May 27, 2014

Today in class, Matt and Phil taught the class. They taught us everything that is going to be on the test tomorrow. We also talked about kangaroos becauze Jess's boyfriend is a kangaroo. It was a very productive class.

Quote of the Day: "Just keep swimming."

May 23, 2014

Today in class, we went over the powerpoint we did yesterday. That was really all we did today. Mr. Schick talked about his trip to the news station yesterday and how much fun he had. He showed us some pictures, but that was really all we did in class. We talked a little bit about Morgan Freeman and some of the celebrities that he has met. It was actually a kinda boring class.

Quote of the Day: "Remind yourself that it's okay not to be perfect."

May 22, 2014

This new society has roots in:

• Classical heritage of Rome
• Beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church
• Customs of various Germanic tribes

5th Century Germanic Invaders

Overrun the western half of the Roman Empire

Causing:

• Disruption of trade
• Downfall of cities
• Population shifts to rural areas

Effects of Invasion

Decline of learning

• tribes had oral tradition and songs - couldn't read Greek or Latin
• Romance languages evolve (French, Spanish, Portuguese)
• Few besides priests were literate

Gregory's spiritual kingdom (Christendom) extends from Italy to England, from Spain to Germany.

Clovis descendants include Charles, Martel, known as Charles the Hammer.
Hammer defeats a Muslim raiding party from Spain at the Battle of Tours in 732.



Quote of the Day: "I myself am made of flaws stitched together with good intentions."

May 21, 2014

D. A European Empire Evolves

• Franks control largest European kingdom
• The Roman province formerly known as Gaul
• Ruled by Clovis - the Merovingian Dynasty

• Major domo - mayor of the palace - ruled the kingdom
• Charles Martel - Charles the Hammer
• extended the Franks' region to the north, south, east
• Defeated a Muslim army from Spain at the Battle of Tours in 732 - historic battle

• Charles the Hammer's son - Pepin the Short
• Possibly named for his unusual short haircut
• Working for and with the Pope, Pepin fought the Lombard
• Pope Stephen II named Pepin "king by the grace of God" - beginning the Carolingian Dynasty 751-987 AD

(So, a Pope can actually name someone "king")

• Pepin the Short had two sons: Carolman and Charles
• Carolman died leaving...

E. Charlemagne takes center stage

• Charlemagne - aka Charles the Great
• Six foot four
• Built the greatest empire since Rome
• Fought the Muslims in Spain
• Fought Germanic tribes
• Spread Christianity
• Reunited Western Europe
• Became the most powerful king in western Europe
• Pope Leo III crowned him emperor in 800 AD after he defended him from an unruly Roman mob
• This signaled the joining of Germanic power, the Church, and the heritage of the Roman Empire

• Charlemagne's Government
• He limited the authority of the nobles
• He regularly visited every part of his kingdom
• Kept close watch on his estates

• Cultural revival
• Encouraged learning
• Ordered monasteries to open schools

• But, his heirs were weenies...
• His son - Louis the Pious - was ineffective
• Louis' three sons - Lothario, Charles the Bald, & Louis the German - split up the kingdom at the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD 

Germanic Kingdoms Unite Under Charlemagne

Main Idea

• Many Germanic kingdoms that succeeded the Roman Empire were reunited under Charlemagne's empire.

Why It Matters Now

• Charlemagne spread Christian civilization throughout northern Europe, which is where many of us came from.

Setting The Stage

• Middle Ages= medieval period
• 500- 1500 AD
• medieval Europe is fragmented

A. Invasions trigger changes in western Europe.

• Invasions and constant warfare speak new trends
• Disruption of trade
• Europe's cities are no longer economic centers
• Money is scarce

• Downfall of cities
• Cities are no longer centers of administration

• Population shifts
• Nobles retreat to the rural areas
• Cities don't have strong leadership

• Decline of learning
• Germanic invaders are illiterate, but they communicate through oral tradition
• Only priests and church officials could read and write
• Knowledge of Greek is almost lost

B. Germanic kingdoms emerge

1. The concept of government changes

• Roman society: loyal to public gov't

• Germanic society: loyal to family
• Germanic chief led warriors
• During peace, he provided food, weapons, treasure, a place to live
• During wartime, warriors fought for the lord

• Franks live in Roman province of Gaul - their leader is Clovis
• The Franks under Clovis
• Another battlefield conversion, like Constantine
• Clovis and 3k of his warriors are baptized by the bishop
• The Church in Rome approves of this "alliance"
• Clovis and the Church begin to work together

Clovis' military expertise + the Church's support and money = a strategic alliance between two powerful forces.

C. Germanic people's adopt Christianity

• (Pope) Gregory I expands papal power
• Papacy=pope's office
• Secular power = wordy power
• So... under Gregory the Great...

Papal power (power of the pope) is political power, presented from the pope's palace.

• The church can use church honey to:
• Raise armies
• Repair roads
• Help the poor
• Gregory the Great began to act as mayor of Rome, and as heard of an earthly kingdom.

• 511 AD - Clovis unites Franks into one kingdom
• 600 AD - Church and Frankish rulers convert many
• Fear of Muslims in southern Europe spur many to become Christians
• Monasteries and convents
• 520 AD - Benedict wrote the rules for monks and monasteries
• Poverty, chastity, obedience, study
• His sister Scholastics did the same for nuns on convents
• 731 AD - the Venerable Beds wrote a killer history of England
• Monks opened schools, maintained libraries, and copied books (Bibles, Greek texts)

May 16, 2014

Feudalism- a political, military, and economic system based on land-holding and protective alliances

• In other words, the system is based on personal loyalty to people who can help you.

RICH DUDE (LORD): "I own land; I need people to help me work it and defend it."
TOUGH DUDES (VASSALS): "There are a lot of is, we can help the rich duded hold on to their land."

The Feudal Pyramid

• Top: KING
• The most powerful VASSALS (NOBLES and BISHOPS)
• KNIGHTS- mounted warriors who received FIEFS for defending their lord's land
• Bottom: PEASANTS (mostly SERFS) landless, powerless, moneyed, rights-less. Just working the land for "the man" (their lord)

MIND YOUR MANERS

• Manor: the lord's estate
• The lord's manor house
• A church
• Some workshops
• 15-30 families
• All on a few square miles
• Good news: It's a self-sufficient community
• Bad news: it's harsh if you're a peasant

HOW HARSH WAS IT?

• Peasants are poor AND pay high taxes
• Tax on grain
• Tax on marriage
• Church tax (tithe = 10% of their income)
• They live in crowded cottages
• Live with animals and insects (for warmth; they did their business in your house)
• Eat VERY simply
• But don't worry - the Church says this is your lot in life
• God determines your place in society - so chill

Quote of the Day: "Let us all meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love." -Mother Teresa

May 14, 2014

Today in class, we took a test that I didn't know about. I don't know if I did well or not but I hope I did!

Quote of the Day: "When something bad happens, you need to just let it go to stay happy. It may take time, but it is worth it."

May 13, 2014

I wasn't in class today because I was home sick.

May 9, 2014

Today in class.. Actually I don't remember what we did in class given the fact that we had Western Civ first mod. I think we got out tests back and went over the tests and took down a couple notes and that was really it.. (forgive me if I'm wrong!)

Quote of the Day: "I'd like to thank, not only God, but Jesus." -Justin Bieber

May 8, 2014

Today in class, we took notes off of a pae in the book. I don't have my computer because I sorta kinda broke it, so I had to write my notes by hand. Then, we went over our notes and that was all we did in class.

Quote of the Day: "You just gotta get up and try." -P!NK

May 7, 2014

Today in class, we took a test. I felt confident about it UNTIL I came to the last part of it. I didn't study that part enough, and I don;t think I did so hot on that part of the test. BUT, the multiple choice questions.. I think (hope) I aced that part. I am hoping for a C on it, but you never know. It could be better than that, or it could be worse that that. Knowing my luck, it will probably be worse. Whenever I think I do good on something, I usually fail it or go below my standards. It really sucks.

Quote of the Day: "The tests of life are not made to break you, but to make you." -Norman Vince Peale

May 6, 2014 (THE DAY BEFORE THE TEST)

Who was the first emperor? Caesar Augustus

Caligula (good start)

• In addition to being Germanicus' son, he was Tiberius' adopted grandson and great-nephew - putting him next in line for emperor.

Caligula (bad finish)

• He began to fight with the Senate
• He claimed to be a god, and had statues displayed in many places - including the Jewish temple in Jerusalem (sacrilege!)
• Other examples of cruelty and insanity: he slept with other men's wives and bragged about it, indulged in too much spending and sex, and even tried to make his horse a consul and a priest (at least that's what his critics said)
• Assassinated by his own aides. AD 41 (aged 28)

Claudius

• Ostracized by his family because of his disabilities (limp, slight deafness, possible speech impediment - thought to be cerebral palsy or polio), he was the last adult male in his family when Caligula was killed
• He rose to the occasion: he conquered Britain; he built roads, canals, and aqueducts; he renovated the Circus Maximus
• He had an awful marriage to Messalina, who was quite often unfaithful to him, even plotting to seize power for her lover Silius through a coup - so Claudius had them killed

Religious troubles

• Christianity and Judaism: monotheistic
• Romans had many gods, plus at times the emperor was viewed as a god
• AD 66: a group of Jews called the Zealots tried to rebel, but Roman troops put them down and burned their temple (except for one wall)
• The Western Wall today is the holiest of all Jewish shrines
• Half a million Jews died in the rebellion

Persecution of Christians

• Romans were harsh toward those who would not worship the emperor
• Especially Christians, who were viewed as followers of a new, upstart religion (cult)
• Often used for "entertainment" purpose in the Colosseum (thrown to the lions, etc.)
• Despite the oppression, Christianity grew quickly - by AD 200, around 10 percent of the people in the Roman empire were Christians

Quote of the Day: "Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy." -Angelina Jolie as Susana Kaysen in "Girl Interrupted"

May 2, 2014

Pg. 101  "Assassination and Another Caesar"

• He was voted to be dictator for life
• He never ruled with terror but was a Greek style tyrant
• Senators struck him down with daggers in 44 B.C
• Caesar’s death led to more warlords
• His adopted son Octavian formed a triumvirate with 2 other war lords and together they defeated Caesar’s murders and declared Caesar as a divine being
• Octavian was based in Rome and pushed the other warlord out of power
• The remaining warlord and he went to war in 31 B.C.
• Octavian won was the supreme warlord of Rome

Pg. 103-107  LO1 The Rule of the Emperors

• The era of the Roman Peace was one of massive social, religious, and cultural changes that would form a new pattern of western civilization
• Augustus's new system kept many features of the Republic, allowed subject people some self-rule, and brought Rome's expansion to a halt.  
• Roman achievements in literature, art, philosophy and law, architecture and engineering were inspired by Greek models, but surpassed those of Greeks.
• Rome became a model to other civilizations as Greece was to it.
• Octavian soon took the name Augustus "revered one"
• "Augustan settlement" emerged by 27 B.C.------the end of the Republic and the beginning of the rule of the Roman empire
• Augustus proclaimed to be restoring the republic
• He refused the offer of a long-term dictatorship and referred to himself as princeps (first citizen)
• The only office he held continently was a tribune of the people
• In 27 B.C. he was confirmed by the senate as commander and chief of the army
• He let the Senate supervise Italy and Rome but he controlled the military and army
• He put to death many of the opposing senators and replaced them with friends do he could consult them and give the senate power
• The people's assembly lost all power but that's okay
• People trusted Augustus to rule in their interest as they trusted Caesar
• Augustus allowed himself to be the center of a religious worship
• People worshiped him and the divine city of Rome
• Shrines of Rome and Augustus were set up throughout the empire
• When he died the Senate declared him a Divine Being, like Caesar
• Livia, his wife, was also declared deified
• Augustus was the founder of the new system of monarchy
• He keep control over the affairs of Rome itself but let providence's deal with day to day stuff
• There was still corrupt government but not nearly as much as the Republic had
• He had 600,000 men in the army so he cut half of them and paid them off
• By the end of his rule, all his soldiers were volunteers, serving 25 years in permanent units.
• It was stable because all men served by own choice and knew when he would be discharged and paid
• Auxiliary soldiers were not offered money at the end but sometimes offered Roman citizenship.
• Every solider swore obedience to the princeps
• Augustus had created the first ever standing pro army
• Part of his army was in Rome for protection but most on the frontiers of the empire
• At his death he turned against further expansion
• He wanted to settle on someone to replace him
• He wanted him to come from his own family to continue the line from Caesar
• He settled on Tiberius, Livia's son from another marriage, and adopted him as his own
• He was already trusted by the army
• Augustus died in A.D. 41 and Tiberius took over
• Caesar's last descendant, Nero was overthrown and the line of adopted kids stopped
• After a civil war for power, Vespasian won and founded a new dynasty----the Flavian dynasty
• It ended when his blood son was killed
• Then Nerva was appointed (member of the Senate)
• He adopted the general Trajan to avoid another war
• Adopted son who was to become emperor- Caesar
• When he had become emperor- Augustus
• Adoption and designation was the pattern and it was good :Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius, and Marcus Aurelius
• Then Marcus had a blood son who took over and was murdered from a terrible ruling
• The Setimius Severus took over and his male descendants took over well into the 3rd century
• Augustus's governing structure ended until the 3rd century
• He brought 200 years of stability and prosperity that is known as the Pax Romana, Then Roman Peace

Quote of the Day: "Life is to short to make stupid mistakes."

May 1, 2014

Today in class, I was there for like 15 minutes then I left for softball. All we did when I was there was watch scary, bloody videos and I didn't like them.

Quote of the Day: "Stay Strong." -Demi Lovato

April 29, 2014

Test Questions/Answers

What were Caesar's last words?

• "Et tu, Brute?" ("Even you, Brutus?")

The Roman Empire

• The republic changed to an empire

Octavian

• AKA Caesar Augustus
• Augustus- honorific; the honored one
• He was nearly a God in their eyes
• He took over at the age of 18

• Augustus was "the first emperor getting it done"
• Begins the Pax Romana - a period of peace and prosperity
• Built roads, aqueducts (brought water into cities)
• Set up civil service to take care of roads, the grain supply, even a postal service
• Augustus dies at age 76 in A.D. 14, and passes his power to Tiberius

Jesus

• Jesus was a Roman citizen and a practicing Jew
• At 30, he began his ministry (A.D. 31-33), preaching to the poor (and there were lots of them) in the empire, and reaching out to outsiders
• Statements like "my kingdom is not of this world" made the Romans (and the Jews) nervous, and they began to plan his execution
• The governor of the Roman province of Judaea, Pontius Pilate (prompted by Jewish high priests), sentences Jesus to death by crucifixion

• Paul is instrumental in telling the world about Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and message
• He travels far and wide: Cyprus, Anatolia, Athens, Corinth, Macedonia, Rome, Jerusalem, and maybe even Spain and Britain
• He writes letters to many of those people he spoke to - these epistles are a part of the NT
• If not for the efforts of Paul, it is likely that Jesus remains an obscure preacher, instead of the central figure of the world's largest religion

The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History

1. Muhammad
2. Sir Isaac Newton
3. Jesus
4. Buddha
5. Confucius
6. St. Paul of Tarsus

April 25, 2014

Today in class, we watched a video. Mr. Schick's computer wasn't working, so he asked if he could use mine because mine always works. Of course, I said yes. It did work, but throughout the whole video, the sound stopped working and it was quite annoying. Mr. Schick was so annoyed and mad that he threw his speakers on the ground and got out his new one. He was definitely not in a good mood and was not to be angered again. He told us to watch the video on our own for the rest of class and if we had earphones, to use them. Other than that, we didn't do anything in class. We just sat there and relaxed.

Quote of the Day: "Impossible only means that you haven't found the solution yet." -Anonymous

April 24, 2014

Today in class, we were just kinda relaxed. We sat and underlined/highlighted stuff in our books as Mr. Schick lectured us about the topic. I wasn't really interested in it, but I guess someone is, and that is why we are being taught it. Other than that, we didn't do ANYTHING in class. The last couple minutes Mr. Schick let us play on our computers, but nothing in class was really interesting.

Quote of the Day: "Never be ashamed of what you feel. You have the right to feel any emotion you want and do what makes you happy." -Demi Lovato

April 23, 2014

Today in class, we had our presentation! We made a Ancient Roman Libum Cheesecake. After we finished our powerpoint, we passed out the food. It was actually pretty disgusting, and not even half of it was eaten. I threw the rest of it away. BUT, since the class was expecting real, edible food, my sister and I made cookies for them to enjoy after, even thought they weren't Ancient Roman cookies. The cookies were very good, and there was enough for everyone to have seconds of them! I really think we did a pretty good job on this project! The only thing that would have made it better would have been if Paula did more work. Jesseca and I practically did all of the work! ://

Quote of the Day: "Never let success get ot your head and never let failure get to your heart."

April 22, 2014

Today in class, we started the 200 point presentations. The two groups that presented were Hailey, Ellie, and Carly's group. The other group was Jevan, Matt, and Zach's group. The group of girls went first. Both groups made food. I liked their food that the girls made. Hailey's cookies were very good, but I didn't really liked Ellie's food. I was NOT a fan of the boy's food. It was pretty gross to me. It was bland and just kinda disgusting. My group goes tomorrow and we got kinda worried when we found out how gross the food we are making tastes. Jess and I are super worried.

Quote of the Day: "People say everything happens for a reason, but it would be nice to know of the reasons why."

April 11, 2014

Today in class, we had a test. We pretty much all failed it (except Carly). The results when we all saw our grades was sad. The 'oooooh's' and the 'woahhhhh's' were just sad. BUT we have a 200 point project due when we get back from break. That should bring my grade up, but only if I do a good job on it! Jesseca, Paula, and I are (i'm pretty sure) making cheesecake! I can't wait!

Quote of the Day: "Failure is the key to success." -Jesseca Dunnett

(This quote was just for laughs.. Jesseca said this today after everyone got their tests back!)

REAL Quote of the Day: "What is success to me? Success is the simple pleasures in life. For example, winning a softball game, acing a test, or reaching a goal. Success is success no matter how small." -Sarah Meyerl

April 10, 2014 (THE DAY BEFORE THE TEST)

The Roman Legion

• The soldiers
• If you needed to attack someone, they would do it
• The "police" or army
• Divided into two sections
• One legion is 5000 people
• A group of 80 is a century
• They didn't paid
• People joined because they were in it to do it
• The men on foot, marching: infantry
• ALL men; NO women
• Also had men on horseback: cavalry
• Being on horseback is faster; advantage
• Some men fought on horseback with shields, words, daggers, etc.

Punic Wars

• 3 Punic wars
• All won by Rome
• First on fought over Sicily
• Second - Hannibal
• Third - Romans Attacked Carthage

 

• Men go off to war and leave their wives at home
• Women are forced to sell their farm because of the amount of bills
• Latifundia- great estate

 

Gracchus

• 2 men with the same name
• they said we have a huge problem
• "The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer.."
• "Give some of his land back to the people that you bought it from.."
• Said to get a law passed saying that the rich had to give back the land
• Got beaten and fought and throw into the Tigris River

 

April 9, 2014

Today in class, we didn't really do much. All we did was work on our projects that are due soon. I am working with Paula and Jesseca. We are making a Roman cheesecake, I believe. We actually were just joking around the whole class. There was a lot of wining, and us just being loud and obnoxious. Paula is going away over spring break, so Jesseca and I need to make our own cheesecake, but Paula is going to help with the report part of the project.

Quote of the Day: "A simple hello could lead to a million things."

April 8, 2014

Tarquin

• last ruler of Rome

Etruscans

• Really good at making roads
• Brick roads, not mud roads
• Introduced Romans to gladiators
• Distracted them from their everyday life
• Arch's made a huge breakthrough
• Aqueducts
• Transported water
• Coliseum
• Fights occurred here
• Fought animal
• Starving, irritated lions or other animals

 

 

Greeks

• Knew how to sail

Latin's

• Created alphabet

Plebians

• Had no power
• Grew all food and ran all shops
• Made everything happen

Patricians

• Money and wealth
• Had lots of land

Senate

• Wealthy people were the senators
• People who were super connected with money and position
• Would continue through the family; from father to son and so on
• Could be in the senate for life

Assembly

• Just like the senate, but for plebians

Aristocracy

• Poor people
• assembly

Dictator

• Dictated what everyone was going to do
• Only dictator for 6 months then went back to your life before that
• Had the power to make big decisions

Consoles

• Most powerful
• Only in for ONE year
• Could only run every ten years
• Made sure a different person was picked often

 

 

April 4, 2014

Today in class, all we did was pretty much nothing. We all got here, took attendance, and then went over the groups for the project that is due. I wasn't here when we talked about this project, so I was kinda clueless. I emailed Paula and asked if i could be in her group, though. She hasn't responded yet, but I'm praying she will. If I am in her group, which I'm almost positive she will let me in, we are making different kinda of Roman foods. I cant wait! It should be a lot of fun! We spent the rest of class working on our projects, but none of my partners were in class, so I did research alone.

Quote of the Day: "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." -Oscar Wilde

April 2, 2014

I was not in class today because I was sick, but I will be back tomorrow!

Quote of the Day: "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss

April 1, 2014

I was not in class today because I had a doctor's appointment, BUT I was there for Chi-Cago's (Mr. Schick's) rap! He did great.. I LOVED IT!!

March 26, 2014

Today in Western Civ, we took a test. I was not going to do well on the test, BUT Mr. Schick surprised us last minute by telling us that our test was open blog! SO, I didn't fail the test! I really feel like I did well on it! It should keep my grade up. If I didn't do well on it, that is okay. It is the beginning of the fourth quarter, and we will have other projects and assignments to bring up my grade. Even blogs help! They may only be worth a couple points, BUT they can either save or kill your grade.

Quote of the Day: "Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes."

March 25, 2014

Today in Western Civ, we watched a video. The video was part of our review for the test that we have TOMORROW!!! I REALLY need to study so I can do as good as I did the last time! Other than that, we didn't really do much in class, The only other thing that happened was a lot of talking and a lot of Mr. Schick kicking Matt's desk, as he was pretending to be the ships that everyone used in the Marines back then called a trireme. Mr. Schick told us to study for the test that we have tomorrow and to go over the Quizlet, our notes, and to finish the video that we watched in class today, for it would really help us out tomorrow.

Quote of the Day: "Rise up and be the best you can be because your world is waiting for you."

March 21, 2014

Aspasia

• Gorgeous and extremely smart young lady
• Fell in love with Pericles

Isagoris

• In charge of the army
• Important dictator
• He was thrown out of office
• Awful person

Cleisthenes

• Takes over Isagoris' position in office
• Pretty much invented democracy
• Willing to share power with everyone
• Aristocrat
• He was saying stuff that panicked people
• He was ostracized (sent out of town)

Darius

•   Made the decision to sail to an island and invade it
• Him and his men go back to Persia and regroup

Pheidippides

• Is told to go get help
• Runs 26 miles to get help

Xerxes

• Creates a new invasion plan
• Decides to come at them with 1 million men

Greeks tried to bring Persians into a smaller area.
A Greek soldier comes over and tricks the Persians. He tells them to attack at night when they won't be ready.

The Greeks were 100% ready and they achieved this massive victory.
Xerxes sat there and watched his own Navy get destroyed right before his eyes.
The Persians packed up and went back to Persia.

The Greeks were so pleased and still couldn't believe their huge victory.
The Greeks should have been destroyed, but due to this amazing strategy, they won.


Pericles

• Ruling in the finest period - The Golden Age
• hubris- so full of yourself and arrogant that you think you can't make a bad decision
• Decided that they are going to attack Sparta (everything went wrong)
• Makes a new strategy and wants to get Sparta to surrender
• Decides that he isn't going to do anything but stay inside the city walls
• Dies because of the plague

Athens is the place to be during The Golden Age.

Sparta ended up raiding Athena and burns and attacks everything and everyone.
Biggest thing that went wrong: The ships that were bringing in all the supplies brought in people that were sick with the plague

People are trying to drink out of the water supply, but it makes everyone sick because of the plague and the sickness spreading.


Oracle of Delphi

• Greeks believed that certain people could see the future and also give you good advice
• When the Persians marched on Athens with their massive army, the leaders went to the Oracle of Delphi and asked what to do. They asked for advice and were expecting some great advice for what to do. But, instead, they basically said that you're doomed.
• They didn't give any advice saying here is how to solve this problem
• The Oracle just pretty much said there is nothing you can do and you're screwed
• The Oracle was supposed to give some brilliant

• The flights of birds helped them know how to tell the future
• They would see what trees they would fly to and how high or low they would fly, etc..
• They would read the entrails of an animal that they just slaughtered
• You would kill an animal, cut it open, and the way that the insides fell out is how they would tell the future

March 20, 2014

Today in Western Civ, we didn't really do anything but talk a lot louder than we should have. We had to go over our presentations for Athens/Sparta again for Mr. Schick because he was kind of confused. So we went over those, and got our grade. Paula and I got a 95 on our presentation and I am very happy with that! It is keeping my grade as the 94 it is! Today has been an amazing day. it is a special day for me! I can't day what it is on here, but if you want to know, Mr. Schick, email me. We ended the class by watching a video of close calls that made us laugh SO much! It was a great class! Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE!

Quote of the Day: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." -Serenity Prayer

March 19, 2014

Today in Western Civ, Mr. Schick wasn't there, so we were in the gym. We worked on the about 30-35 questions that was on his blog. I worked on it, quietly, with Paula, Jesseca, and Maddie. Here are my answers (I highlighted most of my answers):

1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Greece?
1. peninsula      b. many islands     c. mountainous                d. mostly fertile land
2. Approximately ___________ of Greece is covered by mountains.
1. 2/3                  b. 3/4                         c. 1/2                          d. 1/4
3. Define the term barbarian as it was originally used in the ancient world.

The Greeks first used this term to describe those foreigners that they could not understand, but seemed to be saying "bar bar" when speaking.

A group of people that is able to quickly adapt to the new environment in which they arrive despite speaking a foreign tongue.

A group of people migrating into a territory where they do not speak the native tongue.

A life based upon farming, warfare, and tribal organization.

The word came from the Greek "barbaros," which originally meant "Non-Greek."

What defines a megalithic structure?

Homes that were constructed for people during the Neolithic period

Fortifications constructed for people during the Neolithic period

Massive rough-cut stones used to construct monuments and tombs

Giant dinosaurs whose fossil remains were visible to ancient peoples

Evidence of advanced technological tools

What does the term tribe refer to?

A social and political unit consisting of a group of communities held together by common interests, traditions, and real or mythical ties of kinship

A family-based group governed by a hereditary chieftain

A clan-based group prior to the advent of city-states in the Greek world

A group of warriors, related by blood, who are governed by a king or queen

All of these

6. Tribes were governed by
1. Warrior kings or queens                                        d.  all of these
2. Chieftains                                                                  e.  none of these
3. Tribal leaders chosen by warriors
7. Who were the first European barbarians to make contact with civilization?
1. Greeks                                                                       d.  Phoenicians
2. Hittites                                                                      e.  people of Asian Minor
3. Celts
8. Which of the following modern-day countries would NOT be considered a member of “Western civilization”?
1. Greece                                                                        d.  Italy
2. England                                                                     e.  United States
3. China
9. What is the name of the sea located just west of the Greek mainland?
1. Mediterranean Sea                                                  d.  Ionian Sea
2. Aegean Sea                                                                e.  Chesapeake Bay
3. Atlantic Ocean
10. What is the name of the sea located just east of the Greek mainland?
1. Mediterranean Sea                                                  d.  Ionian Sea
2. Aegean Sea                                                                e.  Chesapeake Bay
3. Atlantic Ocean
11. What were the major crops the Aegean people lived on?
1. Rice, vines, and olives
2. Potatoes, vines, and olives
3. Grain, vines, and olives
4. Onions, wheat, and beer
5. Corn, wheat, and rice
12. Which civilization arose on the island of Crete?
1. Mycenaean                                                                d.  Persian
2. Minoan                                                                      e.  Phoenician
3. Spartan
13. Which civilization established settlements along the Greek mainland’s southern shore and on some islands?
1. Mycenaean                                                                d.  Persian
2. Minoan                                                                      e.  Phoenician
3. Spartan 
14. Which civilization built massive walls to protect themselves from attack?
1. Mycenaean                                                                d.  Persian
2. Minoan                                                                      e.  Phoenician
3. Spartan
15. A period of Greek history in which the population dropped, ships no longer sailed, and writing fell out of use, is called the
1. First Persian War                                                    d.  Dark Ages
2. Megalithic Destruction                                          e.  none of these
3. Collapse of Crete
16. Following this time period, the Greeks joined which group as the leading commercial and seafaring nation of the Mediterranean?
1. Etruscans                                                                  d.  Persians
2. Egyptians                                                                   e.  Phoenicians
3. Hittites
17. In historical writing, the letter “c” might appear before a date, as in “c. 1500 BC.”  What does this “c” mean?
1. around                                                                       d.  all of these
2. about                                                                          e.  none of these
3. circa
18. By 600 BC, Greek city-states dotted the coastlines around the Mediterranean Sea.  These were called
1. colonies                                                                     d.  hoplites
2. demos                                                                        e.  megaliths
3. Starbucks
19. Although they varied in size, ancient Greek city-states most closely resembled what modern-day geographical feature?
1. cities                                                                           d.  nations
2. counties                                                                     e.  continents
3. states
20.  This is a form of government in which a small group of citizens dominated, and the power of the majority was limited in various ways.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny
21. This is a form of government in which decisions were made by the majority of adult male citizens.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny 
22. This is a form of government in which a self-proclaimed dictator held power.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny
23. This is a form of government in which power is held by a single ruler, and is often passed along from father to son.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny
24. Spartans used this government system.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny
25. At what age did Spartan males begin their military training?
1. seven                                                                          d.  eighteen
2. twelve                                                                                    e.  twenty-one
3. fifteen
26. What was the wealthiest city-state in the ancient Greek world?
1. Athens                                                                       d.  Sparta
2. Thebes                                                                       e.  Argos
3. Corinth
27. This was the high fortified citadel and religious center of an ancient Greek town.
1. Parthenon                                                                 d.  helos
2. Pantheon                                                                  e.  polites
3. acropolis
28. This was the name of the southern peninsula where Sparta was located.
1. Anatolia                                                                     d.  Stonehenge
2. Mt. Olympus                                                             e.  Peloponnesus
3. Crete
29. These were massive fighting ships with three banks of oars, used to ram or board enemy ships.
1. phalanxes                                                                  d.  biremes
2. hoplites                                                                      e.  triremes
3. tyrants
30. This was a heavily armed and armored citizen-soldier of ancient Greece.
1. phalanx                                                                      d.  bireme
2. hoplite                                                                       e.  trireme
3. tyrant

Short answer.    

1. 410 AD-650 AD
2. The Odyssey and the Iliad
3. The word “Mediterranean” originally meant 'middle land'.

 

 

 

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