Today's werid class 4/28/11

Today in western civ we took another pop quiz on the second set of readings we got. I think i failed. I mean it hard to retain alot of info like that especially since its a lot of paragraphs and pages. Hopefully if we have anymore pop quizzes I will do better on them. We also had a couple tornado warnings today and had to sit out in the hallways for a while. It was kinda weird.

Today's class 4/27/11

Define

A.    Consul: A consul is like a king in that he commanded armies and directed the government.  Rome had two and they could only rule for one year and not be elected again for ten years.

B.     Veto: Means “I forbid” and is a way to overrule another consuls decisions.

C.     Senate: Was the aristocratic branch of Rome’s government.

D.    Assembly: Was the democratic side of Rome’s government.  It consisted of all the citizen-soldiers of Rome.

E.     Dictator: Only used in times of crisis, a dictator had absolute power to make laws and command the army.  Their power only lasted six months.  They were chosen by the consuls and elected by the senate.

F.      Mercenary: Soldiers who fight for a country for pay.

Answer

1.      (a)Why were many plebeians dissatisfied with Rome’s government in the early years of the republic?

They were dissatisfied because they were barred from holding most important positions in government, like; commanding armies, high priests, and high offices.

(b)How did they win reforms?

They won reforms by refusing to fight in the Roman army unless there were reforms.

(c)What changes did they bring about in Roman government?

They gained access to government positions, more favorable laws, enslavement for debt was ended, marriage between plebeians and patricians was allowed, and the creation of a written law, called the twelve tablets, was established.

           

2.      Why did Romans consider that they had a balanced government?

They thought they had a balanced government because it was a part monarchy, part aristocracy, and part democracy, which they thought gave them the best mixture of governments.

3.      Once Rome had conquered most of Italy, how did the roman government win the support of the conquered people?

They won support because they willing to extend citizenship to those outside of Rome.  The new citizens became partners in the growth of Rome.

4.      (a)At the start of the Punic Wars, why might Carthage have appeared the stronger power?

Carthage was three time the size of Rome, they had a large navy of 500 ships, they were very wealthy, and were able to hire mercenaries.

(b)Why was Rome, in fact, the victor?

Rome had the advantage of drawing on a 500,000 soldier reserve, their citizens were more loyal, and war was Rome’s specialty, since they spent so many years pursuing it.

           

5.      Why was the battle of Zama a major turning point in history?

Because Rome was victorious.  If Carthage had won the war then they would have become the greatest empire in history and Rome would not have passed down its laws, government, and culture to western civilization.

6.      (a)Why did the Greeks at first welcome Roman Armies?

They first welcomed them because they thought the Roman’s were protectors.  The Roman’s had freed the Greeks from Philip V of Macedon.

(b)Why did the Greek attitude change?

Their attitude changed because the Roman’s interfered in Greek politics and they became increasingly ruthless.

Today in western civ we took a pop quiz and then reviewed the answers and the readings from last night. Tonight we got more readings to do.

Today's class and homework 4/26/11

Words and their Definitions :)

• Patrician - specially privaleged families; they dominated Roman cities
• Plebian - free citizans with a number of rights, including voting
• Legion - a massive miliatry unit of 4,000-6,000 foot soldiers
• Century - 100 years
• Republic - political unit, not ruled by a monarchy, where citizans have the right to vote
• Gravitas - weightiness or seriousness
• Pater Familias - father of the family
• Toga - an uncomfortable garment of clothing. Usually a large wool blanket, women wore more dressy garments called stolas.

Questions and their Answers :)

1. How did georgraphy help Rome?
1. Rome is located midway between the Alps and Italy's southern tip. Thus the city is a central point within a central penninsula. Occupies an ideal position to send out armies and ships in all directions. Has many key trade routes
2. Why was each of the following groups important to Romes development (A) Latins, (B) Greeks, (C) Etruscans?
1. Latins: Rome began as a settlement of Latin shepards. Romulus built his wall around this hill of shepards.
2. Greeks: established about 50 colonies on the coast of southern Italy and Sicily. The numerous reeks were called the Greater Greeks (Magnus Graecia)
3. Etruscans: May have come from Asia Minor, and were more civilized than the Latin's. Had a writing system. Roamn buildings show influence of Etruscan architecture. Also helped develop Roman trade.
3. What were the values of early Roman society?
1. Romans valued family ties. The heart of Roman society was family. The household belonged exclusively to one person - the eldest man or father of the house. (pater familias). Women ran the household, father acted as the chief priest.
4. (A) How was the Roman household organized? (B)What freedoms did women have in family and in society?
1. The father acted as the protector and priest of the house. Women ran the household.
2. Women ate with their husbands, and she often advised him on buisness and politics. Oficcially the Roman woman was expected to remain in the background and they could not vote.
5. How was the army linked to the Roman society?
1. All men were required to serve in the army. You had to join the army before you could do anything else in society. Rifhting Roman-style meant being a part of the legion.

Today in class Mr. Schick came back from being sick. He didn't seem like himself today though. Very out of it, and....crazy if you will. Very entertaining though. After today's class....I think we all need help.

today's class 4/20/11

Today in western civ we took a test on Ancient Greece. It wasn't that hard. I am pretty sure I will get a good grade on it. Mr Schick was not here today so we had a sub.

Today's class 4/18/11

Today in western civ we reviewed for out test on wednesday since we do not have class on tuesday. We talked about things such as Alexander the Great, the Poetry, the Philosophers, Architecture, etc. I have to say I think this test will be pretty easy. Oh and we had an extremely odd prayer session today...

Today's class 4/15/11 and the movie: Alexander

Today in class we are watching another movie. The first scene we watched was about when Alexander tamed his horse Bucephalus. The horse was afraid of his shadow and Alexander taught it how to ride without seeing his shadow. The next scene is where Alexander and his men prepare for battle. Then they show the battle scene where they battled the Persians. It was a very gruesome battle, one of the worst Alexander has ever been in.

Today's class and notes 4/14/11

Socrates:

• He was critizied by the Athenians: head was too big, eye weretoo large, etc
• He walked barefoot, clad only in a ditry robe
• did not care about appearance, only the mind
• looking for a revolution
• People took the gods out of the objects and replaced them with reason
• Birth of Science
• first great greek scientist: Thalese: could figure out the height of almost anything
• Thalese wrote the first book about how to sail at night using the stars
• Socrates created a new way of thinking, using reason to decipher people
• spent his days in conversation, talking and debating with anyone who would talk
• He says things like: My eyes are more beautiful because they bulge out so I can see better
• Socrates said that you should base your knowledge on what you think is right and wrong
• The unexamined life is not worth living
• The Plague in Athens
• would kill many people
• the population was so crowded behind the wall, that it spread like wild fire
• somewhere between 1/3 and 2/3 of the population died
• Pericles also died from the Plague in 429 BC
• Athens now faced the potential to go into mob rule
• After Pericles death, Athens never had a leader with an actual plan to better the city or to help them
• Over 50,000 men were either captured or killed in the war with Sparta and Sicily
• Socrates was arrested on charges of undermining the state relogion
• he constantly questioned the city's policys
• Was to be killed with deat hby hemlock (poisonous plant)
• Was never upset or angry or scared of facing death. Was always calm
• Socrates believed man should question the world around him
• He died for his principles

Today in class we watched the rest of the Ancient Greece movie. These are my notes.