Sunday, April 5, 2015
ULT - Pt. 1
Choose ONE article to read from your list of periodical articles. In a comment to this post, CITE the article. Then, in ONE paragraph, summarize the article. Be sure to include a thesis statement, supporting details, and explain how this article helps us to better understand "Europe." (15 points)
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Lane, Melissa. "Was Socrates a Democrat?" History Today 52.1 (2002): 42-48. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 7 Apr. 2015.
ReplyDeleteThe triumphs and pitfalls of Socrates characterize his existence and influence on the democracy of Greece. Beginning with Socrates' humble start, Lane examines the early influences on his life. Lane then flashes forward to the conviction of Socrates. Most of the documented evidence for this comes from Plato, and Lane analyzes Plato's motivation for the trial. Moreover, Lane uses Socrates' contributions to Athenian society in order to add to the growth of Greek democracy. In fact, Lane mentions that Socrates thought of himself as the only "true politician" of his time. This article is significant because it showcases early political struggles in Europe as democracy began in its most primitive form.
Scott, Michael. "The Rise Of Women In Ancient Greece." History Today 59.11 (2009): 34. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 8 Apr. 2015.
ReplyDeleteThis article attempts to refute the previous notion that Greek women were always bound to the home; Michael Scott assures us that, with new discoveries, the true, growing role of women in Greek society was much more significant than many are led to believe. He begins the article by mentioning recently found “curse tablets” which were a form of prayer where someone wrote a usually insulting wish at another that had wronged them. These tablets offer an extensive look at what women cared about in ancient Greece. Scott also discusses the importance of headstones and epithets to archaeology and it’s connection with ancient Greece. A larger headstone, or more elaborate epithets, meant that one possessed more money and prestige that allowed them to buy these larger markings or descriptive farewells. The roles of power that women held also increased during this time. Queen Artemisia sent out joint statements with her husband and ruled the county for a few years after her husband died. Her reign included the finish of the Halicarnassus which is now considered one of the ancient wonders of the world. Potentially the most influential woman, Olympias, was the husband to Philip of Macedon and mother to Alexander the Great. She murdered her husband to help her son gain the throne, and when he went away, she regularly gave him counsel. She fought for her grandson to hold the throne when Alexander died as well. Clearly, Olympias shaped the future of the Greek empire at one of its greatest points. All in all, the common idea of women in Greece having little to no say is clearly wrong, and many women shaped the future of the long-gone empire. This remains important today because if the role of women, presumably fifty percent of the population, in Greece, one of the biggest and most powerful empires ever, is different than historians previously thought, that could change the most basic understating of Greek history. It also echoes forward to today; these women, over two thousand years ago, were taking on the role of men instead of just staying in the house. That paradigm shift sounds very similar to the women’s rights movement in the 1950’s up to and including today.
Very interesting! It is truly amazing that historians are still finding new evidence and re-interpreting the ancient past. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteBrown, Bryan. "Holy War." Junior Scholastic 117.3 (2014): 16. MasterFILE Main Edition. Web. 8 Apr. 2015.
ReplyDeleteThis article focuses on the Crusades, a series of wars over the Holy Land in Europe in the Middle Ages. It first discusses the significance of the ancient city of Jerusalem to Christians and their belief that it is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. It then discusses the formation of Islam in the 7th century A.D. by the prophet Muhammad, and how they claimed the city as their own holy land. This lead to a tirade lead by the Muslims to overtake the land and inhabit it. Europe reacted in fear, and Pope Urban II in the 11th century A.D. called for a reclamation of Jerusalem. Many kings and queens tried and failed, and they became frantic. The European powers decided to join forces and travel to Jerusalem as one unit. They were able to overcome the walls of the ancient city and massacre the remaining Muslims in the city. However, this only fueled their religious pride. Their success lead to five more journeys across Europe to take back land captured by the Muslims. The article helps us to understand Europe because it gives us not only geographical background but political and religious background as well. The events that took place seem to parallel those of the Persian Gulf War and the Attack of 9/11, showing the history indeed tends to repeat itself. In addition, it allows us to have a basis of knowledge for when we view future political conflicts in the later years of European history and possibly connect these conflicts to issues in the future.
The Crusades also increase interaction with and interest in the world beyond Europe.
DeleteMueller, Tom. "CSI: Italian Renaissance." Smithsonian July-Aug. 2013: 50-59. Print.
ReplyDeleteI chose to read CSI: Italian Renaissance. This article focuses on Gino Fornaciari, a forensic pathologist from the University of Pisa interested in studying human remains from the Italian Renaissance. He is a well seasoned scientist, and has disproved many legends concerning the death’s of Italian nobility, including those of kings, paupers, saints, warriors and opera stars. Fornaciari discusses his findings after observing the body of Cangrande della Scala, warlord of Verona who ruled the city for several years. After overtaking the town of Treviso in 1329, he became severely ill and died. Legend has it that he drank from a poisoned spring, but after careful examination, this idea was proved incorrect by Fornaciari. It was found that Cangrande della Scala most likely died of cardiac arrest, after ingesting foxglove, a plant that can be fatal if eaten in large amounts. Fornaciari is considered an expert in his field, and has uncovered a massive amount of information about the daily life of nobles during the Italian Renaissance.
Intriguing! Who would have thought to apply modern forensics to help us to better understand the past.
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ReplyDeleteGabriel, Richard A. "Why Rome Fell." Military History Sept. 2013: 36-45. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 9 Apr. 2015.
ReplyDeleteThis article by Richard A. Gabriel of the Royal Military College of Canada closely examines the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire and weaknesses throughout its existence. Gabriel firmly attests that the empire fell because of its frequent civil wars, migration of barbarian populations within imperial borders, demise of manpower and taxpayer base, and changing nature of external borders. Because emperors were more concerned with protecting themselves from usurpers vying for the throne than security of the empire, borders were often mismanaged and ignored. This constant tug-of-war struggle over the throne also sparked several civil wars that debilitated many territories within the Roman Empire. In addition, Barbarians posed a threat to the empire, for the introduction of agriculture and trade stabilized their populations and allowed them to slowly but surely encroach on imperial borders. This, and the fact that by the third century they already had large quantities of iron weapons, posed a large problem for the Romans. Hundreds of barbarian attacks on constantly shifting external borders as well their annexation of former Roman land again gradually weakened the empire. By the fourth century, Barbarian settlers who took large swaths of North America had destroyed nearly two-thirds of Rome's taxpayer money and agriculture. This article helps contemporary readers better understand Europe because it outlines various political and military factors that ultimately led to the collapse of an empire that lasted for more than a millennium. Not only did this empire create over one thousand cities and towns that shaped the course of European history, but it also produced indispensable works of art, literature, and architecture that molded a large majority of the Western world. Understanding and synthesizing Roman history as well as comprehending the forces behind its collapse allows contemporary citizens to better understand Europe and the world around them.
The perspective of military historians helps us to develop a deeper understanding of Rome and the society that merged after its "collapse."
DeleteWiseman, T. P. "The Many And The Few." History Today 64.8 (2014): 10. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 9 Apr. 2015.
ReplyDelete“The Many And The Few” discusses about the government of Ancient Rome. Focusing mainly on third century B.C, T.P Wiseman writes about Roman politics, transition of government, and leaders of the time. Rome at the time was basically considered an egalitarian society. The political leaders and the citizens were all considered as equals. It wasn't until Caesar Augustus took control, that it would soon be changed. When he was put in command, he was not considered, by the people, as their emperor. Romans felt that they did need, nor want and Emperor. But, they hated the idea of becoming an oligarchy; a society controlled by a small group of people. Augustus was titled an imperator (Commander). He was in charge of the armies. Though many people did not want to him to be an emperor, his authority was never challenged. Augustus wanted to pass on the title to his sons and have them take care of Rome. However, both died before it was possible. He passed on the title to his stepson Tiberius. Romanians did not care for Tiberius at all. Though he was great at leading the army and keeping the empire safe, the Romans did not care for how uncharismatic and unsociable he was. When he did died, his coffin was greeted with joy rather than sorrow. These developments shaped the infrastructure of Roman government at the time. They are now seen as building blocks in today’s European society.
Kruger, Chaddie "Athens vs. Rome" 16.9. EBSCO MasterFILE Premier. Web. 16 Apr. 2015
ReplyDeleteI choose to read "Athens vs. Rome". This article discusses the many differences that Athens and Rome had with against each other. They do have some similarities, but many differences. For example, in Athens, a person could only serve for one year, but in Rome you had to serve for life. Also, the Romans had a different way of voting than the Athens . If you were a Roman, you would vote in your appropriate citizen group. There were two citizen groups which depended on your social class/ status. The wealthier would vote first and the lower class would vote after. Understanding Rome and Athens' political and social ways is an important part of European society.