13 lucky questions:
1.) What is the concept of “the cockpit of Europe,” and how did it allow the West to emerge as a much more powerful part of the globe both militarily and economically? Be sure to consider the gunpowder revolution in all of its manifestations.
2.) There were a lot of reasons why slavery was important to the development of the sugar trade, and why sugar was important to the development of the Atlantic slave trade. Describe this relationship on both the “macro” (big picture) and “micro” (detailed) level.
3.) What measures did Emperor Hongwu put in place to ensure the stability of the Ming Empire? How did the fleet of Zheng He reflect a deviation from this policy? What ultimately happened to this fleet?
4.) Describe how the Mongol invasions toppled the old Abbasid empire and led to the emergence of three distinct empires representing significant divisions in the Islamic faith.
5.) How do most people “know what they know” about the legendary English victory at the Battle of Agincourt, and what do they presume to be keys of victory? How did this misconception ultimately hurt the military fortunes of England?
6.) With respect to its ability to conquer, the Mongol Army should remind us of the exploits of Alexander the Great (except that the Mongols conquered even more ground.) Yet the Mongols did not leave behind an enduring culture like Alexander. Describe the conquering style and characteristics of the Mongols that destined their culture to be so fleeting.
7.) Describe fully the agricultural revolution in Medieval Europe. Why did it make sense for this transformation to take place on monastery lands or on manors? What consequences did this revolution have?
8.) The Ottomans emerged as a powerful and particularly well-run empire. What were some of the key elements to the Ottomans’ system of conquest and governance that lent it stability? What was the empire’s greatest period? At what point did the empire begin to weaken?
9.) How did Greek classics retrieved out of Constantinople and spread about Western Europe during the “Renaissance” fuel both civic humanism and criticism of the Catholic Church while undermining the traditional devotion to Scholasticism?
10.) Describe some of the motivations behind the Crusades. Why were they ultimately a failure? In what ways did they aid Western Europe?
11.) When it came to the spice trade in Asia, in what ways did the arrival of the Portuguese represent a fundamental departure from the way that the spice trade had been conducted since the time of the Roman Empire? What enabled the Portuguese to get away with this sort of trade? How did the Dutch ultimately challenge them?
12.) What was it about the spice trade that made it such a convenient calling for Muslim traders? Describe the symbiotic relationship between the spice trade and the spread of Islam.
13.) In what ways was Martin Luther an “accidental man” who did not intend to start a theological revolution? How unusual was he in the Germany of his era? What was the nature of the relationship between German principalities and the Catholic Church, and how did it allow Luther to avoid being burned at the stake? How was Luther aided by technology, and what intellectual currents helped fuel his “Reformation?”
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Test 3 Answer Key
Here is the key I used to grade your exams. Note that at some level, interpretation of points and value is subjective and that I tried to be as generous as possible with partial credit.
Test: “Comus”
1.) When Rome went to war with the Carthaginians and Greeks in the Punic Wars, it established a precedent of making slaves out of conquered peoples. Thereafter, slavery became an intrinsic part of any Roman conquest.
Rome grew increasingly dependant upon slavery, particularly agricultural slavery. As an institution, it created a large discontented unemployed population, led to periodic slave revolts, and disproportionately wealthy slave owners who farmed the Latifunda. It also sapped the Roman work ethic.
As long as Rome conquered, it gained more slaves – which it needed, because Roman slaves were worked to death – there was no inheritable permanent slave class. When Rome failed to conquer, it could not replace slave labor, and the republic could not sustain itself without major restructuring. Increasingly, Rome could not afford its empire.
2.) The discourses on salt and iron were a METAPHOR for the question of whether or not Legalism or Confucianism was the better governing philosophy for China. The discourses took place when the Han seized power from the Qin. The Qin ruled with a heavily Legalistic hand and, as a consequence, regulated salt and iron very strictly believing that the people must be controlled. The Han were Confucians and looked toward the Discourses to lend intellectual weight to a new policy toward freer markets in salt and iron. The problem encountered by the Han was that free markets did not raise revenue. The Discourses aimed at reconciling Confucianism with Legalism and determining when state control was appropriate – ultimately keeping the monopolies on salt and iron.
3.) The Vikings developed a new kind of shallow draft boat that was both seaworthy and ideal for coastal raiding. With Europe in a state of decentralized disarray, it proved easy pickings for Viking raiders. The Vikings also established overland trading routes through the northern and central European lands, extending to Kiev. The Vikings were unable to defeat Byzantium because it was the first major military power that they had faced. Instead, the attacking force was converted to Orthodox Christianity. These former Vikings ultimately spread Orthodoxy along its trade routes through Kiev, ensuring that Russia would be Orthodox Christian. When Constantinople eventually fell, Kiev and Moscow already rivaled it as the center of Orthodox Christianity, thus preserving the faith.
4.) The Abbasids moved the capitol to Baghdad. They allowed all Muslims, not just Arabs, to become important intellectual figures in Islam. They were relatively tolerant of Christians and Jews and encouraged people of all ethnicities to convert to Islam, making it far more welcoming. The Abbasids were eager to gain as much technological and philosophical knowledge as possible and as a consequence, Baghdad became a great center of learning – a place that preserved Greek and Roman classics by translating them into Arabic, as well as Hindu and Chinese knowledge. They also promulgated Sharia law.
5.) Constantine, it is told, saw the (chi rho) Px or symbol of the crucified Christ and so he placed it on his army’s labarum (crest) during his efforts to reconsolidate power in Rome. In return, he vowed a “conversion” to Christianity – which was something of a calculated political risk. Constantine’s material reasons for conversion were that he saw in Christianity an opportunity to unite the empire and bring stability. Unfortunately he discovered disunity in Christian doctrine. To address this, he called the Council of Nicaea so as to establish the core of Christian beliefs and to create uniformity.
6.) Vedic religions adapted to pressures brought to bear by the spread of Buddhism and Islam. Hinduism emerged with some fundamental differences. Hindus embraced vegetarianism and rejected the practice of animal sacrifice. Hindus also set forth flexible deity figures in a “one god” concept, making Hinduism nominally monotheistic. It established the Laws of Manu, which reinforced older Vedic caste systems by preventing meaningful social contact (marriage, etc) between castes.
7.) The Flavian Amphitheater, or “Colleseum” was a symbol of the importance of mass entertainment. Every Roman city of consequence had one. Roman emperors staged games as a form of creating civil unity through entertainment. Entertainment was often violent, such as gladiatorial contests and animal fights, and fostered the cult of the violent hero and certainly desensitized Romans to the role of blood in their society. Where Romans worried about entertaining the masses, the Confucian Han Chinese felt no need to supply culture or entertainment to the masses, much less such low-brow affairs. The Han believed that its culture should reflect the refined tastes of the elite, which was in line with Confucian ideals. Thus, no such arenas for public performance existed in Han China.
Test: “Rex”
1. Same as on “Comus”
2. The Han Dynasty grew too large to the point where it could no longer manage itself internally nor defend its borders. On the northern plains it faced threats from nomadic people with whom the empire would periodically trade. Meanwhile, in order to support a growing empire and bureaucracy, the Han imposed heavy agricultural taxation which could not be borne by the people. Increasingly Daoist armies began to rise up and demand reform, particularly land reform, as the noble families were not required to pay taxes. Wang Mang tried to invoke land reform by usurping the Han throne, but it was too late. The Han also faced key natural disasters when the Yellow River altered its course. The Era of Self Doubt enabled Daoist and Buddhist ideas to flourish in China, and they continued until 620s when the Tang Dynasty restored Confucian government.
3.) Salt in China involved a great deal of production and technology because it was evaporated either out of the sea or, more often, out of brine pits. Elaborate production schemes involving wells and natural gas emerged in China. Salt also was key to the operation of government, because the government managed to not only organize its production, but taxed its output and determined its distribution. Salt was less an export in China than it was a good traded and consumed internally. In Africa, salt did not necessarily lead to the emergence of government structures as it was more easily gotten out of the ground. Dry blocks of dense salt could be carved out of dry lake beds in the Sahara by slave labor. Unlike China, however, salt was rivaled only by gold and slaves as the West Africa’s most important trade good. It also served to bring Islam into West Africa.
4.) Same as 5 on “Comus”
5.) The Tang civil service system hinged on a series of exams based on the study of Confucian classics. What this did was to create a very able civil service, but also to spread literacy and learning in a uniform language through a broad sector of the population. Since anyone but the sons of merchantmen could take the exam, it opened up the pathway to government power to all orders of society, though it did tend to benefit wealthier Chinese who could afford to send their children to school.
6.) Before Islam, Arabic society was matrilineal, with family names derived from the mother and sons going to live within the wife’s household. Women played an important role in mercantile affairs. In the early years of Muhammad, women played more conspicuous roles in public, including his own wife. But after the Medina to Mecca wars had been successfully won, Islam moved to a more subservient role for women. Patriarchy in Islam came to the fore with the emergence of Sharia law. Yet Islam also prescribed specific protections for women, including their financial security even as it outlined severe punishment for their misbehavior.
7.) Same as 7 on “Comus”
Test: “Proteus”
1.) The historical basis for “Pyrrhic Victory” came from the period of time when Rome was consolidating its power on the Italian peninsula. Pyrrhius was a famous Greek general who had come to the Italian peninsula to defeat the Romans and defend Greek towns in Italy. He was able to beat a Roman army, but because the Romans had fought to the death, they were able to inflict serious casualties on the Greeks. Thus, the Greeks won the battle but were so weakened by it that their victory was meaningless, or “pyrrhic.” The Romans fought this way against superior odds. It was a reflection of Roman discipline and dedication to the soldierly ideal – that a Roman soldier was willing to die for the glory of Rome if necessary. This made Roman armies much more difficult to defeat.
2.) Same as 3 on “Rex”
3.) When the Han took over from the Qin, it was a triumph of Confucianism over Legalism. The Han quickly moved to justify that their rise to power reflected the mandate of heaven because Legalism represented a harsh governing philosophy that was out of step with the people and had led to corrupt abuse by the Qin emperor. Confucianism (at least in principle) valued harmony, family, and morality. One area in which the Han attempted to make a sharp break from the Qin past was in criminal law. They replaced the many harsh punishments meted out by the Qin for trivial offenses with sentences more commensurate with the crime.
4.) Same as 6 on “Rex”
5.) The “fall” of Rome was less of a fall than a transition away from the importance of Rome, the city and a transformation of its frontiers. The “barbarians” that supposedly destroyed Rome had actually become quite Roman, and were actually made up a growing proportion of the forces that defended Rome and/or fought in their Civil Wars. The Barbarians who sacked Rome were had been hired by the empire but were not fed or paid for their services. As Rome could no longer support its large urban populations and maintain its empire, wealthy individuals began to hire on “Barbarian” armies to protect their estates, and these estates began looking a lot like early medieval mini-kingdoms. Meanwhile, the true capitol of the Roman empire was no longer in Rome itself, but in the east in Greek and Turkish areas. Constantine himself would further this trend by founding Constantinople, which was the real center of Roman power and money. For what it is worth, very few people chose this question!
6.) Same as 5 on “Rex”
7.) There were key moments that enabled Christianity to spread between the time of Jesus to the emergence of Constantine. The first of these is that the disciples were particularly dedicated followers who faced enormous risk in order to spread the word of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. They were aided by emerging at the time of the “Pax Romana” – enabling them to spread the word more easily. The tireless efforts of St. Paul are a reflection of this ability, for Paul was able to travel extensively – as far as Spain – to spread the Gospel. He was also able to use Greek to communicate in his famous letters. Martyrdom of individuals like Perpetua also drew people to the faith. Within the Roman context, the idea of dying for belief was powerful, and periodic run-ins with Roman governors provided a platform for Christian sacrifice. Lastly, the years leading up to the rule of Constantine were a time of great turmoil, and the encouraged the flourishing of all salvation religions of the era. Constantine’s conversion legitimized a faith that had survived for 300 years as a largely outlaw religion. With Constantine came translation of Christian texts into the key languages of the era.
Test: “Orpheus”
1.) The internal strife amongst the Jews was whether or not a homeland was essential for the survival of Judaism. The Zealots believed that it was so, and it led to a great deal of violence in Judea. Eventually the Zealots had to take refuge in the mountaintop fortress at Masada. Here they faced ultimate defeat by the 10th Roman Legion, but before the Romans could storm the fort, the Zealots had taken the lives of their wives before committing suicide. The objective of this act was to prove that they were willing to die before they would be taken as slaves. Israeli soldiers make the pilgrimage to Masada because it is a powerful symbol of Zionism. Note: a lot of people missed points by studying a question that was not right.
2.) Same as 2 on “Comus”
3.) Same as 3 on “Comus”
4.) The Tang hoped to revive the Han dynasty. They were successful in doing this and used the civil service system to foster a renewed appreciation for Confucian thinking. This was important because unlike the Han, the Tang had to contend with well-established Buddhist and Daoist movements within China. The Tang were actually able to expand the borders of the empire much further than the Han, but they were unable to hold on to the empire for much of the same reasons. Depressed crop yields combined with renewed attacks on their borders and natural disaster weakened the Tang. The emergence of Islam to the West also limited growth and even contributed to erosion of empire. Note: again, part of the consensus study answer was not correct and/or was incomplete
5.) Same as 4 on “Comus”
6.) Justinian attempted to reassert the glory of Rome by establishing a new sense of order through the development of the “code” or Roman Law. He wanted to establish the greater glory of the Eastern church and especially it Roman capitol of Constantinople by building the famous Hagia Sophia church. Moreover, he had visions of re-conquering lost portions of the Roman Empire in the Mediterranean, in which he was partially successful – particularly in North Africa. In some ways, he was successful by placing the Byzantine empire on a firm footing with regard to administration and laws. But he was not able to restore militarily the old empire as it was and faced continual threats from the East.
7.) Same as 6 on “Comus”
Test: “Comus”
1.) When Rome went to war with the Carthaginians and Greeks in the Punic Wars, it established a precedent of making slaves out of conquered peoples. Thereafter, slavery became an intrinsic part of any Roman conquest.
Rome grew increasingly dependant upon slavery, particularly agricultural slavery. As an institution, it created a large discontented unemployed population, led to periodic slave revolts, and disproportionately wealthy slave owners who farmed the Latifunda. It also sapped the Roman work ethic.
As long as Rome conquered, it gained more slaves – which it needed, because Roman slaves were worked to death – there was no inheritable permanent slave class. When Rome failed to conquer, it could not replace slave labor, and the republic could not sustain itself without major restructuring. Increasingly, Rome could not afford its empire.
2.) The discourses on salt and iron were a METAPHOR for the question of whether or not Legalism or Confucianism was the better governing philosophy for China. The discourses took place when the Han seized power from the Qin. The Qin ruled with a heavily Legalistic hand and, as a consequence, regulated salt and iron very strictly believing that the people must be controlled. The Han were Confucians and looked toward the Discourses to lend intellectual weight to a new policy toward freer markets in salt and iron. The problem encountered by the Han was that free markets did not raise revenue. The Discourses aimed at reconciling Confucianism with Legalism and determining when state control was appropriate – ultimately keeping the monopolies on salt and iron.
3.) The Vikings developed a new kind of shallow draft boat that was both seaworthy and ideal for coastal raiding. With Europe in a state of decentralized disarray, it proved easy pickings for Viking raiders. The Vikings also established overland trading routes through the northern and central European lands, extending to Kiev. The Vikings were unable to defeat Byzantium because it was the first major military power that they had faced. Instead, the attacking force was converted to Orthodox Christianity. These former Vikings ultimately spread Orthodoxy along its trade routes through Kiev, ensuring that Russia would be Orthodox Christian. When Constantinople eventually fell, Kiev and Moscow already rivaled it as the center of Orthodox Christianity, thus preserving the faith.
4.) The Abbasids moved the capitol to Baghdad. They allowed all Muslims, not just Arabs, to become important intellectual figures in Islam. They were relatively tolerant of Christians and Jews and encouraged people of all ethnicities to convert to Islam, making it far more welcoming. The Abbasids were eager to gain as much technological and philosophical knowledge as possible and as a consequence, Baghdad became a great center of learning – a place that preserved Greek and Roman classics by translating them into Arabic, as well as Hindu and Chinese knowledge. They also promulgated Sharia law.
5.) Constantine, it is told, saw the (chi rho) Px or symbol of the crucified Christ and so he placed it on his army’s labarum (crest) during his efforts to reconsolidate power in Rome. In return, he vowed a “conversion” to Christianity – which was something of a calculated political risk. Constantine’s material reasons for conversion were that he saw in Christianity an opportunity to unite the empire and bring stability. Unfortunately he discovered disunity in Christian doctrine. To address this, he called the Council of Nicaea so as to establish the core of Christian beliefs and to create uniformity.
6.) Vedic religions adapted to pressures brought to bear by the spread of Buddhism and Islam. Hinduism emerged with some fundamental differences. Hindus embraced vegetarianism and rejected the practice of animal sacrifice. Hindus also set forth flexible deity figures in a “one god” concept, making Hinduism nominally monotheistic. It established the Laws of Manu, which reinforced older Vedic caste systems by preventing meaningful social contact (marriage, etc) between castes.
7.) The Flavian Amphitheater, or “Colleseum” was a symbol of the importance of mass entertainment. Every Roman city of consequence had one. Roman emperors staged games as a form of creating civil unity through entertainment. Entertainment was often violent, such as gladiatorial contests and animal fights, and fostered the cult of the violent hero and certainly desensitized Romans to the role of blood in their society. Where Romans worried about entertaining the masses, the Confucian Han Chinese felt no need to supply culture or entertainment to the masses, much less such low-brow affairs. The Han believed that its culture should reflect the refined tastes of the elite, which was in line with Confucian ideals. Thus, no such arenas for public performance existed in Han China.
Test: “Rex”
1. Same as on “Comus”
2. The Han Dynasty grew too large to the point where it could no longer manage itself internally nor defend its borders. On the northern plains it faced threats from nomadic people with whom the empire would periodically trade. Meanwhile, in order to support a growing empire and bureaucracy, the Han imposed heavy agricultural taxation which could not be borne by the people. Increasingly Daoist armies began to rise up and demand reform, particularly land reform, as the noble families were not required to pay taxes. Wang Mang tried to invoke land reform by usurping the Han throne, but it was too late. The Han also faced key natural disasters when the Yellow River altered its course. The Era of Self Doubt enabled Daoist and Buddhist ideas to flourish in China, and they continued until 620s when the Tang Dynasty restored Confucian government.
3.) Salt in China involved a great deal of production and technology because it was evaporated either out of the sea or, more often, out of brine pits. Elaborate production schemes involving wells and natural gas emerged in China. Salt also was key to the operation of government, because the government managed to not only organize its production, but taxed its output and determined its distribution. Salt was less an export in China than it was a good traded and consumed internally. In Africa, salt did not necessarily lead to the emergence of government structures as it was more easily gotten out of the ground. Dry blocks of dense salt could be carved out of dry lake beds in the Sahara by slave labor. Unlike China, however, salt was rivaled only by gold and slaves as the West Africa’s most important trade good. It also served to bring Islam into West Africa.
4.) Same as 5 on “Comus”
5.) The Tang civil service system hinged on a series of exams based on the study of Confucian classics. What this did was to create a very able civil service, but also to spread literacy and learning in a uniform language through a broad sector of the population. Since anyone but the sons of merchantmen could take the exam, it opened up the pathway to government power to all orders of society, though it did tend to benefit wealthier Chinese who could afford to send their children to school.
6.) Before Islam, Arabic society was matrilineal, with family names derived from the mother and sons going to live within the wife’s household. Women played an important role in mercantile affairs. In the early years of Muhammad, women played more conspicuous roles in public, including his own wife. But after the Medina to Mecca wars had been successfully won, Islam moved to a more subservient role for women. Patriarchy in Islam came to the fore with the emergence of Sharia law. Yet Islam also prescribed specific protections for women, including their financial security even as it outlined severe punishment for their misbehavior.
7.) Same as 7 on “Comus”
Test: “Proteus”
1.) The historical basis for “Pyrrhic Victory” came from the period of time when Rome was consolidating its power on the Italian peninsula. Pyrrhius was a famous Greek general who had come to the Italian peninsula to defeat the Romans and defend Greek towns in Italy. He was able to beat a Roman army, but because the Romans had fought to the death, they were able to inflict serious casualties on the Greeks. Thus, the Greeks won the battle but were so weakened by it that their victory was meaningless, or “pyrrhic.” The Romans fought this way against superior odds. It was a reflection of Roman discipline and dedication to the soldierly ideal – that a Roman soldier was willing to die for the glory of Rome if necessary. This made Roman armies much more difficult to defeat.
2.) Same as 3 on “Rex”
3.) When the Han took over from the Qin, it was a triumph of Confucianism over Legalism. The Han quickly moved to justify that their rise to power reflected the mandate of heaven because Legalism represented a harsh governing philosophy that was out of step with the people and had led to corrupt abuse by the Qin emperor. Confucianism (at least in principle) valued harmony, family, and morality. One area in which the Han attempted to make a sharp break from the Qin past was in criminal law. They replaced the many harsh punishments meted out by the Qin for trivial offenses with sentences more commensurate with the crime.
4.) Same as 6 on “Rex”
5.) The “fall” of Rome was less of a fall than a transition away from the importance of Rome, the city and a transformation of its frontiers. The “barbarians” that supposedly destroyed Rome had actually become quite Roman, and were actually made up a growing proportion of the forces that defended Rome and/or fought in their Civil Wars. The Barbarians who sacked Rome were had been hired by the empire but were not fed or paid for their services. As Rome could no longer support its large urban populations and maintain its empire, wealthy individuals began to hire on “Barbarian” armies to protect their estates, and these estates began looking a lot like early medieval mini-kingdoms. Meanwhile, the true capitol of the Roman empire was no longer in Rome itself, but in the east in Greek and Turkish areas. Constantine himself would further this trend by founding Constantinople, which was the real center of Roman power and money. For what it is worth, very few people chose this question!
6.) Same as 5 on “Rex”
7.) There were key moments that enabled Christianity to spread between the time of Jesus to the emergence of Constantine. The first of these is that the disciples were particularly dedicated followers who faced enormous risk in order to spread the word of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. They were aided by emerging at the time of the “Pax Romana” – enabling them to spread the word more easily. The tireless efforts of St. Paul are a reflection of this ability, for Paul was able to travel extensively – as far as Spain – to spread the Gospel. He was also able to use Greek to communicate in his famous letters. Martyrdom of individuals like Perpetua also drew people to the faith. Within the Roman context, the idea of dying for belief was powerful, and periodic run-ins with Roman governors provided a platform for Christian sacrifice. Lastly, the years leading up to the rule of Constantine were a time of great turmoil, and the encouraged the flourishing of all salvation religions of the era. Constantine’s conversion legitimized a faith that had survived for 300 years as a largely outlaw religion. With Constantine came translation of Christian texts into the key languages of the era.
Test: “Orpheus”
1.) The internal strife amongst the Jews was whether or not a homeland was essential for the survival of Judaism. The Zealots believed that it was so, and it led to a great deal of violence in Judea. Eventually the Zealots had to take refuge in the mountaintop fortress at Masada. Here they faced ultimate defeat by the 10th Roman Legion, but before the Romans could storm the fort, the Zealots had taken the lives of their wives before committing suicide. The objective of this act was to prove that they were willing to die before they would be taken as slaves. Israeli soldiers make the pilgrimage to Masada because it is a powerful symbol of Zionism. Note: a lot of people missed points by studying a question that was not right.
2.) Same as 2 on “Comus”
3.) Same as 3 on “Comus”
4.) The Tang hoped to revive the Han dynasty. They were successful in doing this and used the civil service system to foster a renewed appreciation for Confucian thinking. This was important because unlike the Han, the Tang had to contend with well-established Buddhist and Daoist movements within China. The Tang were actually able to expand the borders of the empire much further than the Han, but they were unable to hold on to the empire for much of the same reasons. Depressed crop yields combined with renewed attacks on their borders and natural disaster weakened the Tang. The emergence of Islam to the West also limited growth and even contributed to erosion of empire. Note: again, part of the consensus study answer was not correct and/or was incomplete
5.) Same as 4 on “Comus”
6.) Justinian attempted to reassert the glory of Rome by establishing a new sense of order through the development of the “code” or Roman Law. He wanted to establish the greater glory of the Eastern church and especially it Roman capitol of Constantinople by building the famous Hagia Sophia church. Moreover, he had visions of re-conquering lost portions of the Roman Empire in the Mediterranean, in which he was partially successful – particularly in North Africa. In some ways, he was successful by placing the Byzantine empire on a firm footing with regard to administration and laws. But he was not able to restore militarily the old empire as it was and faced continual threats from the East.
7.) Same as 6 on “Comus”
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Gunpowder Revolution
Monday's lecture will be on the "Gunpowder Revolution," which will take us from the walls of Constantinople to the arms factories and banking houses of Bruxelles by way of the muddy fields of Agincourt.
And speaking of Agincourt, we'll take a detour into the making of national military mythologies.
With that in mind, reconsider Agincourt in the context of this recent article from the New York Times.
And speaking of Agincourt, we'll take a detour into the making of national military mythologies.
With that in mind, reconsider Agincourt in the context of this recent article from the New York Times.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tightening up our calendar for the last two weeks:
NEW * NEW * NEW * NEW
Because our final exam is not cumulative, and only "test 4," I think it works best for the majority of you to have it on the last day of class. I will entertain excuses for why you cannot take the test on Friday 12/10, but it will have to be DOCUMENTED and an actual excusable absence. Extracurricular plays and musicals are not excusable, for instance.
Week 15
M 11/29: Read Chap. 11 WTWA to p. 499 Q21 (and Q20 from Monday before Thanksgiving Break)
W 12/1: Read Chap. 11 WTWA to end Q22 + extra Q on "Gunpowder Revolution"
F 12/3: Read “Sugar” in Trading Tastes Q23
Week 16
M 12/6: Wrapping up loose ends lecture:
W 12/8: Review Day
F 12/10: Test 4 (Final Exam)
Because our final exam is not cumulative, and only "test 4," I think it works best for the majority of you to have it on the last day of class. I will entertain excuses for why you cannot take the test on Friday 12/10, but it will have to be DOCUMENTED and an actual excusable absence. Extracurricular plays and musicals are not excusable, for instance.
Week 15
M 11/29: Read Chap. 11 WTWA to p. 499 Q21 (and Q20 from Monday before Thanksgiving Break)
W 12/1: Read Chap. 11 WTWA to end Q22 + extra Q on "Gunpowder Revolution"
F 12/3: Read “Sugar” in Trading Tastes Q23
Week 16
M 12/6: Wrapping up loose ends lecture:
W 12/8: Review Day
F 12/10: Test 4 (Final Exam)
Monday, November 15, 2010
Spice Trade
For the sake of argument, could you answer the following?:
Detail the argument behind the assertion that the spice trade led to the formation of governments in Southeast Asia.
Detail the fundamental differences between the Islamic er of the spice trade and the new paradigm introduced by the Portuguese and Dutch.
Explain how the social position of merchants in Hindu, Confucian, Muslim, and European Christian broader outcomes in the seas of Asia.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Test 3 Questions
Here are your questions for Test 3. You will notice that there are fewer of them, but that they are more complex. As a consequence, I am going to make a change to the test. You will get only six questions on your test, and you will have to answer four. I will be expecting longer, more complex answers, but you will have fewer questions to focus upon.
1.) From the rise of Rome in the Punic Wars and wars with the Greeks to its “fall” and reconsolidation under Constantine, slavery played a large role in the affairs of the state. Describe briefly how Rome came to be a slave society, how slavery functioned as an important part of Rome’s identity, and how the system contributed to Rome’s downfall.
2.) What is the historical basis of the phrase “Phyrric victory?” Why did Rome let its opponents win Phyrric victories, and how did Rome’s warrior ethos enable it to engage in this sort of strategy?
3.) What was the fundamental issue at stake amongst the Jews that led to internal strife within Roman-occupied Judea, and that led ultimately to the Zealots occupying the mountaintop fortress at Masada? What did the defenders of Masada do when faced with defeat at the hands of the Roman Legion? Why does every modern Israeli soldier make a pilgrimage to the Masada?
4.) What sort of entertainments were common in Rome’s Flavian Amphitheater and how were they a reflection of Roman values? How did this contrast with the fundamental philosophy of entertainment in Han China?
5.) What were the “Discourses on Salt and Iron” and how were they a reflection of the debate between the governing philosophies of Legalism and Confucianism?
6.) Compare and contrast fully the methods of acquiring salt in West Africa and China and the role that which salt production and trading played in shaping these two very different societies.
7.) When the Han Dynasty took over from the Qin Dynasty, it represented a significant change in the governing philosophy of China. Explain the main differences ushered in by the Han and describe why the Han believed in the inevitability of their rule.
8.) What empowered the rise of the Vikings? How did their conquests, both by land and sea, lead to new trading routes and avenues for the spread of culture? How did their failed conquest of Byzantium ironically lead to the preservation of Orthodox Christianity?
9.) What forces led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty? What new ideas did the “era of self-doubt” enable to flourish in China? How prolonged was this period of chaos in China?
10.) What earlier dynasty did the Tang try to emulate? Broadly considered, how successful were they in doing this? How did Confucianism help the Tang rule over such a large empire? What challenges did the Tang ultimately face that brought about its downfall?
11.) Describe fully the civil service system of Tang China, including its intellectual basis and the effect it had both on the governing of China, but also in transforming the culture of its people.
12.) What immediate changes did the Abbasids make in the Islamic empire after they had overthrown the Umayyads? How did further changes made by the Abbasids make encourage the territorial expansion and intellectual growth of Islam?
13.) Describe the transformation in the roles of women in Arabia from pre-Islamic times, through the time of Muhammed, through the rise of the Islamic Sharia law.
14.) How did Constantine come to “convert” to Christianity? What did Constantine hope to accomplish by promoting the religion within the empire, and why was he disappointed when he took a closer look at the state of Christianity at the time of his rise to power? What did Constantine do to make Christianity more useful to Rome, and how successful was he in this?
15.) Describe as fully as possible the conditions that enabled Christianity to spread from the time of Jesus and Saint Paul through the rise of Constantine.
16.) Describe the ways in which the “fall” of the Rome was not really a “fall” but more of a transitional period between the rule of Diocletian and the emergence of early Medieval Europe. What were the key elements of this transition?
17.) What sorts of things did the Emperor Justinian do in his attempt to restore the former glory of the Roman Empire? Which of these efforts were successful? To what degree did Justinian fail?
18.) Describe fully the transition from the Vedic religions of Central Asia into what became known by outsiders as the Hindu religion. Be sure to identify the key elements that distinguish the two, including relationship to caste, deities, and ways of life.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Revised schedule for semester (important changes)
Week 9
M 10/25: WAS out sick.
W 10/27:Read “Salt” in Trading Tastes Q13 (and lagniappe question from last week's lectures)
F 10/29: Read Chap. 8 WTWA to end of p. 341 Q14
Week 10
M 11/1: Read Chap. 8 WTWA to end. Q15
W 11/3: Read Chap. 9 WTWA through p. 388 Q16
F 11/ 5 – NO CLASS
Week 11
M 11/8: Read Chap. 9 WTWA to end. Q17
W 11/10: Study and discussion day.
F 11/12: Exam 3
Week 13
M 11/15: Read “Spice” in Trading Tastes Q18
W 11/17: Lecture day (basis for extra question)
F 11/19: Read Chap. 10 WTWA through half of p. 446 Q19 + extra question
Week 14
M 11/22: Read Chap. 10 WTWA to end. Q20
W 11/24 – Thanksgiving Break
F 11/26 – Thanksgiving Break
Week 15
M 11/29: Read Chap. 11 WTWA to p. 499 Q21
W 12/1: Read Chap. 11 WTWA to end Q22
F 12/3: The Age of Exploration in 50 minutes
Week 16
M 12/6: The Reformation and Counterreformation in 50 minutes
W 12/8: Read “Sugar” in Trading Tastes Q23 (+ extra question on lectures from Friday/Monday)
F 12/10: Study and Discussion day
Final Exam Day: Exam 4
M 10/25: WAS out sick.
W 10/27:Read “Salt” in Trading Tastes Q13 (and lagniappe question from last week's lectures)
F 10/29: Read Chap. 8 WTWA to end of p. 341 Q14
Week 10
M 11/1: Read Chap. 8 WTWA to end. Q15
W 11/3: Read Chap. 9 WTWA through p. 388 Q16
F 11/ 5 – NO CLASS
Week 11
M 11/8: Read Chap. 9 WTWA to end. Q17
W 11/10: Study and discussion day.
F 11/12: Exam 3
Week 13
M 11/15: Read “Spice” in Trading Tastes Q18
W 11/17: Lecture day (basis for extra question)
F 11/19: Read Chap. 10 WTWA through half of p. 446 Q19 + extra question
Week 14
M 11/22: Read Chap. 10 WTWA to end. Q20
W 11/24 – Thanksgiving Break
F 11/26 – Thanksgiving Break
Week 15
M 11/29: Read Chap. 11 WTWA to p. 499 Q21
W 12/1: Read Chap. 11 WTWA to end Q22
F 12/3: The Age of Exploration in 50 minutes
Week 16
M 12/6: The Reformation and Counterreformation in 50 minutes
W 12/8: Read “Sugar” in Trading Tastes Q23 (+ extra question on lectures from Friday/Monday)
F 12/10: Study and Discussion day
Final Exam Day: Exam 4
Friday, October 22, 2010
Rome, Part II
Here is an excellent timeline of Roman history (for reference purposes).
There are three basic themes I'm going to cover today:
Slavery as it related to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire
Hellenistic culture as it is manifest in Rome: i.e., Culture as Order
The Problems and triumphs of the empire, but what fundamental flaws led to its downfall.
There are three basic themes I'm going to cover today:
Slavery as it related to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire
Hellenistic culture as it is manifest in Rome: i.e., Culture as Order
The Problems and triumphs of the empire, but what fundamental flaws led to its downfall.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Roman War Machine and the Lessons of Masada
Today I will give the first of two lectures about the Roman world. Between this lecture and the one on Friday, you will be able to write another "lagniappe" test question for Monday.
The first lecture will look at the importance the Roman War Machine - that is, how the army became, in many ways, the basis of the Roman state.
YOUR BOOK was contradictory about the influence of the Hellenistic world and Greece upon Rome. I will start by clarifying some of this.
Rome was founded upon successful warfare. This method of rule never ceased. Military rule constituted what I like to call "both achingly orderly, and achingly chaotic."
The consolidation of the Italian peninsula, Carthage war: the basis for Roman ingenuity.
The Roman Legion - earlier Legions were about 3,000 men, later ones 5,000, had a life of their own. Their generals were quite powerful, and the men generally had great ésprit de corps. Your book mentions being conscripted for a term of 10 years. But how different is this really from a professional army? We'll consider this. As for the power of armies, the HBO series Rome is a pretty good depiction. The army was very well organized, and organized for the long haul. Think of Alexander's army, but run by a talented MBA.
In addition to the Legions came Auxiliaries - We'll talk about them and their role.
We'll look at the role of the army in Rome's civil affairs later
Then we will look at the Masada - to wit, what it can tell us about the history of Judaism, what it can tell us about the rule of Imperial Rome, and its ongoing cultural significance.
The Jewish War 66-73 CE
A contemporary account of the mass suicide at the Masada and some useful images.
You should know who the Zealots were and why they remain important.
This is a pretty good video showing key sites at Masada as it is seen today. Much of the archeological record from the time of the siege remains visible to the naked eye.
Masada from Todd Doucette on Vimeo.
The first lecture will look at the importance the Roman War Machine - that is, how the army became, in many ways, the basis of the Roman state.
YOUR BOOK was contradictory about the influence of the Hellenistic world and Greece upon Rome. I will start by clarifying some of this.
Rome was founded upon successful warfare. This method of rule never ceased. Military rule constituted what I like to call "both achingly orderly, and achingly chaotic."
The consolidation of the Italian peninsula, Carthage war: the basis for Roman ingenuity.
The Roman Legion - earlier Legions were about 3,000 men, later ones 5,000, had a life of their own. Their generals were quite powerful, and the men generally had great ésprit de corps. Your book mentions being conscripted for a term of 10 years. But how different is this really from a professional army? We'll consider this. As for the power of armies, the HBO series Rome is a pretty good depiction. The army was very well organized, and organized for the long haul. Think of Alexander's army, but run by a talented MBA.
In addition to the Legions came Auxiliaries - We'll talk about them and their role.
We'll look at the role of the army in Rome's civil affairs later
Then we will look at the Masada - to wit, what it can tell us about the history of Judaism, what it can tell us about the rule of Imperial Rome, and its ongoing cultural significance.
The Jewish War 66-73 CE
A contemporary account of the mass suicide at the Masada and some useful images.
You should know who the Zealots were and why they remain important.
This is a pretty good video showing key sites at Masada as it is seen today. Much of the archeological record from the time of the siege remains visible to the naked eye.
Masada from Todd Doucette on Vimeo.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Test 2 study questions
As promised, before 5:00 PM on Tuesday. It was a late night getting through your questions. I sorted through them this morning, did a lot of editing of the questions. Most of these are aggregates of several questions that I received. Only a few are verbatim student questions. There are actually fewer, not more, than last time, but the questions are generally more complex and elicit a more detailed answer. We'll meet on Wednesday to form study groups.
1) What forces drove Han Wudi to expand his empire toward Central Asia and what impact did this have on long distance trade?
2) Sub-Saharan Africa was relatively late in acquiring metal tools, but when they did, important transformations took place. Describe the emergence of metal tools in the region, what impact these tools had on society, and how despite the presence of such tools, approaches to agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa was different than in other societies of Afro-Eurasia.
3) Describe the impact of coinage upon the world of trade. Be sure to consider its transformative effects on society as broadly as possible. How much of the globe was affected by its use?
4) What led to the emergence of cities on the Ganges plain around 500 BC? Why was their existence antithetical to traditional forms of Brahminic life?
5) Describe the differences between Athens and Sparta in the years leading up to the Peloponnesian War with respect to the oikos, politics, military service, and economics. How did these differences reflect their society’s differing philosophies?
6) How did the emergence of the nude figure in art, and moreover, the specific way that artists portrayed the body, reflect fundamental aspects of humanistic society in Classical Greece?
7) How were the gods of Classical Greek mythology fundamentally different from the deities of most other societies that had gone before? How important were they in guiding Greek political life? Be sure to consider the role of the gods in what they can tell us about Classical Greek values.
8) How did the Classical Greek approach to philosophy and science mark a major departure in human intellectual departure? What was the basic assumption of the Greek approach? Give two examples of either scientific or philosophical achievements of this society.
9) What were some of the factors that fueled the rise of new kind of chattel plantation slavery in the Mediterranean, particularly in the Hellenistic World? What negative impact did this have on the societies that widely adopted the system?
10) Compare and contrast fully the differences between the Roman and Judaic reaction to the Hellenistic World.
11) Alexander “the pretty good” (or Great, if we must) was one of the world’s most successful conquerors but failed to build a true empire. Explain his method of creating and utilizing an army and why this was radically new and effective. Why did all of this success not lead to a great Macedonian empire?
12) Describe the ways in which Alexander’s army was a full reflection of the economics, military technology, and philosophies of the Hellenistic World.
13) Considering advances in navigation and maritime technology along with knowledge of weather, describe the advances made by Arab traders in the Indian Ocean in opening alternative trade routes to the East by way of the sea.
14) How did the Mahayana school of theology change Buddhism and how did this change affect the spread of that faith?
15) Describe the political and economic realities that led to the emergence of not only the caravan but also of caravan cities. Give an example of a caravan city and describe its emergence.
16) We know that Alexander’s armies spread the sorts of things that we traditionally associate with Hellenism all over Eurasia, but his conquering forces also had a big impact on Chandragupta and the Mauryan dynasty. Describe these influences and how they empowered Chandragupta to set in motion the consolidation of the Indian subcontinent.
17) Describe in both importance, detail, and proportion the ingredients that constituted Hellenistic “cosmopolitanism.”
18) Contrast Asóka’s rise to power with his conversion to devout Buddhism.
19) Silk was not a technology that spread easily. Describe some of the misconceptions and folkloric tales of the quest to “steal” the secrets of silk production from the Chinese, and contrast that with the fundamental hurdles one might encounter in producing silk.
20) How did the silk trade serve as a vehicle for the spread of religious and cultural knowledge?
21) In what ways, from Byzantium to China, did silk represent political power? Give examples.
22) Describe the relationship between women and silk production in Chinese society.
23) Compare and contrast the importance of silk in China with that of Rome. Be sure to offer examples.
24) What sort of convergence of factors under the rule of Asóka led to the dramatic spread of Buddhism. Consider both the theological and geopolitical.
25) Why was military service in Classical Athens some mark of distinction of both being a free man and having the right to citizenship? What might this philosophy tell us about the reasons that Spartan women had comparatively more rights in their society?
26) What was the significance of a city like Kashgar along the silk road? How do the present-day occupants of Kashgar reflect the cultural diffusion brought by the silk road over 2 millennium?
27) Why were Hellenistic plays so universal – i.e., what was so Hellenistic about them?
28) Compare and contrast fully the two Hellenistic philosophies of Stoicism and Epicureanism. Where in the Hellenistic world do we find the influences of these two very different philosophies?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Silk Road
The Silk Road was about more than just silk. Horses, trade goods, religion, etc.
The Taklimakan Desert and the barrier it creates.
Silk road moving west to east first, while more slowly, east to west.
The dhow, and seafaring (please pardon the commercial opening):
The Persian empire and the royal road at its height.
The Silk Road.
A super interesting take on a "new silk road:"
And an even more up-to-date video:
The Taklimakan Desert and the barrier it creates.
Silk road moving west to east first, while more slowly, east to west.
The dhow, and seafaring (please pardon the commercial opening):
A super interesting take on a "new silk road:"
And an even more up-to-date video:
The Onion
I thought you might enjoy this:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/historians-admit-to-inventing-ancient-greeks,18209/
http://www.theonion.com/articles/historians-admit-to-inventing-ancient-greeks,18209/
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Mauryan Civilization
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Questions for Test 1
1.)Describe the relationship between the emergence of widespread agriculture and the emergence of the caste system in Vedic society.
2.) Describe the relationship between Vedic religious structures and texts and the social order represented by the caste system.
3.) How did the Phoenicians revolutionize communication and how was it superior to the pre-existing systems of other societies?
4.) How did the duties of the Brahmin class of the Vedic culture differ from the duties of the Zhou ruling class?
5.) Provide three examples of how the Mycenaean culture differed from that of the Minoans.
6.) Because the Shang dynasts understood the importance of agriculture and maintaining power, what did they do to promote agrarian development? What did the Shang dynasts do to increase production and best use the land?
7.) The Shang dyansty and Aegean peoples took very different approaches to exploiting copper ore reserves in their worlds. How were they different and how did this reflect significant differences in societal needs?
8.) What were the main differences between the two types of slaves in the Assyrian social structure? How did this two-tiered system of slavery reinforce the "us and them" mentality used by the neo-Assyrians and make the brutality of their conquests acceptable?
9.) Describe the two main phases of the Neo-Assyrian empire and how structural flaws within the society led to its downfall.
10.) How did the Persian empire utilize improvements in infrastructure to better govern its empire?
11.) Describe the differences in attitude toward neighboring empires taken by the Phoenicians and the Greeks (both "borderland" peoples). How did their differing approaches reflect cultural differences?
12.) How did the Assyrian king use his relationship with the Assyrian god Ashur to influence his people? In what ways was this propaganda helpful for the people and in what ways was it hurtful?
13.) Describe the emergence, characteristics, and interrelated nature of the classic "urban/rura divide."
14.) In spite of Old Kingdom Egypt's prosperity, why did it not have the same sort of large urban centers as those that developed in the "fertile crescent" of early Mesopotamia?
15.) Explain how Hammurabi's image as a ruler parallels with that of the Egyptian pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom.
16.) What changes made by Middle Kingdom pharaohs in Egypt reinforced their authority and power after periods of chaos?
17.) How did the arrival of transhumant peoples force both the collapse of the Third Dynasty of Ur, but also conversely lead to a rise of future culture and literature?
18.) Why did Northern Europe develop slowly compared to the civilizations of Old Kingdom Egypt and early Mesopotamia? What changes led to increased development along this remote frontier?
19.) How did the treatment of women in Assyria compare with the role women played in Minoan culture? What can this tell us about the fundamental differences between these two societies?
20.) How did the Heavenly Mandate of Zhou China differ from the propaganda machines of other civilizations with respect to the functioning of dynastic change?
21.) How did the invention of writing contribute to the creation of hierarchy in the world's most ancient cultures?
22.) To what extent did religion affect the formation of larger cities and empires such as Egypt and Mesopotamia, and how did it reinforce the power of the cities' leaders?
23.) How were the Shang and Egyptian societies' views on royal afterlife both alike and different?
24.) The Persian Empire grew and expanded much more successfully than the Egyptian Empire and was able to sustain its success longer than the Assyrian Empire. What enabled the Persians to accomplish these feats?
25.) How were Zoroaster's teachings different from those of the early Mesopotamian religions yet similar to the teachings of Akhenatan?
26.) How was the lack of a centralized government and territorial state beneficial to the people living the area now know as Greece leading up to the second millennium BCE?
27.) Compare and contrast the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures with regard to economics, warfare, and social structure.
28.) What were the Upanishads and how did they support the belief of reincarnation in the Vedic World? Compare it to Persian beliefs of the same era.
29.)Why were the Zhou not as powerful of a conquering force like the Assyrians and the Persians?
30.) What social and political forces in Zhou China caused scholars to rise to the top of the social order?
31.) What religious system did China's Zhou dynasty employ to gain support in order to overthrow the Shang dynast? In what ways did this ideology help and hinder the Zhou? How was this different from other civilizations during this period?
32.) How was the formation of unity amongst the Vedic peoples different from that of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and the Zhou Dynasty?
33.) In what wasy did a Vedic culture unify what political rivalries had divided? Who transmitted the Vedic culture, and what was the common language of this culture?
2.) Describe the relationship between Vedic religious structures and texts and the social order represented by the caste system.
3.) How did the Phoenicians revolutionize communication and how was it superior to the pre-existing systems of other societies?
4.) How did the duties of the Brahmin class of the Vedic culture differ from the duties of the Zhou ruling class?
5.) Provide three examples of how the Mycenaean culture differed from that of the Minoans.
6.) Because the Shang dynasts understood the importance of agriculture and maintaining power, what did they do to promote agrarian development? What did the Shang dynasts do to increase production and best use the land?
7.) The Shang dyansty and Aegean peoples took very different approaches to exploiting copper ore reserves in their worlds. How were they different and how did this reflect significant differences in societal needs?
8.) What were the main differences between the two types of slaves in the Assyrian social structure? How did this two-tiered system of slavery reinforce the "us and them" mentality used by the neo-Assyrians and make the brutality of their conquests acceptable?
9.) Describe the two main phases of the Neo-Assyrian empire and how structural flaws within the society led to its downfall.
10.) How did the Persian empire utilize improvements in infrastructure to better govern its empire?
11.) Describe the differences in attitude toward neighboring empires taken by the Phoenicians and the Greeks (both "borderland" peoples). How did their differing approaches reflect cultural differences?
12.) How did the Assyrian king use his relationship with the Assyrian god Ashur to influence his people? In what ways was this propaganda helpful for the people and in what ways was it hurtful?
13.) Describe the emergence, characteristics, and interrelated nature of the classic "urban/rura divide."
14.) In spite of Old Kingdom Egypt's prosperity, why did it not have the same sort of large urban centers as those that developed in the "fertile crescent" of early Mesopotamia?
15.) Explain how Hammurabi's image as a ruler parallels with that of the Egyptian pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom.
16.) What changes made by Middle Kingdom pharaohs in Egypt reinforced their authority and power after periods of chaos?
17.) How did the arrival of transhumant peoples force both the collapse of the Third Dynasty of Ur, but also conversely lead to a rise of future culture and literature?
18.) Why did Northern Europe develop slowly compared to the civilizations of Old Kingdom Egypt and early Mesopotamia? What changes led to increased development along this remote frontier?
19.) How did the treatment of women in Assyria compare with the role women played in Minoan culture? What can this tell us about the fundamental differences between these two societies?
20.) How did the Heavenly Mandate of Zhou China differ from the propaganda machines of other civilizations with respect to the functioning of dynastic change?
21.) How did the invention of writing contribute to the creation of hierarchy in the world's most ancient cultures?
22.) To what extent did religion affect the formation of larger cities and empires such as Egypt and Mesopotamia, and how did it reinforce the power of the cities' leaders?
23.) How were the Shang and Egyptian societies' views on royal afterlife both alike and different?
24.) The Persian Empire grew and expanded much more successfully than the Egyptian Empire and was able to sustain its success longer than the Assyrian Empire. What enabled the Persians to accomplish these feats?
25.) How were Zoroaster's teachings different from those of the early Mesopotamian religions yet similar to the teachings of Akhenatan?
26.) How was the lack of a centralized government and territorial state beneficial to the people living the area now know as Greece leading up to the second millennium BCE?
27.) Compare and contrast the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures with regard to economics, warfare, and social structure.
28.) What were the Upanishads and how did they support the belief of reincarnation in the Vedic World? Compare it to Persian beliefs of the same era.
29.)Why were the Zhou not as powerful of a conquering force like the Assyrians and the Persians?
30.) What social and political forces in Zhou China caused scholars to rise to the top of the social order?
31.) What religious system did China's Zhou dynasty employ to gain support in order to overthrow the Shang dynast? In what ways did this ideology help and hinder the Zhou? How was this different from other civilizations during this period?
32.) How was the formation of unity amongst the Vedic peoples different from that of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and the Zhou Dynasty?
33.) In what wasy did a Vedic culture unify what political rivalries had divided? Who transmitted the Vedic culture, and what was the common language of this culture?
Friday, September 10, 2010
Territorial States, Laws, and Technology
We're going to read a little from the Code of Hammurabi today. What do you suppose was truly the goal of the code?
Here is a video of some bronze casting technique (modern) in a promotional film by an art studio. How might this have been more difficult in the past, and why did this sort of endeavor require organization and skill?
We'll talk a little bit more about technological innovation, not the least of which was the chariot. This Wikipedia article about the battle of Qadesh (Kadesh) and the ensuing treaty is quite good and interesting. The chariot did have its limits, however.
Here is a video of some bronze casting technique (modern) in a promotional film by an art studio. How might this have been more difficult in the past, and why did this sort of endeavor require organization and skill?
We'll talk a little bit more about technological innovation, not the least of which was the chariot. This Wikipedia article about the battle of Qadesh (Kadesh) and the ensuing treaty is quite good and interesting. The chariot did have its limits, however.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Your Textbook
Just to clarify, there are two different versions of volume 1 of the text available online from W.W. Norton.
One allows you to download and print PDF versions of the book:
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?ID=18782
The other is an e-book that you read on Norton's site:
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?ID=18762
Both are $39.
Or you can get an e-book version of the combined volumes (remember, not all professors use this book. I do, and Dr. Fidler does) for both halves of World Civ.:
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?ID=18760
This one is $43.50
One allows you to download and print PDF versions of the book:
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?ID=18782
The other is an e-book that you read on Norton's site:
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?ID=18762
Both are $39.
Or you can get an e-book version of the combined volumes (remember, not all professors use this book. I do, and Dr. Fidler does) for both halves of World Civ.:
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?ID=18760
This one is $43.50
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
How to write an identification question
You cannot write an effective question without first analyzing the material that you have been assigned to read.
Start by identifying the important themes in your reading assignment. If you had to distill the entire reading assignment into two or three concise sentences, what would they be?
Further distill the reading assignment into its main segments and repeat the previous exercise. Be able to reduce each section of the reading into its essentials.
Once you have a brief synopsis of the main segments, start looking at trends within the material. Is there a common thread shared by various topics discussed?
A “compare and contrast” format is often an effective approach for writing your test question. This is particularly so because your textbook takes a broadly comparative approach in its presentation of history.
For instance, Chapter 2 in Worlds Together, Worlds Apart focuses on the earliest cities that emerged along river valleys, but it does so by not only looking at riverine cultures but by comparing them to those who lived outside them.
You can formulate questions at varying degrees of detail. One that aims at a general overview might ask:
“In what way did the river geography differ between Egypt and Mesopotamia and how did this difference affect life in those societies?”
Or you might be more specific:
“Why do we know so much about Mesopotamian culture and so little about the riverine culture of the Indus Valley?”
You might compare within a section:
“How do scholars divide up the three main chronological periods of ancient Egyptian culture, and what is a key characteristic of each?”
We will spend some time in class discussing how to write these questions.
Start by identifying the important themes in your reading assignment. If you had to distill the entire reading assignment into two or three concise sentences, what would they be?
Further distill the reading assignment into its main segments and repeat the previous exercise. Be able to reduce each section of the reading into its essentials.
Once you have a brief synopsis of the main segments, start looking at trends within the material. Is there a common thread shared by various topics discussed?
A “compare and contrast” format is often an effective approach for writing your test question. This is particularly so because your textbook takes a broadly comparative approach in its presentation of history.
For instance, Chapter 2 in Worlds Together, Worlds Apart focuses on the earliest cities that emerged along river valleys, but it does so by not only looking at riverine cultures but by comparing them to those who lived outside them.
You can formulate questions at varying degrees of detail. One that aims at a general overview might ask:
“In what way did the river geography differ between Egypt and Mesopotamia and how did this difference affect life in those societies?”
Or you might be more specific:
“Why do we know so much about Mesopotamian culture and so little about the riverine culture of the Indus Valley?”
You might compare within a section:
“How do scholars divide up the three main chronological periods of ancient Egyptian culture, and what is a key characteristic of each?”
We will spend some time in class discussing how to write these questions.
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