China and japan are separated by only some hundred miles of water, yet China has never invaded Japan successfully. Japan consisted of many small clans that were aristocratic chiefdoms, but eventually were unified under one strong, central bureaucracy. Japan had voluntarily adopted China's model of the central bureaucracy because the Chinese state was very effective during the 6th century. After Shotoku Taishi had sent Japanese intellectuals like scholars, monks, and artists on large scale missions to China, the Japanese instituted the Seventeen Article Constitution. The Seventeen Article Constitution declared that Japan would be ruled by a Chinese-style emperor and would incorporate Buddhism and Confucianism in the society. Other aspects of Chinese influences in japan included a court system, calendar, and tax system.
Chinese culture also had found its influence in Japan. When Buddhism had been carried to Japan, some Buddhist schools had a profound impact on the first educated peoples in Japan. One of the most influential pieces of Chinese culture that was instituted in Japan was the use of Chinese writing. Today Chinese and Japanese writing are very similar, yet also differentiate one another. The Japanese were adopted of Chinese culture and other influences because China posed no great threat to the Japanese mainland or interests. Even with all of the Chinese influences, Japan had established their own forms of tradition from the adopted ideas of China.
The role of the emperor and political system in Japan had differentiated itself substantially from China during the tenth century. The role of the emperor was more of a ceremonial figurehead rather than the political leader of the state. Also, wealthy and prominent aristocratic families had become the main political leaders in Japan. The state of Japan had become more decentralized and the emergence of the samurai were developed as a result. Religion also had been influenced by Buddhism, but it did not transform the Japanese populace away from their own traditional practices. Kami or sacred spirits associated with human ancestors had been incorporated into the Japanese Buddhist religion because it did not conflict with the existing Buddhist teachings. Lastly, women in Japanese society enjoyed many freedoms compared to China's history. Women in Japan were allowed to inherit property, marriages could be broken easily, and foot binding did not become influential in the society. However, it should be noted that elite Chinese women held significant freedoms and it was during this period that Japan had adopted the Chinese models of politics, culture, and teachings.
Monday
Islam
The most surprising element of Islam is that it was and still is the fastest growing religion. The surprising element is not the speed, but relatively how young it is compared to the other religions like Christianity. Islam was established in modern day Saudi Arabia and had spread along the western edge of the Arabian Peninsula under Muhammad's leadership. Muhammad founded Islam when he had meditated in a cave, realizing that he was the true messenger of Allah for the Arabs.
The Quran is the sacred scriptures of Islam. It consisted of Allah's message through the translation of Muhammad. The Quran also challenged the polytheism, wealth, and social injustice of the Arabs. The main message of the Quran was the core concept of the five pillars of Islam,which should be followed to submit one's self to Allah. The first pillar of Islam states that there is no other god except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God. The second pillar consisted of praying five times a day and the prayer is conducted in the direction of the Mecca or the location of the Kaaba. Mecca is the holy city of Islam and has a significant impact on Islam because it was the first city that was converted to the faith. The Kaaba was already built in the city and had housed false idols. Muhammad came to Mecca with his small force and destroyed all of the false idols in the Kaaba. He then claimed that it be the place to worship Allah and declared that no other god be worshiped.
The third pillar of Islam is the alms giving or a donation of one's income. Today a Muslim must give alms equal to 2.5 percent of their annual income to the poor and needy. This is apart of the social justice message in the Quran and it requires that believers act to help the poor and needy. The fourth pillar of Islam is the fasting for Ramadan. Ramadan is a holy month where Muslims must fast or abstain from food, drink, and sexual relations during the daylight hours. It is the reminder of self-purification and the reminder of the needs of the hungry and less fortunate. The fifth and final pillar of Islam is the hajj. The hajj is the pilgrimage a Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime to the holy city of Mecca. Muslims from around the world gather at the Kaaba, wearing white clothing and have certain routines that involve running around the sacred site.There is another requirement called the jihad or "struggle" from within and is sometimes referred to as the sixth pillar of Islam. Islam has been very successful because many converts were either given the chance to live by converting or killed by the sword. Also, great military victories by the Muslims had led to many Arabs converting to the faith based because their God must be watching over them.
The Quran is the sacred scriptures of Islam. It consisted of Allah's message through the translation of Muhammad. The Quran also challenged the polytheism, wealth, and social injustice of the Arabs. The main message of the Quran was the core concept of the five pillars of Islam,which should be followed to submit one's self to Allah. The first pillar of Islam states that there is no other god except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God. The second pillar consisted of praying five times a day and the prayer is conducted in the direction of the Mecca or the location of the Kaaba. Mecca is the holy city of Islam and has a significant impact on Islam because it was the first city that was converted to the faith. The Kaaba was already built in the city and had housed false idols. Muhammad came to Mecca with his small force and destroyed all of the false idols in the Kaaba. He then claimed that it be the place to worship Allah and declared that no other god be worshiped.
The third pillar of Islam is the alms giving or a donation of one's income. Today a Muslim must give alms equal to 2.5 percent of their annual income to the poor and needy. This is apart of the social justice message in the Quran and it requires that believers act to help the poor and needy. The fourth pillar of Islam is the fasting for Ramadan. Ramadan is a holy month where Muslims must fast or abstain from food, drink, and sexual relations during the daylight hours. It is the reminder of self-purification and the reminder of the needs of the hungry and less fortunate. The fifth and final pillar of Islam is the hajj. The hajj is the pilgrimage a Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime to the holy city of Mecca. Muslims from around the world gather at the Kaaba, wearing white clothing and have certain routines that involve running around the sacred site.There is another requirement called the jihad or "struggle" from within and is sometimes referred to as the sixth pillar of Islam. Islam has been very successful because many converts were either given the chance to live by converting or killed by the sword. Also, great military victories by the Muslims had led to many Arabs converting to the faith based because their God must be watching over them.
The Mongols
The Mongol Empire was the largest empire to have extended across the landmass of the planet. Arguably, it can be contributed to the rise in global commerce and influential in the golden era of China.
The mongols were communities or clans of pastoral peoples living in the modern country of Mongolia today. They were excellent horse-back riders and used this as an advantage in their conquest of dominance during the 13th century. The mongols had even devised technological advances like stirrups that would give them a slight edge in combat. Under the leadership of Chinggis Khan or Genghis Khan, the Mongols expanded out from the Central Asian steppes and into China. As they expanded south and west across Eurasia, the Mongols were known for their kindness in the freedom of religion and asked very little in return. As a result of their conquests, the global trade routes were rapidly expanded. The Mongols provided much needed security across their empire so that merchants could conduct their businesses. Even though they were not particularly traders, the Mongols taxed the commerce and extracted wealth from the numerous civilizations. Never before had the two worlds of European Christendom and the Mongol Empire interacted so closely with one another. The famous accounts of Marco polo and other merchants described the Mongol Empire as rich in land or agriculture and commercial opportunities. The most surprising aspect that Strayer mentions is that the merchants had described the "long-established trading networks that Europeans were largely ignorant." Asia and Africa had even traded enormously during the reign of the Mongol Empire. This brought goods like ivory and other luxury goods into the region.
With the expansion of wealth across the Mongol Empire and a relatively secure region, China had started to rise again from its former glories. The Mongols had already done great works projects like building roads, bridges, and dams. When the Mongol Empire was in decline, the Ming Dynasty had extracted the Mongol influences and used it to its advantages. The Ming Dynasty built new irrigation systems, reestablished the educational system, and even built a large navy. All of these elements from the Ming Dynasty would not have been possible unless the Mongols expanded across Eurasia. Both worlds prospered enormously and it led to the great shift towards the Renaissance. Sea routes in trading became more important, ultimately leading to explorers finding the "New World" in 1492. The most surprising fact about the Mongol influence can be seen today in DNA. One in two hundred people are related to Genghis Khan and it is attributed to his successful conquests in the 13th century.
The mongols were communities or clans of pastoral peoples living in the modern country of Mongolia today. They were excellent horse-back riders and used this as an advantage in their conquest of dominance during the 13th century. The mongols had even devised technological advances like stirrups that would give them a slight edge in combat. Under the leadership of Chinggis Khan or Genghis Khan, the Mongols expanded out from the Central Asian steppes and into China. As they expanded south and west across Eurasia, the Mongols were known for their kindness in the freedom of religion and asked very little in return. As a result of their conquests, the global trade routes were rapidly expanded. The Mongols provided much needed security across their empire so that merchants could conduct their businesses. Even though they were not particularly traders, the Mongols taxed the commerce and extracted wealth from the numerous civilizations. Never before had the two worlds of European Christendom and the Mongol Empire interacted so closely with one another. The famous accounts of Marco polo and other merchants described the Mongol Empire as rich in land or agriculture and commercial opportunities. The most surprising aspect that Strayer mentions is that the merchants had described the "long-established trading networks that Europeans were largely ignorant." Asia and Africa had even traded enormously during the reign of the Mongol Empire. This brought goods like ivory and other luxury goods into the region.
With the expansion of wealth across the Mongol Empire and a relatively secure region, China had started to rise again from its former glories. The Mongols had already done great works projects like building roads, bridges, and dams. When the Mongol Empire was in decline, the Ming Dynasty had extracted the Mongol influences and used it to its advantages. The Ming Dynasty built new irrigation systems, reestablished the educational system, and even built a large navy. All of these elements from the Ming Dynasty would not have been possible unless the Mongols expanded across Eurasia. Both worlds prospered enormously and it led to the great shift towards the Renaissance. Sea routes in trading became more important, ultimately leading to explorers finding the "New World" in 1492. The most surprising fact about the Mongol influence can be seen today in DNA. One in two hundred people are related to Genghis Khan and it is attributed to his successful conquests in the 13th century.
Tuesday
The Ming Dynasty
China suffered tremendously in the aftermath of the Mongol invasion. Their Confucian and Daoist philosophy, artistic achievements, and economy were diminished after the Mongol reign. However, from the ashes rose the Ming Dynasty.
The Ming Dynasty is a significant period in China because it represents the Chinese rebirth or significant rise in culture. Certain traditional customs that the Mongols had established were thrown out like the clothing, names, and promoting Confucian learning practices. Emperor Yongle is one of the most significant rulers during the Ming Dynasty because he gathered two thousand scholars to work on the great Encyclopedia, which consisted of all of the writing collections on the history, government, geography, etc. As the European Renaissance involved Europeans reexamining the past works of the Greeks and Romans, the Chinese also reexamined the past traditions. Many people, including me, only think that the Renaissance was confined to one area, but in fact, there was a global renaissance that involved China, the Islamic Empires, and Europe.
The Ming Dynasty also had the government restructured so that the emperor had the central authority. Under the emperor's leadership, eunuchs or castrated men, were loyal servants to the emperor and acted as personal advisors, which garnered them some political power. The emperors of the Ming Dynasty had great work projects that mirrored the New Deal programs in the Great Depression. The Chinese rebuilt canals, reservoirs, and irrigation systems, while re-cultivating millions of acres of agriculture and planting trees. The most significant event that Strayer mentions is the commissioning of three hundred ships that set sail on expeditions in 1405. The ships sailed to parts of Indonesia, East Africa and Arabia, bringing back tributes from the distant rulers. However, the expeditions were abruptly halted after 1433 and the ships were docked in port for the remainder of their lifespan.
One thing that the book did not mention of the Ming Dynasty was the beautiful porcelain. The Ming Dynasty had produced the best quality of porcelain and it is still seen as significant art today. Many of the Ming porcelain pottery sells for millions of dollars, but the price is not the focal point. The porcelain had been made with different colors, but one of the emperors introduced a cobalt method that gave the ceramics a blue underglaze decoration. The Ming Dynasty referred back to traditional ways of thinking and is seen as one example in the global renaissance during the 15th century.
The Ming Dynasty is a significant period in China because it represents the Chinese rebirth or significant rise in culture. Certain traditional customs that the Mongols had established were thrown out like the clothing, names, and promoting Confucian learning practices. Emperor Yongle is one of the most significant rulers during the Ming Dynasty because he gathered two thousand scholars to work on the great Encyclopedia, which consisted of all of the writing collections on the history, government, geography, etc. As the European Renaissance involved Europeans reexamining the past works of the Greeks and Romans, the Chinese also reexamined the past traditions. Many people, including me, only think that the Renaissance was confined to one area, but in fact, there was a global renaissance that involved China, the Islamic Empires, and Europe.
The Ming Dynasty also had the government restructured so that the emperor had the central authority. Under the emperor's leadership, eunuchs or castrated men, were loyal servants to the emperor and acted as personal advisors, which garnered them some political power. The emperors of the Ming Dynasty had great work projects that mirrored the New Deal programs in the Great Depression. The Chinese rebuilt canals, reservoirs, and irrigation systems, while re-cultivating millions of acres of agriculture and planting trees. The most significant event that Strayer mentions is the commissioning of three hundred ships that set sail on expeditions in 1405. The ships sailed to parts of Indonesia, East Africa and Arabia, bringing back tributes from the distant rulers. However, the expeditions were abruptly halted after 1433 and the ships were docked in port for the remainder of their lifespan.
One thing that the book did not mention of the Ming Dynasty was the beautiful porcelain. The Ming Dynasty had produced the best quality of porcelain and it is still seen as significant art today. Many of the Ming porcelain pottery sells for millions of dollars, but the price is not the focal point. The porcelain had been made with different colors, but one of the emperors introduced a cobalt method that gave the ceramics a blue underglaze decoration. The Ming Dynasty referred back to traditional ways of thinking and is seen as one example in the global renaissance during the 15th century.
Monday
Chapter 10: The World of European Christendom
The chapter on christendom has three main points: the West, the Byzantine Empire, and the crusades.
When referring to the West, Strayer describes it as the recently fallen Roman Empire and its evolution since the collapse. The West tried to clench its grasps around the crumbling empire, but the outward pressure was too great. As a result of its collapse, the West was very poor and "rural" compared to the wealthy Byzantines because the former Roman Empire was pillaged by germanic peoples and the Huns. The West lost its centralized rule, population declined by about 25 percent, and the germanic kingdoms rose to power. Through all of the hardships, the Catholic Church created stability, it modeled its hierarchy after the Roman Empire, and converted much of Europe's non-Christians (pagans). By 1100, approximately all of Europe was Christian and would lead to conflicts with the Muslims in the crusades.
The Byzantine Empire rose to prominence since the destruction of the Western Roman Empire through a strong military, leaders, and defenses. The Emperor Constantine became the first Christian emperor and set the precedent for the rest of christendom. The city, Byzantium was named in honor of Constantine and was called Constantinople. It was a built on the strait between the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Also, Constantinople became the wealthiest and largest city in Europe because it had largely avoided the invasions from the Huns. Emperor Constantine was both the head of the church and emperor, acting as a role of caesar.
The Crusades or "holy wars" were authorized by the pope, giving participants an offered indulgence in return for swearing an oath to defend their faith. With the crusades came considerable cruelties, which included the slaughtering of many Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem in 1099. When thinking of crusades, most people make the assumption that the crusades were situated in modern day Israel. However, the Moors and Berbers had controlled the Iberian Peninsula. The pope called numerous crusades to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula.Overall, the crusades were not influential and did not have a lasting effect in the Middle East because the Muslims had reclaimed their "holy places" of worship.
When referring to the West, Strayer describes it as the recently fallen Roman Empire and its evolution since the collapse. The West tried to clench its grasps around the crumbling empire, but the outward pressure was too great. As a result of its collapse, the West was very poor and "rural" compared to the wealthy Byzantines because the former Roman Empire was pillaged by germanic peoples and the Huns. The West lost its centralized rule, population declined by about 25 percent, and the germanic kingdoms rose to power. Through all of the hardships, the Catholic Church created stability, it modeled its hierarchy after the Roman Empire, and converted much of Europe's non-Christians (pagans). By 1100, approximately all of Europe was Christian and would lead to conflicts with the Muslims in the crusades.
The Byzantine Empire rose to prominence since the destruction of the Western Roman Empire through a strong military, leaders, and defenses. The Emperor Constantine became the first Christian emperor and set the precedent for the rest of christendom. The city, Byzantium was named in honor of Constantine and was called Constantinople. It was a built on the strait between the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Also, Constantinople became the wealthiest and largest city in Europe because it had largely avoided the invasions from the Huns. Emperor Constantine was both the head of the church and emperor, acting as a role of caesar.
The Crusades or "holy wars" were authorized by the pope, giving participants an offered indulgence in return for swearing an oath to defend their faith. With the crusades came considerable cruelties, which included the slaughtering of many Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem in 1099. When thinking of crusades, most people make the assumption that the crusades were situated in modern day Israel. However, the Moors and Berbers had controlled the Iberian Peninsula. The pope called numerous crusades to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula.Overall, the crusades were not influential and did not have a lasting effect in the Middle East because the Muslims had reclaimed their "holy places" of worship.
Sunday
Chapter 7: Commerce and Culture
After reading chapter 7, three main "mechanisms" really were the focal points that Strayer emphasized: the spread of commerce and culture, human interaction, and societal change. The Silk Road was the major highway that linked trade between China and the Eastern parts of the Mediterranean. This was the most significant trading route discussed in the chapter because it transformed entire regions into formidable empires. The Silk Road was derived from the trading of silk cloth in China, which had a monopoly on the luxury good. It was in such high demand that it was used as currency and the Roman Empire devoted most of its resources in acquiring the luxury item. Western Africa also had a significant rise in commerce with the introduction of the camel, making the Sahara trek possible in about ten days. Lastly, the oceanic trade between India and Eastern Africa had a prominent effect on both regions. Some Indian merchants uprooted from India and settled in parts of Eastern Africa. Not only did commerce traverse from the Far East, but cultures spread as well. Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism were spread amongst trade routes as merchants exchanged beliefs and even technologies. Southern areas of India had been transformed into Christianity as they traded with Christians from Eastern Africa. The spread of Islam was particularly significant because it was universally accepted by Indian, African, and Asian traders as Muhammad shared their own occupation. Even some Buddhist monks in Burma had "regarded it as commercially useful to assume Muslim names." The rise of Islam was widespread along coastlines because of the interaction in human trade existed at these locations.
Human interaction was another mechanism that was a focal point in the chapter. Disease was the main subject that was related to human interaction and it was significant when major invasions changed the landscape of regions. For example, the Black Death wiped out tens of thousands of Byzantines around the time when The Mongols were invading parts of Asia and Arab lands. Small pox and measles also devastated areas along the Silk Road, largely due in part to the human interaction of trading.
Human interaction was another mechanism that was a focal point in the chapter. Disease was the main subject that was related to human interaction and it was significant when major invasions changed the landscape of regions. For example, the Black Death wiped out tens of thousands of Byzantines around the time when The Mongols were invading parts of Asia and Arab lands. Small pox and measles also devastated areas along the Silk Road, largely due in part to the human interaction of trading.
Chapter 5: Eurasian Social Hierarchies Documents
The documents at the end of chapter 5 discussed the oppression of women from the political and social atmospheres in the Classical era. Two documents has stood out the most to me, "History of Rome" and "How Sad It Is to Be a Woman."
In the "History of Rome" by Livy, he describes the situation during Hannibal's conquest on the Italian Peninsula in the Second Punic War. As resources were needed for the war effort, women were restricted from using luxury goods by Roman law. However, twenty years after the war, women demanded the repeal of the law. The law restricted women from wearing colorful dresses, using horse carriages in the city or a town within a mile unless for a religious festival, and owning more than an ounce of gold. Women were furious and started to protest for the repeal of the law, along with some of their husbands. The document is interesting because it discusses the perspective from Marcus Porcius Cato, a supporter of the Roman law. His main argument focuses on the "superior" man who should be dominant over women. He even goes further by explaining the concept that giving women an inch of breathing room to repeal the law would jeopardize men in the social and political life. After reading this article, I see elements of our modern social and political elements because women protested for their rights and were granted to them in a republic form of government. It is surprising that women were successful, especially in a word well before the 1920s movement for women's rights.
The document "How Sad It Is to Be a Woman" was written by Fu Xuan, a male poet in China who grew into wealth through his masterful literary talents. Before he was wealthy and successful, Xuan was impoverished and sympathized for women in a very harsh world. He describes the sadness for a girl when it is born because the family receives no honor. Xuan also uses the example of women bowing their heads like they are slaves or servants. However, he differentiates the servants and being a woman when saying "She must humble herself even to the servants." This quotation illustrates women being almost outcasts in the Chinese social life and could arguably described as "dirt". After reading this passage, the author did a wonderful job at exemplifying women in Chinese society and even in the Classical era as a whole. Women were poorly mistreated and deserved a better life than what Xuan had described in his passage. It is interesting to note that Xuan, a man, had gained prominence for his poems by describing the unacceptable social oppression of women in a male dominant culture.
In the "History of Rome" by Livy, he describes the situation during Hannibal's conquest on the Italian Peninsula in the Second Punic War. As resources were needed for the war effort, women were restricted from using luxury goods by Roman law. However, twenty years after the war, women demanded the repeal of the law. The law restricted women from wearing colorful dresses, using horse carriages in the city or a town within a mile unless for a religious festival, and owning more than an ounce of gold. Women were furious and started to protest for the repeal of the law, along with some of their husbands. The document is interesting because it discusses the perspective from Marcus Porcius Cato, a supporter of the Roman law. His main argument focuses on the "superior" man who should be dominant over women. He even goes further by explaining the concept that giving women an inch of breathing room to repeal the law would jeopardize men in the social and political life. After reading this article, I see elements of our modern social and political elements because women protested for their rights and were granted to them in a republic form of government. It is surprising that women were successful, especially in a word well before the 1920s movement for women's rights.
The document "How Sad It Is to Be a Woman" was written by Fu Xuan, a male poet in China who grew into wealth through his masterful literary talents. Before he was wealthy and successful, Xuan was impoverished and sympathized for women in a very harsh world. He describes the sadness for a girl when it is born because the family receives no honor. Xuan also uses the example of women bowing their heads like they are slaves or servants. However, he differentiates the servants and being a woman when saying "She must humble herself even to the servants." This quotation illustrates women being almost outcasts in the Chinese social life and could arguably described as "dirt". After reading this passage, the author did a wonderful job at exemplifying women in Chinese society and even in the Classical era as a whole. Women were poorly mistreated and deserved a better life than what Xuan had described in his passage. It is interesting to note that Xuan, a man, had gained prominence for his poems by describing the unacceptable social oppression of women in a male dominant culture.
Wednesday
Chapter 4
After reading chapter four, Zoroastrianism and Greek rationalism had left me with a major question that needed answering. How did society in the Classical Era become so advanced in its time of logical thinking, whereas today, our society has not much of any social advancement.
The Zoroastrian religion was very interesting to read in Strayer's book because it was wide spread throughout Persia, but did not have a major effect outside of the realm. The religion is very similar to Judaism, with the aspect of a savior (Messiah), a one true god (Ahura Mazda), and an emphasis on the apocalyptic event or judgement day where those who side with Ahura Mazda will be granted eternal life in paradise (heaven). Those who do not side with Ahura Mazda and side with evil will be condemned to live in everlasting punishment. After the Greeks conquered the Persian Empire, Zoroastrianism struggled through looting of churches, killing of priests, and sacred writing being burned. However, the biggest threat to Zoroastrianism was the spread of Islam and as a result, Zoroastrianism had the same outcome as Buddhism, where the religion exists outside of its origin. Judaism adopted many of the ideas of Zoroastrianism because there were many Jews living in the Persian Empire and at its height of power, the Persian Empire expanded from Anatolia to parts of modern day India. Even though strayer does not take a position on it, I believe that the Jews adopted some of the Zoroastrian beliefs because they went through a lot of suffering under the Greeks and Romans.
In Greece, philosophy was the cultural tradition in the democracy of Athens. Philosophers which included Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had a significant impact on logos or reason. Their main topics focused on the philosophical questions of politics, society, and logic. Socrates is known as the father of philosophy and his work only survived through his students' notes. Plato was mentored by Socrates and wrote arguably the best known book, The Republic, which discusses Socrates' dialogue on the definition of what is justice. The most famous allegory, or metaphor in Plato's Republic is the Allegory of the Cave. The Allegory of the Cave focuses on a man escaping his bonds to the imitations of truth and climbs out of the cave. Upon reaching the sun or light, he is blinded. But as he gets used to the truth, he ascends back down to the cave to spread his reason or wisdom to the others, even if it leads to his death. This is the meaning of the "philosopher king," one who risks his life to teach those about the rule of the rational part of the soul (logic) over the appetitive (desires) and spiritive (emotions). The Greek culture lasted throughout the years due in part to the Roman Empire and the survival of writings from the philosophers.
The Zoroastrian religion was very interesting to read in Strayer's book because it was wide spread throughout Persia, but did not have a major effect outside of the realm. The religion is very similar to Judaism, with the aspect of a savior (Messiah), a one true god (Ahura Mazda), and an emphasis on the apocalyptic event or judgement day where those who side with Ahura Mazda will be granted eternal life in paradise (heaven). Those who do not side with Ahura Mazda and side with evil will be condemned to live in everlasting punishment. After the Greeks conquered the Persian Empire, Zoroastrianism struggled through looting of churches, killing of priests, and sacred writing being burned. However, the biggest threat to Zoroastrianism was the spread of Islam and as a result, Zoroastrianism had the same outcome as Buddhism, where the religion exists outside of its origin. Judaism adopted many of the ideas of Zoroastrianism because there were many Jews living in the Persian Empire and at its height of power, the Persian Empire expanded from Anatolia to parts of modern day India. Even though strayer does not take a position on it, I believe that the Jews adopted some of the Zoroastrian beliefs because they went through a lot of suffering under the Greeks and Romans.
In Greece, philosophy was the cultural tradition in the democracy of Athens. Philosophers which included Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had a significant impact on logos or reason. Their main topics focused on the philosophical questions of politics, society, and logic. Socrates is known as the father of philosophy and his work only survived through his students' notes. Plato was mentored by Socrates and wrote arguably the best known book, The Republic, which discusses Socrates' dialogue on the definition of what is justice. The most famous allegory, or metaphor in Plato's Republic is the Allegory of the Cave. The Allegory of the Cave focuses on a man escaping his bonds to the imitations of truth and climbs out of the cave. Upon reaching the sun or light, he is blinded. But as he gets used to the truth, he ascends back down to the cave to spread his reason or wisdom to the others, even if it leads to his death. This is the meaning of the "philosopher king," one who risks his life to teach those about the rule of the rational part of the soul (logic) over the appetitive (desires) and spiritive (emotions). The Greek culture lasted throughout the years due in part to the Roman Empire and the survival of writings from the philosophers.
Sunday
Chapter I Document Reflection
Is there any indication in the documents that paleolithic peoples were more egalitarian than later peoples in wealth, status, power or gender?
Nisa's story is a very good example in describing paleolithic societies being more egalitarian than later societies. Nisa's story chronicles life before the use of luxury items and explains life to be more about surviving from a day to day perspective. She also tends to note that the women collected food and would ground them in mortar, while men would hunt for food as well. Women tended to have a more prominent role in the paleolithic societies because they were a major contribution to food as men were. Nisa also explains when a woman loses her husband. Marriage is a concept based on equality and in paleolithic societies, both parents are needed to help provide for their children's growth and survival. Also in Nisa's society if she did not receive anything from another person, she would not give anything to that person as well. The society was definitely about sharing and survival because it was a small group of people and everyone had a personal connection to one another. This personal connection revolved around trust and sharing food was one of the actions that initiated a bond in trust. And if someone did not share enough food, people would yell at that person to make them feel guilty about not thinking of the others. However, the people who did share would be happy with the other sharers and would not fight with them. Another indication that the paleolithic peoples were more egalitarian was that the society was family oriented. Children and parents would help in collecting food for their survival. It should also be noted that women and men were seen as such and there was not a person in a higher status than another.
Nisa's story is a very good example in describing paleolithic societies being more egalitarian than later societies. Nisa's story chronicles life before the use of luxury items and explains life to be more about surviving from a day to day perspective. She also tends to note that the women collected food and would ground them in mortar, while men would hunt for food as well. Women tended to have a more prominent role in the paleolithic societies because they were a major contribution to food as men were. Nisa also explains when a woman loses her husband. Marriage is a concept based on equality and in paleolithic societies, both parents are needed to help provide for their children's growth and survival. Also in Nisa's society if she did not receive anything from another person, she would not give anything to that person as well. The society was definitely about sharing and survival because it was a small group of people and everyone had a personal connection to one another. This personal connection revolved around trust and sharing food was one of the actions that initiated a bond in trust. And if someone did not share enough food, people would yell at that person to make them feel guilty about not thinking of the others. However, the people who did share would be happy with the other sharers and would not fight with them. Another indication that the paleolithic peoples were more egalitarian was that the society was family oriented. Children and parents would help in collecting food for their survival. It should also be noted that women and men were seen as such and there was not a person in a higher status than another.
Thursday
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