June 3

ABSENT FOR MY SISTER'S 8TH GRADE GRADUATION!

June 2

Today was the last quiz for freshman year.  I got a 90%!!! Watched weird videos the rest of class!

June 1

Today in class we went over our homework from last week. We also reviewed for our test tomorrow.  It's not gonna be a hard one but still needed to refresh on some things.  Only a couple more classes before exams and SUMMER!

May 30

MEMORIAL DAY!! NO SCHOOL!!!!!

May 27

Today in class we finished up talking about Rome.  We got a packet and we have to do it over the weekend.  Only a few more classes.

May 26

Today in class we went outside and talked about Rome.  It was kinda nice out but it got hot after a while.  It was nice to go outside and relax instead of being in a classroom. Finals are coming up and I feel like I should start studying.

Diocletian-a roman emperor, failed at at rebuilding an empire
Constantine-a commander that who wanted Christianity to become a religion
eastern empire-wealthier; Latin speaking
Western empire-less wealthy; Greek speaking
Edict of Milan-a speech given by Constantine
Constantinople-capitol of western roman empire
Huns-barbarians
Attila-chief of huns
Leo I-chief of the Huns


1.  What economic problems did he empire face in the third century?
          The problems they were facing were their trade was being disrupted by the barbarians and pirates.  They spent a lot of money on getting things from China, India, and Arabia; they didn't get anything in return because they only made wine, cheese, and glass.


2.  By the third century, how had Rome's army changed since the days of the republic?
           The Roman soldiers only fought for money now they didn't fight for the good of the country.  The country started to recruit barbarians who would accept lower pay.  


3.  (a) What important religious change did Constantine bring in the empire?
           He brought Christianity into the war by praying to the heavens and putting Christian symbols on the soldiers shields.  He also ended the persecution of Christians.
     (b) What political change did he bring about?
           He founded a new capital.  He took a huge step of moving it from Rome to the Greek city of Byzantium (modern-day Turkey), which he now called Constantinople.


4.  (a) Why did Germanic tribes invade the empire in the 400's?
           The Germanic tribes were terrified by the Huns and when the Huns started to move west, they thought it would be a good chance to attack. 
     (b) Why was the empire unable to drive the invaders out? 
           The western empire was so disorganized that it could not even put together a medium sized army to stop them.


5.  (a) Reasons why Diocletian should be considered a successful emperor:
           1. He tried to restore the empire by securing the boundries.
           2. He tried to restore it by doubling he size of the Roman armies.
           3. He tried to restore it by freezing prices so they don't spike.
     (b) Reasons why Diocletian should be considered a failure:
          1. He ordered a general a persecution of the Christians.
          2. He made people treat him like a king.  Anyone who came up to him had to kiss the hem of his rope.
          3. He froze wages so the people could not get raises. 
           

Today in class we traded papers with other people so they could check our work.  I traded with Tasha, hers  was good with only a few grammar mistakes.  I hope to do good on this because it is 100 points.

May 20

Today in class, Mr Schick wasn't here, but yesterday we started doing a paper that is about what the difference between Roman Republic and Roman Empire.  By the end of the day, I had 200 words.  It wont take much longer.

May 19

Today we took a test.  I think i did really good on it.  I hope i am right.  Hopefully Ill find out soon.

May 18

Today we finished our powerpoint on Ancient Rome.  We also reviewed for our test tomorrow.  I hope I do okay. I think i know everything pretty well.

The Roman Empire

• Octavian-Caesar Augustus
• begins the Pax Romana - a period of peace
• built roads, and aqueducts
• set up civil service to take care of roads, the grain supply, and postal service
• dies at age 76 in 14 AD
• Tiberius
• Augustus stepson and adopted son
• great general but was dark, somber, reclusive, and reluctant emperor
• her referred to the Senate as "men fit to be slaves"
• Germanicus started out as Tiberius ally, since he quelled a legion mutiny but when it look like he would succeed Tiberius, he got paranoid and had Germanicus killed
• died in 37 AD at the age of of 77
• Caligula (good)
• he was Germanicus' son
• he was Tiberius adopted grandson and great-nephew
• he started off well: granted bonuses to those in the military, declaring treason trials a thing of the past, and made government spending a matter of public record 
• Caligula (bad)
• fighting with the Senate
• claimed to be a god and had statues displaying in many places including the Jewish temple in Jerusalem
• other examples of cruelty and insanity: he slept with other mans wives and bragged about it, indulged in too much spending and sex, and even tried to make his horse a consul and priest
• assassinated by his own aides in 41 AD at age 28
• Claudius
• made fun of because of his disabilities
• last known adult man in his family
• he conquered Britain
• built road, canals, and aqueducts
• he renovated the Circus Maximus
• Had an awful marriage to Messalina, who was unfaithful to him
• Religious Trouble
• Christianity and Judaism: monotheistic
• Romans had many gods plus at times the emperor
• in 66 AD a group of Jews called the Zealots tried to rebel, but roman troops put them down and burned their temple (except for one wall)
• the western wall today is the holiest of all the Jewish shrines
• half a million Jews died in the rebellion
• Persecution of Christians
• Romans were harsh toward those who would not worship the emperor
• especially Christians who were viewed as followers of a new upstart religion (cult)
• used to through them in lions den for entertainment
• grew quickly despite oppression
• by 200 AD around 10% of people in the roman empire were Christians 
• Jesus
• roman citizen
• Jew
• at 30 he began his ministry preaching to the poor in the empire and reaching out to outsiders
• statements like "my kingdom is not of this world" made the Romans nervous and they began to plan his execution
• the governor of the roman province of Judea, Pilate sentenced Jesus to death
• he is a historical figure
• Paul never met got he became blind and saw Christ
• he told everyone about Jesus's life and death and resurrection and message
• he writes letters to many of those he spoke to these epistles are part of the New Testament
• If it wasn't for Paul  not a lot of people would have known about him
• 100 most influential people in history
• Muhammad 
• Sir Isaac Newton
• Jesus
• Buddha
• Confucius
• St Paul of Tarsus

Emperors of Ancient Rome

Tiberius

• His step-father was Octavian 
• he was emperor from 14AD-37AD 
• He was the second Emperor
• one of Rome's greatest generals
• great-uncle of Caligula
• paternal uncle of Claudius

Caligula 

• ruled 37 AD-41AD
• He was the 3rd emperor of Rome
• adopted son of Tiberius
• "There are few surviving sources on Caligula's reign, although he is described as a noble and moderate ruler during the first two years of his rule. After this, the sources focus upon his cruelty, extravagance, and sexual perversity, presenting him as an insane tyrant." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula)

 Claudius 

• fourth emperor 
• ruled from 41AD-54AD
• he had an illness as a child 
• grew up and had problems like speech and walking issues
• he got made fun of for it until he became emperor
• he was loved by the people because he gave them rights
• his wife cheated on him and he told guards to kill her and her lover when she left

May 11

Today in class we watched a video about a talking dog... and bout Rome, which wasn't as exciting.  We had to take notes on it on the video of Rome.  We had to take them on paper.  It wasn't easy; my hand started to hurt.  I hope we don't have to do that too often.

May 9

Today in class we went over our past tests, Greece and part one of Rome.  It always takes us so long to go over them.  It took all class.  I got good grades on them though.  On the Greece test I got a 93.  On the most recent test, Rome, I got a 90.  I have been pretty happy with my grades so far this last quarter. Hope I can keep it up.

May 6

Today was a half day and we only had like a 30 minute class.  We took a test on Rome.  I thought it was going to be harder than it was but it was actually pretty easy (unless I failed it). I hope i did okay.  It only took me like 10 minutes to take it and after I studied for my Christian Morality test next.

Rap

• 1st paragraph
• The Etruscans had a written language which Romans took most of their letters from
• Tarquin was their king and he was the last king they had.  People started to hate him
• 2nd Paragraph
• many different forms of government put together
• Carthage was in Africa
• 3rd paragraph 
• latifundia- a huge estate of villa (taken away from farmers after the war)
• Gracchus brothers-Tiberius and Gauis
• plebeians  nobles
• attempted to pass a lands reform that would redistribute huge pieces of patrician land among the plebeians
• assassinated for their attempts
• 4th paragraph
• he was appointed dictator for ten years 
• Julius Caeser got money from Crassus
• He entered a political with Crassus and Pompey (rich people) which was to dominate Roman politics for several years
• he made a decision to cross a river into Gaul (the leader of Gaul said if they crossed it then that would be considered an act of war)
• killed Caesar hoping to restore the government of republic
• 6th paragraph
• Cleopatra
• said she was a rencarnation of a goddess
• Octavian Antony and Lepidus formed an official three-man govermnet called the second triumvirate
• Cleopatra tried to take over Octavius power
• Antony fell in love with Cleopatra
• 7th paragraph
• Pax Romana-roman peace
• period of peace (207 years long
• Roman roads
• allowed them to move armies, trade goods, and communicate
• built like walls
• Gladiators
• human sacrifice
• Circus Maximus
• ancient Roman chariot raceing stadium mass

May 4

Today in class Mr Schick was not here.  We were told to look at his website and it said to finish out projects.  Tasha and I were pretty much done so after we finished we just talked.  We are ready to present now!

May 2

Today in class Mr Schick assigned us a paragraph of his rap.  Tasha and I got paragraph number five.  It is about Julius Caesar and his assassination.  Ours isn't very long so far because there is not a lot on it.  I think well do only though. He was assassinated by a lot of senators that thought he was getting to powerful.

Pictures for Mr Schick's Rap

To the shores of the River Tiber

Brand new republic ready to run
Democracy
Aristocracy
Plus monarchy

On horseback is the cavalry

Shield, sword, dagger, and armor and tunic

Hannibal riding on elephant back

I can hear the brothers Gracchus
Sayin, “Rich, please don’t attack us” (don’t attack us)
“We got a feeling that the senators will whack us” (hey!)

It’s the start of the rise of Julius C

It’s a triumvirate -- that’s a group of three
“Crassus (come on), Pompey (come on), I’m JC! (come on)
We three will rule!

Brutus and the Senate murdered Julius C
He hit the floor (he hit the floor)
Next thing you know
Caesar’s no more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more
You know he’s so depressed
23 stab wounds in his chest (in his chest)

Pax Romana is the word that brings the cheers (Yay!)

April 28

Today was such a weird day!! It was scary and cool at the same time.  I was hoping that we would get out of school early but I guess it would be stupid to send students out into the storm though.  Today in class we talked more about Rome.  We took a quiz on the reading we did last night.  I'm not very good at those but oh well.  We didn't finish talking about the questions from last night. I guess we'll do that tomorrow!

Rome Reading Questions 2

Vocab:
a. consul-officials that commanded the army and directed the government
b. veto-reject or overrule
c. senate-the aristocratic branch of Rome's government
d. assembly-the democratic side of the government
e. dictator-a leader who had absolute power in comparison to the consuls and the senate
f. mercenary-soldiers who fight in any country's army for pay

1. Why were many plebeians dissatisfied with Rome's government in the early years of the republic?
• The patricians had too much control of the government and too much power.
2. How did they win reforms?
• They won reform by refusing to fight in the army unless they agreed to it.
3. What changes did they bring about in Roman government?
• they gained access to many political offices, obtained more favorable laws, enslavement for debt was ended, and marriage between plebeians and patricians are allowed.
4. Why did Romans consider that they had a balanced government?
• because their government was partially monarchy, part aristocracy, and part democracy
5. Once Rome had conquered most of Italy, how did the Roman government win the support of the conquered people?
• they were allies to Rome
6. At th start of the Punic Wars, why might Carthage have appeared the stronger power?
• they were bigger
• had huge navy of 500 ships
• wealthy
7. Why was Rome, in fact, the victor?
• draw on a reserve of more than 500,000 people
• more loyal and reliable troops
• directed energy at winning wars
8. Why was the Battle of Zama a major turning point in history?
• if Hannibal would have won Carthage and not Rome would have become the greatest empire in the world
9. Why did the Greeks at first welcome Roman armies?
• the Romans freed them from the rule of Philip V of Macedon
10. Why did the Greek attitude change?
• they because greedy with freedom

Vocab:

a. republic-a political unit that is not rules by a monarch and in which citizens with the right to vote choose their leaders

b. gravitas-weightiness or seriousness

c. pater familias-the oldest male of the family

d. toga-uncomfortable garment worn my the people of rome

e. patrician-people who were upper class because they claimed to have had ancestors that were founders of Rome

f. plebeian-common farmers, artisans,and merchants

g. legion-a massive military unit

h. century-100 years

1. How did geography help Rome?
• Rome was the center point within the central peninsula.
2. Why was each of the following groups important to Rome's development?
• Latins-Rome was first started by a settlement of Latin shepherds 
• Greeks-They established 50 colonies on the coast of southern Italy and Sicily
• Etruscans-They had an alphabet that the Romans eventually adopted.  The Romans were influenced by their architecture and trade. 
3. What were the values of early Roman society?
• discipline, strength, loyalty
• family
4. How was the Roman household organized?
• the pater familias had all the power in the family
• he protected the family
5.  What freedoms did women have in the family and in society?
• they were in charge of the house
• they had a lot more freedom than the Athenian women
• she was a citizen
• she could own property and testify in court
6. How was the army linked to Roman society?
• all male men had to serve in the army 
• no one could hold public office w/out being in the army for 10 years

April 20

Today in class we took a test.  I think it was kinda hard.  I don't think I did very good on it, but o well.

Test on Wed.

• What is a hoplite?
• citizen-solider 
• Whats the formation?
• phalanx
• How long did the Pelopenisian War last?
• 27 years
• Who won the Pelepenisian War?
• Sparta
• What went wrong?
• someone had a plague when they had the wall around the city
• 1/3-2/3 died including Pericles
• Pythagoras came up with what?
• The Pythagorean therom 
• Who was the main poet?
• Homer
• What were the 2 main plays?
• tragedy and comedy
• What did Greek theater look like?
• semi-circle around stage
• staggered seats
• What did he want to do?
• he wanted to strengthen democracy and make Athens more beautiful
• Whats the thing in the center of town that people come to talk?
• agora
• Who was it built by?
• Pericles
• What is frieze?
• is was 3D carving of regular people
• What was in the middle?
• Statue of Athena
• What were the styles?
• Doric-basic
• Ionic-fancy
• Corinthian-really fancy
• What was he charged with?
• corrupting the minds of youth
• going against the gods
• What he die of?
• poison
• When were first Olympics held?
• 776 BC
• How often does it happen?
• every 4 years
• Who was allowed to participate?
• only free men who stand in front of the statue of Zeus and promised they had been training for 10 months
• Some examples?
• boxing, running, long jump
• Hoplitodromos?
• event that you have to run with armor
• Main phylosiphers?
• Socrates-thinking on reason; questioning
• Plato-founded school called Acadamy
• Aristotle-

Alexander Movie

      In this movie we watched a seen about how Alexander got his horse.  He told his father that if he could not ride the horse that he would pay for the horse himself.  Alexander figured out that the horse was afraid of his shadow.  He tamed the horse and called him Bucephalus.  Then we watched a scene about the battle of Guagamela.  They were outnumbered 3 to 1.  Alexander wanted to kill Darius.  When Alexander got close, Darius ran away.  It was one of the bloodiest battles.  It was a really gross scene to watch.

• Socrates
• he didn't care about appearance and was only interested in the mind
• they started reasoning instead of thinking the gods were everything and did everything
• it was the birth of science
• Thales measured the size of the pyramid by using the shadow of it
• Thales wrote a book on how to sail at night by using the stars
• Socrates used his reason and logic to study people
• he started fighting with someone because he said his eyes bulge out so he can see farther and his nostrils stick out so he can take in more smells (at a drunken dinner party
• THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING
• the plague 
• violent heats on head
• stomach problems
• fever
• dehydration 
• they would go out into the street to die
• 1/3-2/3 of the people had it
• Pericles finally got he plague
• he got weak
• he died after 6 months in 429 BC
• everyone wanted to be in charge when Pericles died
• fought in a war against Sparta and lost to defend
• lost 50,000 men
• they went to Athena for help
• 404 BC Athens surrendered to Spartan commander
• he told them to take down walls and burn all but 12 ships
• Socrates got arrested for undermining the youth of the city
• he only had enough time to defend himself by the time the water fell into the other pot
• he demands free dinners for life
• he got sentences to death
• he had to drink hemlock to poison him which was extremely painful
• People started to create a world around logic and reason

Homer

90/100
Who was he?
     Early Greek poet
Did everyone think Homer was real?
    No
What did he write?
     Iliad and Odyssey 

Alexander's Conquest

85/100
What did he rule?
     Asia minor, Persia, Egypt, Greece and some of India
What was his horses name?
     Bucepalus (Ox-head)
What did he spread around the world
     Greek Culture

Socrates Trial

90/100
Why was Socrates killed for?
     for teaching his students his theory
What was his theory?
    That the earth wasn't the center of the universe
What was his sentence?
     death

The Hellenic Age

95/100
What is the Hellenic Age?
     The classical age
What is the severe style?
    when they began to explore the emotions and characters of their subjects
Who was Alexander tutored by?
     Aristotle

Greek Architecture

96/100
What style was the Parthenon?
     Doric
What did the Doric style took like?
     sturdy shaft, plain top, and no base
What is the most decorative?
     Corinthian

The Golden Age/Age of Pericles

97/100
What was he said to be born as?
      lion
What were the religious festivles?
     Panathenia-honored Athena
     Dionysa- honored god of wine
What were Pericles three goals?
     Strengthen democracy, make Athens more beautiful, and expand their empire

Greek Poets and Poetry

94/100
How would they present their poems?
     in song form
Who wrote the first first point of view  poetry?
     Sappho
Who wrote the Iliad and Odyssey?
     Homer

Greek Drama

88/100
What do they do instead of scenes?
      episodes
Types of Plays
     Comedy, tragedy
Who is a Tragedy perform by and when?
     by men and in April

Greek Philosophers

95/100
Who were the main Philosophers?
     Aristotle
     Plato
     Socrates
What is western Philosophy?
     the thought an work of the western world and how it differs tot he Eastern world
What was Plato before he was a philosopher
     he was a wrestler and poet

Parthenon

89/100
Who was it for?
     The goddess Athena
Where is it located?
     Acropolis
What was inside?
     A giant statue of Athena
What are the freiczes of?
     Regular people

Alexander the Great's Youth

98/100
What did his mother tell him?
     She told him he was the son of a Greek god
What was his horse afraid of?
     He was afraid of his shadow
Who was his teacher?
     Aristotle
He was the captain of the Macedonian army at the age of ____16____.
He died at the age of 33 from ___Malaria___.
Never lost a battle.

Breakthrough in Math and Science

94/100
Who invented geometry?
     Euclid
Pythagoras came up with what?
     pi and the right triangle formula
What did Eratosthenes figure out?
     he figured out the circumference of the earth

The Olympics

90/100
Who was the Olympic games held in honor for?
     Zeus
What was the prize?
     Olive wreaths or crowns
What did you have to be to be in order to compete?
     You had to be in one of the city-states and a free man
     Only young people and they have to qualify and get their names on a written list

Ancient Greek Art

97/100
What does Greek art consist of?
     Architecture, Sculpture, paintings, and pottery
What was the Parthenon?
     Doric
Why did they make sculptures?
    for religious and culture reasons

April 4

Today in class we started to present our projects.  We actually only got one done.  We did get really good food though.  Caitlin brought in cupcakes with her project.  Tasha brought in cake and she was going to present but she didn't have enough time so she just gave out the cake.  The cake was really cool looking.  Tasha did a great job; she put a philosopher on it.  It was a pretty good class.  I really don't want to present my project.

PELEPONNESIAN WAR

95/100
How long did the Peloponnesian War last?
     27 years
Who was the war against?
     Athens and Sparta
Why did they loose the battle?
     The Plague

March 25

Today in class was a nice laid back class.  We kind of just relaxed while everyone made fun of each other.  I just kinda sat in the back, watched it all going on and laughed.  It was pretty funny to see.  Then Colby randomly comes in and Mr. Schick tells Zach to see if anyone would notice.  I don´t know what really ever happened  after that.  It was a nice class to have before break. :)






HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!! :))))

March 24

Today in class we went over the quiz we took yesterday.  I didn't do as good as I had hoped and I only got 6 answers wrong... O well.  I will just have to study for the test more than I did for the quiz.  I just got mixed up on a couple of them.  : /

March 23

Today in class we took a quiz.  I actually thought I did pretty good on the test.  I didn't know a couple answers but I thought I was going to get at least a B.  It was a hard quiz though and very confusing.  I actually got a pretty bad grade and it dropped me down to a B.  Guess theres no way I'm going to be able to get it back up to an A.

March 21

Today in class we watched the move... again.  It really seems like it is a never - ending movie.  We still are not done.  Today we started talking about Pericles.  He was a general in the Persian war, which they won, and the Peloponnesian war, which we haven't gotten to but I'm pretty sure they lose.  We also talked about The Parthenon.  It is a place that the Athenians built.  It took 20,000 tons of marble and would have cost a billion dollars if it was built in our time.  It is a symbol of their empire.  It also has a 40 ft tall statue of Athena in it made with jewels and other beautiful things.  I also found out that the Greeks invented theater.  They used to make up plays, either comedies or tragedies, to perform in a huge stadium ever two years for a lot of people.  It seems like a new found civilization to me.

• Pericles brought democracy to its climax
• People wanted a city fitted to run an empire
• Parthenon a building with a big statue of Athena (40 ft tall) in it
• it requires 20,000 tons of marble
• it is a symbol of Athens empire
• it cost a billion dollars in our time to build
• Frizezs shallow piece of marble
• it was a testament to the common man and woman
• ran along the inner wall of the temple
• Aspaisia was Pericles "companion" 
• he treated her like an equal
• caused a scandal 
• he let her sit in on meetings and give an opinion
• theater is where they met twice a year for entertainment
• greeks invented theater and drama
• perform in masks
• hubris-arrogant 

March 18

Today in class we watched the movie some more.  We are almost at the end of it.  We were talking about Themisticles and started on Xerxes, who lead the Persians in trying to destroy Athens for his father Darius.  Themisticles had a plan to help them win even though they were way out numbered.  They were going to fight by water with a Trireme battleship.  They did eventually win because they had one of the best naval armies.  Then we started talking about trading which they did a lot and with everyone.  It seems like a interesting period in time.

Crucible of Civilization notes 3

• Themisticles got to be the general in the navy
• Trireme is a battleship the everyone rowed 
• it is used to ram another ship
• narrow and quick
• had over 200 of them 
• they found a lot of silver on their land
• Themistoclesthey  said they should spend the wealth on ships
• they wanted to build the best naval base in Greece
• Xerxes took his father Darius´s place
• he wants to burn Athens to the ground
• he gathered his forces and he had 2 million men
• When the Persian army was coming they ravaged the land
• Xerxes was confident
• they turned to the Gods for help
• they asked the Oracle (someone who can see the future) for their fate at Delphi 
• the Oracle said that they were doomed and that they could not stop them
• they decided to fight by sea
• They had to evacuate Athens
• Salamis is where they went to to is where they met the other people of Greece
• The Persians burned the Acropolis 
• wants to fight on the Straits of Salamis
• he sends a spy to Xerxes to pretend that he is a traitor
• and tells him that they are scared and know they are going to crush them
• Persian navy is 4X the size of the Greeks
• the Greeks won
• that is the second time they won
• Dealian League is where all the land they owned was
• they traded with everyone

March 17

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!!!!! Today we started off class by watching a video that someone took of the tsunami in Japan.  It was horrible to see everyones lives just changing in one second.  I would not be able to do anything like that because everything that you own would be ruined.  The next part of class we watched the movie again.  We are almost at the end and it is kinda interesting how democracy was first started.  Also how Cleisthenes was the only respected person that was ever in charge.  

Crucible of Civilization notes 2

• Hippias brother was killed and he became paranoid and took away the peoples rights
• Cleisthenes was going to overthrow Hippias
• 510 BC and Cleisthenes lived up to the myths
• 776 BC was when the games started
• it empowered people that didn't have that much money
• people were conspiring against Cleisthenes
• Isagoris was one of them ^ and was also an aristocrat
• he sent help from the spartans to help him take over 
• it was said he shared his wife with the spartan king
• the people revolted against Isagoris
• this was the first revolution of the people
• 508BC was the first time the people revolted against their leaders
• they all turned Cleisthenes
• he had a place where they discussed the future of their state
• agora is what it was called
• he instituted a vote white pebble for yes and black for no
• the people were the government
• majority rules
• democracy helped shape the start of civilization
• it was going to be tested with war and disagreement
• 409 BC Pheideppedes ran the first marathon
• it was for survival
• the Persians had to destroy anyone that was gaining power
• they didn't an army so every man would have to come forward to fight
• hoplites was the closest thing to modern army back then
• Pheideppedes was going to run for help from Sparta
• he ran 140 miles in 2 days
• his quest ended in failure b/c his request was denied
• there are 2 different stories
• in both he did a heroic thing and he failed in both
• the Greeks did win though
• they slaughtered over 6000 Persians in 1 day
• they returned and celebrated their victory
• Themistocles fought on the battlefield at marathon
• he was a general for the Greeks
• he had risen to power through democracy
• he learned at the democratic  

March 16

Today in class we started watching the movie Crucibles in Civilization again.  This time while Mr Schick was here so he could help explain things and tell us how to spell things.  We learned about the Iliad and the Odyssey. My friend had to read the Iliad for school so I kind of know a little bit about it.  I thought it was kind of interesting that the people that told it in the past knew it all by memory and told every single word of it to people who would listen.  Eventually one person wrote it down.

March 14

In Western Civ class we are still talking about Ancient Greek.  We started taking notes.  I learned that it is really a big peninsula with another one attached to the end of it.  It is also a very rocky and mountainous area.  I think that Ancient Greek is more interesting with Greek mythology though so I am not very interested. Next class is on Wednesday, maybe I'll be more interested.  :)

Ancient Greece

• crucible-a place time or situation coming together 

• Geography
• Mountainous peninsula
• mountains cover 3/4
• approximately 1400 island in the Aegean and Ionian Seas
• Location shaped its culture
• skilled sailors
• poor natural resources 
• difficult to unite the ancient Greeks because of the terrain; develop small, independent communities
• app. 20% was suitable for farming
• fertile valleys cover 1/4 of peninsula
• because of geography the Geek diet consists of grains, grapes, and olives
• Lack of resources most likely led to Greek colonization
• Temperatures range from 48 in the winder to 80 in the summer
• climate made them very active
• Mycenaeans 
• began around 2000 BC
• Mycenae is located on a rocky ridge and protected by a 20  ft thick wall
• Mycenaean kings dominated Greece from 1600-1200 BC
• Controlled trade in the region
• 1400 BC Mycenaean invaded Crete and absorbed Minoan culture and language
• Culture Decline of Myceneans
• Around 1200 BC sea people began to invade Mycenae and burnt palace after palace
• The Dorians moved into the war-torn region
• Far less advanced
• Economy collapsed
• writing disappeared for 400 years
• Homer and Myths
• Only stories were kept and passed on by word of mouth
• Homer lived at the end of the "Greek Dark Ages"
• Recorded stories of the Trojan War in the Iliad and The Odyssey (written 750-700 BC)
• Tojan war was probably one of the last conquests of the Mycenaeans
• Greek Concepts
• Arete
• virtue and excellence
• Epics
• narrative poems celebrating heroic deeds
• Myths were created to explain creation
• Zeus: leader of the gods
• Hera: Zeus' wife
• Athena: goddess of wisdom
• 
  

The Greeks

• it was the birth of science and politics
• we strive to equal the architecture now
• warships ruled the seas
• Clysones
• 508 BC in athens people had turned away from their rulers
• Clysones was brought up from birth to be a ruler
• he relieved the people should have freedom
• sets them on the path to empire
• 570 BC he was born
• he was an aristocratic (member of ruling class)
• the ancient stories inspired him
• the Iliad and the Odyssey were the stories that shaped him
• he wanted to become a real life hero 
• grew under Pisistratus rule
• the city changed into something very powerful
• he was going to try to overthrow Hipias 
• hipias was captured and banned from Athens
• 510 BC and he was one of the most powerful people in Greece
• people started to conspire against him
• he was called from exile after they overthrew Hisagaris and asked to build an empire
• he made a meeting place and ricH and poor people could discuss their future
• He made up democracy
• they met every 9 days to discuss everything
• 
  
• Hisagaris
• someone named Hisagaris was one of them
• he went to the Spartans for help
• he seized control of Athens
• 700 households were cast out of Athens including Clysones
• people started rioting in Athens
• the  ordinary people took their own destinies
• they rose up in revolution
• The spartans were on top of the Acropolis and defended
• it lasted 3 days and on the 3rd he surrendered
• 508BC they seized power and they were in control
• 
  
•   Pisistratus (Clysones brother in law)
• they seized control of the government (tyrant)
• he road into the city of Athens with Athena (not really) with him and asked for control 
• he turned to the Athenians and reduced taxes 
• he transformed the city
• his son took over when he died
• Hipias 
• after his brother died and he killed the murderers and torchered his wife
• life was dangerous
• the threat to his power was coming true
• 
  
• Athens 
• was built around the Acropolis 
• Life expectancy was less than 15 yrs
• lived under rule of aristocrat 
• produced great olives
• they found a business with that
• they found their wealth and prosperity by this
• their first artistic revelation was vases and the things that were inside were the most important
• Potters 
• were one of the lowest people of the land
• motivated by undoing each other
• Greece
• it doesnt seem like it would be a place to have a great civilization
• they were divided into city-states with their own city-states
• they were scattered
• Sparta 
• had a lot of military power and was thought to be the dominating city
• men were brought up to be in the military
• cloaks were died red to symbolze blood
• they were always a threat
• Olympia
• ancestor of Olympic game 
• 776 BC
• competition of wealthy 
• and Clysones made it so anyone could compete
• chariot
• running
• boxing
• 40,000 greeks would gather for the olympic games
• they would travel 100s of miles
• it would be the highlight of his life if you win
• civilized way to figure things out

March 10

Today we presented our slides while Mr Schick read the book again.  It was a little easier to understand this time.  My slide was on Barbarians.  Barbarians were the names given to anyone who did not speak Greek.  Which was anyone but the Greeks including the Spartans.  Before i did this presentation all I knew was that people called other people they didn't like that, like as an insult. Now i really know what it means.

March 9

Today in class we started talking about Ancient Greece.  I really hope we talk a little bit about greek mythology because to me that is so cool and interesting.  Mr. Schick read us a book and i did not understand a word he said.  Then we started a project where we make the power point.  We all have something to write about.  I have Barbarians.  I had no idea what they were at first.  They are people that the greeks thought were uncivilized.  It was anyone who didn't speak their language.  Finishing it up tonight.

March 7

Today in class we took our test on Egypt, ancient and modern day.  The test was okay.  I only studied for like 20 min last night.  I think the hardest part was the short answer.  The essay was easy because we could use our blogs.  I think I did okay on the test, but I think I did the worst on the short answer.  Hopefully I got a good grade! :)

March 4

Today in class we went over Egypt now and how it is doing compared to the rest of the world.  We learned that 90% of the country's religion is Muslim and the rest is Christian.  We also learned about past people in charge of the country like Hosni Mubarak, who just stepped down from power to leave the country with a governing system called military junta.  The democratic election are in September of this year.  We also learned about Libya's ruler, Muammar Gaddafi.  Because Libya has been uprising against him, Gaddafi has been violently opposing it.  He says that there in no fighting in his country but he bombs his own people because they are revoltin against him.

March 3

Today in class we finished talking about ancient Egypt.  We learned about how people were ranked in ancient Egypt. The highest were the Pharaohs and the lowest were the servants.  There were government officials, soldiers, scribes, merchants, artisans, and farmers were in the middle.  Then Mr. Schick let us out early because we had an extra long class.  It was a pretty good class.  Thanks Mr. Schick!

March 2

Today in class we went over Ancient Egypt.  We talked about what was going to be on the test on Monday.  We learned about the Nile River and how their whole life was centered around it.  They depended on everything for it like for water, bathing, and crops.  They even had figured out when the river was going to flood and when the land was going to very fertile.  It flooded every year in July and it leaves behind rich, fertile soil in October.  This helped them figure out a calendar.  Learn some more tomorrow.

On the Test

• geography
• centered around the nile river
• cant live anywhere but around the nile because it is desert
• planting crops
• drinking water
• bathing
• transportation
• first people to invent a sail
• it is the only river to flow north
• flows downward and empties into the Mediterainian
• every July it floods
• every October it leaves behind rich, fertile soil
• helped them figure out a calender
• managing the river required technological breakthroughs in irrigation
• the delta is a broad, marshy triangular area of fertile silt
• daily life
• List
• Pharaoh-highest
• religious leader and political leader of the egypian people
• holding titles: Lord of the Two lands and Hight priest of the temple
• as the lord of the two landsthe pharaoh was the ruler ruler of the upper and lower land.  He owned all the land made laws collected taxes and defended EGYot against fighters
• Hatshepsut was a women who served as a pharaoh
• Cleopatra VII also served as pharaoh but much later (51-30 BC) 
• Government Officials-Nobels, Priests
• upper class, known as the white kilt class-priests, physicians, engineers
• Soldiers-highly respected
• used wooden weapons (bows & arrows, spears) with bronze tips and might ride chariots
• Scribes-educated
• history started when they started writing this down
• scrives kept record, told storeies, wrote poetry described anatomy an medical treatments
• wrote in hieroglyphs and in hieratic
• Merchants
• Used money/barter system- merchants might accept of grain for payment- later coinage came about
• Artisans-made things
• would carve statues and reliefs showing military battles and scenes in the afterlife
• Farmers
• wheat, barley, lentils, onions- benefited from irrigation of the Nile
• Slaves and Servants-lowest and has the most of them
• helped the wealthy with household and child raising
• not abused
• pharaohs
• goddesses and gods
• pyramids
• the great Sphinx of Giza
• built 2555-2532 BC* 4500 years ago
• 
  
• a recumbent lion with a human head
• oldest monument in the world
• Turks shot off nose
• 
  

Feb 28

Today in class we went over our test that we took a long time ago.  I don't think I did the best on that test but going through it the second time I knew more of the answers.  I guess I wasn't nervous the second time.  I really don't know what else to say on this post...

Feb 25

Today was the day we talked to Sarah Mourad.  She was really nice and very helpful.  For the first half and hour we talked about what questions we were going to ask her.  Everyone had very good questions.  One I thought was pretty good was if she thought that the revolution still would have happened without Facebook. When we finally did get to talk to her we asked her all our questions.  She went into such depth when she answered and you could tell she was really passionate and happy with what had happed with her country.  It was a great way to learn more about the revolt.  It was definitely w great experience.

Revolution in Cario

Did they have meetings to set the whole thing up?

How did they organize it?

How did they inform everyone when and how it was going to help?

Did he ever come out?

What was it like being there when all of that wat happening?

Was everyone going crazy?

Where was Mubarak when all this was happening?

How long did the prayers last when they had to stop and pray?

Did you know anyone that was beaten or killed during this whole thing?

Where were all the kids and elderly people while this was happening?

Hosni Mubarak

• he gets himself elected every time
• first time elected 1981
• no one wants to run against him because someone got sentences for 5 yrs of hard labor
• if they threaten the government then the government might arrest you

Feb 23

Today in class we presented our raps.  They were really funny to watch.  Ours was pretty good i thought.  I worked with Brynly, Tasha, and Brad.  Ours was the only in our class to do a video.  Then we started talking about Egypt and their revolt.  Now Mr. Schick is trying to get someone he knows on Facebook in Egypt to come chat with us on Skype on Friday.  I think that would be really cool because she is in another country. We are suppose to make up questions to ask her too.  Here are some questions I would ask:

What was it like being there when all of that wat happening?

Was everyone going crazy?

Did he ever come out to calm everyone down?

Egyptian Rap

Today were singing an ancient Egypt rhyme

It is gunna take all you people back in time 

Ancient Egypt is a place with pyramids and things

They hold shiny jewelry and old dead kings  

These pyramids are houses of eternity

With hidden trap doors for added security

The pyramids are built form large stones

They were used to bury their thrones

  

Twenty years in the making

Pyramid at Giza is the seventh wonder remaining

Pharaohs were people that ruled the land

They had servants that answered their every command 

Needed lots of slave to help through the making

When their kings time is slowly fading

King Tut, Khufu, and Cleopatra

Lived their lives like a soap opera

Murder, betrayal, and wealth

Pharaohs were not always in good health

Hieroglyphics are how they write

To do this they had to be very bright 

The people who write these are called scribes

They did not always have go gibe

Hieroglyphics use figures like animals and people

This is the way they try and make it simple

They used pictures according to the way they sound

Hieroglyphs are how word got around

Their  longest river is the Nile

Used for transportation and their main lifestyle

It is also used for drinking water

Using this made their lives better

The river is used for irrigation

For farming the river was their inspiration

As we come back to reality

We know it’s not the best quality

But we tried with all sincerity

To honor the traditions of this great society

This is the end of our egyptian rap

Make sure at the end you remember to clap

Notes on Egypt

Today Mr. Schick came back.  He told us about why he was out and what happened to his daughter.  We also finished up our projects.  We took about 20 minuets to do that so we did not have a lot of time to present.  Only two groups had the time to present so we just took notes on the other people's power points.  Here are some notes on them:

• pyramids were build thousand of years ago
• Sphinx is 150 ft long
• thousands of years after hunting and gathering
• writing used by ancient egypt 
• used as something like a census
• scribes are the people who wrote them
• Nile
• longest river in the world
• the main river in Egypt
• 4184 miles
• contributed to spring floods
• provided irrigation
• used for drinking water
• they knew that every year it was going to flood

Feb 16

Today in class, Mr. Schick was not here.  We actually had two subs.  We had to make a presentation about ancient Egypt. We had to do work with another group, but Tasha and I were the last ones with Lauren and Caitlin so we just joined with them.  We did our project on pyramids and hieroglyphics.  We worked on finishing that all class even though we did not.  I think we will do okay.  It was more of a laid back day because we just worked together quietly.  We will try to finish it tomorrow.

Feb 14

Today in class we were suppose to finish up talking and taking notes on Egypt with our groups.  Since we finished over the weekend, my group didn't have to.  What I did learn from my research is that there are over 2,000 hieroglyphics and they were the first written language of ancient Egypt.  We kind of just sat around and worked on other homework.  I worked on finishing up some of my English homework.  It was a great day to just chill and I was so tired so it helped.  It is also Valentine's Day! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!!! 

Egyptian Hieroglyphs and Pyramids

HIEROGLYPHICS:

·  formal writing system used by ancient Egypt

·  use figures like animals, objects, and people

·  logographic and alphabetic elements

·  they represent real or illusion elements 

·  it is read alone of its visual characteristics

·  mostly written on papyrus paper or on the Pyramids

·  hieroglyphs means "Writing Words of God"

·  before they were used to write on pyramids they used them for recording something like a census

·  use a rebus-pictures are used according to the way they sound

·  ex. i believe -"eye, a bee, and a leaf"

·  the people who write them are called scribes

·  3 types

o ideogram-a picture used to symbolize an abstract idea 

o phonogram-a picture whose name is close to the desired sound

o pictograph-a drawing of the literal word

·  first written language for ancient Egypt

·  over 2,000 different symbols 

THE PYRAMIDS:

• Ancient Egypt was actually located in North Africa.
• About 80 pyramids in Ancient Egypt
• Built as tombs for the pharaohs and their queens

·         The pharaohs usually referred to them as their “House of eternity”

o   Began planning their houses of eternity as soon as they took the throne

·         All sides of the pyramids were to face directly north, south, east, and west

·         Large stones were cut from quarries and used to build the pyramids

·         Most of the workers were farmers who worked during the flood season, when their fields were under water.

·         Four main chambers:

o   King’s chamber

o   Grand Gallery – leads from ascending passage to the king’s chamber

o   Queen’s chamber- not actually meant for the queen to be buried there, possible used as a place to store the king’s funerary objects

o   Underground chamber – almost like a trick chamber, many different views on what this tomb was used for

Feb 11

Today in class we started talking about Egypt.  For the first part we talked about how Egypt's dictator finally stepped down from power.  Everyone in Egypt was very excited.  It was a very important day in history because the Egypt will probably become a democracy now.  Mr. Schick said that the only way all the news got out about Egypt is because of Twitter and Facebook.  So for the first time in history social networking sites changed a government.  Then we talked about ancient history.  We had to look up anything we were interested in.  I looked up hieroglyphics.  I always thought they were really cool because it is a whole language made out of pictures.  I just think it is a cool concept.

Essay for Test (Hunter-gatherers to Farmers)

      Papua New Guinea has been along a lot longer than the United States.  They never developed as fast as the US did either.  So what they did before they started to develop a civilization is hunting and gathering.  Once they started to develop they started to farm.  Hunting and gathering was an inconvenient was to develop because it would take up all their time and people just so they could figure out what they were going to eat.  Once they go to farming they started developing faster because they did not have to spend all their time doing one thing and they could go off and do other things to help develop a civilization. It was the first step to a new life.
     Hunting was how they got their meat while gathering was how they got fruit.  Hunting was done by men.  They would go out everyday for every meal just to figure out what to eat.  Gathering was the womens job.  They went out and picked fruit and made things out of it.  They cut down trees just to get stuff from it to make to eat.  They all found this very inconvenient.  They then started to realize that the land was very fertile.  They used seeds  from plants to make crops.  Someone would take care of them everyday by watering them and making sure they stayed alive.  This is how it all started.
     Soon they were farming all the time.  It made it easier to live when they didn't have to think about what they were going to eat everyday.  They farmed many things like wheat, barley, and other grains.  With this they could make other things.  Domesticated animals would help pull a plow and help farm.  This was a very good way to make use of the animals.  This was a lot more healthy than the things they were eating before.  Soon they were even making things to hold the grains and food they were making.  They would put it in a granary to make sure that it would not get wet or go bad. This was the jump start to a new civilization.