ROME 4.

JULIUS CAESAR...THE FACE OF A CHAMPION.

Julius Caesar (July100 BC-15 March 44 BC) was Rome's MVP.  He was the Roman general and statesmen and was crucial to Rome's transformation from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.  Without him..Rome's history would be altered entirely.  He lead extensive reforms of the Roman society.  His bold actions led to a civil war, in which he emerged as an unrivaled leader. 
After he assumed control of the Roman government, he began immediate reforms.  He centralized the bureaucracy of th Republic.  He was Rome's dictator.  He was killed by Marcus Junius Brutus on the Ides of March (March 15th).  Much of Caesar's life is associated with his great military campaigns as a leader.  later, Octavius began Rome's leader, thus proving that Rome's success and transgression would not be the same had it not been for Julius Caesar.

ROME 3.

ROMAN 2.

Art.
Famous Romans.
Julius Caesar.

I believe it it crucial to learn about Ancient Roman art.  Art can tell stories, feelings, moods, mindsets, ideas, inspiration, and more about a time period.  The type of tools and methods of art are also crucial to our understanding about resources available during that time.  To feel how the Romans felt, we must be able to see in our minds and think in our minds the same things that the Romans did.  Because there weren't things such as cameras back then, to capture the true essence of the time, we must rely on art.  Also, art leads us into our next important topic- important people.  In order to understand what these famous people looked like and accomplished, we need art.  Piggybacking off of the necessity for art, the last two links cover famous Romans, especially Julius Caesar.  Without famous people, Rome would be nowhere.  Without great leaders and in contrast, horrid leaders, Rome wouldn't be the same today.  The people that left footprints in Roman history deserved to be acredited for those actions and to have thier stories told.  The impact they had on Rome was very important.  All three of my links I found to be very useful and think the class would benefit from.

ROMAN 1.

QUIZ NUMERO UNO:
1. Officials who appointed candidates to the Senate were censors.
2. Forums were the center of all Government business.
3. A republic is a government where voters elect officials to run the state.
4. Praetors were officials who oversaw the Roman legal system.
5. Plebeians made up most of the society (farmers, etc.).

QUIZ NUMERO DOS:
1. Rome defeated Macedonia in 197 BC.
2. During the 3rd Punic War, the Romans destroyed the city of Carthage.
3. Rome and Carthage fought 3 Punic Wars between 264 BC and 146 BC.
4. The conflicts among Rome and Carthage were referred to as the Punic Wars.
5. Carthage was a powerful city located along the African coast.

QUIZ NUMERO TRES:
1. Lucius Cornelius Sulla was a Roman dictator, who reigned after he started/won a civil war.
2. Julius Ceasar led his troops across the Rubicon and declared war on the Republic.
3. The Gracchis were brothers who attempted to save the Roman Republic through reforms.
4. Pax Romania was a period of peace that lasted for over 200 years.
5. Marc Anthony helped Octavian gain control of the West, and then was betrayed by him.

QUIZ NUMERO CUATRO:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

QUIZ NUMERO CINCO:
1. The spread of Christianity changed the culture of the Roman Empire.
2. Pontius Pilate (Roman Governor) tried Jesus for being an enemy of the state.
3. The Council of Nicaea proclaimed the existance of the Trinity.
4. In AD 312, the Roman emperor Constantine proclaimed his support of Christianity.
5. In the late Roman Empire, Christianity became a major religion.

QUIZ NUMERO SEIS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

GREEK 5

1. Democracy.
2. Olympics.
3. Anatomy.
4. Military.
5. Architecture.

Politics were a large part of Ancient Greece and the modern democracy here in the USA has a lot of the same foundations.  Our legal system is based off of European influences since that is where our first settlers derived from.  The famous Olympics originated in Athens, Greece.  To this day, countries all over the world still competitively compete in the Olympics, every 2 years (summer, winter, summer winter).  Sports and fitness are still a heavy influence on today's society.  Military tactics from back in Ancient Greece, like Alexander the Great, are still used today in war, battle, and strategy.  The beautiful architecture seen in Greece that was developed hundreds of years ago is still copied and appreciated by today's society.  We often develop new ideas based on Greek architectural foundations.  Anatomy was also a large part of Ancient Greek society, as it is today.  Science was very important back then and the body was a peculiar thing to them; to this day, we still are constantly discovering new things about the human body.

GREEK 4.

This would serve beautifully as the cover for our Greek Unit, because it is one of the most recognizable Greek statues.  It shows the modern man and how real, detailed, and natural they were.  It shows their dress and muscular, fit attributes.  The determined look on his nicely sculpted face symbolizes the Greek power and goals to constantly progress and strive for greatness.  Their appreciation for strength and athleticism heavily influenced one of today's biggest worldwide events- The Olympics.  On top of the strength that this statue conveys, the art skill involved here is perfection.  The miniscule details that the artists in Greek would incorporate were amazing.  Their craftsmanship shines in this sketch.  When one sees this statue, they can immediately make the connection to the Greeks, especially because of the hair and toga.

GREEK 3.

Mythology Rules

Greek God Love

Mythology Encylclopedia

The Men, The Myths, The Legends

GREEK 2.

Spartan life was somewhat simple.  There were about 18,000 Spartans.  It was an Oligarchy, ruled by 5 Ephors and 2 Kings.  They focused on obedience and war.  They often used slaves in war; they focused on the times that they lived in, rather than worry about much of the future.  Young boys were trained to be warriors.  Young girls were trained to be mothers of the warriors.  Their economy was based around agriculture.  Women were not allowed to wear jewelry or make-up; however, they were forced to usually exercise and be healthy becuase they produced the offsprings.  Athenian life was a bit more creative.  There were about 4 million Athenians.  It was a democracy.  Trade and agriculture were the basis of their economy.  A boy could get a good education and pursue anything involving the arts or sciences; there was much to choose from.  They were much more forward looking.  Serving in the army or navy was an option, but not mandatory.  Girls were restricted to household things, not able to participate in war, business, or education.  Elaborate jewelry and clothing was very widely accepted; the women also did exercise if they wanted to, to stay fit.  Personally, I would have wanted to live an Athenian lifestyle.  I especially liked that it was a democracy, or ruled by the people.  Not only did it allow for some individuality and creativeness, but it seemed much more laid back.  I like that war wasn't the focus of their living.  Arts and science seem very important to me, so I'm glad that is what the Athenians often focused on/encouraged.  Athenians seemed to be innovators and focused on things of the future, which I also like.
 
Contrasting
Spartans vs. Athenians

GREEK 1

Fun Facts For Greeks!
1. Minoan was the first Greek Civilization (1900).
2. They painted on wet plaster in palaces, they were called frescoes.
3. The Mycenaeans conquered the Minoans.
4. Linear B was the Minoan system of writing.
5. Agoras were public meeting spaces/markets, and every city-state had one.
6. Athens was known for its laws/government.
7. Ephors made sure kings stayed within the laws.
8. Military training was key in a young boy's development.
9. In 621 BC Draco created the first set of written laws.
10. Thucydides was considered the first historian.
11. Cleisthenes created the Council of Five Hundred.
12. Leveling meant carving small flat plots out of hillsides.
13. Athenian women were citizens but could not vote or inherit land/property :(
14. The main purpose of marriage was to have children.
15. Sappho was a Greek poet who wrote about the lives of women at the time.
16. Sophos means "wise" in Greek.
17. Themistocles defeated the Persian fleet.
18. Pericles was a great Greek statesman.
19. The Persian Wars weakened Greece.
20. Xerxes defeated the Spartans(Battle of Thermopylae).
21. The Peoloponnesian War was between the Spartans and the Athenians.
22. Darius (Persian leader) wanted to punish Athens for aiding rebels.
23. The Delian-League was an alliance of Greek city-states.
24. Thucydides was the Historian who commented on the tyranny of Athens.
25. Delos was the home of the Greek alliance's treasurey before it was moved to Athens.

POST 12: Sporty Sources.

Ancient Egypt Entertainment

Ancient Egypt Sports

Egyptian Activities

Ancient Egyptian Sports and Games

Egyptian Sports

Egyptian Fun

Sports

POST 11: Sporty Egyptians?

QUESTION: What types of sports/physical entertainment did the Egyptians participate in, both leisurely and professionally?

From this question I hope to find out who could/did participate in sports.  I want to know what type of games young children played, if they were even allowed.  I want to know if there were organized sports with spectators.  I want to know if there was even much time for fun.  I want to know if they have structured, written rules for sports/games.  I want to know who invented the sports, and if they still exist today.  I want to know if it was desirable to be considered athletic.  I'm moving away from things such as theatrical or muscial entertainment though, I'm more interested in the physical aspect of things.

I think it would be neat to present my research through playing one of the actual games or sports that I learn about.  I would even let Mr. Campbell play.  I would also include an awesome PowerPoint that would highlight the information I found.  I would also post some nice, interesting blogs with plenty of visuals.

POST 10: Zoroaster, Persian Eminence.

ZOROASTER..the man, the myth, the legend.

He showed that there were two sides in the world..two opposing forces, good and evil.  He showed that the only god, Ahura Mazda, to worship was the good god.  He was the god of everything good, true, and pure, and who wouldn't want a good, happy life?  He beleived that people had free will and could act as they choose.  He advocated good deeds, truth telling, and avoiding evil.  His sacred text, the Avesta, served as a guideline.  It simply stated that in the end, if you lived a good life, you'll be rewarded.  I believe he was a great Persian leader, because he promoted a free willing lifestyle with the motive for happiness and reward.

POST 9: Jewish Sequence.

POST 3: Fertile Timelines.

1. MESOPOTAMIAN TIMELINE.

2. FERTILE CRESCENT TIMELINE.

The first one would be good for our textbook in Western Civ.  It would be nice, becuase it is very simple, yet has the important dates.  On this site, it breaks up each Empire, and there's room for additonal events too.  There is even a picture of where each Empire settled at.

POST 8: Chaldeans Are #1.

And the Award for the BEST EMPIRE OF THE EARLY FERTILE CRESCENT EMPIRES goes to...
THE CHALDEANS.
Why were they so awesome, you ask?
1. They admired the Sumerian culture and tried to preserve it, which is vital in history.
2. They developed a strong interest and educated people in astronomy.  They were among the firsts to gain a strong interest for the world outside their own.
3. King Nebuchadnezzar II was both a warrior and builder.
4. He built multistoried ziggurats.
5. His grand palace held the famous Hanging Gardens (one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World).
6. They built temples to Sumerian gods and studied their language.
7. Through the astronomy, they were able to track economic, political, adn weather events.
8. The Chaldeans swooped in and picked up the pieces from the Assyrian Empire.

POST 7: Hammurabi for Northern.

LAWS FOR NORTHERN BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL (Hammurabi Style):
1. If a student sasses a teacher, his toes and fingers must be slapped twice with a ruler.
2. If a student is late to class, he is shot at with a rubber band multiple times.
3. If some one bad talks Western Civ, Mr. Campbell gets to lock them in a closet for a week with only a banana and a half a bottle of water.
4. If a student violates the dress code, he must come to school the next week wearing clothes that cover every part of the body except the eyes.
5. If a student brings a weapon to school, he is sentenced to life with Eric DeGood.
6. If a student beats up another student, he receives the same treatment from the harmed student.
7. If a student physically abuses a teacher, he is duct taped to a chair and the entire class spits spitballs at him.
8. If a student uses his phone in class, the teacher gets to light it on fire.
9. If a teacher shows up late to work without good excuse, he is fired.
10. If a student allows an outside visitor to come into the school, he is exiled to the DeGood household.
11. If the board of education members buy themselves another iPad, they are all fired and their iPads are crushed.
12. If a student uses Facebook in school, he is to be banned of the Internet and must wear all of Eric DeGood's hand-me-downs.

POST 6: Hammurabi's Code Should Still Live On.

HUMMURABI'S CODE!

Law # 149- If a woman doesn't wish to remain in her husband's house, then he shall compensate her for the dowry that she brought with her from her father's house, and she may go.
This Law should still apply today, because often in divorces, people do not get equal amounts of things in an established home.  If a man is the primary caregiver, perhaps the wife doesn't even work, then he is naturally more entitled to the possessions in court, but in relaity marriage is an equal promise, so things should be more equally split.

Law # 23- If a robber is not caught, then the person rovved should be compensated as best as possible by the community.
This Law should exist today, because it just shows general brotherhood and kindness of humanity, which is what society lacks today.  Just being good neighbors, to the best of one's ability should be a given.  This could form a bond in communities.

Law # 43- If a man doesn't till his field, and lets it fallow, he shall give grain like his neighbor's to the owner of the field, and the field which he let lie fallow, he must plow and sow and return to its owner.
This Law should be enacted today, becuase too many people do not keep their word, even in the work field.  If somebody hires some one to do a job, and he doesn't complete it, he should suffer the consuquences.  The man who failed to do his job deserves to repay the owner at all expenses, but the owner is really missing out in the long run.

Law # 51- If a man has no money to repay, then he shall pay in corn or sesame in place of the money as rent for what he received from the merchant, according to the royal tariff.
This Law should exist today, perhaps paying back in other, more modern objects than corn or sesame though.  If some one cannot not pay in money, he should pay things back that would equal in value while he comes up with a way to get cold, hard cash.  Too many people get off easily with late payments, debt, eviction, etc.

Law # 55- If anyone opens his ditches to water his crop, but is careless, and the water floods the field of his neighbor, then he shall pay his neighbor corn for his loss.
This law should be enacted today, becuase if some one damages or prevents some one from accomplishing or getting something because of stupidity, he should repay that person.  The person whose property, possessions, etc., was destroyed, should not suffer in the long run too.  Everybody has to make a living.

POST 5: Fertile Crescent was the way to go.

Dear Travel Agent Jen,
Although the Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan region looks quite tempting, the Fertile Crescent we chose to make settlement at was the best choice.  Let me tell you why it rocks; not only is is conveniently situated in between two of the most major rivers (Tigris and Euphrates), but it also is the reason our soils were so fertile.  Our farming become so awesome, that we were able to generate and afford new occupation because everybody did not need to become a farmer.  The development between farming and water evolved even greater (irrigation, sewage, etc.).  It helped to form the structure of our city.  The soil was rich in dirt and tiny rocks.  We also learned to control the waters with canals.  With our new occupations possible, larger projects were able to be taken on.  Rules and divison of labor in society played a huge role for us Sumerians.  Our settlements grew and we loved life!
Sincerely,
A Summerian.

POST 4: TURKMENISTAN & UZBEKISTAN love.

To Whichever Sumerian This May Concern:
An excellent place to have settled would be in present day Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan.  Not only is it in the Middle East, but in between the Amu Dar'ya River and the Zeravshan River, there would have been a lot of nice, fertile land.  As seen in my picture, there is plenty of water and land.  It is even near the Caspian Sea, making trading, inventions, jobs, migration, etc., very possible in this area.  The Black Sea, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea are also only a country away.  The opportunities are endless between these two rivers, and you would be surrounded by the river on all practically all sides, to help protect you from uncivilized groups of people.  Present day Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan's locations also have very tolerable climates!
Sincerely,
Travel Agent Jen.

POST 2: 15 facts!

1. The SUMERIANS acrose in the Tigris-Euphrates valley.
2. The Sumerians invented the ARCH.
3. Brick, man-made Sumerian temples were called ZIGGURATS.
4. Ur, Erech, & Kish were Sumerian CITY-STATES, heavily populated.
5. Sumerians practiced POLYTHEISM, or the belief in many gods.
6. The AKKADIANS were Mesopotamian people who conquered the Sumerians!
7. The first people to smelt iron were the HITTITES.
8. The origional king of the Amorites, who migrated into Mesopotamia, was HAMMURABI.
9. CYPRUS THE GREAT was the Persian King who captured Babylon and took over the Fertile Crescent.
10. SARGON was the most powerful Akkadian King.
11. Present day Israel, Lebanon, & Syria were once called PHOENICIA.
12. Phoenicians invented the art of GLASS-BLOWING!
13. The Phoenicians developed the ALPHABET.
14. The LYDIANS were the first people to use coined money.
15. Phoenician sculptors often used IVORY!

POST 1: Me llamo Jen.

I'm interested in ending world hunger.  I'm also interested in Philly sports, South America, silver jewelry, scary movies, lacrosse, kittens, field hockey, becoming a lawyer, Chinese food, my Beta Fish named Jaws, trying to speak Spanish, eating vamps, putting on fake tats, and meeting the President.


Enforcing world peace.  I also enjoy playing varsity lacrosse/field hockey, frequent trips to Wawa, going to the gym, watching sports, Student Council with Commander K, National Honor Society/Art Honor Society, jumping on my trampoline, picking strawberries, skiing, petting my cat Boo-Boo, and snow mobiling.



I really like history, writing, and sports, so I want to become a Sports Attorney.  I also want to study abroad in Central/South America.  I travel a lot and have been to over half the U.S. and two other countries..but I'm a really picky eater though, so I'll probably starve in South America.  I'm hoping it'll broaden my horizon.




I don't have a regular History class for senior year, and I heard it was a cool class.  I really like learning about how the world today became this way and if people were better off without all of these new distractions. 




We live in a society that revolves around new, high technology.  I want to learn about the "technology" that existed years ago and how it was utilized.  I want to know how their day to day lives differed from ours today, such as what they did for fun, since they didn't have things like the Wii or television shows like Jerry Springer.




1. An A+.
2. A better understanding of the Egyptians and mumification.
3. Why Rome fell and why they say "all roads lead to Rome."