Events Leading up to the Reformation

The Reformation took place because of Martin Luther's reaction to the indulgences, which caused many people to turn from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther spoke out and taught against the indulgences(Koenigsberger64), and eventually nailed the 95 thesis on the church door.


The indulgences were sold in order to get money to rebuild Saint Peter's Church. They were purely based on good works, and were sold with the lie that if you bought one, you would get out of purgatory, or whoever you bought and indulgence for would get out of heaven. One of the men hired by Pope Leo X to sell these indulgences, was Johan Tetzle. However, not everyone bought this lie.

The monk and professor at the university in Wittenberg, Marin Luther, disagreed with the idea of the indulgences. Luther believed, and taught, that you can only be saved by believing in Christ Jesus. This was problematic for pope's position, because if you didn't need anybody to intercede for you for salvation, the pope would not have such a high position (Koenigsberger 64). The 95 thesis was Martin Luther's response to the indulgences (Graham-Dixon 207).


Martin Luther nailed the 95 thesis to the door of the Castle Church on October 31, 1517. Then in 1521, Martin Luther was brought to the Diet of Worms Council. However, the 95 thesis were copied by the printing press and was translated into the German language from the Latin it was written in.


The main cause of the Reformation was Luther's reaction to the indulgences sold by the church. Martin Luther's strong disagreement and objection to the indulgences was expressed through his teaching (Koenigsberger 64), and on October 31, 1517, when he nailed the 95 thesis to the church door.


Graham-Dixon, Andrew. Renaissance. BBC Worldwide Ltd, 1999.

Koenigsberger, H.G. Early Modern Europe 1500-1789. Longman Inc; NewYork, 1987.

Battle of Tours

The Battle of Tours began on October 10, of the year 732. It was an important event in European history.


The Battle of Tours, or Battle of Poitiers, was in 732. This battle was between the Muslims and France. The Frankish leader was Charles Martel, with twenty to thirty thousand men against the Muslim leader Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi, who had eighty thousand men.


The Battle of Tours took place because of the Muslim invasion. The Muslims had conquered Egypt, Syria, and North Africa before they continued on to their attempt to conquer Western Europe, and to bring an end to the Christian Europe. Charles Martel, the King of France (Mills54), chose to fight the Muslims from higher ground, making his enemy charge up the slope in order to attack the Franks. This is one of the few times that infantry was able to defeat cavalry.


Charles Martel, or The Hammer, was the victor in the Battle of Tours on October 10, 732. The loses on both sides are not known, however, some of the chronicles estimate the loses of the Franks to be about one thousand five hundred, and the Muslims to have had ten thousand loses. The victory of Martel helped stop the invading Muslims and helped the Western European Christian states to grow, or develop.


The Muslims moved through Egypt Syria and North Africa as an unstoppable force. However, when they arrived at Tours in 732, they were stopped by the King of France and his army (Cantor 136), on October 10, 732.


Cantor, Norman F. The Civilization of the Middle Ages. HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.; New York, NY, 1963-93.

Mills, Dorthy M.A. The Middle Ages. G.P. Putnam's Sons; New York, 1935.

Louis XIV

Louis XIV was born in September 1638 and was the ruler of France for seventy-two years. Louis XIV died in September 1715.


Louis XIV was born on September 5, 1638. He was the son of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria. Louis' father died when he was only four years old. However, he was not allowed to rule until he was thirteen years of age.


During his reign, Louis XIV, or the Sun King, made a court in Versailles, the area that inspired Charles III of Naples and Sicily, hired Luigi Vanvitelli to create the design of his palace(Della Croce, Sacerdoti, 170). He also "brought absolute monarchy to its height." (source). Louis XIV ruled over England for seventy-two years, which was one of the longest reigns of his period.


Louis XIV,died on September 1, 1715. During his funeral, the words "'Dieu seul, mes feres,' intoned Bishop Massilon, 'Dieu seul est grand' (my brothers, God alone is great)", were spoken to start the "funeral oration"(Davies, 627). After his death one of his great grandsons inhereted the throne, becoming Louis XV.

LouisXIV was born on September 5, 16 1638. He reigned for seventy-two years, and died on September 1, 1715.



Davie, Norman. Europe a Histor. Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.: New York, NY, 1996.

Della Croce, Maria Laura, Annie Sacerdoti. The Great Book of Italy. Barnes & Nobel: New York, 2004.

The Black Death

The Black Death lasted from 1348-1350 AD. The Black Death had a great effect on the population of Europe.


The Black death, or Bubonic Plague, was a disease that swept through Europe, infecting twenty-five to fifty percent of its population by the time it receded. This plague had a great impact on the labor, since it was killing off many of Europe's citizens (Cantor 563). The plague caused its victims to have headaches, fevers and chills. They would also break out with buboes, which tended to form on the neck, armpits and the groin area. The Black death ravaged Europe from 1348 to 135.

The plague is believed to have come out of Asia, and then was carried by the Mongols into Europe through war and trade. many people believed that the plague was an airborne disease, so they used strong scents that overpowered the smell of the dead. However, the citizens of Europe didn't know the real carrier of this disease.


The carriers of this disease were rats. A person would get infected when a flea, carried by a rat, would bite them. The plague can also be spread through contact with an infected person or animal. It could be spread by merely touching an animal or infected person.



The Black Death lasted from 1348-1350 AD. It is believed that the Black plague came out of Asia and was spread by the Mongols. The cause of the plague is believed to be the flea bite. Because of this major outbreak of disease, there were not many areas that were untouched by the plague (Davies 411).

Cantor F. Norman. The Civilization of the Middle Ages: A Completely Revised and Expanded Edition of Medieval History. Harper Collins, 1963-93.

Davies Norman. Europe: A History. Oxford University Press Inc; 200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 1996.

The Tudor dynasty

The Tudor dynasty began in 1485 (Blum Cameron Barnes, 61). The Tudor Dynasty was established after the War of Roses.


Henry VII became the king of England by defeating the Yorkists in the War of Roses. He was then married to Elizabeth of York. Through this marriage the Lancastrians and the Yorkists were gathered under one banner. Under Henry VII England became very strong.


While Henry VII governed England as a business man, Henry VIII is known for many accomplishments in the military, personal, religious and political areas. During his reignHenry made himself the 'supreme head' of Engalnd's church(Koenigsberger 60). Henry VIII is also known for his wives, Catherin of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymore, Anne of Cleves, Kathrin Howard and Kathrin Parr, and his horrible actions toward them.


Elizabeth I was also very important to the Tudor dynasty. Elizabeth earned her people's love during her reign. She also succeeded in the political area and chose her statesmen well. During her reign she also crushed rebellions and fought against invasions, and encouraged art and literature in her kingdom.


The Tudor dynasty began in 1485 (Blum Cameron Barnes, 61). Henry VII, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I played very important roles in making England a strong state in Europe.

Blum, Jerome, Rondo Cameron, Thomas G. Barnes. The European World: A History. Little, Brown and Company, 1966.

H. G. Koenigsberger. Early Modern Europe 1500-1789: A History of Europe. Longman Inc.; New York, 1987.

Forth Crusade

The Sack of Constantinople occurred in the Fourth Crusade, which was started by Pope Innocent III, in 1204. Constantinople was then ruled by the Latin rulers until 1261.


Constantinople was sacked on April 12, 1204 by the Crusaders. This happened during the Fourth Crusade when Alexius IV was killed by the Greeks. The Crusaders then attacked Constantinople.


The Crusaders' actions were horrific. They destroyed churches, palaces and burned houses within the city. They wreaked havoc upon the convents and many pieces of art and literature were destroyed in the fires.


After Constantinople was captured it fell apart in the expanse of ten years. So even though the Crusaders succeeded in destroying and looting Constantinople of all it's treasure, they were basically the demise of the city of Constantinople.


The Sack of Constantinople occurred in the Fourth Crusade, which didn't reach the holy land, and instead stopped at Constantinople (Mills 196). The Crusaders pillaged the city of Constantinople (Lewis 377), and destroyed it.


Lewis David Levering. God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215. W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.: 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 2008.

Mills Dorothy M.A. The Middle Ages. G.P. Putnam's Sons: New York, 1935.

Saladin

Saladin led the Muslims in the the Third Crusade (Santosuosso 216). Although he was part of the Crusades he was known for his merciful nature by both sides of the war.


Saladin was born in the year 1138. He was the son of Najm ad-Din Ayyub. Saladin had more interest in religious pursuits, but his life changed when he joined his uncle, who was a military commander, when he was thirty-one years of age, he was not only the vizier of Egypt, but also the commander of the troops of Syria.


Saladin wanted to bring the Muslims of Palestine, Macedonia and Syria under his rule. In 1187, Saladin led a conquest to reconquer Jerusalem, that had been the Crusader's eighty eight years earlier. However, this time the city was conquered without as much blood loss among the soldiers of the two armies.


Although the Assassins tried to kill him, Saladin was able to evade them. Saladin was a very merciful ruler, and was very well known among the Christians and his own people(Mills 191). He died in 1193. He had a fever and over a few days he slipped into unconsciousness and eventually died.


Saladin was a famous among his people as well as the Christians (Mills 191). He was a merciful ruler even though he did take part in the Crusades. He eventually died in 1193.


Mills, Dorthy. The Middle Ages. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1935.

Santosuosso, Antonio. Barbarians, Marauders, and Infidels: The Ways of Medieval Warfare. Westview Press, 2004.

Justianian

Justinian was born on May 11 in 483. He became emperor in 527 and died in 565.

Justinian was born on My 11, 483. His uncle was Justin 1. Justin 1 was crowned emperor in 518, and Justinian, became one of his advisers. However, in 527, Justin 1 died, and Justinian 1 was crowned emperor.


The Emperor Justinian had a wonderful administrative ability(Mills 28), was very ambitious and strove to reconquer most of the western empire. Justinian also organized the Roman Law (Blum, Cameron, Barnes 12). The Corupus Iurus Civilis- the Justinian Code- was finished in 529. The Justinian Code consisted of the Public and Private Laws. The Private Law was made up of three categories, the Natural Law, Law of nations and the Civil Law.


Justinian eventually died on November 14, 565. when Justinian died he died a poor emperor. Although the Byzantine Empire was a center of trade, all of the Empire's money had gone to improvements and war funds.


Justinian was born on May 11 in 483. He became emperor in 527 and during his reign he organized the Justinian Code. Justinian 1 finally died in 565.


Mills, Dorthy. The Middle Ages. G. P. Putnam's Sons:
New York, 1935.

Jerome, Blum, Cameron, Rondo, Barnes, Thomas G. The European World: A History. Little, Brown and Company: Boston/Toronto, 1966.

Justinian's Plague

The Plague of Justinian started in 541 AD. This was the very first record of the Bubonic Plague. Justinian's Plague spread quickly, and left destruction and death wherever it went.


Justinian's Plague began its reign of terror in 514AD, when Justinian the First was in the fifteenth year of his reign.


The plague first hit Egypt, in its small town of Pelusium. Then it spread through Alexandria, Syria and Palestine. The plague traveled northward and soon ended up in Constantinople. Soon, ten thousand people would die each day in the city alone.


The cause of the plague came from fleas. The fleas would be carried by rodents, in fact many of the people with the plague had been bitten by a flea. However, being bitten was not the only way to get this disease, "by inhaling infected droplets from the lungs of someone whose plague infection has spread to the respiratory system." (source).


The Plague of Justinian started in 541 AD. This was the very first record of the Bubonic Plague. Justinian's Plague spread quickly, and left destruction and death wherever it went. Even though Justinian the First had built the Sancta Sophia during his reign (Mills 42), nothing could prepare him for this. The next time time the deadly disease would strike again with great force, would be called the Black Death (Blum Cameron Barnes 36).

Blum, Jerome, Rondo Cameron and Thomas G. Barnes. The European World: A History. Brown and Company, 1966.

Mills, Dorthy. The Middle Ages. G. P. Putnam's Sons: New York, 1935.

William the Conqueror

William the Conqueror, or William the Bastard, was born in 1028. William conquered England and was made king in 1066 and died in 1087.


William was the son of Robert of Normandy and Herleva. Robert and Herleva were not married so William was illegitimate. When Duke Robert went in 1030, but died when he was returning. William was now the Duke of Normandy at seven years old. However, young William was not without a guard. However, on March 15, 1037, William's great uncle died and by 1040, Turchetil, Alen, Gilbert and Osbern were killed. Finally, in 1040, William started to control Normandy.


When Edward the Confessor, King of England, died he had no descendant to rule England. Edward had made the claim that he was to be the next to receive the throne. However, Harold had already claimed the throne. To William, this was a betrayal, since Harold had given to William countless oaths.


King Harold had just defeated the King Hardrada, when the news that William of Normandy had just arrived at Pevense Bay, reached him. Harold made the mistake of driving his troops so hard that some of them fell behind, so he was left with a smaller army than he had after his defeat of Hardrada. He also refused to let his brother Gyrth lead the army to fight William, and as a result he ended up being shot with an arrow, and was killed. William the conqueror was in control of many old lands of Wessex and by December he even controlled London. Finally on the Christmas Day of 1066, he was made the King of England. Finally on September 9, 1087, William the Conqueror became sick and died. The entire Battle of Hastings is recorded upon the Bayeux Tapestry(Newman 63).


William the Conqueror, or William the Bastard, was born in 1028. William conquered England with one mighty strike (Wernick72). However, every great mortal hero will eventually die, just as William died on September 9, 1087.

Newman B., Paul. Daily Life in the Middle Ages. McFarland & Company, Inc.: Jefferson, North Carolina. 2001.

Wernick, Robert. The Seafarers: The Vikings. Time-Life Books: Alexandria, Virginia, 1979.

Charlemagne

Charlemagne was born in 742AD, and died in 814AD. Charlemagne was a n amazing warrior, who fought for his faith (Scott 28), and sent out amazing campaigns during his reign.


Charlemagne was a Roman Catholic, he lived from 742 AD to 814 AD. He was Pepin the third and Bertrada's son. When Charlemagne's father died in 768, he became king of the Western area of the kingdom of the Franks.

When Charlemagne's brother, Carloman died in 771, he took the kingdom and added it to his own. Over fifty campaigns were sent out during Charlemagne's rule. It was due to his amazing ability to organize his troops that Charlemagne was able to send out so many incredible campaigns. Charlemagne ruled the Western area of Europe by 800. He was able to unify most of the Roman Empire and provide a way for modern Europe's developement.

Charlemagne was part of the Carolingian Empire, and was the fourth member of this dynasty(Blum Cameron Barnes 17). Charlemagne ruled for forty three years. He was a Christian emperor, and, although he was religious he was also violent, for at a time during his reign he had over four thousand Saxon people executed within a day. However, Charlemagne also supported teaching and learning (Blum Cameron Barnes 17). Charlemagne's impressive reign ended in 814, when the incredible emperor died at the age of seventy one.


Charlemagne was born in 742AD, and died in 814AD. Although Charlemagne was somewhat violent, he supported education given by the Church (Blum Cameron Barnes 17). Charlemagne eventually died at when he was seventy one years old.

Blum, Jerome, Rondo Cameron, Thomas G Barnes. The European World: A History. Little, Brown and Company, 1966.

Scott, Martin. Medieval Europe. Martin Scott, 1964.

Battle of Hastings

The battle was on October 4, 1066, between King Harold, and the Duke William. This would prove to be an important battle; England would never be the same after The Battle of Hastings.


The problem began when King Edward, or Edward the Confessor, died. His son was not yet old enough to take possession of the throne and the nobles did not approve of him, so Harold Godwinson took up the throne in England. However, William, who was from Normandy, wanted the throne, as did the ruler of Norway, Harald Hadrada.


Harold was successful in defeating Harald Hadrada. The celebration of his victory would not last, for word reached King Harold that William of Normandy had reached Pevensey Bay. When he met William's force he was at a disadvantage, for many of his men were not able to travel at the demanded speed (source).


The battle was on October 4, 1066. William of Normandy was able to receive help from several places in exchange for a share of the land. The two armies met in battle, and, eventually, Harold was killed and William's force was able to crush Harold's army. William eventually became king on the Christmas of 1066.


The battle of Hastings took place on October 4, 1066. This battle was between the Saxons and the French. The French eventually won the battle, and William claimed the throne of England.

This Year's Class

This years history class worked very well for me. As a matter of fact, there isn't a lot I would change about the blogs or assignments. Watching movies helped to understand the subject we were studying. Blogs also helped in understanding what we were learning, and if for some reason we weren't able to get a blog done, being excused for it or giving more time helped a lot.

The only thing that I would change about the class is the amount of time we spent going over the blog topic, because I was pretty lost on a couple of blogs we did. However, the blogs helped in understanding the topic we were studying because we were able to go over it in writing the blog and in our research.

Whenever we couldn't get a blog in for whatever reason, giving us more time or excusing us helped, because we didn't have to be tied down all the time and stressed out about a lower grade that we couldn't help getting because of whatever the situation, whether it was a family or health issue. However, the blogs weren't the only things that helped in understanding the subject. The work done in class helped out as well

Watching movies helped us out a lot because the book didn't go in depth on anything, and by watching movies and taking notes in class, we were able to get into the subject and understand it more than if we would have just read the book. Whenever, we came to an important part in the movie, pausing it and explaining what was going on helped because when you let a movie run without pausing it and you're trying to take notes while the narrator keeps talking and going on to other important subjects, you miss a lot of the important points.


Many things worked out very well this year, like the blogs, the movies we watched in class and giving us more time if we needed it on our blogs. However, it would've helped a lot if we went over the blog topics in class more thoroughly.

Christianity and Islam

Islam and Christianity are two extremely different religions. However, they are somewhat similar.


The morality of Christianity and Islam are extremely different. According to Islam, men can have four wives, even though Muhammad had more wives than four. According to Christianity having more than one wife is, in fact, a sin. Jesus and Muhammad were very different. First of all, Mohammad was from an angel, Gabriel (Corrick, 89) that he claimed claimed to be from God. Jesus claimed not only to be from God, but to be the Son of God, and he proved it by rising from the dead. Mohammad never rose from the the dead. the Koran requires obedience to Allah (Pirenne, 151), and a Christians should be obedient to God, however, that is not how we get to heaven, Romans 3:24, "and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." source.


Christianity and Islam are similar because according to the five tenants of Islam alms are to be given to the poor (Corrick, 91). Christians also should care for the poor and needy. Also, according to the five pillars of Islam, Muslims should pray every day. Christians should also pray every day, and spend quality time with God.


However, there are also differences between Islam and Christianity. For Instance, the Hajj, or a journey to Mecca in ones lifetime, is required in the Islamic faith. In the Christian religion, we are not required to go on a journey to Jerusalem or Mecca. However, God wants us to "go make disciples of all nations" source.


Although Islam and Christianity are two totally different religions, they do share a few similarities. However, just because two religions may have a few similarities doesn't at all mean they have a common purpose.


Corrick A., James. World History Series: The Early Middle Ages. Lucent Books Inc.: San Diego, 1995.

Pirenne, Henry. Mohammad and Charlemagne. Barns & Noble Inc., 1992.

The only thing that separated Islam from the West area was the Byzantine Empire. This empire was able to survive the main Muslim attacks.The The Muslims were able to conquer the southern areas of the Byzantine Empire, such as, Syria, the Jordan and Egypt. However, the Byzantines did not allow Islam to take control of the ocean (Pirenne, 184). The Byzantines were able to defeat an attack on the city of Constantinople (Corrick, 75).


The wealth of Syria and the Islamic spread were the reasons the Muslims decided to wager war upon Syria. However, they were originally going to declare war upon the area, it was but a way of defense against the people there. Though eventually, it turned into a holy war against Syria.


Jerusalem is actually one of the most holy sites for Islam. It was conquered in 634 by the Muslims. they ruled for four hundred fifty years, and possibly had a greater effect upon the city than did Christianity.


It was in 640 AD that Egypt was conquered by Amr bin Al-As. He also put the Fortress of Babylon under siege , then the Byzantine surrendered in 641. Amr bin Al-As went to Alexandria and they also gave in, or surrendered, to the Muslims.


The only thing that separated Islam from the West area was the Byzantine Empire. This empire was able to survive the main Muslim attacks.The The Muslims were able to conquer the southern areas of the Byzantine Empire, such as, Syria, the Jordan and Egypt. However, the Byzantines did not allow Islam to take control of the ocean (Pirenne, 184). The Byzantines were able to defeat an attack on the city of Constantinople (Corrick, 75).

Corrick, A. James. World History Series: The Early Middle Ages. Lucent Books Inc.: San Diego, 1995.

Pirenne, Henri. Mohammed and Charlemagne. Barns and Noble Inc., 1992.

FIve Pillars of Islam

Islam was founded by Muhammad (Corrick 88). The Qu'ran is the bible of the Islamic belief. The Muslims have what are called the five tenets, or pillars, of Islam.


The first pillar is to declare the faith of Islam, "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet."(Source). This is called the Shahada, which is the declaration of the Islamic faith. The Shahada is the acceptance of Allah, Muhammad, his prophet, and all of Islam.


The next pillar of Islam is prayer. The Muslims pray five times a day, before the sun rises, right after the noon, in the middle of the afternoon, when the sun sets, and before night time. The payer is known as Salah.


The third pillar of Islam is giving alms, which is also called Zakah. Muslims believe that when they give charity the things they have are made clean. They must give two and a half percent of what they have.


Muslims must also fast during Ramadan, which is during the lunar year. The fasting would also be known as the Sawm. The Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and will not eat, drink or be sexually involved with their husband or wife.


Lastly the Muslims believe that they must go on a pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca. Those who travel to Mecca don't wear expensive clothing so they appear to be all equal. When they journey to Mecca they walk seven times around the Kaba. However, only the able are required to go on the hajj.


Islam was founded by Muhammad (Corrick 88). Muhammad passed away in 632 (Pirenne 148). However, while he lived he founded the Islamic religion (Corrick 88). Five of the tenets or pillars of Islam are the Shahadah, Salat, or prayer, giving alms to the poor, fasting and the Hajj.
(I don't support the religion of Islam. This is merely an assignment.)

Corrick, A. James. World History Series: The Early Middle Ages. Lucent Books: San Diego, 1995.

Pirenne, Henri. Mohammed and Charlemagne. Barnes & Noble Inc., 1992.

The Fall of Rome

Many factors are thought to have led up to the fall of the Roman Empire. Many people have different views of what caused the Roman Empire to fall in 400AD.


A few of these were sickness from the plague, the fact that Rome was ruled with an authoritarian rule was a reason it had fallen. However, according to Edward Gibbon the Christians were the cause for the fall of one of the greatest empires in history. I would semi agree with Gibbon's belief.


The reason I only partly believe Gibbon is because there were many other things that weakened the Roman Empire. there were many natural disasters in Rome, like flooding famine and plague (Zoch 277). These things could have been factors of the decline of the Roman Empire. The Roman authority was loosing respect among the people.


If the Roman people were loosing respect for the authority and didn't obey or hold it with high standards , then you could guess what will happen next. The empire would fall because the people of Rome would reject the law and eventually revolt. The Christians were seen as a problem to the Romans because, they thought that the Christians were the source of all the "natural" disasters were the Christians' fault. Also, the Christians were required to make a sacrifice to the Roman gods, and, although this made some reject the faith by doing this, others suffered for their beliefs.


There are many factors that led to the Fall of the Roman Empire, and according to Edward Gibbon the Christians were the cause for the fall the Roman Empire. Even though Rome was defeated, it took captive parts of our world in our language (Bingham 42).

Bingham, Jane. Ancient Civilizations: Ancient Rome. World Almanac Library, 2006.

Zoch, A. Paul. Ancient Rome: An Introductory History. University of Oklahoma Press: Norman. 1998.

Roman Roads

One reason the romans were so famous was because of their roads. The Roman roads were very important to the city of Rome. They helped the Romans with trade and it helped their soldiers. They are one of the things that helped Rome be so great (Nardo 85).


Since Rome was such a big city trading was very important. The trade in Rome helped them get the money needed. The money was greatly needed for the population of Rome, which was more than one million. Since many trade routs crossed through Rome the city was able to be well supplied.


Although the Roman Roads were very useful for trading and other things, they were built for the Roman army, or legions. The Roman generals were actually the ones who supplied the money for building the roads of Rome. Interestingly, the roads were the roads were built by the some of the Roman battalions.


The Roman roads were fit for the soldiers of Rome, because they were straight, and they had very nice foundations and nice surfaces (Adkins and Adkins 172). These roads were also a benefit to the soldiers because they went around the places that would need to be climbed or things one would have trouble getting a great battalion of troops over.


The Romans were very famous for their roads their roads. The roads were very important to the city of Rome, because they helped with trade and it helped their soldiers. They are one of the things that helped Rome be so great (Szumski 85).


Adkins, Lesly, and Roy A. Adkins. Handbook to the Life in Ancient Rome. New York: New York, 1994.

Nardo, Don. Living in Ancient Rome: Exploring Cultural History. Greenhaven Press, 2004.

Daily Life in Ancient Rome

The daily life in Ancient Rome was similar, and different different in many ways. The parents went to the market while the kids attended their school.


As some of us do, the Romans had breakfast in the morning, which was cheese, fruit, and wine. The meal after breakfast was what they called second breakfast. Second breakfast, for them is what we now call lunch, of course. The meal after second breakfast was dinner. However, the Romans throw the rest of the food left from dinner on the ground, which modern day people, hopefully, do not do.


Before the later days of Rome, a boy would stay at home and be tutored by his father. It was not until later that the Roman boys were sent to school by their fathers. The girls even able to go to school if their fathers permitted it. The children would go to a school from six to seven years old, and before becoming fourteen years of age, would have studied Latin and Greek. School would begin when the sun rose for the children.


While the children were at school their parents could have gone to the Forum, which was the marketplace for Rome. The Forum was used for many, many things. The adults would go there to get a few things done, such as shopping and banking.

The daily life in Ancient Rome was similar, and different different in many ways, to mast of our lives, they had three meals as we do and though we have that in common we don't handle everything in the meals as they do. The parents went to the market while the kids attended their school as well.

Roman Architecture

Architecture is one of the many things the Romans are known for today. Their aqueducts were one of the very amazing things they created. The Greeks also had a great impact on the Roman arts (Boardman, Griffin, Murray 414).


The Roman Aqueduct was very important to Rome. They provided the city with the needed water. these were very important to the city of Rome, and served for a number of purposes.


The aqueducts were used for transporting water from rivers and into the cities of Rome.During Augustus' reign ( Augustus was Octavian before he called himself Augustus(Grolier25) the aqueducts of Rome were fixed. The aqueducts were used for utilizing clean drinking water. Since the towns people who drank the river water would die or become ill from the sewage which drained into them.


Aqueducts were and are very important today. Yes, the aqueducts of Rome are still used today for acquiring clean drinking water. In fact they still use the aqueducts the Ancient Romans used. The water is taken from a place East from Rome, the Alban Hills. As you can see the aqueducts were very important.


The Romans are very well known for their architecture. The aqueducts were one of their great accomplishments, and are still used today.


Boardman, John, Jasper Griffin, and Oswyn Murray. The Oxford History of the Roman World. Oxford: Great Clarendon Street, 1986-88.


Grolier. The Classical Age 500BC-500AD: Timelines of History Volume 2. Sherman Turnpike: Danbury, Connecticut, 2005.

The Importance of the Reign of Cesaer Agustus

Gaius Octavius was not the most likely person to become the next ruler of Rome, in fact, when he became ruler he was only an eighteen year old boy, who did not even look like the to be ruler of Rome. However, he proved his importance to Rome by doing many things that helped benefit Rome.


Cesar Augustus was able to restore peace to Rome after years of many civil wars. Rome was cast into war because of the assassination of Julius Cesar, the former ruler of Rome. This happened while Octavian, later named Cesar Augustus was severing in another area. When he returned he discovered that, as Cesar's heir, he would take his place as ruler of Rome.


Cesar Augustus Turned Rome from a Republic to an Empire, in 27BC. He spent money trying to make Rome into a glorious city, and is thought to have built the Coliseum. This ruler had many great things built during his time.


Cesar Augustus also built public baths and supplied Rome with aqueducts, giving Rome the supply of water . Augustus soon made the Romans worship him as if he was a god, a mortal, not a man of Earth. Finally, in 14AD, Cesar Augustus died.


Gaius Octavius was not the most likely person to become the next ruler of Rome. He certainly did not have the look of a mighty ruler, but he would prove himself as one of Rome's most important.

The Rise and Decline of the Roman Government

As Rome rose and fell many rulers rose and fell along with her. The government also underwent changes in the city's rise to power and her decline and, eventually, her fall.

Rome was first ruled by kings. Her first king was Romulus , who was supposed to have founded Rome. In total there were seven kings who were once rulers of Rome. Tarquin Superbus, the last king of Rome, also known as Tarquin the Proud, made the Romans despising the rule of monarchy (Zoch 28), and was brought to an end in509BC. The Roman Republic would then take over the rule of monarchy (Zoch 31).


Under the Roman Republic the Senate and the assembly ruled over the Roman citizens. This Republic lasted for around five hundred years. Two leaders in the Senate were the consuls, they were elected to Govern the city of Rome. They were thought to better rulers than kings by many of the Roman citizens (Bingham 9). However, the Republic began having problems before the time of the second century BC. The Roman land was expanding rapidly and it was growing more difficult to keep it from growing chaotic. While this was going on the generals were craving more power. One general in particular, Julius Caesar, would rise to power, but soon be assassinated by those he thought to be friends (Bingham 10). After the death of Caesar in 27BC the Roman Republic was ended (Bingham 11).


From Augustus, to Valentinian the first, who started the Western Empire, and Flavius Anastius, the last to rule the Eastern Empire. The first empire lasted from 14 AD to 476 AD, and was ruled by more than one hundred emperors. In 364 AD the Empire split and the Western Empire emerged. When the Western Empire split the Eastern Empire emerged, but then Rome ended after the Eastern Empire.


Many rulers rose and fell with Rome. Rome was ruled by kings, then by the Republic, and then by emperors (Bingham 8, 9, 10, 11). Rome then fell after Eastern Empire fell, thus, the once great city of Rome met its end.


Bingham, Jane. Ancient Civilizations: Ancient Rome. World Almanac Library: Milwaukee, WI. 2006.

Zoch Paul A. Ancient Rome: An Introduction History. University of Oklahoma Press: Norman. 1998.

There are many similarities, as well as differences between the Odyssey and the Aeneid. There are obvious, and not so obvious similarities and differences.


One similarity in the Aeneid is that in the beginning the narrator calls upon a Muse (Dryden 73), and in the beginning of the Odyssey the narrator calls upon a Muse as well (Rieu 3). Another similarity would be that both Aeneas and Odysseus shed tears when they hear of the stories about them. However Aeneas saw his story in an artwork. Odysseus was in the Trojan war, as was Aeneas, so as you can see both of these stories took place after the Trojan war.


There are also some differences in these stories. For instance, Aeneas fought on the Trojan side in the war, and Odysseus fought for the Greeks. The object of both journeys were very different. While Odysseus wants to go home, Aeneas is searching for the location of the city he was destined to find. The goals of their journeys are different.


Both tales were written by different people, the Aeneid was written by Virgil and the Odyssey by Homer. Virgil was a Roman and Homer was a Greek. Aeneas was the perfect hero for Virgil to use as a lend to found the city of Rome.


The Aeneid and the Odyssey have many things in common, as well as many things that are not as similar. Some of the similar and not so similar things are a little more obvious than others.


Dryden, John. Virgil's Aeneid. New York: P. F. Collier &Son Corporation,
1937.

Rieu, E. V, and Riu D. C. H. Homer the Odyssey. England: Clays Ltd, St Ives plc,
1946.

Two Myths of Rome's foundation

The two myths surrounding the founding of Rome are Romulus and Remus and the legend of Aeneas. The myth with Romulus and his brother Remus involves a wolf. The legend with Aeneas makes the Battle of Troy very important to Rome's founding.


The legend of Romulus and Remus is said to have taken place when,the god, Mars,had an affair with the vestal virgin, Rhea Silvia, who gave birth to twins (Romulus and Remus). Both twins were boys. However when Rhea Silvia's father found out he had her thrown into the Tiber River. The twins' fate was very different, however. They were put in a reed basket and then the basket was put into the Tiber River to be carried away by the waters and to meet their own fate. (source)


Once the twins landed ashore they were found by a female wolf, who gave the infants nourishment for a little while. They were later found and adopted by a farmer who raised them in his home with his wife, Acca Larentia. When the twins were adults they made a city on the place they had been rescued next to the Tiber River, after killing their grandfather (Zoch 10). Romulus and Remus couldn't figure out who would rule the city as king, so they looked for signs from the gods. Romulus saw twelve vultures and Remus saw six. The brothers argued and eventually Remus was killed by his brother. Romulus named the city Rome (Zoch 11). In this myth Romulus and Remus are the ones who set up the city of Rome (Nardo 114).


The other founding legend involves Aeneas and the burning of Troy, from which he carried his father and led his son out by the hand, with his wife trailing the three. The Trojans who could get out went with Aeneas and his family. However while escaping he lost his wife and once he went back for her, she was not to be found. He and his company went to mount Ida where they made ships and then set sail to find the place he was to call home. Aeneas faced many hardships and dangers, he was even told that he would find the place when his men were so famished that they would start consuming their own plates.


On his journey Aeneas lands in Carthage where he meets Queen Dido. They both fall in love with each other. However, when the gods remind Aeneas of his quest, and he leaves Carthage leaving Dido to commit suicide. When Aeneas and his men sailed to the Tiber River they had a meal using flat bread as plates, and the men were so hungry they consumed the plates as well. Then Aeneas' son, Iulus said that the prophecy had been fulfilled. However, there was already a city in that place and war broke out between the Trojans and the Latins, which ended in victory for the Trojans.


The two myths surrounding the founding of Rome are Romulus and Remus and the legend of Aeneas. The myth of Romulus and Remus involves Remus' death (Zoch 11) and the legend with Aeneas deals with another city being conquered.


Nardo, Don. Living in Ancient Rome. Michigan: Greenhaven Press,
2004.

Zoch A., Paul. Ancient Rome: An Introductory History. Oklahoma Press: Norman, 1998.