Chi Cago

The rise of Julius Caesar began in 60 B.C.

On March 15, 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was murdered

The Roman Legion consisted of 5,000 soldiers

Hannibal was Carthage's general during the Punic Wars

The "Circus Maximus" was a place of entertainment for the citizens, 

most commonly known for their horse chariot races

Mark and Cleopatra had a "thing" even though he had a wife.  

Also, she could talk him into doing anything.

The first people of Rome settled along the Tiber River.

Brutus was the man who set-up the murder of Julius Caesar.

Rome started off with only foot soldiers (infantry) and horse-back soldiers (cavalry)

Patricians were the "higher class" of Rome, while the plebeians were the "regular" people.

April 28, 2011

Today in western civilization, we started the class out by talking about the Tornado warning we just had.  It's something completely new to our school.  The first one they've ever had since it's been open, (1964.)  After this, we went over the reading and questions we completed for homework last night called "Rome two."  This reading talked about the early Roman army and government.  Miraculously, Rome was victorious in many battles in which they were easily looked at as the “under-dog.”  

Rome 2

Define :
Consul- Like kings, commanded the army and directed the government however there was two instead of only 1 king
Veto- "Forbid"
Senate- The aristocratic branch of the Roman government
Assembly- The democratic branch of the government, filled with citizen-soldiers
Dictator- A leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army
Mercenary- soldiers who fight in any countries army for pay

Answer:

1. (A) Why were many plebeians dissatisfied with Rome's government in the early years of the republic?Plebeians were dissatisfied with Rome's government in the earlier years because it barred them from being able to hold most government positions, commanding armies or serving as high priests.
     (B) How did they win reforms?
   The plebeians won the reforms because they refused to fight in the Roman army unless the patricians agreed to certain reforms.
   (C) What changes did they bring about in Roman government?
   The plebeians demanded a written law of Rome, which established the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law.
   
   
2. Why did Romans consider that they had a balanced government?
   The government of Rome was partly Monarch, partly an aristocracy and partly a democracy.  They believed this mixture was balanced because it allowed them to have the best features of all types of government.
   
   
3. Once Rome had conquered most of Italy, how did the Roman government win the support of the conquered people?
    The Roman government won the support of the conquered people because the closer they were to Italy the more roman privileges and rights they were offered.  As the Roman government stretched further out it allowed it's conquered lands to rule themselves, as long as they do not make treaties of friendship with any other cities.
   
   
4. (A) At the start of the Punic wars, why might Carthage have appeared as the stronger power?
   Carthage's population was about 3 times larger than Rome, also, Carthage had a navy of 500 ships while Rome had absolutely no navy what so ever.  Carthage also was well off financial due to all the trade, so they were able to pay off mercenaries to fight in their army.
   
5. (B) Why was Rome, in fact, the victor?Rome became victorious because while Carthage spent it's previous years striving for wealth from trade, Rome directed it's energy towards winning wars.  Since Carthage became wealthy, they were able to afford mercenaries, although they were defeated by Rome because the Roman army was faithful and put their hearts into it unlike the mercenaries, whom which did it solely for the ca$h.
   
   
6. Why was the battle of Zama, a major turning point in history?
   The battle of Zama was a major turning point in history because if Carthage were to have won this war, it is quite possible that it would have been the greatest empire, rather than Rome.  Western Civilization would have been influenced by Carthage instead of Rome.
    
7. (A) Why did the Greeks at first welcome Roman armies?
   The Greeks rejoiced the Roman armies when they freed them from the rule of Philip V of Macedon.
   (B) Why did the Greek attitude change?
   The Greek attitude changed when Rome started getting in the way of Greek politics.  A few Greek city-states tried to free themselves of Rome, but failed.  Rome used Corinth as an example of to others, massacring or enslaving their citizens, wrecking walls, and burning homes and temples.

April 27, 2011

Today in our western civilization class, we reviewed our homework from yesterday; which was to read the article on Rome, Define eight words and answer six questions.  Thankfully, Mr.Schick must have been feeling better because he wasn’t crying to us like he basically was yesterday.  Also, after school today, I’m going to finally take my Greek test that I missed while I was out sick last week.  Today is our first day going over earlier Roman civilization in class.  One of the important things that we went over is that their society was split into two sides, patricians and plebians.

April 26, 2011

After being gone all last week, I came back to Mr.Schick's class listening to him vent about the terrible Easter break he had.  Unfortunately, we had to listen to him complain most of the class.  After this, we started reading about Rome, since we are now starting off our Roman empire unit.  I was okay with reading the article, but I much rather prefer to watch a movie and/or documentary.  Following are the answers to the questions asked from the reading:

Define:
Republic- A political unit that is not ruled by a monarch, and in which citizens with the right to vote choose their leaders
Gravitas- the important virtue that emphasized discipline, strength and loyalty.
Pater Familias- "Father of the family" Held complete control over the family/property and represented the family
Toga- A loose garment worn by the citizens in Rome
Patrician- The "higher class" that dominated the Roman society.
Plebian- The common farmers, artisans and merchants
Legion- The massive military unit of Romans made up of 4-6,000 armed foot soldiers
Century- 80 person fighting unit within a legion

1. How did geography help Rome?
   The Italian peninsula is near the midpoint of the Mediterranean, dividing the sea into an eastern and a western half.  Rome itself, is located midway between the Alps and Italy's southern tip.  Which makes the city of Rome a central point within a central peninsula.
   
   
2. Why was each of the following groups important in Rome's development?
   (a.) Latins- The Latins were the very beginning of Rome's development, as they were the first people to settle in this region.  Rome began as a settlement of Latin shepherds.
   (b.) Greeks- Greek settlers established about 50 colonies in southern Italy and Sicily.  They brought this area into closer contact with Greece, making it become a greater civilization.  Also, the Greeks had great influence on the Roman Religious ways, as they worshiped the same god's, just using different names.
   (c.) Etruscans- The Etruscans were most importantly known for developing the Roman alphabet.  They also had influence on the architecture and trade of the early Roman civilization.
   
3. What were the values of early Roman society?
   
4. (A) How was the Roman household organized?
   The eldest man of the family the "Pater Familias" ruled the family/property and could sell or kill any family member without penalty, although usually they acted as the families protector.  However, the mother of the family was in charge of the daily running of the household.  She had the right to own land and testify in court although she did not have the right to vote.
   (B) What freedom's did women have in society?
   Women had the freedom to own property and testify in court, although she did not have the key right to vote.
   
   
5. How was the army linked into roman society?
   Both Plebeian and Patrician men were forced to live double lives, contributing their time to the army as well as being a farmer, artisan, etc.  All the men were required to serve in the army for 10 years, before he was aloud to hold a seat in the public office.
   

Alexander the Greatttt

Today in our western civilization class we watched clips of the movie, Alexander.  Unlike Dionysus, Alexander fought WITH his army.  He was a much more honorable leader and conquered most all of the known world by age 25.  Although he didn’t have a good relationship father, he had an extremely good relationship with his mother, who made him believe that he was actually the son of one of the ancient Greek gods.  He attained his great horse Bucephalus by being the only person able to tame it.  He realized Bucephalus was actually just afraid of his own shadow, so he turned him away from the sun.  

the unexamined life is not worth living

Today in our western civilization class, we finished up the documentary “crucible of change.”  Today was focused mainly on Socrates- the ancient Greek philosopher.  During a war with Sparta, Athens was hit by a plague killing 1/3 of the population, including Paracleithes and all of his sons.  There were no “higher” people left to rule, so the democracy was led by “mob rule- whoever could stir up the crowd the most.”  The citizens decided to try to take over Sicily, which the only outcome of that was Athens was destroyed.  Since Athens became so weak, Sparta and Persia teamed up to attack, leaving them with nothing but 12 ships and torn down city walls.  Searching for someone to blame, they chose Socrates.  Socrates was tried and put to death, while Aristotle and Plato carried on his legacy. 

4/13/2011

Alexander's Conquest:

1. Power was from Ionian Sea all the way to Himalayas
2. Spread Greek culture around the world
3. Road a horse named Bucephalus- which meant " ox head "
4. Could have died of alcohol poisoning, syphilis, fever, typhus

90/100

Homer:

1. Lived around the 8th century BCE
2. What was he most well known for?  Writing the Iliad and Odyssey
3. Some argue that Homer never really existed

100/100

Greek Presentations

Monday, April 11, 2011

The Hellenic Age

1. Polyclitus of Argos- one of the most important (classical) sculptors
2. Alexander the great grew up and ruled in this age

80/100

Greek Battles

1. Main formation used for battles was called Phalanx
2. Soldiers were well armored, but had limited sight from the helmet
3. During battles, both sides sing a battle hymn

100/100

Socrates Trial

1. Came up with the theory that the earth doesn't revolve around the gods and wasn't the center of the universe
2. Euclid & Pythagoras was on his side
3. Jury of 500 people sentenced him to death
4. Had until a jug of water ran out to plead his case
5. Charged with Blathsmy and corrupting the minds of the youth

100/100

April 7, 2011

Greek Science & Math advancements:

1. who invented geometry? Euclid
2. who figured out pie? Pythagorous
3. Pythagorous created the pythagrean theory which does what?  Helps you find the circumference of a triangle

important*: Science has an explanation for everything, instead of saying "the God's made it that way"

90/100

Alexander the Great's youth:

1. Alexanders mother convinced him that his father (the leader of Macedonia) was not really his father, but that his father was a Greek god
2. Alexander tamed a wild horse when he was only 12, after he did finally tame it, he named it Bucephalus, and then named a city after it
3. Taught by Aristotle
4. Always treated the conquered lands nicely, known as one of the greatest generals, never lost a battle
5. Died at age 33, bit by a mosquito and died from Malaria

100/100

Parthenon:

1. first example of what styled architecture?  Doric style
2. How many pillars are on the inside/outside of the Parthenon?  46 inside, 19 outside
3. Who designed the Parthenon?  Phideous

100/100

Greek Philosophers: 

1. What is western philosophy? The thought and work of the western world and how it differs to the Eastern world
2. What is playto's real name?  Aristocles

• socrates: encouraged his students to examine their beleifs

The Olympics

1. The first olympic games were held in Olympia, Greece, in 776 BC
2. An olympic truce was enacted so athletes could travel from their countries to the games without being attacked by other countries.
3. The original Olympic Games contained only one event called the [stadion race- short sprint that was between 180-240 Meters or the length of the stadium]


90/100

Ancient Greek Art

1. What pattern was the Parthenon constructed in?  Doric Pattern
2. What colors were used on pottery? Black, white, red, yellow
3. Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles were used for what?  Architecture

100/100

3 Questions

April 4, 2011

Peloponnesian war:

1. How many years did the war last?
2. Would this be considered a civil war, since this was all within Greece?
3. About how much of the Athenian population did the plague kill, and how many waves of the plague were there?

90/100