When we hear the word christianity, we think of one man, Jesus. But, what most of us do not know is that along with Jesus, another man shared a lot of interests and beliefs similar to Jesus. His name is Siddhartha Gautama, better known as, Buddha. The religion of Christianity came about 500 years after the time of Confucius. It began as a three-year career of teaching and miracle working.
Jesus and Buddha both had different family backgrounds, but in the end they both became spiritual seekers and mystics. In this three-year brief teaching, Buddha and Jesus were 'wisdom teachers'. Both of these religious teachers taught their followers similiar ideas of living and believing. For instance, they both promoted personal transformation. The Buddha expressed his process as 'letting go' and Jesus taught 'losing one's life in order to save it'. They also shared common interests in sharing the importance of love or compassion as the basis of moral life. The Buddha said that one should exercise loving-kindness and bless them that curse you; speak all the good you can to and of them, who speak all evil to and of you.
Even though, Buddha and Jesus had many similiarities, they also had their differences. However, these two men created the religion of Christianity. The message of early Christianity attracted many people as the new faith as it continued to spread through the Roman Empire, even after the death of Jesus and the Buddha. The religion they created, have and continue to shape the lives and meanings of many people. They conform the social equalities and inequalities and states of civilizations. This religion has guided humans to move through and beyond the difficulties and decisions of the world.
"The Way of the World", by Robert Strayer. (pgs. 145-151)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Mummies: Egyptians Were Far from the First
Each morning, my daily routine consists of checking my e-mail, scanning facebook and browsing the Internet. Today, I came across an interesting heading discussing the ancient mummification of the Egyptians. Immediately my mind starting racing back to all the interesting facts that I had once learned about mummies. Truthfully though, I could not get past the thought of ancient beings pulling brains out through corpses noses and then wrapping the dead bodies in what looked like toilet paper. Since the Egyptians are so popular for their way of embalming, I decided to research other cultures that took similar approaches in preserving their dead.
According to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/peru/mummies/mworld2.html, "While the ancient Egyptians may be the best-known mummy makers, they were far from the first." In early South America, a tribe by the name of Chinchoros, lived along the north coast of Chile and had began embalming since 5,000 B.C. The ancient Egyptians did not practiced preservation until during the Old Kingdom, which was between about 2,750 - 2250 B.C. The Chinchoros would disassemble the bodies to treat the internal organs and then reassemble them. They would then add wood to support the spinal column, arms and legs while also stuffing the Internet cavity with feathers. Any sex or age group of Chinchoros would go through the mummification process.
According to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/peru/mummies/mworld2.html, "While the ancient Egyptians may be the best-known mummy makers, they were far from the first." In early South America, a tribe by the name of Chinchoros, lived along the north coast of Chile and had began embalming since 5,000 B.C. The ancient Egyptians did not practiced preservation until during the Old Kingdom, which was between about 2,750 - 2250 B.C. The Chinchoros would disassemble the bodies to treat the internal organs and then reassemble them. They would then add wood to support the spinal column, arms and legs while also stuffing the Internet cavity with feathers. Any sex or age group of Chinchoros would go through the mummification process.
This tradition lasted into the Incan civilization, but was practiced with different techniques. The dead were position in the fetal position and wrapped with leather or cloth which gave rise to the name of "mummy bundles". Also according to, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/04/0410_020417_incamummies.html Thousands of Inca mummies have been found beneath the streets of Peru with there hair, skin and eyes intact. These bodies have been found and recovered in large bundles known as cocoons that consist of families wrapped together in large layers of raw cotton and textiles. These mummies were also buried with thousands of artifacts and personal valuables that defined their wealth in the Inca civilization. These artifacts have developed a hypothesis that states that the Inca were the largest empire that ever developed in the pre-Colombian Americas. These bundles have also brought upon the hypothesis that the size of the bundle related to the class associated with the family. The most prominent class found was the middle class which was identified by the medium to normal size bundle. The artifacts found from the Tupac Amaru site suggest that must of the middle class included textile makers. They specialized in red corn, black beans and gourds for drinking. Most of these bundles include an extended family and are usually buried outside of the main cemetery. In extreme cases when a child was sacrificed to the feed the gods, which was a great honor, happened on the side of mountain tops because the Incas had such a high respect for landscape. The mountain top represented a paradise in which the community could transition to a better life as simply as possible.
Socrates' last words
Socrates lost the trial against Melatus and was found guilty of corrupting the minds of the youth in the Polis, and believing in Gods that were not the traditional Gods of the city. He was given several options for how he may serve his punishment. Socrates could either stop being a philosopher, leave the city, or be condemned to death. Given these three options it would seem obvious to choose either of the first two, however, Socrates decides that the only 'just' option is that of death. He explains his reasoning for this decision through a conversation with his friend Crito.
Crito had come to visit Socrates in jail and explained that he had a plan to get Socrates out of jail to save his life. Socrates refused the offer to leave stating that, "the most important thing isn't living, but living well" (The Trials of Socrates, 69). He believed he had lived well and that the act of running away would be cowardly and unjust. Life, according to Socrates, is best lived in the pursuit of what is 'just' and to stop being a philosopher would contrast this theory and make life worthless. Also, he argued that to abandon one's city would be foolish because the chances of survival outside of the polis at his old age would provide him with a much crueler form of death. The most important point that Socrates mentions is that he owes it to his city to die under the law system with which he has agreed to. Pretending to be the lawmakers of Athens, Socrates questions Crito, "What about the Laws dealing with the bringing up and educating of children, under which you were educated yourself? Didn't those of us Laws who regulate the area prescribe correctly when we ordered your father to educate you in the arts and physical training?" (The Trials of Socrates, 72). With this question Socrates argues that the laws of the city are responsible for the life he was given and that if he were to stop following those laws now by not accepting his fate then he would be doing an act of injustice. Therefore, the most 'just' course to follow is that of death by the city that created him.
Crito had come to visit Socrates in jail and explained that he had a plan to get Socrates out of jail to save his life. Socrates refused the offer to leave stating that, "the most important thing isn't living, but living well" (The Trials of Socrates, 69). He believed he had lived well and that the act of running away would be cowardly and unjust. Life, according to Socrates, is best lived in the pursuit of what is 'just' and to stop being a philosopher would contrast this theory and make life worthless. Also, he argued that to abandon one's city would be foolish because the chances of survival outside of the polis at his old age would provide him with a much crueler form of death. The most important point that Socrates mentions is that he owes it to his city to die under the law system with which he has agreed to. Pretending to be the lawmakers of Athens, Socrates questions Crito, "What about the Laws dealing with the bringing up and educating of children, under which you were educated yourself? Didn't those of us Laws who regulate the area prescribe correctly when we ordered your father to educate you in the arts and physical training?" (The Trials of Socrates, 72). With this question Socrates argues that the laws of the city are responsible for the life he was given and that if he were to stop following those laws now by not accepting his fate then he would be doing an act of injustice. Therefore, the most 'just' course to follow is that of death by the city that created him.
Introduction
Hello everyone,
My name is Audrey Sickler and I am a sophomore here at GVSU. My major is Group Social Studies. I recently switched from elementary to secondary. I hope to teach at the 7th/8th grade level. I live an hour away so much of my time is consumed with driving back and forth every day. When I am not stuck in the car, I enjoy cooking and taking my dog on her daily walk. I also am an avid music lover and teach piano lessons. I have always had a interest in history and am looking forward to the topics we will be studying. I especially love the period of the Middle Ages. I am also taking HST 376, which is History of Witches and Witchunting. It is a newer course offered at the school and has been very interesting so far. You may not recognize me in class because I have had a lot of absences due to mono(not fun at all). If you have any points or words of advice please feel free to share. Thank you!
My name is Audrey Sickler and I am a sophomore here at GVSU. My major is Group Social Studies. I recently switched from elementary to secondary. I hope to teach at the 7th/8th grade level. I live an hour away so much of my time is consumed with driving back and forth every day. When I am not stuck in the car, I enjoy cooking and taking my dog on her daily walk. I also am an avid music lover and teach piano lessons. I have always had a interest in history and am looking forward to the topics we will be studying. I especially love the period of the Middle Ages. I am also taking HST 376, which is History of Witches and Witchunting. It is a newer course offered at the school and has been very interesting so far. You may not recognize me in class because I have had a lot of absences due to mono(not fun at all). If you have any points or words of advice please feel free to share. Thank you!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Pyramids of Giza
I am very interested in the pyramids of Egypt because they are such a mystery to me. The pyramids of Giza are the most spectacular and well known pyramids in the world. The Great Pyramid is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. There are three pyramids in the Giza Plateau including the Great pyramid, the pyramid of Khafre, and the pyramid of Menkaure. Also, the Sphinx is located in the Giza Plateau. All three pyramids were built during the Third and Fourth Dynasty; the structures were the monumental effort of the king and his sons. Five thousand years ago Giza, situated on the Nile's west bank, became the royal necropolis, or burial place, for Memphis, the pharaoh's capital city. Today, Giza is a suburb of rapidly growing Cairo, the largest city in Africa and the fifth largest in the world.
King Khufu, who is also known by the Greek name "Cheops," was the father of pyramid building at Giza. He ruled from 2589 - 2566 B.C. and was the son of King Sneferu and Queen Hetpeheres. On the Giza Plateau, Khufu’s builders oriented his pyramid almost perfectly north. The largest pyramid ever built, it incorporates about 2.3 million stone blocks, weighing an average of 2.5 to 15 tons each.
Khafre, who was the son of Khufu, was also known as Rakhaef or Chephren. He ruled from 2520 - 2494 B.C. and is responsible for the second largest pyramid complex at Giza, which includes the Sphinx, a Mortuary Temple, and a Valley Temple. The most distinctive feature of Khafre's Pyramid is the topmost layer of smooth stones that are the only remaining casing stones on a Giza Pyramid. He was perhaps the greatest maker of statues of the Pyramid Age.
Menkaure, also known as Mycerinus, ruled from 2490 - 2472 B.C. He was king of the smallest of the three pyramids at Giza, and is believed to be Khufu's grandson. Menkaure built himself a pyramid one-tenth the size of Khafre's. And unlike the other Great Pyramids, whose walls were made of limestone, Menkaure's pyramid was sheathed in granite on the bottom levels and in the burial chamber—it was a costlier, more difficult stone to work with. Menkaure died unexpectedly, and work on his pyramid complex was abandoned. Menkaure's heir, Shepseskaf, likely later completed the complex using mud brick.
There will be more to come on the pyramids of Egypt but for more information you can visit
http://www.nationalgeographic.com as well as http://www.pbs.org.
King Khufu, who is also known by the Greek name "Cheops," was the father of pyramid building at Giza. He ruled from 2589 - 2566 B.C. and was the son of King Sneferu and Queen Hetpeheres. On the Giza Plateau, Khufu’s builders oriented his pyramid almost perfectly north. The largest pyramid ever built, it incorporates about 2.3 million stone blocks, weighing an average of 2.5 to 15 tons each.
Khafre, who was the son of Khufu, was also known as Rakhaef or Chephren. He ruled from 2520 - 2494 B.C. and is responsible for the second largest pyramid complex at Giza, which includes the Sphinx, a Mortuary Temple, and a Valley Temple. The most distinctive feature of Khafre's Pyramid is the topmost layer of smooth stones that are the only remaining casing stones on a Giza Pyramid. He was perhaps the greatest maker of statues of the Pyramid Age.
Menkaure, also known as Mycerinus, ruled from 2490 - 2472 B.C. He was king of the smallest of the three pyramids at Giza, and is believed to be Khufu's grandson. Menkaure built himself a pyramid one-tenth the size of Khafre's. And unlike the other Great Pyramids, whose walls were made of limestone, Menkaure's pyramid was sheathed in granite on the bottom levels and in the burial chamber—it was a costlier, more difficult stone to work with. Menkaure died unexpectedly, and work on his pyramid complex was abandoned. Menkaure's heir, Shepseskaf, likely later completed the complex using mud brick.
There will be more to come on the pyramids of Egypt but for more information you can visit
http://www.nationalgeographic.com as well as http://www.pbs.org.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Introductory Statement
Hey, fellow bloggers and history wonderers! The name is Rachel Crowley. I am currently a sophomore at Grand Valley and fighting through the tough journey of becoming a nurse. I want to eventually specialize and become a nurse anesthetist. I graduated from DeWitt High School in 2008. DeWitt is a small town just 15 minutes north of Lansing. I am getting an opportunity to become a blogger via my history class. This will be a challenge for me, as I am not a blogger, nor history buff. But, I will do my best to scrounge all the know-how I can about the topics as to which I blog. It will be a great learning experience.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Introductory Statement
Hey guys my name is Tim Wysocki and I am a sophomore at Grand Valley. I grew up in Shelby Twp, which is about forty minutes north of Detroit. I graduated from Eisenhower High School in 2008. I am a History major going into secondary education. I spend my free time playing and following sports and reading. I also work at the Target in the Jenison so if anyone does some shopping there you might see me pushing carts or cashiering. I have never blogged before but i'm really excited to learn and discuss history with everyone else. I also hope to improve my writing skills for school and so i can create my own blog.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Introductory Statement
Whats up Bloggers? I am Kevin Holm from Twin Lake, Michigan where I graduated from Whitehall High School in 2003. I'm currently a Senior at Grand Valley State University with Social Studies Major and Elementary Education Minor. I never thought I'd be a blogger but with the opportunity in our History 203 class, I cannot wait to start the journey. The blog assignment will make me dig further into many different aspects of early world history and I am ready to become a blogger.
Introductory Statement
Hey everyone! I am Jennifer Birman and I am a sophmore at Grand Valley. I am a elementary education major with a concentration in social studies. I love history, so I am excited that I get to take this class. I grew up in Otsego MI about 50 minutes to the South of Grand Rapids. I have a job at Arbys which, combined with school, takes up the majority of my time. In my spare time I like to read and scrapbook. This semester is the first time I have ever blogged, so I am hoping that I will learn from this experience. Making and maintaing a blog seems like a good way to express yourself on any topic you wish; this could be a good tool to use in the classroom. I look forward to discussing various history topics with everyone.
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