Plato was born in 427 B.C. in Athens. He was born to one of the oldest and most well known families in Athens. As a child, Plato lived with his mother, Perictione, and his father, Ariston. Originally Plato was given the name Aristocles, but it was later changed do to his wide shoulders. (source)
As Plato grew to be a young man he decided that he wanted to be a politician; but after the persecution of his mentor, Socrates, he discovered how heartless politics can be so he found out that he no longer wanted a place in government. (source)
After the death of Socrates, Plato left Athens and went to Megara, Crete, and Egypt. He came back home for a short visit in 395 B.C., but left soon after that and continued his journey. He found himself in Syracuse where he was sold into slavery. In order to buy back his freedom, he had to raise 3,000 drachmas through his friends. He returned back to Athens in 387 B.C. (source)
In 387 B.C. Plato returned home from travelling and set up an Academy. In the Academy they taught astronomy, biological science, mathematics, and political science. Legend tells us that his University was built on land owned by the Greek hero, Academus. We began saying academy because of the name Academus. (source I, source II)
Plato believed that there was another world beyond this one. He believed that it consisted of unchanging eternal forms. He thought that what we see and touch is related to the ultimate realities that now exist. “He gives, in his work the Republic2, the famous comparison of the human condition with that of prisoners chained facing the inner wall of a cave, so that all they can see are mere shadows of objects in the cave, knowing nothing of the world outside. An example of one of the ultimate realities is Euclidean geometry with its theorems concerning ideal objects that do not and cannot exist in the three dimensional world in which we live, ideal objects such as straight lines without thickness and perfect circles, and other such timeless objects. And just as there are no perfect circles in this world we can not have morally perfect men, no absolutely perfect examples of courage or justice; we can only imagine perfectly moral standards”. (source I, source II)
Book 1
Book 2
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Socrates
Socrates was born in 469 B.C. in Athens. He was the son of a sculpture named Sophroniskus. Like any other Athenian child, Socrates was taught to speak Greek; he also learned geometry, astronomy and arithmetic. Socrates also served in the army, but there is very little known about that except for the fact that he served as a hoplite for the battle of Delium. Socrates lived from 469 to 399B.C.
(source I, source II)
As he grew older, he became more and more of a philosopher. He did not become great by going to school, but by going to markets, or any where else, and asking questions and discussing them with anyone who would listen, it didn’t matter who it was as long as they listened.(source)
The reason for Socrates’ brilliance is because he knew that he knew nothing. He was aware that he still had much more to learn. One time Socrates’ lover went to the oracle at Delphi and asked it if there was anyone smarter than Socrates. The oracle told him no. Though it was flattering, it troubled Socrates because he knew that he wasn’t wise. So in order to find out if this was true, he put his wisdom to the test. He chose politicians whom he thought were wise and discovered that his so called wisdom was not even really wisdom at all.(source)
Though Socrates was an extremely brilliant man he didn’t find it necessary to write it down. He thought that knowledge was living. It is said that our accounts were written down by Plato. The thing we are not sure if they are Socrates words or if Plato added some stuff in himself. But, we do know that Socrates was a brilliant man and because of that he was persecuted.(source)
Socrates was persecuted for supposedly not believing in the gods and for corrupting the youth. Around town people did not respect Socrates and they made him known as the stinky and smelly man; and when the Athenians lost the war against Sparta, they all blamed him because there was no one else to blame. When he went to court he did not apologize to all of the people and instead said that he deserved free food for the rest of his life. This angered the court and so they decided that he would be persecuted. And they did it by making him drink poison. According to Plato, Socrates trial was called the Apology. The time that Socrates was in prison waiting to be executed was called the Crito, and the death of Socrates is called the Phaedo. (source I, source II)
Book 1
Book 2
(source I, source II)
As he grew older, he became more and more of a philosopher. He did not become great by going to school, but by going to markets, or any where else, and asking questions and discussing them with anyone who would listen, it didn’t matter who it was as long as they listened.(source)
The reason for Socrates’ brilliance is because he knew that he knew nothing. He was aware that he still had much more to learn. One time Socrates’ lover went to the oracle at Delphi and asked it if there was anyone smarter than Socrates. The oracle told him no. Though it was flattering, it troubled Socrates because he knew that he wasn’t wise. So in order to find out if this was true, he put his wisdom to the test. He chose politicians whom he thought were wise and discovered that his so called wisdom was not even really wisdom at all.(source)
Though Socrates was an extremely brilliant man he didn’t find it necessary to write it down. He thought that knowledge was living. It is said that our accounts were written down by Plato. The thing we are not sure if they are Socrates words or if Plato added some stuff in himself. But, we do know that Socrates was a brilliant man and because of that he was persecuted.(source)
Socrates was persecuted for supposedly not believing in the gods and for corrupting the youth. Around town people did not respect Socrates and they made him known as the stinky and smelly man; and when the Athenians lost the war against Sparta, they all blamed him because there was no one else to blame. When he went to court he did not apologize to all of the people and instead said that he deserved free food for the rest of his life. This angered the court and so they decided that he would be persecuted. And they did it by making him drink poison. According to Plato, Socrates trial was called the Apology. The time that Socrates was in prison waiting to be executed was called the Crito, and the death of Socrates is called the Phaedo. (source I, source II)
Book 1
Book 2
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Plato's meno
For those of you who may not know, Plato’s Socratic meno was a discussion between Socrates and meno about human virtue. It is said that this is one of “Plato’s earliest surviving dialogues”. This particular dialogue took place around 402 B.C., which was about 3 years before Socrates’ on trial an executed. (source)
Other early dialogues by Plato call Socrates trial the Apology. The time that Socrates was in prison waiting to be executed was called the Crito. The death of Socrates is called the Phaedo. (source)
“Meno, a young aristocrat from Thessaly, asks how virtue is acquired. In reply, Socrates professes himself unable to answer: since he does not even know what virtue is, how can he know how it is acquired? Meno agrees to tackle the nature of virtue first and offers Socrates a definition, or rather a list of different kinds of virtue. After some argument, he accepts that this is inadequate, and offers another definition – virtue as the power to rule – which is also rejected. In order to help the inquiry along, Socrates gives a short lesson in definition, after which Meno offers his third and final definition of virtue: the desire for fine things and ability to acquire them. When this is refuted, he despairs of ever making any progress in their inquiry: how, he demands, can you look for something of whose nature you are entirely ignorant? Even if you stumble upon the answer, how will you know that this is the thing you did not know before?”(source)
The dialogue of meno is about finding out what virtue is. Socrates askes Meno for a definition of arête. But Socrates says that they can’t figure out if arete can be taught if because they don’t have a clear understanding what it is. (source)
The Socratic paradox is Socrates’ claim that arete is a kind of knowledge. People usually think that arete is more than a knowing, it is also a matter of willing. For example Christians think of sin as knowing what we should do and not doing it. But if virtue is knowledge anybody who really knew good would automatically be good. If Socrates is right that arete is a kind of knowledge, it would be impossible to know what good is and not do it. (source)
Book 1
Book2
Other early dialogues by Plato call Socrates trial the Apology. The time that Socrates was in prison waiting to be executed was called the Crito. The death of Socrates is called the Phaedo. (source)
“Meno, a young aristocrat from Thessaly, asks how virtue is acquired. In reply, Socrates professes himself unable to answer: since he does not even know what virtue is, how can he know how it is acquired? Meno agrees to tackle the nature of virtue first and offers Socrates a definition, or rather a list of different kinds of virtue. After some argument, he accepts that this is inadequate, and offers another definition – virtue as the power to rule – which is also rejected. In order to help the inquiry along, Socrates gives a short lesson in definition, after which Meno offers his third and final definition of virtue: the desire for fine things and ability to acquire them. When this is refuted, he despairs of ever making any progress in their inquiry: how, he demands, can you look for something of whose nature you are entirely ignorant? Even if you stumble upon the answer, how will you know that this is the thing you did not know before?”(source)
The dialogue of meno is about finding out what virtue is. Socrates askes Meno for a definition of arête. But Socrates says that they can’t figure out if arete can be taught if because they don’t have a clear understanding what it is. (source)
The Socratic paradox is Socrates’ claim that arete is a kind of knowledge. People usually think that arete is more than a knowing, it is also a matter of willing. For example Christians think of sin as knowing what we should do and not doing it. But if virtue is knowledge anybody who really knew good would automatically be good. If Socrates is right that arete is a kind of knowledge, it would be impossible to know what good is and not do it. (source)
Book 1
Book2
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Greek Architecture
The first people of the Greek peninsula were believed to be Neolithic. They built very basic structures. The houses were mainly built with a circular, oval, apsidal, or rectangular shape. The rectangular house was mostly square, but some were oblong. They used mud bricks and stones in the mud with reeds or brush to help build the house. Most of the houses had only one room (http://library.advanced.org/10098/greek.htm).
The next group of settlers were the Minoan architects. Their towns were mostly residential with little or no temples and public places. Unlike earlier people, their houses were private and had many rooms. To separate rooms, they would use only pillars which made the house very open. The stairways were a very prominent feature for these massive homes. This began a whole new era for the Greeks dealing with architecture (http://library.advanced.org/10098/greek.htm).
During the Classical Greek architecture period, it was made up of three different orders that are most commonly seen in their temples. These three orders were the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The orders are also known for their columns style (http://library.advanced.org/10098/greek.htm).
The Corinthian order is similar to the Ionic except in the form of the capital. Its characteristic feature is the acanthus leaves which enclose the circular body of the capital. The Roman Empire favored this style (http://www.sailinjissues.com/culture.html).
The most basic order for their temples would be the Doric order. Doric architecture was known for being used by the Spartans. It started with wood shafts, which later was replaced by stone. On the top of the shaft, were circular pads with a square block of wood over it. The vertical columns were used to support the beams called architraves. The finishing touches for the roof had to have a flat gables called pediments. The gutter ran along the top of the pediments and ended at a lion's mouth. This acted like a drain. The materials that were used for the roofs were thatch and the terra-cotta and marble (http://library.advanced.org/10098/greek.htm).
The final order would be the Ionic order. Their columns were more slender than those of the Doric order. They had gentler forms than the Doric order, or “male” order (http://www.sailinjissues.com/culture.html). Their dimensions were eight to nine meters high, instead of four to five. The columns had a molded base which was placed under them and then sculpted figures on the lower part of the shaft were added. At the top of these shafts, were rectangular blocks of stone, which were carved in the shape of hair or other wave and line shapes. (http://library.advanced.org/10098/greek.htm).
The next group of settlers were the Minoan architects. Their towns were mostly residential with little or no temples and public places. Unlike earlier people, their houses were private and had many rooms. To separate rooms, they would use only pillars which made the house very open. The stairways were a very prominent feature for these massive homes. This began a whole new era for the Greeks dealing with architecture (http://library.advanced.org/10098/greek.htm).
During the Classical Greek architecture period, it was made up of three different orders that are most commonly seen in their temples. These three orders were the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The orders are also known for their columns style (http://library.advanced.org/10098/greek.htm).
The Corinthian order is similar to the Ionic except in the form of the capital. Its characteristic feature is the acanthus leaves which enclose the circular body of the capital. The Roman Empire favored this style (http://www.sailinjissues.com/culture.html).
The most basic order for their temples would be the Doric order. Doric architecture was known for being used by the Spartans. It started with wood shafts, which later was replaced by stone. On the top of the shaft, were circular pads with a square block of wood over it. The vertical columns were used to support the beams called architraves. The finishing touches for the roof had to have a flat gables called pediments. The gutter ran along the top of the pediments and ended at a lion's mouth. This acted like a drain. The materials that were used for the roofs were thatch and the terra-cotta and marble (http://library.advanced.org/10098/greek.htm).
The final order would be the Ionic order. Their columns were more slender than those of the Doric order. They had gentler forms than the Doric order, or “male” order (http://www.sailinjissues.com/culture.html). Their dimensions were eight to nine meters high, instead of four to five. The columns had a molded base which was placed under them and then sculpted figures on the lower part of the shaft were added. At the top of these shafts, were rectangular blocks of stone, which were carved in the shape of hair or other wave and line shapes. (http://library.advanced.org/10098/greek.htm).
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Homer
Homer was A Greek poet who wrote many great epics. He wrote the Iliad, which was the story of the conquering of Troy, and the Odyssey, which was about Ulysses's wanderings. The place where he was born has been disputed for years, but many think it was on a Greek colony off the coast of Asia Minor. People have often argued over whether the works of him were actually by him or if his followers actually wrote them. If Homer did in fact write them, nobody really knows
Homer was alive in 700 B.C., which was also known as the Archaic period of Greece. It is said he was blind, this might not be true because many poets claimed to have been blind. They would say that they could see things that others couldn’t, that they could see and knew what the gods were doing.
In Ancient Greece part of their education was to read Homer. But, only males were allowed to attend school. It was essential for the young boys to read Homer’s works while in school. To the Greeks, Homer's stories were just as important to them as the Bible is for us today. In school the Greeks memorized parts of Homer’s epics. They memorized it so that they could recite it to others so that others would say or think in the same way as them.
Homer was an early Ancient Greek poet who wrote the major Greek epics. The Iliad and the Odyssey. These two writings were stories about myths and legends. In 7th century B.C though, these books were the Greeks history. Their past had been destroyed by the take down of the Mycenaean Civilization. Others say that Homer was a blind man that went from place to place reciting poems that had come down to him from an old tradition.
Many scholars believe that Homer was not the only one to write these epics tough. They believe that his followers helped in the writing of it. It is possible that a lot of the epics were written in the 9th or 8th century B.C. If so, that means that Homer used earlier writings to write them.
Homer was alive in 700 B.C., which was also known as the Archaic period of Greece. It is said he was blind, this might not be true because many poets claimed to have been blind. They would say that they could see things that others couldn’t, that they could see and knew what the gods were doing.
In Ancient Greece part of their education was to read Homer. But, only males were allowed to attend school. It was essential for the young boys to read Homer’s works while in school. To the Greeks, Homer's stories were just as important to them as the Bible is for us today. In school the Greeks memorized parts of Homer’s epics. They memorized it so that they could recite it to others so that others would say or think in the same way as them.
Homer was an early Ancient Greek poet who wrote the major Greek epics. The Iliad and the Odyssey. These two writings were stories about myths and legends. In 7th century B.C though, these books were the Greeks history. Their past had been destroyed by the take down of the Mycenaean Civilization. Others say that Homer was a blind man that went from place to place reciting poems that had come down to him from an old tradition.
Many scholars believe that Homer was not the only one to write these epics tough. They believe that his followers helped in the writing of it. It is possible that a lot of the epics were written in the 9th or 8th century B.C. If so, that means that Homer used earlier writings to write them.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
The New Kingdom
The New Kingdom was from 1550-1070 B.C. It was known as the Age of the Empire because during that period of time, the pharaohs had built a huge empire. When this empire reached its peak, it had gotten to the Euphrates River. Because of this, Egypt became more well rounded with parts of the Middle East and Africa.
One of the many great Pharaohs of Egypt was Hatshepsut. Princess Hatshepsut was born into the early 18th dynasty, which was a time when Egypt was getting over the fact that foreign Pharaohs were ruling over Egypt. “Although the 18th Dynasty was to develop into a period of unprecedented Egyptian prosperity, the deep humiliation of a hundred years o f Hyksos rule and the widespread civil unreast of the second intermediate Period were never fully forgotten, and a concern with replicating the halcyon days of the Old and Middle Kingdoms-and in particular the glorious 12th Dynasty- became a constant underlying theme of early 18th Dynasty political life” (Hatshepsut The Female Pharaoh).
When Queen Hatshepsut’s husband died, she took over in his place and ruled for stepson, Tutmosis III, who at the time was only 5 years old. In all, she was on the throne for about 20 years. While in power, Hatshepsut built for herself a terrace temple which was in Deir ei-Bahri. This temple was on the west bank of the Nile. In it she had gardens filled with the most sweet smelling plants a Pharaoh could have. She also had pictures of trees full of incense being loaded into ships getting ready to go to Punt. The temple stayed up by tramps connected to the terraces that stuck out of the rocky three level backdrop. By the end 19th century, there was little left of this temple except a pile of rubble and sand (Ancient Egypt).
Five hundred years after the removal of the Hyksos, and disputing the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties, symbolize Egypt’s 3rd Golden Age. The country that was once more united under strong and great kings extended its frontiers farther into the east, into Palestine and Syria. During its climatic period of power and prosperity, which was between 1500 B.C. and 1162 B.C., large buildings had been built, which centered on the land of Egypt’s the new capital, Thebes.
“The New Kingdom represents the last period of high civilization in Egyptian history”. Shocked because they were being ruled by the Hyksos, Egypt tried to conquer over Syria and Palestine so that other countries wouldn’t try to attack them either. At the same time, Nubia had actually expanded to. In the New Kingdom, the most well known Pharaohs were Rameses II, Akhenaton, and Hatshepsut. Throughout the New Kingdom, the capital was kept at Thebes. In Thebes are some of Egypt‘s greatest monuments.
One of the many great Pharaohs of Egypt was Hatshepsut. Princess Hatshepsut was born into the early 18th dynasty, which was a time when Egypt was getting over the fact that foreign Pharaohs were ruling over Egypt. “Although the 18th Dynasty was to develop into a period of unprecedented Egyptian prosperity, the deep humiliation of a hundred years o f Hyksos rule and the widespread civil unreast of the second intermediate Period were never fully forgotten, and a concern with replicating the halcyon days of the Old and Middle Kingdoms-and in particular the glorious 12th Dynasty- became a constant underlying theme of early 18th Dynasty political life” (Hatshepsut The Female Pharaoh).
When Queen Hatshepsut’s husband died, she took over in his place and ruled for stepson, Tutmosis III, who at the time was only 5 years old. In all, she was on the throne for about 20 years. While in power, Hatshepsut built for herself a terrace temple which was in Deir ei-Bahri. This temple was on the west bank of the Nile. In it she had gardens filled with the most sweet smelling plants a Pharaoh could have. She also had pictures of trees full of incense being loaded into ships getting ready to go to Punt. The temple stayed up by tramps connected to the terraces that stuck out of the rocky three level backdrop. By the end 19th century, there was little left of this temple except a pile of rubble and sand (Ancient Egypt).
Five hundred years after the removal of the Hyksos, and disputing the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties, symbolize Egypt’s 3rd Golden Age. The country that was once more united under strong and great kings extended its frontiers farther into the east, into Palestine and Syria. During its climatic period of power and prosperity, which was between 1500 B.C. and 1162 B.C., large buildings had been built, which centered on the land of Egypt’s the new capital, Thebes.
“The New Kingdom represents the last period of high civilization in Egyptian history”. Shocked because they were being ruled by the Hyksos, Egypt tried to conquer over Syria and Palestine so that other countries wouldn’t try to attack them either. At the same time, Nubia had actually expanded to. In the New Kingdom, the most well known Pharaohs were Rameses II, Akhenaton, and Hatshepsut. Throughout the New Kingdom, the capital was kept at Thebes. In Thebes are some of Egypt‘s greatest monuments.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
The Middle Kingdom
Middle Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom lasted from about 2030 to 1640 B.C. It was a time when the ruler was Nebhepetre Mentuhotep. He was the 11th Dynasty King from Thebes that finally united the Egyptian Empire into one. Under his rule, and that of other strong kings who followed, Egypt’s power and wealth were restored (http://www.egyptattraction.com/egypt-kingdom.html). His name translates into Montu, who was the God of Thebes (http://members.aol.com/robinsash/egypt/middle_kingdom.htm). One of the great buildings of this time was the Mortuary complex to Mentuhotep. It was modeled after his great ancestors
(http://www.met museum.org/TOAH/HD/mking/hd_mking.htm).
The Middle Kingdom was not so great though. It didn’t have the pizzazz that the earlier Old Kingdom had or the later New Kingdom had. It was kind of boring. The kings of that time didn’t build huge pyramids or have a great military or any of those things. Though, the pyramids that they did build could be just as big as the ones in the 5th and 6th Dynasties. But, in the Middle Kingdom the pyramids had trap doors and secret passage ways and other cool things. The only bad thing about their pyramids was that they were now being built out of bricks made out of mud, which eventually broke down (http://friesian.com/notes/midking/htm).
100 years after the decline of the Old Kingdom, Egypt had broken itself up into dozens of different states (The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt). But, the two kings Intef and Mentuhotpe brought Egypt back together in Luxor. That was when they established the 11th Dynasty, which was also the beginning of the Middle Kingdom (A History of Ancient Egypt).
Under the reign of the two kings, trade, irrigation projects, and the writing of texts began to come back. Though, the king’s power never actually came back. When they had gotten well into the Middle Kingdom, Egypt finally established one king. That was Sesostris III (http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/EGYPT/MIDDLE.HTM).
By 1640 B.C., Egypt was again facing serious problems where weaker kings proved unable to cope. Immigrants started to become a powerful political force and even had more advanced weapons than the Egyptians, including horse drawn chariots (http://www.egyptattraction.com/egypt-kingdom.html). The Hyksos Kings were able to seize control of the Delta and for nearly a century they ruled a large section of Egypt.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
The Old Kingdom
Old Kingdom
In the Old Kingdom, there were 6 dynasties. In the 1st Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, there were two parts to Egypt. The first half was the North which was known as the upper kingdom and then the second half was the South which known as the lower kingdom. Then King Menes came, also known as Narmer, who united the two kingdoms and built a government for Egypt (http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/EGYPT/ODL.htm).
In the 2nd Dynasty, people had been having disputes over who was to become the next king. As time went on, the situation worsened into a rivalry. But, towards the end of the Dynasty, there had evidently been more chaos. So much more, that there could have possibly been a civil war.
The 3rd Dynasty was on that had become a landmark for human history. It was an extremely prosperous time for Egypt. And at that time the Pyramid was being built. The writing on the tombs and buildings in Egypt tell of truly beautiful it was there (The Great Sphinx). They also tell of how wealthy and successful it was at that time. Egypt was also established as a nation under a strong central government (http://www.egyptattraction.com/egypt-kingdom.html).
In the 4th Dynasty, the Pyramids of Giza had been built. They were able to accomplish this task because Egypt had not been threatened of being invade for a long period of time. So during that period of time their main concern was to build beautiful art. The 4th Dynasty had come from Memphis, Egypt.
The 5th Dynasty came from Elephantine. The first kings of this new dynasty were all sons a woman named Khentkaues, who had been a member of the previous royal family. In this dynasty, the pyramids were quite as large as the ones in the 4th dynasty. From the 5th Dynasty there are Papyri that survived through the years, which tells us about how well they recorded things back then (http://www.eyelid.co.uk/dynasty1.html). In the 6th Dynasty, Egyptians made many writings. They wrote about expeditions to the south, the reign of Pepi I, and of trade. But, on of the most interesting pieces of writing that we found is a letter that had been written by Peppy II. The last major monument of the Old Kingdom is the one in Southern Saqqara dedicated to Pepi I (http://www.eyelid.co.uk/dynasty1.html).
In the Old Kingdom, there were 6 dynasties. In the 1st Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, there were two parts to Egypt. The first half was the North which was known as the upper kingdom and then the second half was the South which known as the lower kingdom. Then King Menes came, also known as Narmer, who united the two kingdoms and built a government for Egypt (http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/EGYPT/ODL.htm).
In the 2nd Dynasty, people had been having disputes over who was to become the next king. As time went on, the situation worsened into a rivalry. But, towards the end of the Dynasty, there had evidently been more chaos. So much more, that there could have possibly been a civil war.
The 3rd Dynasty was on that had become a landmark for human history. It was an extremely prosperous time for Egypt. And at that time the Pyramid was being built. The writing on the tombs and buildings in Egypt tell of truly beautiful it was there (The Great Sphinx). They also tell of how wealthy and successful it was at that time. Egypt was also established as a nation under a strong central government (http://www.egyptattraction.com/egypt-kingdom.html).
In the 4th Dynasty, the Pyramids of Giza had been built. They were able to accomplish this task because Egypt had not been threatened of being invade for a long period of time. So during that period of time their main concern was to build beautiful art. The 4th Dynasty had come from Memphis, Egypt.
The 5th Dynasty came from Elephantine. The first kings of this new dynasty were all sons a woman named Khentkaues, who had been a member of the previous royal family. In this dynasty, the pyramids were quite as large as the ones in the 4th dynasty. From the 5th Dynasty there are Papyri that survived through the years, which tells us about how well they recorded things back then (http://www.eyelid.co.uk/dynasty1.html). In the 6th Dynasty, Egyptians made many writings. They wrote about expeditions to the south, the reign of Pepi I, and of trade. But, on of the most interesting pieces of writing that we found is a letter that had been written by Peppy II. The last major monument of the Old Kingdom is the one in Southern Saqqara dedicated to Pepi I (http://www.eyelid.co.uk/dynasty1.html).
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Khufu
Khufu
Khufu was the 4th Dynasty Pharaoh of Egypt. He was well known for the pyramids that he had built, but most well known for being the first Pharaoh to build a pyramid in Giza, known as the Great Pyramid of Giza. It is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Khufu was known as the “Father of Pyramid Building” (http://www.guardians.net/egypt/khufu.htm). Khufu was the son of another great pyramid builder, King Kneferu. His mother’s name was Queen Hetepheres. Khufu’s full name was Khnum-Khufwy, which means ‘(the god) Khnum protect me’ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khufu.shtml).
Khufu was believed to have three wives. He came to the throne probably during his twenties and immediately began to work on his pyramid. Only a very small ivory statue of 9 cm has been found depicting this historic ruler. It was not found in Giza near the pyramid, but was found to the south at the Temple of Osiris at Abydos, the ancient necropolis (http://www.guardians.net/egypt/khufu.htm). See picture below.
Khufu was known to be a cruel and ruthless ruler. http://www.guardians.net/egypt/khufu.htm. The Greek historian Herodotus describes Khufu as a cruel and wicked leader who prostituted his daughter when he ran short of money. However, the Westcar Papyrus describes Khufu as a traditional oriental monarch: good-natured, amiable to his inferiors and interested in the nature of human existence and magic.http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khufu.shtml.
Khufu was remembered for being a hard tyrant, a quality which was a prerequisite for building the gigantic pyramid. He was preceded by Snefu, his father, and succeeded by Redjedef, his son. (http://lexicorient.com/e.o/khufu.htm).
Of course, whether or not he was a cruel ruler, he did command a tremendous ability to organize and mobilize workers. There was an extremely large amount of manpower necessary to build the Great pyramid and its surrounding complex and tombs. Certainly Khufu would have had the benefit of witnessing the previous pyramid projects of his father, Sneferu. http://www.guardians.net/egypt/khufu.htm. The Great Pyramid stands witness to the ability of Khufu to lead and coordinate his people. The entire project took about 23 years to complete, during which time 2,300,000 building blocks, weighing an average of 2.5 tons each, were moved. His nephew Hemiunu was appointed head of construction for the Great Pyramid. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khufu.shtml. It is now believed the pyramids were built using conscripted labor rather than slaves. The idea that Khufu used slaves to build the pyramid comes from Greek historian Herodotus. He also describes Khufu Despite not being remembered as fondly as his father, the funerary cult of Khufu was still followed in the 26th Dynasty, and he became increasingly popular during the Roman period. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khufu.shtml.
The pyramid has an original height of over 480 feet tall, and it stands as one of the world’s greatest, unexplained accomplishments. To this day, the actual movement and placement of the stones is considered a mystery. http://www.mybrotha.com/khufu.asp.
Khufu was the 4th Dynasty Pharaoh of Egypt. He was well known for the pyramids that he had built, but most well known for being the first Pharaoh to build a pyramid in Giza, known as the Great Pyramid of Giza. It is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Khufu was known as the “Father of Pyramid Building” (http://www.guardians.net/egypt/khufu.htm). Khufu was the son of another great pyramid builder, King Kneferu. His mother’s name was Queen Hetepheres. Khufu’s full name was Khnum-Khufwy, which means ‘(the god) Khnum protect me’ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khufu.shtml).
Khufu was believed to have three wives. He came to the throne probably during his twenties and immediately began to work on his pyramid. Only a very small ivory statue of 9 cm has been found depicting this historic ruler. It was not found in Giza near the pyramid, but was found to the south at the Temple of Osiris at Abydos, the ancient necropolis (http://www.guardians.net/egypt/khufu.htm). See picture below.
Khufu was known to be a cruel and ruthless ruler. http://www.guardians.net/egypt/khufu.htm. The Greek historian Herodotus describes Khufu as a cruel and wicked leader who prostituted his daughter when he ran short of money. However, the Westcar Papyrus describes Khufu as a traditional oriental monarch: good-natured, amiable to his inferiors and interested in the nature of human existence and magic.http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khufu.shtml.
Khufu was remembered for being a hard tyrant, a quality which was a prerequisite for building the gigantic pyramid. He was preceded by Snefu, his father, and succeeded by Redjedef, his son. (http://lexicorient.com/e.o/khufu.htm).
Of course, whether or not he was a cruel ruler, he did command a tremendous ability to organize and mobilize workers. There was an extremely large amount of manpower necessary to build the Great pyramid and its surrounding complex and tombs. Certainly Khufu would have had the benefit of witnessing the previous pyramid projects of his father, Sneferu. http://www.guardians.net/egypt/khufu.htm. The Great Pyramid stands witness to the ability of Khufu to lead and coordinate his people. The entire project took about 23 years to complete, during which time 2,300,000 building blocks, weighing an average of 2.5 tons each, were moved. His nephew Hemiunu was appointed head of construction for the Great Pyramid. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khufu.shtml. It is now believed the pyramids were built using conscripted labor rather than slaves. The idea that Khufu used slaves to build the pyramid comes from Greek historian Herodotus. He also describes Khufu Despite not being remembered as fondly as his father, the funerary cult of Khufu was still followed in the 26th Dynasty, and he became increasingly popular during the Roman period. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/khufu.shtml.
The pyramid has an original height of over 480 feet tall, and it stands as one of the world’s greatest, unexplained accomplishments. To this day, the actual movement and placement of the stones is considered a mystery. http://www.mybrotha.com/khufu.asp.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Code of Hammurabi
Of all the ancient Middle Eastern law codes, the one that is most well known is the Code of Hammurabi. Hammurabi was the sixth king of the first dynasty of Babylon. He was known to be the greatest ruler of ancient Babylonia but he was mainly known for his code of laws. In 1800 B.C. Hammurabi, the Amorite king, took the throne and became the new king of the Babylonian dynasty. Immediately after becoming king, Hammurabi expanded his empire which now included Assyria and northern Syria (source).
Hammurabi was known to be an outstanding military leader and lawgiver. In his first year of kingship, Hammurabi kept his promise to the Babylonian god, Marduk, and established a system of laws that went over almost every aspect of ancient life (source).
Some of the laws that Hammurabi wrote were based on the principle “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. (source). This means that if someone injures another person, that person shall be punished in the same way that he injured that person. For instance “if someone put out another’s eye, their eye would be put out in return”. (source). If anyone breaks a freeman’s bone, then his bone too, shall be broken. Today, his code may have seemed very brutal and cruel, but back then it was early attempt to create law (source).
Hammurabi required that people should be responsible for their own actions. The Code of Hammurabi consists of 282 laws, unfortunately, 34 of these codes have been lost. Hammurabi’s code was not meant to have laws against everything, but to provide rules and standards for every day life (source).
The code of Hammurabi is made up of legal decisions that he collected at the end of his reign and wrote them on a diorite stela that was set up in Babylon's temple of the god of justice, Marduk. The code is carved on an eight-foot high slab of black stone, which now sits in the Louvre Museum in France (source).
Those 282 case laws were arranged under the headings of personal property, real estate, economic provisions, family laws, criminal laws, and with civil laws. The penalties for someone depended on what they had done (source). The code basically protected the weak, but provided for retaliation and for cruel punishments.
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