Re: Jessica's reading assignment thread

by JessicaMoore Sun Oct 19, 2014 1:28 am

Chapter 8 study guide

Who: Andean cultures
Which: Chavin
When: 850 - 250 B.C.
Where:land west of the Andes and ends with the Pacific Ocean.
POlitical system:
economy: its artisans worked on tiles and ceramics, but the incorporating of maize in their agriculture also projected them as a nation.
religion: given the amount of art this culture produced, its safe to say some of it served a religious purpose, although it remains unclear what they specifically believed.
notable achievements: The Chavin culture was known for its artistic motifs and though the time in which the Chavin people flourished was not a period with political unity, it did produce some of the Andean cultures most finest art.

Who: Andean cultures
Which: Mochica state
When: 200-700 A.D.
Where: on the coast of north Chavin
POlitical system: a military-run state.
economy: it had many artisans among its people who built temples, residences, and platforms, as well as pottery.
social system: its social sphere consisted of nobles, priests, farmers, soldiers, and slaves. Of course, agriculture remained a major factor in the lives of most of its people.
notable achievements: their achievements appeared in the realm of pottery, building projects, jewelery making, and tools production.

by JessicaMoore Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:42 am

Cicero sent to his son a series of essays titled On Duties around the year 44 B.C. Cicero wrote these essays in the last year before he died, while he, a well-known philosopher, politician, and orator, attempted to eliminate revolutionary forces in Rome. When his political life seemed shaky he showed to his son ways to live morally and be a upstanding citizen no matter his vocation.Polybius, who wrote The Histories said, "The true test of a perfect man is the power of bearing with spirit and dignity violent changes of fortune." This piece depicts for us not only a deeper understanding of morals, how we should choose them, and why, but it also depicts a father guiding his son even through troubling times. It shows how he explains to him how right or expedient decisions would benefit both himself and his country.
Considering that these essays pertain to philosophical concepts, what is right and wrong and the pursuit of which one to concede to, we can conclude that it holds more meaning than mere surface issues. Both Greek and Roman philosophers alike tell how wealth and material gain are only for the shallow humans, but if we desire for things holding more substance, things that last, then we should discern the truth in all and pursue the knowledge of all good and right things. Cicero explained that "the difference between man and beast is this: while a beast adapts itself to what is and hand and what is present only to the extent that a physical reaction impels it, man is endowed with reason, he easily sees the entire course of life and prepares beforehand the things necessary to its conduct." He shows that man is capable of greater accomplishments than merely existing, giving us a "on the scene" account of what man can and should do. The author clearly is in favor of doing the right thing not just in private life but also in public, political life. This document does not necessarily depict for us, however, the political strife going on at the time, consider that he wrote this the year of his death and the assassination of Caesar the ruler. While he speaks about living correctly he does not give the turmoil he experienced in the political world as reason to live a moral life. Though clearly deeper matters were on his mind, he did not give his son a direct glimpse (at least not in this letter) into his personal, political life or that his life may have been in danger because of his position and beliefs.

by JessicaMoore Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:55 pm

Polybius, being a captive in Rome around mid 200 B.C., wrote The Histories, accounting to his audience the reason for Rome being one of the dominant world orders at the time, which he attributed to its constitution. Due to him saying, "I there stated that the feature of my work which was at once the best in itself, and the most instructive to the students of it" we could conclude he writes this as a teacher addresses a class. He speaks to his audience in an informative manner, seeking to divulge the truth about what makes a nation great. Therefore, his audience was most likely some sort of students of his back in Greece. Due to Greek culture having a negative view of foreigners and possessing such a large amount of pride for their own country, it seems odd that Polybius speaks so highly of the Roman world, which may hint at him having a change of heart about his beloved Greece and embracing the reality that Rome dominates the Mediterranean because of its principles. His words hold more weight than the mere praising of a society, but perhaps the renouncing of a Greek of his own countries' power and ability. Polybius knew that Rome was involved in a great number of wars, yet it remained sound and represented its people well in seemingly all manners. He shows how their republic remained stable regardless of the attacks it made on others or others on their nation; while it was a trying time in Rome's history, it also was a growing time. He also expresses how strong morals- refusal of bribery from those seeking office, etc- keeps the nation strong. An interesting thing to note about this document is he doesn't mention how the Romans treat its captives, considering that he himself is a captive. While they may have a strong constitution upholding the republic, it may treat its captives how Greeks treated theirs, as barbarians. He never reveals that in his work, leaving out an important element of Roman life.

by JessicaMoore Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:00 am

-Augustus' Res Gestae Divi Augusti-
Augustus, emperor of Rome between 27 B.C.-14 A.D., wrote this work of accomplishments, Res Gestae Divi Augusti, recounting his acts of kindness towards soldiers, fellow politicians and even his revenge of his father's assassins. While the piece accounts that he offered a lot of money- considering a sesterces doesn't have much meaning to us now but we can assume that giving over a billion sesterces to various people was a lot of money- it does not explain to us what kind of power he possessed as an emperor. He obviously did hold enough power for him to distribute money and for him to be a good enough emperor for him not to have been assassinated like his father but also to have had ceremonies held in his honor and for his health. This piece does not, however, reveal how he governed as a whole. It tells us that he gave lots of money to the needy, and fought in battles, but does not describe all of Roman life in that time. It only depicts his accomplishments, not even elaborating who assassinated his father or what battles he fought in.
He wrote this "resume" for the purpose of it being read at his funeral. According to Augustus, he was a generous man giving food, supplies, or money to those who needed them most, and worked diligently to govern Rome. He perhaps wrote to his successors or his own children, showing them what means he used to keep Rome a large world order, also to reveal his own character. He also may have written this for the general masses to remember all of his good deeds as an emperor, as Polybius stated, " the fame of those who have performed any noble deed is never allowed to die; and the renown of those who have done good service to their country become of common knowledge to the multitude". He wrote those wrote this document so that his posterity would remember him and replicate his courage and goodness.

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