Western Civilizations Final Question 10 -Do you feel like you've learned something this year?

I most definitely feel like I've learned something over this past semester. In fact, I've learned much more than just "something." To be honest, social studies has always been one of my favorite subjects, even as a little kid. History and the way people interacted and things like that have always fascinated me. Being able to study things I was already interested in was great, and I learned so much more than I had in the past with these topics. Before, when I had lessons on people like Alexander the Great, the details were very vague, and even after two weeks of studying him, I had no idea who this man was. I knew he ran around Europe and Asia with a giant army and practically conquered the whole world, but I didn't know who he was as a person until this year. Now, to me, his life seems much more exciting. He dealt with insanity, alcoholism, sexual conflict, issues with his family, and so much more on top of all of the conventional things he did. And every topic we studied this semester was like that. I really feel like I can walk away from this class, knowing so much more than I did in January. And the best part is that not only did I learn all of that on those topics, but now I know where to go to find even more information if I'm ever just feeling curious. I really feel like  I got a lot out of this class over the past semester. Thank you for that.

Western Civilizations Final Question 9

A Renaissance man was someone who lived during the Renaissance, and was very knowledgeable in many areas. For instance, he (or she) may be very talented with literature, but also very good with science. In my opinion, Leonardo Di Vinci is the ultimate definition of the term, "Renaissance man."

Even as a young child, Di Vinci showed promise in things like painting and sculpture. His mentor as a child was Verrocchio, the famed painter. As he grew older, Leonardo became more and more talented with his works, and eventually created masterpieces like The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. It is actually suspected by some people that an artifact like the Shroud of Turin was actually made by Di Vinci himself, using paints and other artistic methods to fake the imprint of Christ's face and body.

Though art was what he had originally been trained in, Leonardo Di Vinci was talented in practically all areas. he had been born left-handed, but trained to use his write as well, so that he would not be punished by his teachers. When he did write with his left hand, he wrote upside down and backwards, almost like his own secret code. The pages of his journals that historians have found are covered in genius ideas for inventions, brilliant literary works, and even some complicated mathematic equations. The Wright Brothers actually took a look at Di Vinci's design for the flying machine before constructing their own similar model of an airplane that actually took flight. Though he had always been a child prodigy when it came to art, Leonardo Di Vinci made it his job to collect as much information as possible, and become an expert in all areas- a true Renaissance man.

Western Civilizations Final Question 8

Romanesque:

The thick walls and low lighting display very well the belief system of the Romans when it came to religion. They were very focused on protection and preparation for judgement day, so the protection that would be supplied by these structures shows the connection between the beliefs and their architecture. The first image is a sacrifice scene, to please God, which is another obvious way of showing that the Romans were very focused on being completely ready for judgement day.


Gothic: 

Gothic architecture really displays the happiness the people of the renaissance found in worship. They believed that the Lord was your light, and you should let him into your life. That explains the thin walls and colorful stained glass windows. Whenever the light would shine into the church, it would be in all these beautiful colors, reminding people the goodness of God. 

Western Civilizations Final Question 7

The spread of the black death came about because of the lack of sanitation in Europe. The plague that started the black death was a disease that was carried by fleas. These fleas would find homes on the rats in the streets of the cities in Europe. There were so many rats that most people found it normal to be bitten by one or something to that effect. What the people didn't know was that the rats were actually carrying a disease called the Bubonic Plague, which was the disease that spread through Europe and became known as the Black Plague. It spread so quickly between people in Europe not only because of the rats, but also because of the lack of indoor plumbing provided. Human waste was thrown out into the streets, where people without homes lived and slept on the ground. If you didn't have a home, you were sick pretty fast. For the people of Europe, the spread of this disease meant that no one was really safe anywhere. If you tried to take care of a family member with the plague, there was a very good chance that you yourself could catch it. Doctors didn't tend to live long, because they contracted the disease very quickly as well, being exposed to it all the time. For a very long time, shops were down, people had absolutely no money, and everyone was dying. It seemed there was no hope for the people of Europe.

Western Civilizations Final Question 6

SAVE OUR HOMELAND, JERUSALEM

JOIN AND FIGHT FOR YOUR ANCESTORS ...... SAVE THE ONE THAT SAVES YOU

I, RICHARD THE LIONHEARTED, ask you to join and fight for your brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and their fathers, and then unto their fathers. You will be remembered as the savior to thy Holy father. He will thank you and be grateful. 

Saladin's Letter To The Editor: 

To be completely honest, I don't know exactly what these Christians think they're doing. I haven't done much study in the field of their religion, but aren't they against killing? I don't think their religion would approve of what they're doing. Just last week,they slaughtered 1,000 of my men from Acre. I mean, yes, I refused to meet with Richard, but that was because he had already come to battle with me, so I had decided to kill him. You can't just sit down and have dinner with the man you intend to kill. But if he had come to me without all of that battle armor, I would have been happy to work something out with him. 

However, as it stands, Jerusalem is the land of my people. It was Allah's will that we were able to gain possession of this land, and we have every right to keep it. I suppose in time, Richard will get close enough to Jerusalem that he could, in theory, take it back. But we will be ready when that day comes. Who knows? Maybe one day we'll learn to share it and live in peace like two civilized nations.

Western Civilizations Final Question 4

I chose this article (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/sept_11_2001/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=September%2011&st=cse) for its similarity to the philosopher Thucydides, because of its focus on fact and detail. Thucydides was called the "Father of Scientific History," for his use of fact and detail.

Western Civilizations Final Question 3

Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece were two societies with different views when it came to death. What to do with the body was a big difference in the two cultures. In Ancient Greece, things were done quite like they are today. The body is dressed and made to look nice, and then it is taken to the funeral procession where it is either burred or cremated. The Egyptians, on the other hand, removed all of the vital organs from the body, and left it in its tomb where it was never to be disturbed again.