while I doubt if the world can produce a man who, where he has only himself to depend upon, is equal to so many emergencies, and graced by so happy a versatility, as the Athenian."

III Appeal to Pride?

They both appeal to pride, and it sort of ties into Patriotism. They both state good things aout their country or city, and imply that the people should be proud of this.

IV Appeal to Honor, Glory, Nation, etc.

V Conclusion

Sum it up, talk about why these speeches would have connections:

Throughout history, wars have gone on. Soldiers that die in war have always been honored, so one can see this in many funeral speeches. The people that deliver the speeches want to show how honorable these people were, fighting hard for their great country.

Restate thesis

http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/P/al16/speeches/gettys.htm

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/pericles-funeralspeech.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Address

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pericles'_Funeral_Oration

Could Rome have risen to power without slavery?

Rome was such a powerful civilization back in its day, so why would anyone question it? In truth, there was much more behind Rome than most people think. Most people do not know that many Romans had slaves. There were a lot of things expected of these slaves, which brings people to question of whether or not Rome could have risen to power without slavery. Slaves were so highly depended on by their masters, that it would have taken a much longer time and would have been much more difficult to gain power without the use of slavery.

Slavery was going on throughout all of the Mediterranean countries in antiquity, but not nearly as much as it was going on in Rome. The Romans depended more on their slaves than any other people. For example, the aqueducts were a vital part of Roman civilization, and are an invention that affects how we live today. There were around 700 slaves that worked on the aqueducts alone. In some households there were around 400 slaves. (John Madden- Slavery in the Roman Empire). Another man, Gaius Caecilius left 4116 slaves in his will, and some other people had so many slaves that they had to use a nomenclator to identify them. Although not every rich household had this many slaves, one may wonder why some people needed so many slaves. These slaves did a lot of work for their masters, and the masters highly depended on them.

Slaves had a lot of expectations and guidelines to follow. According to Plautus in Menaechmi, act V, scene four, “this is the proof of a good servant: he must take care of his master's business, look after it, arrange it, think about it; when his master is away, take care of it diligently just as much as if his master were present, or be even more careful.” He makes it sound like slaves did most of their master’s work for them. Slaves are expected to put their master’s needs first, far before his own. With slaves doing all of this work for their masters, it was easier for the masters to be in the military, or become more powerful. The masters were able to contribute to the rise of Rome, with the slaves doing most of the dirty work in the background.

Slaves did not have many rights in Roman society. Besides the fact that they must be completely loyal to their masters, they had many other unfair rules. They were not allowed to marry and they were beaten when they misbehaved, which made many slaves tried to escape. Slaves could be sold like property, and were not thought of as human beings. They made up 25% of Rome’s population (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_ancient_Rome), which is an outstanding amount. Cato the elder tells of what slaves should have been given from their owners: “As for clothes, give out a tunic of three feet and a half, and a cloak once in two years. When you give a tunic or cloak take back the old ones, to make cassocks out of. Once in two years, good shoes should be given.” (Cato- Agriculture) It is doubtful that their owners ever gave them more than this, which is very sad. If only more citizens of Rome, or even other people, had realized how much the slaves helped them rise to power, maybe these great people would have been more appreciated.

The story of these slaves in Rome shows a great message. Even though these slaves were thought of as nothing, and people did not even have the respect to talk to them, they were probably the only reason Rome became as powerful as it did. It shows that people thought of as unimportant are really the opposite: they may even be the cause of success. Without the use of slavery, Rome would never have been one of the greatest civilizations in history, nor one that we still remember today.

Sources:

"Slavery in Ancient Rome." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_ancient_Rome .

Cato the Elder. Agriculture. "Ancient History Sourcebook: Slavery in the Roman Republic." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/slavery-romrep1.html .

Plautus. Pseudolus. “ Ancient History Sourcebook: Slavery in the Roman Republic." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/slavery-romrep1.html .

Madden, John. "Slavery in the Roman Empire: Numbers and Origins." Ancient History Sourcebook. 1996. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. http://web.archive.org/web/20031211005259/www.ucd.ie/classics/96/Madden96.html .

Primary Sources

The number one source is the Internet Sourcebook.

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook.html

The Creation story of Vikings

The Viking story of creation can be found in the Poetic Edda, one of their sacred texts. There were nine worlds of the Gods. Before these worlds had come to be, there was nothing but a large gap. No sand, seas, grass, Earth or Heaven above. Then Bur's sons; Othin, Vili, and Ve; lifted up the land and made Mithgard, the "Middle Dwelling", which was the world of men. This is where all the Vikings and other people lived(but not yet). The sun was brought up from the south, and it warmed up the earth. The ground became green, and leeks began to grow. The moon came up from the south, and so did the stars, but they didn't know where their place was. So they went to the Gods. The Gods decided what noon would be, and what twilight would be. They named morning as the time when the moon waned, and they called the time when the moon was up night and evening. After this, all of the Gods met at Ithavoll, where there were many shrines and temples. They set forges and smithied ore, to make tools. Three giant-maids came up to the Gods, and they held a council to decide who should raise the race of dwarves. All the dwarves are created, and then the maidens left.

Source:

"The Poetic Edda." Internet Sacred Text Archive Home. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe03.htm>.

Photographs from:

Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikipedia. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yggdrasil.jpg>.

Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. Wikipedia. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Full_Moon_Luc_Viatour.jpg>.

Interactive Games

Indus Valley

The Indus Valley games takes you on a adventure with the archaeologist Professor Indus. With the help of your laptop, digital camera, compass, and brush, your goal is to discover the lost city of Mohenjo-Daro and learn about the people who once lived there before the civilization disappeared. The games seems like it is made for younger children in the way that it breaks down what an archaeologist is and points out the location of the middle east. It may become a little tedious to the older crowd that stumble upon this game but, it is still mildly entertaining.

Done in classic RPG/Adventure style, this game sends you on a quest with a Greek hero that you get to name yourself, to the three cities of Olympia, Sparta, and Athens. At each city you much visit on of the leaders to receive a mission from them. While you are travelling around on the missions the people you encounter dish out facts about the three main cities that you are going to. This game will bring back many memories and be very entertaining for the former gamers who play Pokemon on their GameBoys.

Farming in Mesopotamia

In my opinion this game is mundane. It is solely based on clicking down a list of commands and watching animations come across the screen. Personally I do not think that it will capture anyones attention. There needs to be some challenge within the game for me to actually learn something.

Ancient Arcade: Greece

The Ancient Arcade is a matching game that makes you compare Greek gods and their items. You can learn from these like you do flashcards while having the added stimulation of images and a god popping up on your screen.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/roman/aqueductjava.html

This site is a very good resource for learning about Ancient Rome, and the way that Romans lived. In ancient Rome, people used aqueducts as the method of bringing water to the city. These were very important, as water is indeed necessary to live. This game is very detailed in describing how aqueducts were made and use. One can read about aqueducts, and even look at an aqueduct manual. The manual tells the "builder" which pieces go where; for example, that tunnels should be built through mountains. Then the "builder" can create their own aqueduct for themselves! The game also further simulates ancient Roman times and how these builders felt. The "emperor" may tell you to read the instruction manual if you are making to many mistakes. Overall, I think this is an excellent game.

http://earth.google.com/rome/

Although not a game, this virtual tour can really capture the attention of the viewer. Many underestimate the things that Google earth can do, so this is a surprise to many. This site allows for the download of Google earth 5, which in turn can allow the viewer to be taken into the magical world of ancient Rome. This site explains to the reader how to enable a virtual 3D tour of ancient Rome. The viewer can learn about ancient Rome, and each individual site or monument, view 3D replicas of these monuments, tour the entire city, and learn about how the Romans lived. It is very realistic, and is an awesome compliment to any class learning about ancient Rome. While today's pictures of ancient buildings are interesting, they are nothing compared to being able to imagine what Rome looked like in its time of Glory. This site can be very beneficial and fun to anyone.

Electronic Notecards

How were women and children treated in Rome?

The Romans did not reserve many rights for children or women. The Romans did not think of children as cute little kids, or even necessarily that any kid could have potential in life, like we do today. They just looked at the child to see if he/she would be of any use to them. If te child was deformed, they considered it unneeded. In the Twelve Tables, it is said: "IV. 1 "A dreadfully deformed child shall be killed."" Women were not treated much better. They had more laws restricting them than the men did, and they were considered a man's property, whether it be her husband or her father. Women were not treated with respect. For example, "VI. 2 Marriage by `usage' (usus): If a man and woman live together continuously for a year, they are considered to be married; the woman legally is treated as the man's daughter." The woman is just automatically the man's property. Also, the women were not supposed to show public displays of emotion: "X. 4 "Women must not tear cheeks or hold chorus of `Alas!' on account of a funeral."" Overall, women in Rome were not treated nearly as well as women are treated today.

Source:
"THE TWELVE TABLES." California State University, Northridge. Internet Ancient History Sourcebook. Web. 05 Mar. 2010. .