Jihad

"Jihad (Arabic: jihād, ‘striving, exerting oneself’). Some classical Islamic writers distinguished between ‘the greater jihad’, a spiritual struggle against the evil within oneself, and a ‘lesser jihad’, physical effort in the cause of Islam, but it is the latter which is our concern here. It has meant in practice military action for either the spreading of Islam or its defence, following on from the idea of the universality of Islam and the consequent necessity of strenuous and continuous action for the furtherance of the faith. The basis of the doctrine is found in the Koran, and in strict Islamic law jihad is a duty on all adult free male believers until Islam has attained universal domination; hence there can be no permanent peace with unbelievers but only limited truces."

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This idea of Jihad was to spread Islam throughout the world, and this term will be used until the world is controlled by all of Islam. If and Islamic tribe was to be attacked they would use this to defend themselves against the threat and eliminate it so as to continue with their little peace that they had.

"In medieval times, feelings of jihad lay behind fighting for the defence of Islam in the Mediterranean basin, such as during the Crusades in the Levant and during the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian peninsula. It was also used for the spreading of Islam outside the heartlands, e.g. into sub-Saharan Africa, in the Indian subcontinent, and in Indonesia. Typical manifestations of this last in West Africa were the Fulani Jihad led by Usumanu dan Fodio (d. 1817) in Hausaland and jihads by Umar al-Futi and Samori Ture in other parts of black West Africa in the 19th century, aimed primarily at spreading the faith among local animists. In Muslim India, notable was the movement of the mujahedin or ‘fighters for the faith’ of Sayyid Ahmad Brelwi (killed 1831), primarily against the Sikhs in the Punjab, and other similar movements against the British which continued throughout the century and into the present one, especially along the North-West frontier. In pre-modern times jihad was not invariably directed against the outside, non-Islamic world; at various times, the slogans of jihad were employed in campaigns against heterodox or dissident Muslims, such as the Ismailis, during the Mongol period and just afterwards."

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"The word Jihad stems from the Arabic root word J-H-D, which means "strive." Other words derived from this root include "effort," "labor," and "fatigue." Essentially Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not "to spread Islam by the sword" as the stereotype would have one believe.

The Qur'an describes Jihad as a system of checks and balances, as a way that Allah set up to "check one people by means of another." When one person or group transgresses their limits and violates the rights of others, Muslims have the right and the duty to "check" them and bring them back into line. There are several verses of the Qur'an that describe jihad in this manner. One example:

"And did not Allah check one set of people by means of another,
the earth would indeed be full of mischief;
but Allah is full of Bounty to all the worlds"
-Qur'an 2:251

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"Many accounts in the media define "jihad" as a synonym for "holy war," -- a vicious clash between followers of different religions, each of whom believes that God is on their side and that the other side is is of Satan. This usage often appears on Western TV, radio, and other media during news about the Middle East, where it is used to describe a call for Muslims to fight against non-Muslims in the defense of Islam. Some Muslims have begun to adopt this meaning of "jihad" as a result of Western influence."

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"Islam never tolerates unprovoked aggression from its own side; Muslims are commanded in the Qur'an not to begin hostilities, embark on any act of aggression, violate the rights of others, or harm the innocent. Even hurting or destroying animals or trees is forbidden. War is waged only to defend the religious community against oppression and persecution, because the Qur'an says that "persecution is worse than slaughter" and "let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (Qur'an 2:190-193). Therefore, if non-Muslims are peaceful or indifferent to Islam, there is no justified reason to declare war on them.

The Qur'an describes those people who are permitted to fight:

"They are those who have been expelled from their homes
in defiance of right, for no cause except that they say,
'Our Lord is Allah.'
Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another,
there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches,
synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of God is commemorated
in abundant measure..."
-Qur'an 22:40

Note that the verse specifically commands the protection of all houses of worship. Finally, the Qur'an also says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion" (2:256). Forcing someone at the point of a sword to choose death or Islam is an idea that is foreign to Islam in spirit and in historical practice. There is absolutely no question of waging a "holy war" to "spread the faith" and compel people to embrace Islam; that would be an unholy war and the people's forced conversions would not be sincere.

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Jihad came to pass when Islam was opposed by all the nations that were around Islam. When a prophet or a Messenger comes from God all of their followers were considered righteous that were likely to advance quickly. Other religious sects around would soon begin to develop anger and jealously towards them. Because of this the teachers' students began to drop from their trap and join the prophets or messengers. because this started to happen they became angry with each other and started fighting. Then the "Pagans" began to attack them and prevent Islam from spreading, and because of this they attacked back in order to defend themselves.

Book^Online

The jihad is still going on today. We believe that there are terrorists all around us that use the Jihad is in action and that why they were able to terrorize the nation of America, and they use the jihad to signify that they can attack us.

Book^Online

in conclusion there is still Jihad going on today that was used during the crusades. Muslims still are trying to dominate the world so that then jihad would no longer be in place.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine was a bishop of Hippo during the 5th century. he was the one who influenced the crusades to take place through his various writings, which in fact were very popular with the clerics of the Medieval Time. His views on warfare and Christian ethos were very important in the "Just War" theory.
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"The decline of the Roman Empire gave rise to two problems, which combined to form one of the most perplexing philosophical questions of late antiquity. On the one hand, Rome found itself under constant military threat as various tribes from the north and east encroached along its borders to fill the power vacuum left by the receding Empire. On the other hand, adherents to the Empire’s new official faith — Christianity — found themselves without clear guidance as to what military roles their faith would permit. The death of the apostles had left Christians without ongoing revelatory guidance, and the New Testament writings alone were not definitive on the subject. The question thus became: ‘Can a Christian answer the Empire’s call to military duty and still have a clear conscience before God?’

Fifth-century philosopher St. Augustine of Hippo sought to provide an answer to the question. His approach formed the foundation of the ‘just war’ tradition, which has had enormous influence upon moral-philosophical thought on military issues in the West ever since. This major new study identifies Augustine’s fundamental premises, reconstructs his just-war theory, and critically evaluates the reconstructed theory in light of his historical context and neo-Platonic and Christian philosophical considerations."(Mattox Online Book)

St. Augustine was able to begin to compel the people that, though they didn't know what to do, they were able to fight because of his "Just War" theory. he slowly begins to build the foundation on which most of the western civilizations use today. His legacy still goes on and that is why we study him to know what this theory actually is, and how we use it today, if we use it today.

There were 8 principles that made up his Just War theory:

1)A punitive conception of war.
2)Assessment of the evil of war in terms of the evil moral attitudes and wants.
3)The authorization of the use of violence.
4)A duelistic epistemology which gives spiritual priorities to goods.
5)Interpretation of evangelical norms in terms of inner attitudes.
6)Passive attitude to authority and social change.
7)use of texts within the Bible to the participation of war.
8)An analogical knowledge of what peace is.

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"The Just War Theory is an authoritative Catholic Church teaching confirmed by the United States Catholic Bishops in their pastoral letter, The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response, issued in 1983. More recently, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 2309, lists four strict conditions for "legitimate defense by military force":

* the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
* all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
* there must be serious prospects of success;
* the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.

While proponents claim such views have a long tradition, critics claim the application of Just War is only relativistic, and directly contradicts more universal philosophical traditions such as the Ethic of reciprocity.[citation needed] Secular humanists may accept just war theory based on universal ethics without reference to Christian morality.

Just War theorists combine both a moral abhorrence towards war with a readiness to accept that war may sometimes be necessary. The criteria of the just war tradition act as an aid to determining whether resorting to arms is morally permissible. Just War theories are attempts "to distinguish between justifiable and unjustifiable uses of organized armed forces"; they attempt "to conceive of how the use of arms might be restrained, made more humane, and ultimately directed towards the aim of establishing lasting peace and justice."[6]

The Just War tradition addresses the morality of the use of force in two parts: when it is right to resort to armed force (the concern of jus ad bellum) and what is acceptable in using such force (the concern of jus in bello).[7] In more recent years, a third category — jus post bellum — has been added, which governs the justice of war termination and peace agreements, as well as the prosecution of war criminals.

Libertarian scholar Murray Rothbard stated, "a just war exists when a people tries to ward off the threat of coercive domination by another people, or to overthrow an already-existing domination. A war is unjust, on the other hand, when a people try to impose domination on another people, or try to retain an already existing coercive rule over them."[8] Rothbard was an admitted anarchist or "anti-Statist", but left room nevertheless for a "minarchist" stance to allow social contracts to defend the general public from clear and present dangers."

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"Augustine's two greatest surviving works, out of several dozen, are his City of God and his Confessions. His conversion to Christianity is among the most famous, as many are familiar with his quip in which he asked God to make him chaste, but do it later. As the Bishop of Hippo, Augustine also was involved with the Council of Hippo in 393 which, along with the Council of Carthage in 397, first recognized the 27 books of the New Testament that are still recognized as the New Testament today.

His influence on Christian theology continued from the middle ages until the present day. All Medieval monks were likely made aware of Augustine at some point in their career and would have studied his works if they had the opportunity to receive a proper education in theology from the Church."

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His ability to influence and "charm" the monks in the middle ages played such a significant role in making the crusades begin, that if he wasn't there to influence them there probably wouldn't have been any crusades, and the world would be completely different than it is now.

"But, say they, the wise man will wage just wars. As if he would not all the rather lament the necessity of
just wars, if he remembers that he is a man; for if they were not just he would not wage them, and would
therefore be delivered from all wars. For it is the wrongdoing of the opposing party which compels the
wise man to wage just wars; and this wrong-doing, even though it gave rise to no war, would still be
matter of grief to man because it is man's wrong-doing… (Chapter 7)

Whoever gives even moderate attention to human affairs and to our common nature, will recognize that if
there is no man who does not wish to be joyful, neither is there any one who does not wish to have peace.
For even they who make war desire nothing but victory -- desire, that is to say, to attain to peace with
glory. For what else is victory than the conquest of those who resist us? And when this is done there is
peace. It is therefore with the desire for peace that wars are waged, even by those who take pleasure in
exercising their warlike nature in command and battle. And hence it is obvious that peace is the end sought
for by war. (Chapter 12)

For even when we wage a just war, our adversaries must be sinning; and every victory, even though
gained by wicked men, is a result of the first judgment of God, who humbles the vanquished either for the
sake of removing or of punishing their sins. Witness that man of God, Daniel, who, when he was in
captivity, confessed to God his own sins and the sins of his people, and declares with pious grief that these
were the cause of the captivity. (Chapter 15)"(Hippo Chapters 7, 12, and 15)

In the end it is not enough to wage war to achieve justice without treating the underlying causes. "Injustice, excessive economic or social inequalities, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars. Everything done to overcome these disorders contributes to building up peace and avoiding war" [CCC 2317]. The Church has no illusions that true justice and peace can be attained before the Coming of the Lord. It is the duty of men of good will to work towards it, nonetheless. In the words of the spiritual dictum, we should work as if everything depended upon our efforts, and pray as if everything depended upon God.
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Mattox, John Mark. Saint Augustine and the Theory of Just War New York. 2006. Pp. 196 (online book)

Hippo, Augustine of. “The City of God,” Trans. by Marcus Dodds, D.D. In Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series One, Volume 2. Edited by Philip Schaff, D.D., LL.D. American Edition, 1887.

Compare and Contrast the Greek and Roman gods

The Romans to begin with stole most of the Greek gods and put them into their own society. Mostly all the Romans did was give them different names, some new gods, they took some of them out, and they changed some of the books that had Greek gods in them such as the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Aphrodite (Venus) | goddess of love and beauty
Apollo (Apollo) | god of the arts (esp. poetry and music), archery, and divination
Ares (Mars) | god of war
Artemis (Diana) | goddess of the hunt and protector of children
Athena (Minerva) | goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts; patron of Athens
Demeter (Ceres) | goddess of agriculture and fertility
Dionysos (Bacchus) | god of wine, mysteries, and the theatre
Hephaistos (Vulcan) | god of smiths and metal-workers
Hera (Juno) | goddess of marriage; consort of Zeus
Hermes (Mercury) | god of merchants; messenger of Zeus
Poseidon (Neptune) | god of the sea and earthquakes
Zeus (Jupiter) | god of the sky; ruler of Olympus

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Now that is a basic showing of the Greek and Roman main top dogs in mythology. This next part shows in greater detail the differences between the Greek and Roman gods, both the ones that each worshiped some that only the Greeks worshiped and the Romans excluded in their worship, and those that the Romans put in there for their own wants in their gods. It also shows their names and the way that the Romans changed most of the Greek god's name.

Zeus	Jupiter, Jove	Lord of the Sky, Gods, and Thunder, also Rain-god, Cloud-gatherer
Hera	Juno	Protector of Marriage
Poseidon	Neptune	Ruler of the Sea
Hades, Polydectes	Pluto	God of the Underworld and Precious Metals
	Libitina	Goddess of the Underworld
Pallas Athena	Minerva	Goddess of the City, Education/Science, and War
Phoebus Apollo	Apollo	God of Sun, Truth, Music, Healing
Artemis, Orthia, Phoebe	Diana	Goddess of Wild Things, Hunter-in-Chief
Aphrodite, Anadyomene	Venus	Goddess of Love and Beauty
Hermes, Pyschopompus	Mercury	God of Commerce and Market, Zeus' Messenger
Ares	Mars	God of War
Enyo	Bellona	Lesser Goddess of War
Hephaestus	Vulcan, Mulciber	God of the Forge and Fire, Workman to the immortals
Hestia	Vesta	Goddess of the Hearth and Home; also Fertility(Greek only)
	Priapus	God of Fertility
Eros	Cupid, Amor	God of Love
Hymen		God of the Wedding Feast
Hebe		Goddess of Youth
	Juventus	God of Youth
Iris		Goddess of the Rainbow
Persephone, Kora	Persipina, Libera	Goddess of Spring [Season], Underworld through Hades
Demeter	Ceres	Goddess of the Corn, Earth, Harvest
Dionysus, Lycaeus	Bacchus, Liber	God of the Vine, Wine, Merriment
Pan	Inuus,Faunus	God of Flocks, Sheep
Selene	Luna	Goddess of the Moon
Helios	Sol	God of the Sun
	Terminus	Guardian of Boundaries
	Priapus	Cause of Fertility
	Pales	Strengthener of Cattle
	Sylvanus	Helper of Plowmen and Woodcutters
	Saturn	Protector of the Sowers and the Seed
	Janus	God of good beginnings
Eileithyia, Ilithyia	Lucina	Goddess of Childbirth
	Pomona & Vertumnus	Powers Protecting Orchards and Gardens
Aether		God of Light
Eos	Aurora, Mater Matuta	Goddess of the Dawn
Asklepios	Aesculapius	God of Health and Medicine
Hygea		Goddess of Health
Aeolus		King of the Winds
Boreas	Aquilo	North Wind
Zephyr	Favonius	West Wind
Notus	Auster	South Wind
Eurus	Eurus	East Wind
Pontus		God of the Deep Sea
Nereus		"Old Man of the Sea"
Triton		Trumpeter of the Sea
Ate		Goddess of Mischief
Eris	Discordia	Goddess of Discord
Maia	Fauna, Bono Dea	Goddess of Fields, "Good Goddess"
	Flora	Goddess of Flowers
Hypnos	Somnus	God of Sleep
	Juturna	Goddess of Springs [Water]
Nike	Victoria	Goddess of Victory
Peitha	Suadela	Goddess of Persuasion
Hecate	Trivia	Goddess of the Crossways, the Dark Side of the Moon, and Magic
Tyche	Fortuna	Goddess of Fortune
	Voluptas	Goddess of Pleasure
Poena		Goddess of Punishment
Nemesis		Goddess of Revenge
Hespera		Goddess of Dusk
Morpheus		God of Dreams
Phosphor	Lucifer	Light-bearer, Star that brings in the day
Fama		God of fame, rumor

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As you can see the Romans really changed the gods up to reach the standards that they wanted, because htey thought they were the superior beings (which they were at that time), and also because they wanted to be different from everyone else. now think nowadays doesn't America want to be different then everyone else? Don't American's change things up to reach their standards to show that they are superior? Yes to both, we like the Romans want to be different it shows that we are superior.

This blog wen through the idea that Rome was superior at that time. Rome wanted to be different then the Greeks because they took over them and all of the Mediterranean which would make them the super power at the time. So the Romans decided to change the gods that everyone worshiped they changed names added new ones and took some of the gods out to show the world that they can do what they wanted. Some of the gods had completely different names then what they had when the Greeks were in control.


References:

"The Olympians." Dr. James Jackson. http://198.248.56.50/~jjackson/oly.html.

Siren, "Greek Gods." http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/7371/greekgods.html.

Tulane University, "Priapus." http://homeport.tcs.tulane.edu/lester/text/Western.Architect/Pompeii/Pompeii65.html.

Parada, Carlos. Greek Mythology Link. http://www.hsa.brown.edu/~maicar/.

Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1942

Final Questions

1.What was the most prominant building in Sumerian civilization?
a. The Ziggurat
b. The Temple
c.The City-State
d.The Obelisk
B

2.What are some similarities of Sumerian Epic the epic of Gilgamesh, and a Bible story that is well known? It is almost exactly like the story of Noah and the flood.

3.Explain the act of mummification.
They would cut a hole in your side pull out the organs. Then make a hole n your nose and with a metal stck slowly pull apart the brain and bring it out.

4.Why were Arab neighbors of Palestine outraged?
a. Because Palestine became richer then them.
b. Because Palestine was mostly jews.
c. Because Palestine was 90% Arab muslims.
d. Because Palestine was all nomadic peoples.
C

5.Why was the Babylonian captivity of the Hebrew people not last very long?
a. Because Persia took over Babylonia.
b. Bacause the nomadic peoples destroyed Babylon.
c. Because Solomon fought back.
d. Because Alexander destroyed Babylonia.
A

6.Why was the Great Peloponnesian War such a downfall for Greek city-states.
Because Athens was destroyed making the Delian League fall apart and making Athens' enemies to attack them.

7.What were the three citizen groups in Sumeria.
a.King, noble, slave
b.Noble, commoner, slave
c.King, soldier, slave
d.Prophet, Noble, Slave
B

Greek Art

Ancient Greek art, now a days, is very expensive and viewed highly as great paintings on pottery or great sculptures by an artist. But back when they were making these things the artists didn't make a lot of money because the Greeks at that time didn't care about art that much. The orange and black paintings that had men on the paintings were always naked no matter what they were doing. The orange and black style of painting derived from the Greek Culture and was normally paitned on jars that were traded across seas and they had no value what so ever. But now if you find an actual pot that was painted it would be worth millions.

Archaic Art
"The Archaic sculptures are silent witnesses to the extraordinary development western society was about to undertake. The Kouros and Kore statues stand before a cultural revolution, all muscles tense, like a spring about to burst with energy into an extraordinary wave of classical thought. They stand with smiles frozen with meaning as if they knew what was about to occur [ more ]"

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"The Classical Period
At the National Museum of Athens: The ancient Greek Artist invented his own self and became the creator of god and man alike in a universe of perfect formal proportions, idealized aesthetic values and a newly found sense of freedom. This was a freedom from barbarism and tyranny [ more ] "

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"Hellenistic Art
Exclusive Gifts and apparel The subtle implications of greatness and humility of the high Classical era (see the Charioteer of Delphi) are replaced with bold expressions of energy and power during the moments of tension as evident in the Boy Jockey. [ more ] "

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These were some of several Greek arts that involved skill to create. The most common though of all is that which lasted the entire Greek time period. That is the paintings on pottery such as the orange and black colored pots. What is so significant of these is of course they will be painted by artists, and they will sometimes paint stories on the pots to show the world what Greek city-states, which were cities that acted as their own nation, were doing.

If you look at a statue in a museum or something you can tell if it is a greek statue or not. All Greek statues are perfect. They will show a many with a six pack, perfect body, will show them wearing armor, and they will be buff. Greeks did this in a way of showing that they are te superior that they are better a way of provoking the other nation surrounding them.

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Work citied:

Powers, H. H. The message of greek art. The macmillan co., New York, 1913.

Movie before the Spartans

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great who was king of Greece conquerd much of the world that was unknown to the ancient Greeks at the time.

"Alexander the Great (Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας or Μέγας Ἀλέξανδρος,[1] Mégas Aléxandros; July 20, 356 BC[2] – June 10 or June 11, 323 BC),[3] also known as Alexander III of Macedon (Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' ὁ Μακεδών) was an ancient Greek[4][5] king (basileus) of Macedon (336–323 BC). He was one of the most successful military commanders of all time and is presumed undefeated in battle. By the time of his death, he had conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks.[6]>

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Alexander was a great war hero to the Greeks. He was their king, their uniter of the Greek colonies, and their leader in the wars against the world. He took over and destroyed many great empires.

"Alexander assumed the kingship of Macedon following the death of his father Philip II, who had unified[7] most of the city-states of mainland Greece under Macedonian hegemony in a federation called the League of Corinth.[8] After reconfirming Macedonian rule by quashing a rebellion of southern Greek city-states and staging a short but bloody excursion against Macedon's northern neighbours, Alexander set out east against the Achaemenid Persian Empire, which he defeated and overthrew.

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He was such a great militairy leader that later ofter the overthrow of the Persian empire he extended his boundries as far as India. On his conquest he took over many places such as giza and all of Egypt, Meopatamis, Syria, and many other places. leagend has it that he was an undefeated general during his reign.

"Alexander was born in Pella, Macedonia, the son of Philip of Macedon, who was an excellent general and organizer. His mother was Olympias, princess of Epirus. She was brilliant and hot-tempered. Alexander inherited the best qualities of both his parents. But he was even more ambitious than his father. He wept bitterly when he heard of Philip's conquests and said, " My father will get ahead of me in everything, and will leave nothing great for me to do." Alexander's mother taught him that Achilles was his ancestor, and that his father was descended from Hercules. Alexander learned by heart the Iliad, a story about the deeds of Achilles. He carried a copy of the Iliad with him, and Achilles became Alexander's model .
Even as a boy Alexander was fearless and strong. He tamed the beautiful and spirited Bucephalus, a horse that no one else dared to touch or ride. Later, this famous steed carried him as far as India, where it died. Alexander then built the city of Bucephala on the Hydaspes River in memory of his beloved horse. Philip was so proud of Alexander's power over the horse that he said, "O my son, seek out a kingdom worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee."

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So even from an early stage Alexander was a well learned person who because of his fearlessness and his strength even as a boy made him the man that he was when he was older. As a youth he was a pupil of Aristotle he was always ready to learn from Aristotle and at the age of 18 he participated in a battle that his father the king was commanding. Alexander murdered his father for the throne and wished to be worshiped as gods got worshiped.

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"Alexander had vast plans, including his governmental reorganization and an expedition to Arabia. But he was taken seriously ill with malaria at Babylon. The simple remedies of the day did not help him. He died on June 13, 323 B.C. His body was placed in a gold coffin and taken to Memphis, in Egypt. Later it was carried to Alexandria, and placed in a beautiful tomb.
Alexander left no choice for a successor. His only son, Alexander IV, was born after Alexander's death. As a result, Alexander's leading generals became governors of various areas and fought among themselves for control of the Empire. But no single leader emerged, and by 311 B.C. the empire split into independant states or monarchies."

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Alexander's will that he had to take over and rule the world nad be worshiped as a god fell into termoil espacially after his death. Everything he had fought for was worthless because he did not have a succesor.

This is a poem with a son talking to his dad.

People,The Best Loved Poems of the American:1936 Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Son:

How big was Alexander, pa,

That People call him Great?

Was he like old goliath tall

His spear a hundred weight?

Was he so large that he could stand

Like some tall steeple high

And while his feet were on the ground

His hands could touch the sky?

Father:

O no, my child:about as large

As me or uncle James

Twas not his stature that made him great

But greatness of his name.

Son:

His name so great? I know tis long

But easy quite to spell

And more than half a year ago

I knew it very well

Father:

I mean my child his actions were

So great he got his name

That everybody speaks with praise

That tells about his fame.

Son:

Well what actions did he do?

I want to know it all

Father:

Why he it was who conquered Tyre

And leveled down her wall

And thousands of her people slew

And then to Persia went

And fire and sword on every side

Though many a region sent

A hundred conquered cities shone

With midknight burnings red

And strewedo'er a many a battleground

A thousands soldiers bled.

Son:

Did killing people make him great?

Then why was Able Young

Who killedhis neighbor training day

Put into jail and hung?

I never heard them call him great.

Father:

Why no twas not a war

And him who kills a single man

His neighbors all abhor.

Son:

Well then if i should kill a man

I'd kill a hundred more I should be great and not be hung

Like Abel Young before.

Father:

Not so my child twill never do

The Gospel bids be kind

Son:

Then they that kill and they that praise

The Gospel do not mind.

Father:

You know my child the Bible says

That you must always do

To others as you wish

To have them do to you.

Son:

But Pa did Alexander wish

That some strong man would come

And burn his house and kill him too

And do as he has done?

Did everybody call him Great

For killing people so?

Well now what right did he have to kill

I should be glad to know.

If one should burn the building here

And kill the folks within

Would anybody call him Great

For such a wicked thing?(People 407-408)

Era of Pericles

The Era of Pericles is very important in todays history because during his reign many brilliant people came along in Athens and created new ideas such as the person who figured out that the moon reflected the sun's rays. Also he was the leader of Athens during Athens's golden age which was constructed when he was in the process of creating a great empire.

"Pericles was also considered an eloquent speaker who "carried the thunder and lightning on his tongue". Although he was from an aristocratic family, he was the leader of the peoples' party. His mistress was the intelligent and beautiful Aspasia, whom he was to marry later on in life. Together the couple would host meetings of intellectuals and their wives in their home.

Pericles' rule as a statesman in Athens is called the Golden Age of Pericles, and he was an eager supporter of democracy. He wanted all citizens of Athens to take an active part in politics, and he was the first to pay servants to the state. Members of the council were chosen by all Athenians, and Pericles restored and built many temples and structures, such as the Parthenon on the Acropolis, employing the poorest citizens.

source

Shutt, Phillip. Foundations of Western Thought. Barnes and Noble Publishing/Audio. New York: 2004.

His building plan was enormous it cost Athens in modern day terms a couble billion dollars to create the structures that he created in the golden age of Athens. The building of the parthenon was so grand and needed such skill to create that it took many years to create.

The Parthenon of Athens was crafted by masters in Athens that if made a mistake would be severly punished. It use to enclose approximatley a 40ft solid gold and ivory statue of Athena the grey eyed one and was studded with jewels that held a 6ft statue of Nike.

"Pericles had such a profound influence on Athenian society that Thucydides, his contemporary historian, acclaimed him as "the first citizen of Athens". Pericles turned the Delian League into an Athenian empire and led his countrymen during the first two years of the Peloponnesian War. The period during which he led Athens, roughly from 461 to 429 BC, is sometimes known as the "Age of Pericles", though the period thus denoted can include times as early as the Persian Wars, or as late as the next century.

Pericles promoted the arts and literature; this was a chief reason Athens holds the reputation of being the educational and cultural centre of the ancient Greek world. He started an ambitious project that built most of the surviving structures on the Acropolis (including the Parthenon). This project beautified the city, exhibited its glory, and gave work to the people.[1] Furthermore, Pericles fostered Athenian democracy to such an extent that critics call him a populist.[2][3]"

source

Shutt, Phillip. Foundations of Western Thought. Barnes and Noble Publishing/Audio. New York: 2004.

Pericles was ruler of Athens for over 20 years and as you have read established a prominant empire and willingly continued the democracy that was established by Cleisthenes. This era when Pericles was ruler was significant mainly because of the things he built said and did. one of the things that lead to the downfall of Athens was that Pericles after being thrown from ruler of Athens told the people of Athens that going to war with the spartans would be an uter destruction for the Athenian people and for Athens. He knew that they had reached their apex he just didn't realize how rapid they would fall in such little time.