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460
B. C. The Buddha PART 1
The founder of Buddhism was Siddhartha Gautama, who was born into a noble family that lived in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. Siddhartha wandered through the forest for six years seeking wisdom, or enlightenment. He debated with other religious seekers and fasted. Finally, he sat in meditation and after 49 days of doing so, he understood what caused suffering in the world. -
460
B.C. The Buddha PART 2
He created the Four Noble Truths: (1) Everything in life is suffering and sorrow. (2) The cause of all suffering is people's selfish desire for the temporary pleasures of this world. (3) The way to end all suffering is to end all desires, and (4) The way to overcome such desires and attain enlightenment is to follow the Eightfold Path, which is called the Middle Way between desires and self-denial. -
476
Fall of Rome PART 1
Many factors contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. These problems came from both within and outside of the empire. One factor was that its empire was in debt. "Desperate to pay its mounting expenses, including the rising cost of defense, the government raised taxes. It also started minting coins that contained less and less silver. It hoped to create more money with the same amount of precious metal. However, the economy soon suffered from inflation." -
476
Fall of Rome PART 2
In addition, its military had growing troubles, one of which was that mercenaries were being hired to help defend and protect Rome from invasions. The problem with mercenaries was that they weren't loyal to the empire because they weren't natives, so they didn't fight at their best to defend Rome. Lastly, the Romans were having political issues. -
551
Confucius PART 1
Confucius was China's most influential scholar. He was born in 551 and lived at a time when the Zhou Dynasty was being torn apart by warring lords. he studied and taught history, music, and moral character. Confucius believed that harmony, good government, and social order could be restored in China is society was organized with five relationships: (1) Ruler and subject, (2) Father and son, (3) Husband and wife, (4) Older brother and younger brother, and (5) Friend and friend. -
551
Confucius PART 2
Confucius stressed that children should practice filial piety, or respect for their parents and elders. He also said that education could transform a humbly born person into a gentleman and that education is important to the welfare of the individual and to society. After his death in 476 B.C., his followers dedicated themselves to recording his teachings and beliefs to be preserved for the people of the future to learn from. -
551
Confucius Citation
Confucius. Jonathan D. Spence. The Wilson Quarterly (1976-). Vol. 17, No. 4 (Autumn, 1993), pp 30. -
Jan 1, 1300
The European Renaissance:Italian Renaissance PART 1
The European Renaissance, a rebirth of learning and the arts, began in Italy in the 1300s. Renaissance ideas about classical studies, art, and literature still influence modern thought today. From 1300 to 1600, Europe was bursting with creativity. The Renaissance initially began in northern Italy and later spread north. During the Renaissance, as scholars studied Greek works, they became more and more influenced by classical ideas, which helped them develop a new view of life. -
Jan 1, 1300
The European Renaissance:Italian Renaissance PART 2
Artists during this time portrayed religious subjects but used a realistic style which they copied from classical models. Also in their art, Roman and Greek subjects became more popular. "Renaissance writers wrote either for self-expression or to portray the individuality of their subjects. In these ways, writers of the Renaissance began trends that modern writers still follow." -
Jan 1, 1430
B. C. Joan of Arc PART 2
Folks were either upset that they had been led by or defeated by a teenage girl. Unfortunately, Joan of Arc was sentenced to death and was burned at stake. She was very inspirational and is a role model for her extreme courage. -
Jan 1, 1430
B.C. Joan of Arc PART 1
Joan of Arc was 13, just about my age, when she began to have visions and hear what she thought were the voices of saints telling her to help Charles VII to drive the English from France. Though she ultimately saved the French from the English's invasion, she was put on trial in 1430. Because she claimed to have heard voices and had visions, she was accused of heresy and witchcraft. People say that her trial was more political than it was religious. -
B.C. Hammuarbi's Code PART1
Hammurabi reigned in the Babylonian Empire from 1792 B.C. to 1750 B.C. and his reign brought the Babylonian Empire to its peak. He put a law code together in which the essential rule was "an eye for an eye". The code lists 282 specific laws that deal with everything that affected the community. It included family relations, crime, and business conduct. The code tells us a lot about the Mesopotamian beliefs and the things they valued. -
B.C. Hammurabi's Code PART 2
Even though the code applied to everyone, it had different consequences for the rich and poor and for men and women. I think this is important because it was the first successful law code and even though it was brutal, it was effective. The only thing I dislike about it is that it has differing punishments; I feel that everyone should be treated equally. The Laws of Hammurabi. George E. Vincent. American Journal of Sociology. Vol. 9, No. 6 (May, 1904), pp 737-754. -
B. C. Jesus Christ PART 1
Jesus was born in Judea in the town of Bethlehem. Though the exact date is uncertain, he was thought to be born around 6 to 4 B.C. He was both a Jew and a Roman subject. Jesus was baptized by a prophet named John the Baptist. Jesus began his public ministry at the age of 30 and for the next few years he preached, taught, did good works, and even reportedly performed miracles. -
B. C. Jesus Christ PART 2
"His teaching contained many ideas from Jewish tradition, such as monotheism, or belief in only one god, and the principles of the ten Commandments." He emphasized the relationship between God and every human being, it's a personal one. Jesus expressed that it is important to love God, their enemies, and themselves...everyone. With the help of his disciples and his miracles, he grew popular, which worried Roman and Jewish leaders. -
B. C. Jesus Christ PART 3
When Jesus visited Jerusalem in A.D. 29, he was arrested and crucified. I am Christian, and all Christians look up to Jesus and it was great to learn in depth about what happened back in those days when Jesus was alive. I would have loved to see him perform a miracle. Constructive Studies in the Life of Christ. Ernest De Witt Burton & Shailer Mathews. The Biblical World. Vol. 16, No. 4 (Oct, 1900), pp 283-294. -
B. C. Socrates PART 1
Socrates was one of the world's most powerful and influential thinkers in history. He was a strong critic of the Sophists and believed that absolute standards did exist for truth and justice. He encouraged the Greeks to question themselves and their moral character. Historians believe that he was the philosopher who said "The unexamined life is not worth living." Most people in his time did not understand his thinking and his ideas. -
B.C. Socrates PART 2
In 399 B.C., he was brought to trial for "corrupting the youth of Athens" and "neglecting the city's gods." To defend himself, Socrates argued that his teachings were good for Athens because they challenged people to think about their actions and values. He was condemned to death. "There is only one good, knowledge; and one evil, ignorance." -
B. C. Socrates PART 3
These words speak to me because they challenge people to learn. His way of asking questions about life often reaches the youth because it is a way of rebellion. Skills, Socrates, and the Sophists: Learning from History. Steve Johnson. British Journal of Educational Studies. Vol. 46, No.2 (Jun., 1998), pp 201-213.
