http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RQm37K-clg
Monday, May 31, 2010
Chapter 4
Chapter 14:
Persia managed to have 35 million people in a single state. Persia centered on an elaborate cult of kingship in which the monarch, secluded in royal magnificence, could be approached only through an elaborate ritual. They had an effective administrative system which basically placed governors and lower ranking officials throughout the empire. They also respected other cultures within the empire which brought about peace within.
Greece was very different to Persia. The major difference was that Greece allowed participation in political life by citizens. The total population was only 2 - 3 million people. Greece was divided predominantly into city-states which were very independent and collided often. The Olympic Games were founded by the Greeks.
It would have been interesting to have some more detail on the Greco-Persian wars as it amazed me that Greece was able to survive such epic battles against great odds. The Golden Age really started after the Greeks gained immense pride through being twice victorious. This also changed the democracy due to the poorer classes being key in the victory that they demanded citizenship and therefore the right to vote.
Phillip II had unified Greece. His son, Alexander, then led the Greeks on a massive expedition to the Persian Empire where they were very successful and conquered a huge amount of land. Alexander was even anointed as pharaoh in Egypt. Greek culture spread immensely with the development of cities which were very diverse but run by the Greeks. Alexandria had a harbor that could facilitate 1,200 ships which allowed trade to flourish.
Roman had a population of 50 - 60 million people and was on the far western side of Eurasia. Rome started around the 8th Century B.C.E. The aristocrats got rid of the king and formed a republic where the wealthy dominated. Rome started conquering its neighbors and quickly became a massive empire and reached its maximum early in the 2nd century. The army is described as having been well trained, well fed and well rewarded. A civil war broke out within Rome as the tensions seem to have risen between the military leaders and the poor - the backbone of the military. Caesar Augustus was the first leader/emperor but seemed to be extremely wise. He maintained my values from the republic and described himself as the first man rather than emperor or king.
China had a similar population to Rome and was on the far eastern side of Eurasia. One of the main differences was that China was trying to rebuild what once was rather than creating something new. Qin, a very powerful state and had adopted a philosophy called Legalism. This was a belief that hard punishments and clear rules were essential. Shihaungdi, leader of Qin, launched a military campaign to reunify the states and was successful. The conquests that were then made to enlarge the territory were very brutal and relied on military force. The Great Wall of China started to be constructed. The Qin dynasty collapsed in 206 B.C.E. and the Han dynasty followed.
Rome and China believed they were taking control of the world. Both empires absorbed foreign religious tradition, Christianity and Buddhism. The Roman Empire was generally made up of foreigner that were conquered where the Chinese Empire was made up predominantly out of Chinese people. Latin gave rise to several other languages such as Spanish, Portuguese etc. Chinese could be understood by all literate people and therefore served as an instrument of elite assimilation. These empires both came to an end due to getting too big, overextended and too expensive. There was massive tension between the different classes. Epidemic disease decreased productivity and man power. The Chinese were struggling with barbarian states in the north. The Romans were battling with the Germanic tribes on their northern frontier.
The Indian Empire was one of the largest first civilizations. It was found in the Indus River valley which consisted of exquisitely planned cities. This civilization came to a stop by 1500 B.C.E. and a new civilization was created further east along the Ganges River. This would become the South Asia classic civilization. It had a range of cultures and ethnic diversity as the civilization was one that stemmed from many smaller towns and cities. Two unique characteristics: Hinduism was a distinctive religious tradition and the caste system which was the social organization of the civilization.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Chapters 1-3
First reading: Ways of the World
Chapters 1-3.
It is quite alarming that we are able to affect nomadic tribes so drastically and they basically never come into contact with “modern” people. I believe we should rather learn from them about using what nature provides. Look at how health problems, such as cancer, have been on the rise in industrialized nations. Many nomadic tribes had the foresight to respect the earth that sustains them and not take too much. Lessons are to be learned... Having grown up in Africa, I have a tremendous love for the outdoors. People, who have the financial means, should do a safari in Africa and, I believe, will have a far better understanding of how magnificent it must have been to enjoy such exquisite nature.
The early settlers of places, such as the Aboriginals in Australia, have literally been wiped out. This must ring alarm bells. I can understand why the textbook describes these people as primitive but they were more sophisticated than we are now in some circumstances. We live in a “dog-eat-dog” society with a huge emphasis on hierarchy. They were able to live together without the stress of how to send their kids to private schools and had respect for everyone etc.
It would have been good to see more information on the effects on the various populations of people after the previous ice age that took place around 11,000 B.C.E.
I found it very interesting to learn about the Chumash and their development of the planked canoe, tomol. I can only imagine how that must have changed their lifestyle as they were now able to fish far into the ocean and populate small islands in the vicinity of Santa Barbara.
It is quite thought provoking to read that many civilizations started at roughly the same time due to the agriculture becoming popular. Major events on a global weather scale seem to trigger major changes in lifestyle such as the dry spell between 11,000 and 9,500 B.C.E. which we believe started the need to develop agriculture. Agriculture in different areas obviously produced different products. The bartering system must have been quite interesting to see as people realized that they could benefit from one another. It is also thought provoking that agriculture has only been a part of human existence for a very small portion.
It is amazing to see how two major civilizations, Egyptian and Mesopotamian, treat women completely differently. Egypt, with respect and equality. Mesopotamia, women were clearly the men’s subordinates and most had to lead dreadful existences. Egypt also enjoying a form of free security due to it’s surroundings seems to have influenced early literature and peoples’ positive views on their lives. Mesopotamians seem to have suffered a lot keeping intruders out and their river systems being more volatile which affected their agriculture. This affected their views on life as a lot of literature shows that life to them was a downhill struggle.
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