Western Civilization Lesson 20
CB.
3/28/17
Week 4 writing assignment Answer two:
1) What was the disagreement Socrates had with the Sophists?
2) What qualities does Plato's ideal monarch -- the "philosopher-king" -- possess?
(Question 1) Socrates was an important philosopher from Ancient Greece who shifted his focus towards how humans should live. That’s why he had a difference with the Sophists they had polar opposite ideas from what he thought. Socrates thought there was a certain way a person should live, using reason and not just acting on instincts like an animal, but having an examined life and sticking to morals and ethics. The Sophists taught public speaking, It was a necessary tool to have. The problem Socrates had with it was that they were teaching rhetoric how to make a convincing argument whether it was right or wrong, or in line with facts or not, they didn’t care. They just taught people to be persuasive whatever your position may be. Sophist thought you should do whatever benefits you what’s right for me is wrong for you who’s to say? Soc’s feelings were “A unexamined life is not worth living”. “Man is the measure of all things” was a famous quote from Protagoras (a Sophist). So that was a contrast from Socrates political philosophy. Socrates was appalled by this way of thinking and acting and thought of it as corrupting the youth! Socrates believed in absolute truths and rejected relativism and dedicated his life to the study of it among other things such as ethics. His ideas were that there was an essence of justice and other things like goodness and beauty and we shouldn’t just know examples of these things. Socrates knew the extent of his own ignorance, he wanted to gain knowledge and grow. And that is what made him the wisest. So for him, he wanted to seek out answers and not just be content with something that may be right or may not be. Unlike the Sophist, Socrates didn’t ask payment for his teachings. And the Sophist did. Socrates wants to draw information out of his pupils and connect it to a bigger picture, absolute truths. His views elaborated are that you have to look at justice, goodness, and beauty in the abstract (big picture) to understand what, for example, goodness, really is! Understanding principals and being bound to them these principals would transcend time; he continued with the idea that you discover these principals and they exist in all times unbroken. We cannot make up our own rules just according to the environment of how a man (as in humans) wants to do things, Soc thought that was silly! Living should be like an art he says. He believes virtue is knowledge. Reflection on what you do and not acting on instinct for pleasure, he thought that’s what separated beast from man. Sophist thought to act on pleasure whatever makes you feel good. Overindulgence in food is an example and lots of items and so on to treat themselves bountifully. Socrates, ironically, was executed in the end for “corrupting the youth”; the very thing he accused the sophist of doing and “corrupting” by teaching ethics and moral principals oddly. This was a different period. Socrates was against the curve of thoughts at the time of what was acceptable. (Question 2) (Notes were deleted but done, and I can’t answer this one without notes.)
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Monday, April 24, 2017
English Essay 4
English Lesson 20
4/24/17
CB.
Write 500 words on this topic: "Discuss some of the reasons offered in the Psalms for long-term optimism." *(this essay was supposed to go up on Friday but I did have it finished by then just not uploaded)
*update* word count: 624 words
Write 500 words on this topic: "Discuss some of the reasons offered in the Psalms for long-term optimism." *(this essay was supposed to go up on Friday but I did have it finished by then just not uploaded)
*update* word count: 624 words
Long-term optimism is an ongoing theme in the psalms, patience, and trust in God go in hand with long-term optimism so elaborated it can relate to different ideas. David in the psalms was in trouble he asks God to listen to him. He trusted in God and now he needs his help. The evil-doers say that God won’t help David and he has forsaken him he needs to be optimistic or he will lose hope. It's a very important persisting issue for David the rut he is in so being confident is important and holding onto his belief. They taunt him and are defiant they think God has abandoned him. David is in fear and his courage to fight is gone. They think that since they have the upper hand they can’t be foiled the evil are oppressing the weak, in this case, David! God won’t walk away from his people. David’s heart was “melted like wax” so he was very defeated but trusted God.The Bible often uses symbolic language (I’ll use examples) to help illustrate and convey their points which show up often. He wished very much that God would pick him up and he would no longer hurt. He made an appeal for guidance bringing up past mercies of God where he helped people in hard spots. God has pity for the weak and the good. David did bad stuff in the past sins but he says forget those because God is a good God. Even in dark moments, God pulls through and forgives. It’s important for David to keep his faith and be optimism because if he gives up he’ll be done for with everyone against him! No amount of evil can trump God even weak David who is just one person can win against many because God helped him. The doubters will end up nowhere and perish. David humbles himself before God. God will help David since David follows the path of righteousness. In Psalm 26 specifically, David won’t be surrounded by evildoers and tries to be ethically upright. David is innocent, he says, and won’t be near evil. He has an allegiance to God not to the systematic wrongdoers. God will protect him from the “predators” as the David is the “prey”. Another example in Psalms 25 through 27 David references God saving him before as a “reminder” in the prayer. He waits for God to take action and believes it will soon happen. They believe God’s goodness will support them. It was a time of depression for David but he recites the evildoers are wrong systematically and he tries to do right ethically. David praises God because he saves him! David again (repetitively) asks for protection he is on the defense again because the enemies are after him he doesn’t want negative sanctions. He expects God to remain on the sidelines and thinks he’s just looking at a short term situation. David is in old age, and no longer has his strength he had before, so he relies on God to save him he says after he will praise God publicly. David wants positive sanctions and he wants God to intervene. God saves those who need help and stops evil. This shows how long-term optimism plays a role in the Bible and why it’s paramount in helping the weak. If David had lost hope he would have been defeated quite quickly. If he did not keep faith he would have nothing to look forward to, nothing to save him! Time and time again David shows resilience and God will always be there never wavering. Hope, faith, and trust are highlighted through this paper and integrated into the subject at hand. Most importantly God does not abandon his people.
Friday, April 7, 2017
Week 3 Essay History
Western Civilization Lesson 15 - Week 3 Essay
Week 3 writing assignment:
CB.
3/23/17
Answer two of the following questions.
Question 1 word count: 338 Question 2 word count: 618
1. Read Homer's description of the Cyclopes (plural) in Book 9 of The Odyssey. Would you describe them as having a civilization? Why or why not?
2. What happens between the Cyclops and Odysseus and his men? How does the story end?
(Question 1) In Book 9 of 'The Odyssey' Homer described the Cyclopes as inhuman. I would say yes, they aren’t civilized, and I agree with that point. The Cyclopes did not act in any way like people do. They relied on the protection and care of the gods. The Cyclopes lived off of wild land, such as wheat, and grapes. They eat them but also rely on the sun and rain to keep the crop growing. They didn’t tend to their crops and they had no tools. The Cyclopes lived like animals with no standards or innovation. (Just living off the land.) They let fertile land rot and go to waste, and they don’t farm, all they really do is tend sheep. This shows they are lazy and unmotivated; not like others who work hard to farm and make their living. They take their fortunate position and ruin it.
Also, they didn't have laws like people, or gatherings to make laws or talk about issues and so on. The Cyclops only cared to take care of themselves. And so, they were not a community effort by any means. They lived in caves and mountaintops. Another example of their rough behavior and way of life. To compare to animals.
The island is not colonized, there are no ships on the island, it is just full of wild goats. Their island is not an ugly one though. It has meadows down to the seashore, which is good for cultivating grapes, level land for plowing, deep soil, and a quaint little harbor for ships to moor on, if they did trade. (Which the Cyclopes don’t). Fresh clear water by the shore and flowers scattered round it in the grass. They have a good island they just don’t try to improve it. And that is all the reasons why the Cyclopes are more beast than human, not from appearances, but from their poor standard of living, carelessness, lack of "humanity" or goodwill towards the other monsters, and finally, the waste of their nice home.
(Question 2) First, in Book 9 of "The Odyssey" our group of travelers meet a horrible Cyclops. Ulysseus is the traveler and leader of the group who has crashed on the island with his men and ships. He is going to see what the “people” on this island are like. A few of his men and him go up and see a pen full of lambs, goats, good cheeses, and milk. They are eager to steal this bounty but Ulysseus wants to be a good guest and meet the owner of the nice provisions who lives there to see if he will offer them a present, since they are weary travelers. He brings his wine as an offering. They wait in the cave-home. The Cyclops definitely does not play the part of a hospitable host. He gulps down two men, then sleeps. Ulysseus is tempted to kill the Cyclops right there but he knows he must form a plan since there's a heavy boulder blocking the door. (Sometimes he is called by Odysseus they are not separate people) They all wait for breakfast, the Cyclops eats more men when he leaves to tend his flocks.(xxnote The Cyclopes only do this "tending to the animals" to feed themselves, not because they are civilized. And not because they farm to trade or sell, and make an economy or livelihood befitting a being) Ulysseus takes action. He takes the Cyclops staff. The team works to chop off an amount of it and sharpen a point. When the Cyclops is back from his work, Ulysseus tells him his name is "nobody" and cleverly offers the wine. The Cyclops gets drunk, passes out, and they heave the sharpened pole in his eye blinding him. The Cyclops makes such a racket the others (community) come to see the fuss. They ask what’s going on and (they reveal the Cyclops name at this point of the story) Polyphemos yells out “Nobody’s tricked me! " So they leave. The plan is further in motion. Poseidon is Polyphemos’s father, this comes into play later. They move to the second part of the plan when Poly falls asleep. The team all attach themselves onto the belly of the rams (from Poly's flock). They hurry to make it to their ships and sail away. They are in their ships, out on the ocean, and a distance from shore. Poly is at the shore (waking to an empty cave) furious his prisoners have escaped. Safety is in reach, except that then Ulysseus decides to taunt the crazy Cyclops out of pride. Poly is so mad he throws a boulder making big waves shoving at the ship like it's a toy boat in a tub. The men scared, reasonably, want Ulysseus to stop. He ignores this and goes further to share his real name. Odysseus. In ancient Greece pride was important to the Greek people, an individuals accomplishments was in great standing. He does this so everyone will know his name in stories told, and so he will be known for piercing the Cyclops eye. Glory and brawn go in hand with "great accomplishments" and are (also) important to the Greeks. Though Odysseus’s cleverness helped him through this story. (And to stay alive unlike some members of the group) Poly goes and prays to his dad, Poseidon mythological Greek god of the sea, to curse Odysseus. This explains why Poseidon wrecked their ships on the island in the first place. The beginning of our story connects to the end. Poly hurls another rock at them, missing, and launching their boat out to sea. Onwards to their journey back to Ithaca and home and that is how Book 9 of Homer's "The Odyssey" ends.
Week 3 writing assignment:
CB.
3/23/17
Answer two of the following questions.
Question 1 word count: 338 Question 2 word count: 618
1. Read Homer's description of the Cyclopes (plural) in Book 9 of The Odyssey. Would you describe them as having a civilization? Why or why not?
2. What happens between the Cyclops and Odysseus and his men? How does the story end?
(Question 1) In Book 9 of 'The Odyssey' Homer described the Cyclopes as inhuman. I would say yes, they aren’t civilized, and I agree with that point. The Cyclopes did not act in any way like people do. They relied on the protection and care of the gods. The Cyclopes lived off of wild land, such as wheat, and grapes. They eat them but also rely on the sun and rain to keep the crop growing. They didn’t tend to their crops and they had no tools. The Cyclopes lived like animals with no standards or innovation. (Just living off the land.) They let fertile land rot and go to waste, and they don’t farm, all they really do is tend sheep. This shows they are lazy and unmotivated; not like others who work hard to farm and make their living. They take their fortunate position and ruin it.
Also, they didn't have laws like people, or gatherings to make laws or talk about issues and so on. The Cyclops only cared to take care of themselves. And so, they were not a community effort by any means. They lived in caves and mountaintops. Another example of their rough behavior and way of life. To compare to animals.
The island is not colonized, there are no ships on the island, it is just full of wild goats. Their island is not an ugly one though. It has meadows down to the seashore, which is good for cultivating grapes, level land for plowing, deep soil, and a quaint little harbor for ships to moor on, if they did trade. (Which the Cyclopes don’t). Fresh clear water by the shore and flowers scattered round it in the grass. They have a good island they just don’t try to improve it. And that is all the reasons why the Cyclopes are more beast than human, not from appearances, but from their poor standard of living, carelessness, lack of "humanity" or goodwill towards the other monsters, and finally, the waste of their nice home.
(Question 2) First, in Book 9 of "The Odyssey" our group of travelers meet a horrible Cyclops. Ulysseus is the traveler and leader of the group who has crashed on the island with his men and ships. He is going to see what the “people” on this island are like. A few of his men and him go up and see a pen full of lambs, goats, good cheeses, and milk. They are eager to steal this bounty but Ulysseus wants to be a good guest and meet the owner of the nice provisions who lives there to see if he will offer them a present, since they are weary travelers. He brings his wine as an offering. They wait in the cave-home. The Cyclops definitely does not play the part of a hospitable host. He gulps down two men, then sleeps. Ulysseus is tempted to kill the Cyclops right there but he knows he must form a plan since there's a heavy boulder blocking the door. (Sometimes he is called by Odysseus they are not separate people) They all wait for breakfast, the Cyclops eats more men when he leaves to tend his flocks.(xxnote The Cyclopes only do this "tending to the animals" to feed themselves, not because they are civilized. And not because they farm to trade or sell, and make an economy or livelihood befitting a being) Ulysseus takes action. He takes the Cyclops staff. The team works to chop off an amount of it and sharpen a point. When the Cyclops is back from his work, Ulysseus tells him his name is "nobody" and cleverly offers the wine. The Cyclops gets drunk, passes out, and they heave the sharpened pole in his eye blinding him. The Cyclops makes such a racket the others (community) come to see the fuss. They ask what’s going on and (they reveal the Cyclops name at this point of the story) Polyphemos yells out “Nobody’s tricked me! " So they leave. The plan is further in motion. Poseidon is Polyphemos’s father, this comes into play later. They move to the second part of the plan when Poly falls asleep. The team all attach themselves onto the belly of the rams (from Poly's flock). They hurry to make it to their ships and sail away. They are in their ships, out on the ocean, and a distance from shore. Poly is at the shore (waking to an empty cave) furious his prisoners have escaped. Safety is in reach, except that then Ulysseus decides to taunt the crazy Cyclops out of pride. Poly is so mad he throws a boulder making big waves shoving at the ship like it's a toy boat in a tub. The men scared, reasonably, want Ulysseus to stop. He ignores this and goes further to share his real name. Odysseus. In ancient Greece pride was important to the Greek people, an individuals accomplishments was in great standing. He does this so everyone will know his name in stories told, and so he will be known for piercing the Cyclops eye. Glory and brawn go in hand with "great accomplishments" and are (also) important to the Greeks. Though Odysseus’s cleverness helped him through this story. (And to stay alive unlike some members of the group) Poly goes and prays to his dad, Poseidon mythological Greek god of the sea, to curse Odysseus. This explains why Poseidon wrecked their ships on the island in the first place. The beginning of our story connects to the end. Poly hurls another rock at them, missing, and launching their boat out to sea. Onwards to their journey back to Ithaca and home and that is how Book 9 of Homer's "The Odyssey" ends.
English Essay 3
Write 500 words on this topic: "How important is the concept of historical sanctions in the Psalms?"
English Paper Lesson 15
CB. 3/14/17
Word count: 591
Sanctions play a big role in the psalms and how people go about their lives, so as not to face sanctions, aside from those who turn a blind eye to God and ethics. God protects the righteous and those who try to follow the good path and believe in God. Good Christians don’t move from their ethics, if they do they ask for forgiveness. People who are in closed in their own fat as they say have a cushy lifestyle and have food on their plates they feel as if they are untouchable. So they act like they are like greedy lions out to destroy their prey. In Psalm 19 David says God’s judgment is more desirable than pure honey or gold. That is to say, if you are obedient and on the path of the straight and narrow. People who are evil receive negative sanctions! Nothing can make the evil power over good ever, though it may seem that way that is what the bible states. The good get eternal life, but evil people take their pride with them. It’s always an ethical battle between good and evil. Without sanctions the bad would run rampant, we need sanctions to keep them in check like laws, the cops put prisoners in jail for doing something wrong/against the law. So it plays into our laws as well, ethics and negative sanctions. That is the role of sanctions in the bible; To keep people in line, keep people safe, and to check those people for their wrong actions! God views what’s happening and judges it accordingly. God hates violence. The evildoers weave lies with their tongue and deceive people from the truth. God knows what they are doing, they deceive people, and they deceive their neighbors but they don’t deceive God. God will interfere in Psalms (11-15) someone sees their enemies surrounding them and ask God to deliver him reminding he’s done so in the past, God doesn’t forget things this is just the way he put it to show a serious situation. He gives a warning to his enemies they laugh and don’t take what he says as anything worthwhile. Another example is charity, It is not charitable if you use usury when you lend someone money and expect interest back later. You have to be actually charitable to give money! Evil temptation will leads to sanctions and that’s the pattern. A tree planted by water shall not be moved but a dead tree gets the branches cut (symbolic language). They use a lot of imagery in the psalms to portray the way God wants you to do something. And the way the Bible “feels” about that particular subject it’s usually just plainly follow good ethics. There is a difference between right and wrong and the evil know this, they just don’t choose the righteous path. Even the good slip up. But they try to use a moral compass and be good as often as they can. The moral code of ethics and belief is to be followed or the consequences will be followed through as such. They use the imagery “hot displeasure” and that’s how God “feels” or “acts” according to their actions. In conclusion, it’s not that hard to follow the good way of doing things as long as you hold it close to your moral compass. Sanctions play an important role throughout the psalms that you see time and time again to emphasis the real importance of the separation between good and bad, and reward and repercussions throughout history.
English Paper Lesson 15
CB. 3/14/17
Word count: 591
Sanctions play a big role in the psalms and how people go about their lives, so as not to face sanctions, aside from those who turn a blind eye to God and ethics. God protects the righteous and those who try to follow the good path and believe in God. Good Christians don’t move from their ethics, if they do they ask for forgiveness. People who are in closed in their own fat as they say have a cushy lifestyle and have food on their plates they feel as if they are untouchable. So they act like they are like greedy lions out to destroy their prey. In Psalm 19 David says God’s judgment is more desirable than pure honey or gold. That is to say, if you are obedient and on the path of the straight and narrow. People who are evil receive negative sanctions! Nothing can make the evil power over good ever, though it may seem that way that is what the bible states. The good get eternal life, but evil people take their pride with them. It’s always an ethical battle between good and evil. Without sanctions the bad would run rampant, we need sanctions to keep them in check like laws, the cops put prisoners in jail for doing something wrong/against the law. So it plays into our laws as well, ethics and negative sanctions. That is the role of sanctions in the bible; To keep people in line, keep people safe, and to check those people for their wrong actions! God views what’s happening and judges it accordingly. God hates violence. The evildoers weave lies with their tongue and deceive people from the truth. God knows what they are doing, they deceive people, and they deceive their neighbors but they don’t deceive God. God will interfere in Psalms (11-15) someone sees their enemies surrounding them and ask God to deliver him reminding he’s done so in the past, God doesn’t forget things this is just the way he put it to show a serious situation. He gives a warning to his enemies they laugh and don’t take what he says as anything worthwhile. Another example is charity, It is not charitable if you use usury when you lend someone money and expect interest back later. You have to be actually charitable to give money! Evil temptation will leads to sanctions and that’s the pattern. A tree planted by water shall not be moved but a dead tree gets the branches cut (symbolic language). They use a lot of imagery in the psalms to portray the way God wants you to do something. And the way the Bible “feels” about that particular subject it’s usually just plainly follow good ethics. There is a difference between right and wrong and the evil know this, they just don’t choose the righteous path. Even the good slip up. But they try to use a moral compass and be good as often as they can. The moral code of ethics and belief is to be followed or the consequences will be followed through as such. They use the imagery “hot displeasure” and that’s how God “feels” or “acts” according to their actions. In conclusion, it’s not that hard to follow the good way of doing things as long as you hold it close to your moral compass. Sanctions play an important role throughout the psalms that you see time and time again to emphasis the real importance of the separation between good and bad, and reward and repercussions throughout history.
Monday, April 3, 2017
English Essay 2
CB.
2/27/17
The importance of ethics and sanctions plays into many stories in the Bible, like Noah and the Flood. God had made a covenant law with mankind, or a bond. God’s curse of man means God’s curse of the whole earth and everything on it as well. The bond was that they would follow his ethics and they were his form of law though it’s not a law like don’t break into a store, though that is ethics, it’s basically to do good and to follow what God says. Then nothing bad will happen and you will be on a good path! If you don’t follow what God tells you to do there will be sanctions. The consequences vary for the actions. For example when Cain killed Abel because his offering wasn’t as good, the food he grew, then he could never grow food again. Of course there was grace in what he did because he put a mark on Cain so it would be less likely people would kill him while he was wandering around. Since he was cast out from the village. That connects to Noah and the Ark, with sanctions, because he saw evil and bad people on the earth with bad intentions in their hearts. And so he planned to flood and drown them all along with the animals. Of course that was the hierarchy of it. If man dies so do the animals! And God overall wanted to clean off the earth and start fresh. Noah was the exception ethically because he knew right from wrong and followed it so he would survive. More sanctions for more sin, so you could infer that there must have been a lot of bad on earth at the time. Although Noah found favor in God’s eyes so he said to him “Build a Ark” and he was to take each animal and creature and insect that crawls on the earth in pairs. Noah was to take a male and female animal so there would be plenty of animals on earth when the flood was over. Good beasts and bad. This was God’s grace showing through because there was normally always a bright aspect to look for. So Noah and his family built this Ark. And when the time came it would be Noah his wife, and their three sons, and their wives. God told him various details on how to build the Ark. Everyone said they were crazy but they all later ate their words. The flood came for forty days and forty nights. Every living substance destroyed, only the people in the Ark survived. The flood stopped. God sent a dove with a olive branch a sign of peace (even today a olive branch means peace). Noah settled on earth. The rainbow was a reminder to man about what happened on that day and how God would never flood the earth again a promise! The importance of ethics and sanctions is very strong in this Bible story. It shows good prevails and that ethics matter! Noah didn’t face sanctions because he was a good person, the others had to face punishment for what they’d done and they had lost sight of what was good. They had also lost sight of God. This bond that God has with the people is an important thing to follow and the base for much of the bible stories and lessons, in different ways to learn from.
2/27/17
The importance of ethics and sanctions plays into many stories in the Bible, like Noah and the Flood. God had made a covenant law with mankind, or a bond. God’s curse of man means God’s curse of the whole earth and everything on it as well. The bond was that they would follow his ethics and they were his form of law though it’s not a law like don’t break into a store, though that is ethics, it’s basically to do good and to follow what God says. Then nothing bad will happen and you will be on a good path! If you don’t follow what God tells you to do there will be sanctions. The consequences vary for the actions. For example when Cain killed Abel because his offering wasn’t as good, the food he grew, then he could never grow food again. Of course there was grace in what he did because he put a mark on Cain so it would be less likely people would kill him while he was wandering around. Since he was cast out from the village. That connects to Noah and the Ark, with sanctions, because he saw evil and bad people on the earth with bad intentions in their hearts. And so he planned to flood and drown them all along with the animals. Of course that was the hierarchy of it. If man dies so do the animals! And God overall wanted to clean off the earth and start fresh. Noah was the exception ethically because he knew right from wrong and followed it so he would survive. More sanctions for more sin, so you could infer that there must have been a lot of bad on earth at the time. Although Noah found favor in God’s eyes so he said to him “Build a Ark” and he was to take each animal and creature and insect that crawls on the earth in pairs. Noah was to take a male and female animal so there would be plenty of animals on earth when the flood was over. Good beasts and bad. This was God’s grace showing through because there was normally always a bright aspect to look for. So Noah and his family built this Ark. And when the time came it would be Noah his wife, and their three sons, and their wives. God told him various details on how to build the Ark. Everyone said they were crazy but they all later ate their words. The flood came for forty days and forty nights. Every living substance destroyed, only the people in the Ark survived. The flood stopped. God sent a dove with a olive branch a sign of peace (even today a olive branch means peace). Noah settled on earth. The rainbow was a reminder to man about what happened on that day and how God would never flood the earth again a promise! The importance of ethics and sanctions is very strong in this Bible story. It shows good prevails and that ethics matter! Noah didn’t face sanctions because he was a good person, the others had to face punishment for what they’d done and they had lost sight of what was good. They had also lost sight of God. This bond that God has with the people is an important thing to follow and the base for much of the bible stories and lessons, in different ways to learn from.
Week 2 Essay History
Lesson 10
Write a summary of the history of Minoan Crete.
Summary: 488 words
CB.
History
3/14/17
Homer's The Iliad uncovered the Minoan civilization thriving 5000 years ago; it was a prosperous civilization that was at its peak estimated from 3650 to 1400 BC, this belonging to a period of Greek history. It was a civilization existing before Mycenaean civilization and Ancient Greece. No one knew there was any civ. before the Mycenaean’s, it was a surprise. The Minoan civilization used to be a legend; the archeologists took a long time to find its secrets. They were on the island of Crete during the Bronze Age. We don’t know much about the Minoans religious practices, it's a mystery, as some information is lost with ancient history. Minoan civ. Stretched across their whole island. // They had their own writing system, which seems to be for categorizing and recording things. It’s called Linear A and has not yet been deciphered. There is not enough code to crack it, though even if we did understand Linear A, it would not tell us much of importance in religious beliefs or values. // They had impressive palaces which hints royalty lived there. But the evidence for Minoan kings comes later. // (some ideas contradict) Palaces may at first have been religious centers, shrines, and sacred caves, but we cannot make any sense of their religion and modern historians are still in the dark about it. Though we know they were devoted to their religion. Some religious practices were to be adopted by the Greeks and mixed in with their mythology. // They had a palace economy, one of redistribution, share the wealth. This means "give us what you make and we will evenly split it up." // In culture, the Minoans art was spread as far as Italy and Egypt. This means they had contact with various (far) places since we find their art there. It's a footprint in the dust. Their craftsmanship was popular. Minoan pottery (or Kamares) was made eggshell thin, that shows the good craftsmanship. Mycenaean’s were greatly influenced by Minoan culture (they are a later civ.). On this minoan pottery, they had designs of different colors, precise, with great technique. For example, one piece had a picture of people bull jumping, this could allude to their religion, or maybe entertainment/competition. Minoans weren't perfect. There was a dark side to the Minoan civilization, human sacrifices. Though based on their frescos they were not violent people in terms of fighting and war. // People say the Minoans were dominant in power. This is hard to determine now because, later, the Minoans adapted Linear B which is Greek. Code crackers have deciphered Greek. The Minoans thriving culture is then brought to a sudden end. That is also the end the "Minoan period". Their much more war-like neighbors take over. Their palaces are destroyed. Their civilization is gone. Other theories as to why they came to such a sudden disappearance float around. (A volcano, tsunami, etc.) Nonetheless, they ended.
//
links:
Excavation site image: https://www.archaeology.org/images/MJ2015/Minoans/Minoans-Crete-Gournia-Aerial-Excavation.jpg
map of Crete:
http://www.humanjourney.us/images/MinoanCreteMap.gif (it's not a real gif..)
Frescos:
http://ritualgoddess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/MinoanMuralTrans.jpg
http://www.irequireart.com/i/artwork/659-image-1600-1600-fit.jpg
http://bowenplace.com/travels/crete_2011/history/01d_bull-leaping.jpg
///
beautiful but deadly:
https://knowridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tsunamis.jpg
tsunami
Write a summary of the history of Minoan Crete.
Summary: 488 words
CB.
History
3/14/17
Homer's The Iliad uncovered the Minoan civilization thriving 5000 years ago; it was a prosperous civilization that was at its peak estimated from 3650 to 1400 BC, this belonging to a period of Greek history. It was a civilization existing before Mycenaean civilization and Ancient Greece. No one knew there was any civ. before the Mycenaean’s, it was a surprise. The Minoan civilization used to be a legend; the archeologists took a long time to find its secrets. They were on the island of Crete during the Bronze Age. We don’t know much about the Minoans religious practices, it's a mystery, as some information is lost with ancient history. Minoan civ. Stretched across their whole island. // They had their own writing system, which seems to be for categorizing and recording things. It’s called Linear A and has not yet been deciphered. There is not enough code to crack it, though even if we did understand Linear A, it would not tell us much of importance in religious beliefs or values. // They had impressive palaces which hints royalty lived there. But the evidence for Minoan kings comes later. // (some ideas contradict) Palaces may at first have been religious centers, shrines, and sacred caves, but we cannot make any sense of their religion and modern historians are still in the dark about it. Though we know they were devoted to their religion. Some religious practices were to be adopted by the Greeks and mixed in with their mythology. // They had a palace economy, one of redistribution, share the wealth. This means "give us what you make and we will evenly split it up." // In culture, the Minoans art was spread as far as Italy and Egypt. This means they had contact with various (far) places since we find their art there. It's a footprint in the dust. Their craftsmanship was popular. Minoan pottery (or Kamares) was made eggshell thin, that shows the good craftsmanship. Mycenaean’s were greatly influenced by Minoan culture (they are a later civ.). On this minoan pottery, they had designs of different colors, precise, with great technique. For example, one piece had a picture of people bull jumping, this could allude to their religion, or maybe entertainment/competition. Minoans weren't perfect. There was a dark side to the Minoan civilization, human sacrifices. Though based on their frescos they were not violent people in terms of fighting and war. // People say the Minoans were dominant in power. This is hard to determine now because, later, the Minoans adapted Linear B which is Greek. Code crackers have deciphered Greek. The Minoans thriving culture is then brought to a sudden end. That is also the end the "Minoan period". Their much more war-like neighbors take over. Their palaces are destroyed. Their civilization is gone. Other theories as to why they came to such a sudden disappearance float around. (A volcano, tsunami, etc.) Nonetheless, they ended.
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links:
Excavation site image: https://www.archaeology.org/images/MJ2015/Minoans/Minoans-Crete-Gournia-Aerial-Excavation.jpg
map of Crete:
http://www.humanjourney.us/images/MinoanCreteMap.gif (it's not a real gif..)
Frescos:
http://ritualgoddess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/MinoanMuralTrans.jpg
http://www.irequireart.com/i/artwork/659-image-1600-1600-fit.jpg
http://bowenplace.com/travels/crete_2011/history/01d_bull-leaping.jpg
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beautiful but deadly:
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