Signing off... Good-bye

Question 10 Final

Mr. Wojo,

I feel that what you have taught us we would have not learned in any other class. Some people may not like you teaching style or the amount of work, but that is just part of life. That is what life is hard work. If you buckle down and get it done it is a great class. I apperciate having you as a teacher and the only thing left to say is thank you and it will be sad to see you leave. And Finally; Brenden and I will see you at Pensic Wars.
Long live AEthelmearc!

Sincerely,
Konnor Drewen

Question 9 Final

I think that Shakespeare is a good example of a “Renaissance Man." A "Renaissance Man" is a person who is good at everything they try. Shakespeare was a genius in my opinion. He allowed for a wide range of styles of writing and his poems and plays are still done today. In one of his sonnets he says "Wish me partaker in thy happiness. When thou dost meet good hap; and in thy danger. If ever danger do environ thee." This is a truth that Shakespeare was a genius of poetry and the heroics. He does not want to put he person his is talking to in danger. Shakespeare was not the only one the others metioned were also very important and had alike characteristics. Non though can compare to the genius that was William Shakespeare.

Question 8 Final

The first three picture are of Gothic architecture. The Gothic architecture was mainly about letting the light in. The power of God is the light. The Romanesque was more about Judgement day. They needed a place to hid when the world came to an end. That is why it is more fortress like.

Question 7 Final

The Black Death was a plague that was spread through the bites of fleas on rats. It wiped out 1/3 of the population in Europe. As a medical medieval physician the Black Death is transfered by rats bites. You have to look out for boils and sores on your body and physical symptoms. The best course of action I think is to amputate any and all effected limbs.
If something like the Black Death occured now I think that two things would happen. First everybody would panic. After the panicing was done then the people of the world would unite to try to find a cure before to much damage was done. I think that the damage scale would not be as bad as it was back then with the Black Death. Althought, there would still be a large amount of damage from the period of panic.

Question 6 Final

"Do not do dope, help the Pope."

"Heart of a lion, strength of a bear."
"Saladin is not a paladin"












Op-ed-
Dear editor,
I am not the bad guy in this problem with Richard. He is the one who attacked my land and took my people hostage. He killed 3000 of my people and did not appalogize. Now I did not give back his cross but I still do not think that, that gives him means. He is just a cruel person.
Jerusalem is my holy land too. Mohammed came to Jerusalem and that is what makes it our holy land. I think that we could just share it. I do not think it is fair to assume that I am the enemy here. I am the good guy just protecting my land.

Question 5 Final

Konnor Drewen

6/8/011

“Is it fair to say the United States is the modern day equivalent of the Roman Empire?”

            I think that the United States is like a modern day Roman Empire. The U.S. is known for being one of the most powerful nations in the world. That was what Rome was like when it was in power. The U.S. causes many good things to happen in the world with care-packages, and the U.S.’s help defending countries. Of course like Rome, the U.S. causes some bad things to happen also. Take the war in Iraq; the U.S. caused the death of many innocent lives. The United States is like the Roman Empire because, like Rome the U.S. tries and succeeds in saving the good people but it also fails once in a while.

             On the front page of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette there was an article about the war in the Middle East. “Gadhafi defiant after NATO pounding” (Arkansas Democrat Gazette). This is really about how the U.S. can cause destruction if need-be. The article was about the Gadhafi and how he is now defending against stepping down since NATO missiles hit his compound. The U.S. caused this man who is a horrid dictator to fight against his own people and NATO. The U.S. does not have to do bad thing that is not what I am saying, it can also do good.

            In The Gazette from Colorado Springs there is a story of a fresh start for a city. “Bach Heralds fresh start for our city." The cities of the U.S. have the power to change things when they can. Only if they can also, but the U.S. is like the Roman Empire because it has this power. To help or to defeat.
The U.S. has a large amount of power over the world and people love it and hate it. The U.S. has helped people in their time of need. They have also made some enemys in their time as a country. There is one thing for sure though, Rome did the same thing. Rome had allies but they also had enemys.

Question 4 Final

Thucydides wrote more specific events and had less information. The difference with Herodotus was that he was less specific but had more information. I think that the articule about Gitmo(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/us/01gitmo.html?_r=1&ref=sept112001) was more like Thucydides. The articule was very specific about one thing and had a large amount of information. It seemed like he would right this articule because of the detail.

I think the articule about antiterrorism registry was more like Herodotus (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/nyregion/antiterrorism-registry-ends-but-its-effects-remain.html?ref=sept112001). The article was less exact on the processes that they are using. Although it has much more information in general. The Herodotus writing style works well with this article because it needs information.

Question 3 Final

The Greek and Egyptian after lives were similar and different. In Greek believed that when you died you would be taken to the Underworld where Hades ruled. If you had the proper burial rituals than you would have two coins put over your eyes after you passed and these coins would travel with you the the river Styx where you would pay the boatman to take you across to salvation. If you did not have the coins you were doomed to walk the shores forever.

The Egyptians were a little different. When you died your Ka or soul was released and you went to the afterlife. You would meet Horus and he would weigh your heart with the feather of Maat. If you heart was lighter you would go to the afterlife. If it was not than you were doomed to walk the earth as a soul forever. They are similar because if you were a bad person you were doomed to not go the the afterlife.

Question 2 Final

The agricultural revolution made it possible for cities to develop. At that time more people were starting to settle down and have farms to grow food. They no longer had to follow animals around the land. Those small towns that were made started tradeing with other towns and that started a economy. They had other responsiblitys so they had to make jobs. It all helped to develop into civilization.

Google Map:
<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=210663045657411626680.0004a5348ad1a9e2b77a4&amp;t=h&amp;ll=39.303432,37.924804&amp;spn=13.661475,19.599609&amp;output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=210663045657411626680.0004a5348ad1a9e2b77a4&amp;t=h&amp;ll=39.303432,37.924804&amp;spn=13.661475,19.599609&amp;source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Final Map</a> in a larger map</small>

News paper articule:
Today in this the 21st of september 2030, the temperature is 104. These days the crops have dryed up and are non-existant. The only source of food is through hunting and the animals are running low. There are less jobs then ever because of the collapse of the agricultural industry. Around the world there is pain and hunger.

Farm workers have no more options, they have no money. There are no more rich or poor, just pain. Some have been reduced to eating bugs and other lesser beings. If only we had not destroyed the O-Zone. If only we had seen this coming.

Question 1 Final

http://todaysmeet.com/hutton

Battle Map: Cannae

Hannibal made his infantry in the shape of a bow while sending up his left Spanish cavalry to attack the enemy cavalry as the Allied infantry attacks Hannibals right Numidian cavalry. 

 

The left Roman cavalry is defeated and the Spanish cavalry turn right. Hannibal's infantry falls back to make the Roman infantry follow as the African wings move up the sides of the bow.

As the Numidian cavalry defeats the Allied cavalry the Spanish cavalry turn to block the Roman's from retreating; completely encircling the Romans.

Battle Map: Zama

Hannibal had three lines of infantry with cavalry on his wings and a line of war elephants in front. Scipio had  two lines of cavalry on his right and a line of cavalry on his left with two groups of infantry.

Scipio's cavalry on the right and left defeated Hannibal's cavalry and flanked behind Hannibal. Scipio's infantry seperated into lines to allow the elephantry to pass through so that the infantry could kll them with out being harmed.

Hannibal's first line of infantry moves forward to attack Scipio's infantry while the center line of infantry fell back. The first line of Hannibal's infantry was defeated.

The last line of Hannibal's infantry attacked the last line of Scipio's infantry as the group of Scipio's infantry broke into to lines on either side of Scipio's last line.

Hannibal was defeated as Scipio's cavalry flanked Hannibal's last line while Hannibal was already being attacked by the lines of Scipio's infantry.

The Worst Jobs in History Blog

Konnor Drewen

5/23/011

Stone Mason

            I think the job that I would least like to do is the stone mason. He would have had the hardest job in my opinion. The stone mason had to find the stones he wanted then cut it. He had to somehow get the stone from the quarry, the take it to the building site. He then had to carve the stone to the size and shape that he wanted. Besides all of the backbreaking manual labor, the stone mason then had to make lime. Making the lime could be a deadly process. It could produce carbon monoxide, a deadly odorless gas. There was also a risk of falling into the kiln and burning to death. There was even a chance of scaffolding falling and plunging you to your death. If you did not die from that you would be so broken up that you would not be able to work anymore.  If you were a stone mason you were not expected to live very long. I the end the Cathedral that you are building may not even be strait. Over time since so many people have worked on the building someone could have messed up somewhere. There were not many upsides to being a stone mason in the middle ages.    

From Konnor to Doctor: the Konnor Drewen story

Konnor started this year with no good intentions. He just wanted to get through High School and not look back on it. This is how he has lived his High School life so far; a shadow in the lives of others. Konnor shed his old self and built himself a new persona. That new persona became The Doctor; the man who sits in his classes everyday quietly, but learning every second. Konnor just wanted to get to college, he wanted to "fast-forward" his life if you would.

But Konnor learned something this year. That if you do not slow down and take a look once in a while, you will miss the important things. A missed friendship, a lost love, a forgotten collogue. These things are essential to survival, and he thought he could pass them by. Konnor has been doing this his whole life. He did not let anyone in. He did not want anyone to know him. He wanted to, in the words of Kansas, just be dust in the wind.

Konnor continues to do this to this very day. He most likely will never stop. But there is one thing that people need to know about him. Something that people need to understand..... The Doctor likes it that way.

Storybird link

http://storybird.com/books/power-punch-richard-vs-super-stunned-saladin/

Weekly 9 Final Draft

Konnor Drewen

5/3/011

Why is it so important to understand manuscripts if one is to really understand the culture of the Middle Ages?

            Manuscripts are highly important when understanding the Middle Ages. They were the new form of document that allowed knowledge to be passed throughout time. Knowing this, it does not surprise that some of the ancient manuscripts were of massive size (Fig. 1).  The manuscripts were created to replace the old form of using papyrus as paper. The texts were just as important then as they are now to historians that study the Middle Ages.  Throughout time, people have learned that knowledge is the key to enlightenment; manuscripts are the keepers of knowledge and therefore, enlightenment.

            ''The world is bad enough with the bible; what would it be without it” (Franklin). Benjamin Franklin said this quote when asked to read the manuscript The Age of Reason. This quote asks what would the world be without a bible but it also asks the question, what the world would be like without any important manuscripts. The bible and other religious manuscripts can cause such controversy in society, but that controversy shaped the world we live in today. The manuscripts in the Middle Ages must have had the same effect as other texts throughout time.  In the Middle Ages, these helped people through the darkness of ignorance and into enlightenment.

            “Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts / the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art” (Ruskin). This quote demonstrates the power in manuscripts. They can tell a list of the actions of a civilization. They can also show their art history through the documents. In the Middle Ages they had great art and it was passed not only though paintings but through these documents.

            “As a writer, you have control of the words you put on the page. But once that manuscript leaves your hand, you give control to the reader” (Meyer). This validates the thesis because the knowledge is in the hands of the reader. The reader can chose enlightenment if it is wanted. The reason this is important in understanding the Middle Ages is that the people of that time had many great ideas, but people did not chose enlightenment. The people of today do not listen to the knowledge of that time as much as they use to.

            Manuscripts are the keepers of knowledge consequently they can lead to enlightenment. Manuscripts can be used to increase our knowledge in things we never understood. There are texts that teach some of the oldest sciences created (Fig. 2). The manuscripts can be used to pass not only words, but pictures also. Enlightenment is not just given to a person, it must be earned.

Appendix

Figure 1

Figure 2

Bibliography

Franklin, B. (n.d.). ''the world is bad enough with the bible; what would it be without it?''. Retrieved from http://www.tentmaker.org/Quotes/religionquotes.htm (Franklin)

Ruskin, J. (n.d.). “great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts / the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art.” . Retrieved from http://www.famouslifemottos.org/Nations.html (Ruskin)

Meyer, N. (n.d.). “as a writer, you have control of the words you put on the page. but once that manuscript leaves your hand, you give control to the reader.” . Retrieved from http://www.great-quotes.com/quote/1019055 (Meyer)

Unknown, (Photographer). (2007). Timbuktu-manuscripts-astronomy-tables.jpg. [Web]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Timbuktu-manuscripts-astronomy-tables.jpg

Maňas, M. (Photographer). (2007). Codex gigas facsimile.jpg. [Web]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Codex_Gigas_facsimile.jpg

Weekly 9 Rough Draft

Konnor Drewen

5/3/011

Why is it so important to understand manuscripts if one is to really understand the culture of the Middle Ages?

            Manuscripts are highly important when understanding the Middle Ages. They were the new form of document that allowed knowledge to be passed throughout time. Knowing this, it does not surprise that some of the ancient manuscripts were of massive size (Fig. 1).  The manuscripts were created to replace the old form of using papyrus as paper. The texts were just as important then as they are now to historians that study the Middle Ages.  Throughout time, people have learned that knowledge is the key to enlightenment; manuscripts are the keepers of knowledge and therefore, enlightenment. Manuscripts have no importance.

            ''The world is bad enough with the bible; what would it be without it” (Franklin). Benjamin Franklin said this quote when asked to read the manuscript The Age of Reason. This quote asks what would the world be without a bible but it also asks the question, what the world would be like without any important manuscripts. The bible and other religious manuscripts can cause such controversy in society, but that controversy shaped the world we live in today. The manuscripts in the Middle Ages must have had the same effect as other texts throughout time.  In the Middle Ages, these helped people through the darkness of ignorance and into enlightenment.

            “Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts / the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art” (Ruskin). This quote demonstrates the power in manuscripts. They can tell a list of the actions of a civilization. They can also show their art history through the documents. In the Middle Ages they had great art and it was passed not only though paintings but through these documents.

            “As a writer, you have control of the words you put on the page. But once that manuscript leaves your hand, you give control to the reader” (Meyer). This validates my thesis because the knowledge is in the hands of the reader. The reader can chose enlightenment if it is wanted. The reason this is important in understanding the Middle Ages is that the people of that time had many great ideas, but people did not chose enlightenment. The people of today do not listen to the knowledge of that time as much as they use to.

            Manuscripts are the keepers of knowledge consequently they can lead to enlightenment. Manuscripts can be used to increase our knowledge in things we never understood. There are texts that teach some of the oldest sciences created (Fig. 2). The manuscripts can be used to pass not only words, but pictures also. Enlightenment is not just given to a person, it must be earned.

Appendix

Figure 1

Figure 2

Bibliography

Franklin, B. (n.d.). ''the world is bad enough with the bible; what would it be without it?''. Retrieved from http://www.tentmaker.org/Quotes/religionquotes.htm (Franklin)

Ruskin, J. (n.d.). “great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts / the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art.” . Retrieved from http://www.famouslifemottos.org/Nations.html (Ruskin)

Meyer, N. (n.d.). “as a writer, you have control of the words you put on the page. but once that manuscript leaves your hand, you give control to the reader.” . Retrieved from http://www.great-quotes.com/quote/1019055 (Meyer)

Unknown, (Photographer). (2007). Timbuktu-manuscripts-astronomy-tables.jpg. [Web]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Timbuktu-manuscripts-astronomy-tables.jpg

Maňas, M. (Photographer). (2007). Codex gigas facsimile.jpg. [Web]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Codex_Gigas_facsimile.jpg

           

Weekly 8 Final Draft

Konnor Drewen

4/25/011

How do Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals express different understandings about religious theology?

             

              Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals had different understandings of theology mostly because of the time period. People evolve to match their environment in more ways than just physically, but spiritually. When there is a time that people need protection, either from the physical or the religious, they need a place to protect them. People have been turning to the church for hundreds of years. On the other hand when there is a time of relative peace, well then a church is no longer needed to also be a fortress. They can become a more spiritual place. By looking at a Romanesque or Gothic Cathedral there are distinct differences in the architecture; Gothic architecture is looking for further divine enlightenment, Romanesque architecture is preparing for Judgment Day.

            The first area of change that a person could see is the façade, or front of the Cathedral. In a Romanesque Cathedral there are large walls with high windows. The walls of the Cathedral, correspondingly, are also exceptionally thick. They were this way almost certainly to keep out invaders (Fig. 1). The façade of a Gothic Cathedral are different in that they are less defensive. They had low widows, and one large circular window, this allowed a large amount of light in. The walls of the Gothic Cathedrals are also much thinner. The building itself is more elegant in its design (Fig. 2).

            The reason for these incredibly different designs in structure is fear. During the 9^th – 11^th centuries, it was a time of struggle. The people in towns needed a place to be held up in to survive an onslaught if one accord. In that time religious members also believed that Judgment Day was near. They designed the Romanesque Cathedral, a building that could withstand an attack (Fig. 3). The designs for a Gothic Cathedral are less protective. The large windows and ingenious use of stained glass allowed for a more graceful appearance. Surely this was the acme of the religious life of the citizens of that era (Fig. 4).

            The second area of a Romanesque/Gothic Cathedral that should be shown interest is the interior. In the Romanesque Cathedrals the interior is a little darker with less design. The pillars of the Romanesque Cathedrals are burly and look as if they were made to defend and support (Fig. 5). In the Gothic Cathedrals, alternatively, the interior has greater sophistication. The Gothic detail on the pillars leaves behind the gruff exterior of the Romanesque period and brings forth a new and more chic scheme of the Cathedral. This change creates less of a battle ready fortress, and more of a beautiful, and spiritual place (Fig. 6).

            When change occurs in the history of people; people must change with it, creating structures that fit the time period. If the change means more defenses are needed, then build bigger walls. If defense is no longer needed, then change the walls to make it appear additionally attractive. This is how the Cathedrals express the different religious beliefs. Through the different architecture of the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals, people throughout time have been able to save, defend, and believe.

               

           

               

Appendix

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Bibliography

Rochester Cathedral, facade, 10^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rochester_Cathedral_from_the_Castle,_The_Romanesque_Facade.jpg, photo taken in 2010

Cathedral of Amiens, façade, 13^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedral_of_Amiens_front.jpg, photo taken in 2004

Strassburg Westfassade, façade, 12^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Strassburg_Westfassade_Detail.jpg, photo taken in 2005

Roskilde cathedral, interior, 12^th – 13^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roskilde_Dom01.jpg, photo taken in 2006

Trier cathedral, façade, 9^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dom_St._Peter,_Trier.jpg, photo taken in 2007

Basilica di St. Remi, interior, 11^th century,  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Basilique_St_Remi_01.jpg, photo taken in 2007

Weekly 8 Rough Draft

Konnor Drewen

4/25/011

How do Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals express different understandings about religious theology?

             

              Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals had different understandings of theology mostly because of the time period. Mankind evolves to match its environment in more ways than just physically, but spiritually. When there is a time that people need protection, either from the physical or the religious, they need a place to protect them. Mankind has been turning to the church for hundreds of years. On the other hand when there is a time of relative peace, well then a church is no longer needed to also be a fortress. They can become a more spiritual place. By just looking at a Romanesque or Gothic Cathedral there are distinct differences; Gothic is furthering divine enlightenment, Romanesque is preparing for Judgment Day. The Cathedrals do not have significance.

            The first area of change that a person could see is the façade, or front of the Cathedral. In a Romanesque Cathedral there are large walls with high windows. The walls of the Cathedral, correspondingly, are also exceptionally thick. They were this way almost certainly to keep out invaders (Fig. 1). The façade of a Gothic Cathedral are different in that they are less defensive. They had low widows, and one large circular window, this allowed a large amount of light in. The walls of the Gothic Cathedrals are also much thinner. The building itself is more elegant in its design (Fig. 2).

            The reason for these incredibly different designs in structure is fear. During the 9^th – 11^th centuries, it was a time of struggle. The people in towns needed a place to be held up in to survive an onslaught if one accord. In that time religious members also believed that Judgment Day was near. They designed the Romanesque Cathedral, a building that could withstand an attack (Fig. 3). The designs for a Gothic Cathedral are less protective. The large windows and ingenious use of stained glass allowed for a more graceful appearance. Surely this was the acme of the religious life of the citizens of that era (Fig. 4).

            The second area of a Romanesque/Gothic Cathedral that should be shown interest is the interior. In the Romanesque Cathedrals the interior is a little darker with less design. The pillars of the Romanesque Cathedrals are burly and look as if they were made to defend and support (Fig. 5). In the Gothic Cathedrals, alternatively, the interior has greater sophistication. The Gothic detail on the pillars leaves behind the gruff exterior of the Romanesque period and brings forth a new and more chic scheme of the Cathedral. This change creates less of a battle ready fortress, and more of a beautiful, and spiritual place (Fig. 6).

            When change occurs in the history of Mankind; Mankind must change with it. If the change means more defenses are needed, then build bigger walls. If defense is no longer needed, then change the walls to make it appear additionally attractive. This is how the Cathedrals express the different religious beliefs. Through the different architecture of the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals, people throughout time have been able to save, defend, and believe.

               

           

               

Appendix

Figure 1

Trier cathedral, façade, 9th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dom_St._Peter,_Trier.jpg, photo taken in 2007

Figure 2

Strassburg Westfassade, façade, 12th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Strassburg_Westfassade_Detail.jpg, photo taken in 2005

Figure 3

Rochester Cathedral, facade, 10th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rochester_Cathedral_from_the_Castle,_The_Romanesque_Facade.jpg, photo taken in 2010

Figure 4

Cathedral of Amiens, façade, 13th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedral_of_Amiens_front.jpg, photo taken in 2004

Figure 5

Basilica di St. Remi, interior, 11th century,  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Basilique_St_Remi_01.jpg, photo taken in 2007

Figure 6

Roskilde cathedral, interior, 12th – 13th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roskilde_Dom01.jpg, photo taken in 2006

Weekly 7 Final Draft

Konnor Drewen

4/12/011             

Did the Roman Empire 'decline and fall' or did it evolve into something new?

            The Roman Empire was a powerful and omnipotent creature in its time. The Romans controlled most of the known world; from Italy west, and Greece east. (Fig. 1)  There was not much in the world that could stop the force that was the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, that is the problem with vast, powerful civilizations; something with that much power will inevitably fall. It is the natural effect of excessive enormity. The Roman Empire is a perfect example of an omnipotent nation in its time, and as history teaches, omnipotent nations will unavoidably decline and fall.     

Edward Gibbon said, “The arms of the republic, sometimes vanquished in battle, always victorious in war, advanced with rapid steps to the Euphrates, the Danube, the Rhine, and the Ocean; and the images of gold, or silver, or brass, that might serve to represent the nations and their kings, were successively broken by the iron monarchy of Rome” (Gibbon, 1776). The reason this quote was used was to prove that the Roman Empire was all powerful. Whoever got in the way anywhere in the world would be crush by the might of Roma. The wealth of the other civilizations was taken then destroyed for the glory of Roma. This is a fact that the Roman Empire was unable to be stopped, but the one thing that always stops civilizations and causes them to fall is time.

            “The rise of a city, which swelled into an empire, may deserve, as a singular prodigy, the reflection of a philosophic mind. But the decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness” (Gibbon, 1776). This is another reason assisting in explaining why the Roman Empire did not evolve but breakdown. It had too much power. The Romans may have been wise, and strong, but all of that land that influential could not be controlled by one nation for long. Eventually people would want that power and rise up against it. When that happened they fought like warriors but when the brunt of the world was bearing down against their civilization, there is nothing they could do but fall.

            “Beyond the Rhine and Danube the northern countries of Europe and Asia were filled with innumerable tribes of hunters and shepherds, poor, voracious, and turbulent; bold in arms, and impatient to ravish the fruits of industry; The barbarian world was agitated by the rapid impulse of war; and the peace of Gaul or Italy was shaken by the distant revolutions of China; the Huns, who fled before a victorious enemy, directed their march towards the West; and the torrent was swelled by the gradual accession of captives and allies; the flying tribes who yielded to the Huns assumed in their turn the spirit of conquest; the endless column of barbarians pressed on the Roman Empire with accumulated weight; and, if the foremost were destroyed, the vacant space was instantly replenished by new assailants” (Gibbon, 1776). This particularly long quote is telling of the final acts against the Roman Empire that caused it to fall. It was attacked by barbarians and the Huns until it finally collapsed under the equal weight of its foe. They were attacked again and again by the enemy and even if the wave of attackers was defeated it would be replaced by another almost as quickly as it had been destroyed. The Roman Empire, so powerful, could not have taken on the constant onslaught for long so it had nothing to do, but collapse.  

            The Roman Empire; dominant, unstoppable, and sagacious, could have ruled for longer but, the thing that stops empires is much stronger; time. The Romans did not evolve, they fell, but they fell with pride. They fought till the end, and lost. They may have lost, but people still remember their power today.  The greatness and the glory was so overpowering that they did not become some other civilization over the course of hundreds of years; they were born Roman and they fell being Roman.

Fig. 1

Bibliography

Gibbon, E. (1776). Edward gibbon, the decline and fall of the roman empire (1776-1788). Retrieved from http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/gibbon_decline.html

Ефрон, E. (Photographer). (1900). Roman emperor map . [Web]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_Emperor_map.jpg?uselang=en-gb

Weekly 7 Rough Draft

Konnor Drewen

4/12/011

Did the Roman Empire 'decline and fall' or did it evolve into something new?

            The Roman Empire was a powerful and omnipotent creature in its time. The Romans controlled most of the world; from Italy west, and Greece east.  There was not much in the world that could stop the force that was the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, that is the problem with huge, powerful civilizations; something with that much power will inevitably fall. It is the natural effect of excessive enormity. The Roman Empire is a perfect example of a world controlling nation, and as history teaches us world controlling nations will unavoidably decline and fall.    The Roman Empire evolved because there are symbols of them all over Europe still today.

            Edward Gibbon said, “The arms of the republic, sometimes vanquished in battle, always victorious in war, advanced with rapid steps to the Euphrates, the Danube, the Rhine, and the Ocean; and the images of gold, or silver, or brass, that might serve to represent the nations and their kings, were successively broken by the iron monarchy of Rome” (Gibbon, 1776). The reason this quote was used was to prove that the Roman Empire was all powerful. Whoever got in the way anywhere in the world would be crush by the might of Roma. The wealth of the other civilizations was taken then destroyed for the glory of Roma. This is a fact that the Roman Empire was unable to be stopped, but the one thing that always stops civilizations and causes them to fall is time.

            “The rise of a city, which swelled into an empire, may deserve, as a singular prodigy, the reflection of a philosophic mind. But the decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness” (Gibbon, 1776). This is another reason assisting in explaining why the Roman Empire did not evolve but breakdown. It had too much power. The Romans may have been wise, and strong, but all of that land that influential could not be controlled by one nation for long. Eventually people would want that power and rise up against it. When that happened they fought like warriors but when the brunt of the world was bearing down against their civilization, there is nothing they could do but fall.

            “Beyond the Rhine and Danube the northern countries of Europe and Asia were filled with innumerable tribes of hunters and shepherds, poor, voracious, and turbulent; bold in arms, and impatient to ravish the fruits of industry; The barbarian world was agitated by the rapid impulse of war; and the peace of Gaul or Italy was shaken by the distant revolutions of China; the Huns, who fled before a victorious enemy, directed their march towards the West; and the torrent was swelled by the gradual accession of captives and allies; the flying tribes who yielded to the Huns assumed in their turn the spirit of conquest; the endless column of barbarians pressed on the Roman Empire with accumulated weight; and, if the foremost were destroyed, the vacant space was instantly replenished by new assailants” (Gibbon, 1776). This particularly long quote is telling of the final acts against the Roman Empire that caused it to fall. It was attacked by barbarians and the Huns until it finally collapsed under the equal weight of its foe. They were attacked again and again by the enemy and even if the wave of attackers was defeated it would be replaced by another almost as quickly as it had been destroyed. The Roman Empire, so powerful, could not have taken on the constant onslaught for long so it had nothing to do, but collapse.  

            The Roman Empire; dominant, unstoppable, and sagacious, could have ruled for longer but, the thing that stops empires is much stronger; time. The Romans did not evolve, they fell, but they fell with pride. They fought till the end, and lost. They may have lost, but people still remember their power today.  The greatness and the glory was so overpowering that they did not become some other civilization over the course of hundreds of years; they were born Roman and they fell being Roman.