...paper is an analysis of two separate essays, one written by MichaelRostovtzeff and another written by Henri Pirenne, both major historical authorities of the19 th century. The essays themselves are two perspectives on the transitional period between late antiquity and the early middle ages. An in-depth look into the historicalmaterial that these two arguments discuss can provide a greater depth of understanding of the transitional period.The main idea of Michael Rostovtzeff’s essay, The Decay of Ancient Civilization ,argues that the decline and fall of the Roman Empire was due to a gradual barbarizationof the Empire from within, most notably in the west. It further stresses that the Greco-Roman assimilative elements that unified Roman society had slowly debilitated to anineffective state. This coupled with steady levelling down of the standards contributed tothe acceleration of barbarization in the cities. The process according to Rostovtzeff hadto do with two features of the period: “the political, social, and economic on the onehand, and the intellectual and spiritual on the other.” 1 On the political side of thingsRostovtzeff discusses the rise of the Germanic ruling classes and the resulting barbarization of government and the aristocracy. On the economic and social sphere therewas a decline and “gradual relapse of the ancient world to very primitive forms” of economy and social stratification. Intellectually and spiritually the empire was alsoaffected argues Rostovtzeff...
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...THE FATE OF EMPIRES and SEARCH FOR SURVIVAL Sir John Glubb John Bagot Glubb was born in 1897, his father being a regular officer in the Royal Engineers. At the age of four he left England for Mauritius, where his father was posted for a three-year tour of duty. At the age of ten he was sent to school for a year in Switzerland. These youthful travels may have opened his mind to the outside world at an early age. He entered the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich in September 1914, and was commissioned in the Royal Engineers in April 1915. He served throughout the first World War in France and Belgium, being wounded three times and awarded the Military Cross. In 1920 he volunteered for service in Iraq, as a regular officer, but in 1926 resigned his commission and accepted an administrative post under the Iraq Government. In 1930, however, he signed a contract to serve the Transjordan Government (now Jordan). From 1939 to 1956 he commanded the famous Jordan Arab Legion, which was in reality the Jordan Army. Since his retirement he has published seventeen books, chiefly on the Middle East, and has lectured widely in Britain, the United States and Europe. William Blackwood & Sons Ltd 32 Thistle Street Edinburgh EH1 1HA Scotland © J. B. G. Ltd, 1976, 1977 ISBN 0 85158 127 7 Printed at the Press of the Publisher Introduction As we pass through life, we learn by experience. We look back on our behaviour when we were young and think how foolish we were. In the same way our family...
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...THE RISE OF THE PAPACY Presented to Professor G. Johnson For CHHI 301-D06 LUO By Dana Peebles August 2, 2015 Introduction During the 6th century, the rise of the Roman Catholic Church increased in power. With the leadership of the papacy, this endured up until the 9th century. While there were both positive and negative ramifications of this reality, the biggest is the influence of papal authority and the effect that it had over Christianity. The collapse of the Roman Empire brought order to not only orthodoxy, but also the government. Throughout this essay, it is my desire to touch on these areas. In addition, I will also discuss some of the contributing factors to the dominion of Western Europe and what happened up until the Reformation. The effect of the barbarian invasion and the continuation of Western Civilization during the Middle Ages, is truly a time within history that impacts the church and its association with supremacy. The How And Why Of The Papacy And The Power It Had In understanding the significance of the papacy and the power it had, it only makes sense to begin with a good solid definition of it. “The term pappa, from which the word “pope” is derived, originated in ancient colloquial Greek as an endearing term for “father,’ and was then applied, beginning in the third century, to Eastern patriarchs, bishops, abbots, and eventually parish priests.” [1]. Throughout Rome and the Western part of the Empire, this term “became...
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...ESSAY “IDEOLOGY OF NOVITAS” OF CATO THE ELDER AND GAIUS MARIUS The ancient Romans valued military and political achievement above all else, their customs, traditions and reference of ancestors revolved around it. All men strife to be worthy of their country and family in military and political accomplishment, the power of these achievement not only illuminated the individual, but reflected glory upon descendants. The Romans were govern by the ruling patrician class of nobles, who occupied much of the senate. In exceptional circumstances, there were men of outstanding reputation, military and political achievement who were elected by the people to join the ruling class, this men were known as ‘novus homo’ or new men. This men were the first in their family to rise to high office, through their own effort, therefore ennobled their family forever. Patronage with successful and powerful families and alliances through marriage is essential for this new men. The Romans were in the habits of describing new men, they look up to them. Cato the elder and Gaius Marius were an ambitious ‘novus homo’. Both were born into plebeian’s family with no distinction. They rose to high office through their obvious talents such as strength of characters, discipline, an effective orator, possess great endurance, fearlessness, frugal, hard worker, opponent of the senate in the interest of the common people, formidable general and eagerness to prove themselves worthy. Both were loved by the common...
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...respected the Buddhist religion (Doc 7). Zong Mi was a Buddhist scholar whom the Tang imperial household favored. In his essay, “On the Nature of Man,” he advocates for the Buddhist religion by arguing that the teachings of Buddha are similar to the teachings of other well-respected sages, such as Confucius and Laozi, and that these teachings synthesize the foundation for an orderly society. This source is credible because Zong Mi has studied other religions and philosophies and after doing so he still accepts Buddhism (POV for doc 5). An anonymous Chinese scholar analyzes the major issues people had with the teachings of the Buddha, such as how Confucius never mentions the Buddha, which raises questions about the validity of Buddha, and whether the practices of Buddhism are realistic because the joys of life during the sixth century C.E. come from family and wealth and Buddhists monks practice celibacy and a simple lifestyle. This source is credible because this scholar is not a scholar of a specific religion or philosophy, rather a scholar of religion and...
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...AP World History Survival Guide Name ________________________________ Teacher __________________________ Block _________________ Table of Contents | Pages | AP World History Overview | 3 – 7 | The AP Exam | 3 | World Regions | 4 – 5 | Five Course Themes | 6 | Four Historical Thinking Skills | 7 | Essays Overview | 8 - 15 | Document-based Question (DBQ) | 8 – 12 | Change and Continuity over Time (CCOT) | 13 – 15 | Comparative Essay | 16 – 18 | Released Free Response Questions | 19 – 20 | AP Curriculum Framework | 21 – 38 | Period 1 (Up to 600 B.C.E.)—5% | 21 – 22 | Period 2 (600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.)—15% | 23 – 25 | Period 3 (600 to 1450)—20% | 26 – 28 | Period 4 (1450 to 1750)—20% | 29 – 31 | Period 5 (1750 to 1900)—20% | 32 – 35 | Period 6 (1900 to the present)—20% | 36 – 38 | Help with Some Confusing Subjects | 39 – 43 | Chinese Dynasties | 39 | Political, Economic, and Social Systems | 40 | Religions | 41 | Primary Sources | 42 | “Must Know” Years | 43 | * Many of the guidelines in this study packet are adapted from the AP World History Course Description, developed by College Board. The AP Exam Purchasing and taking the AP World History exam are requirements of the course. This year, the AP World History exam will be administered on: ___________________________________________ Format I. Multiple...
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...AP World History Survival Guide Name ________________________________ Teacher __________________________ Block _________________ Table of Contents | Pages | AP World History Overview | 3 – 7 | The AP Exam | 3 | World Regions | 4 – 5 | Five Course Themes | 6 | Four Historical Thinking Skills | 7 | Essays Overview | 8 - 15 | Document-based Question (DBQ) | 8 – 12 | Change and Continuity over Time (CCOT) | 13 – 15 | Comparative Essay | 16 – 18 | Released Free Response Questions | 19 – 20 | AP Curriculum Framework | 21 – 38 | Period 1 (Up to 600 B.C.E.)—5% | 21 – 22 | Period 2 (600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.)—15% | 23 – 25 | Period 3 (600 to 1450)—20% | 26 – 28 | Period 4 (1450 to 1750)—20% | 29 – 31 | Period 5 (1750 to 1900)—20% | 32 – 35 | Period 6 (1900 to the present)—20% | 36 – 38 | Help with Some Confusing Subjects | 39 – 43 | Chinese Dynasties | 39 | Political, Economic, and Social Systems | 40 | Religions | 41 | Primary Sources | 42 | “Must Know” Years | 43 | * Many of the guidelines in this study packet are adapted from the AP World History Course Description, developed by College Board. The AP Exam Purchasing and taking the AP World History exam are requirements of the course. This year, the AP World History exam will be administered on: ___________________________________________ Format I. Multiple...
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...Informative Essay Eng. 112 AUG 24, 2011 Rome: A City Drenched in Ruin and Splendor “Ah! The aroma of ‘Roma-the Eternal City!” Rome, known as the Eternal City even among the ancient Romans themselves, was so called because the Roman people thought that no matter what happened to the world, no matter how many other empires might rise and fall, Rome would go on forever (4Information.com). Indeed, Rome is over three thousand years old and has been the center of the universe for most of those years; it is also the home to the Pope where he is known as the “Bishop of Rome.” “For those who have visited her, it is unquestionably the most magnificent city in the world. Like the memory of a lost love, she will haunt you, stealing your senses one by one while hastening your return. For those who have not yet experienced her magic, the thrill awaits… (Roman Homes Website)” Rome is one of the most ancient and mystifying cities, full of majesty and splendor because it is a place of myth, antiquity, and spectacle. Rome is a city full of legend, history, and wonder. Its history includes classical myths of vengeful gods, blatant foolishness of Roman emperors, Bacchanalian excess around Renaissance courts while fast-forwarding to pompous Fascism during the reign of Mussolini in the twentieth century. Emperors, Popes and dictators have been at the forefront of domestic and international battles as they stamped out heresies while crushing infiltrating foes. As legend goes, Rome...
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...World History Dr. Mahdavi History 101 Fall 2012 Study Guide For Mid-Term Examination The examination will consist of 5 essay questions of which one is mandatory to write upon (40 points). You may choose any other two to write about (30 points each) for a total of 100 points 93 - 100 A 73 - 76 C 90 - 92 A- 70 - 72 C- 87 - 89 B+ 67 - 69 D+ 83 - 86 B 63 - 66 D 80 - 82 B- 60 - 62 D- 77 - 79 C+ 59 or below F=0 In reviewing for the examination, focus your study on the following general topics: 1) 1.Examine the centralizing efforts in countries like France, Spain, and England. How and in what ways were they successful? Why was the Holy Roman Empire not as successful as other European states in centralizing power? 1. 2) Examine the career of Martin Luther. 1:What were the foundations of his Reformation? 2: What legacy did he leave Europe? (Bentley & Zeigler, Chap. 23) A: 1: POLITICAL INTRIGUES, COMBINED WITH THE CHURCH’S GROWING WEALTH AND POWER, ALSO FOSTERED GREED AND CORRUPTION, WHICH UNDERMINED THE CHURCH’S SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY AND MADE IT VALNERABLE TO CRITISISM. 2: IT LED TO THE CHURCH REFORM ALONG TO LUTHERS TEACHINGS, WHICH MANY CITIES PASSED LAWS PROHIBITING ROMAN CATHOLIC OBSERVANCES AND REQUIRING RELIGIOUS SERVICES TO FOLLOW PROTESTANT DOCTRINE AND PROCEDURE. 3) Learn about the Scientific Revolution and 1:why the early discoveries of the Scientific Revolution met with such resistance? 2:...
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...was a. his excommunication from the Roman Catholic church. b. the sale of indulgences. c. his time spent in England during the English Reformation. d. the turmoil caused by having two popes during the Great Schism. e. the influence of John Calvin. 2. The author of the Ninety-Five Theses was a. John Calvin. b. Erasmus. c. Voltaire. d. Martin Luther. e. Henry VIII. 3. The Catholic church dramatically pushed the sale of indulgences in the sixteenth century because of the a. need to match the resurgence of the Byzantine empire. b. threat posed by Islam. c. need for Henry VIII to pay off the national debt. d. expense associated with translating original Greek classics. e. need to raise funds for the construction of St. Peter’s basilica. 4. Which one of the following was not one of Luther’s problems with the Roman Catholic church? a. the selling of indulgences b. pluralism c. absenteeism d. the immense wealth of the Catholic church e. the church’s decision to translate the Bible into vernacular languages 5. Who said, “I cannot and will not recant anything, for it is neither safe nor right to act against one’s conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other.”? a. Martin Luther b. Jesus c. John Calvin d. Sima Qian e. Henry VIII 6. In the centuries following the fall of Rome, the only unifying force for all of Europe was a. the Byzantine empire. b. the Holy Roman empire. c. the Catholic church. d. the...
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...HUM 1000: WORLD CIVILIZATIONS NOTES BY DR. KAKAI P.W THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF CIVILIZATION IN AFRICA Definition of key terms As we begin this course, it is crucial to first discuss our understanding of the concept ‘civilization’. This is a comparative term which is usually applied in comparison to such words as ‘barbarian’ ‘savage’ and ‘primitive’. In classical antiquity the Europeans used the word ‘barbarian’ to refer to a foreigner who was regarded as inferior (Ogutu and Kenyanchui, An Introduction To African History, 1991 p33). Do you think this is still the way we use the word barbarian? The Latin speakers referred to hunters, food-gatherers as savage. In the 17th century this term ‘savage’ referred to a person without art, literacy, or society who lived in fear of existence and death. ‘Primitive’ on the other hand, in Latin meant ‘the first or original’. Europeans used these words interchangeably when referring to non-Europeans while the word civilization was preserved to describe historical developments of European people (ibid). Now the term civilization is no longer confined to the above development but also extends reference to non-European communities. Attributes of civilization includes observance to law, belonging to an organized society, having a society of literate people with advanced developments in urbanization, agriculture, commerce, arts and technology. The French thinkers of the 18th century referred to a person of the arts and literature...
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...is the term commonly used to describe the artistic products of the Eastern Roman Empire from about the 5th century until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. (The Roman Empire during this period is conventionally known as the Byzantine Empire.) The term can also be used for the art of states which were contemporary with the Byzantine Empire and shared a common culture with it, without actually being part of it, such as Bulgaria, Serbia or Russia, and also Venice, which had close ties to the Byzantine Empire despite being in other respects part of western European culture. It can also be used for the art of peoples of the former Byzantine Empire under the rule of the Ottoman Empire after 1453. In some respects the Byzantine artistic tradition has continued in Greece, Russia and other Eastern Orthodox countries to the present day. The finest work, the most elegant, and the most accomplished technically, was, naturally enough, associated with the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, which was the very hub of the civilized world from the foundation of the city as capital around 330 till its conquest by the Turks in 1453. But there were other great centers too. In Rome, Milan, Ravenna, and elsewhere in the West works of the greatest importance that were in no way provincial were executed in the early years of Christendom, though little of quality was produced there that belongs to the period covered by this essay. In Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and elsewhere in the East a great deal...
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...persecuted in many areas. In the 4th century, Roman emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made it legal. 2. In the 3rd century, Rome lost up to 1/3 of its population due to natural disasters like famine and disease. In 1346-52, the Black Death claimed 1/3 of the population of Europe, Asia, and Africa. 3. In 1st-2nd century Rome, the basic principles of law were established that would be used by nearly every western system of law after: innocent until proven guilty, right to defend yourself in front of a judge, and the judge had to research all evidence carefully before making a verdict. 4. In Classical Greece (480-330 BC), homosexuality was widely practiced and accepted....
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...Russell Ellis Simerly III AP European History Chapter 17—The Age of Enlightenment: Eighteenth Century Thought Chapter Overview: The Enlightenment is a movement of people and ideas that fostered the expansion of literate sectors of European society and that economic improvement and political reform were both possible and desirable. Contemporary western political and economic thought is a product of Enlightenment thinking; therefore, some historians believe the process of Enlightenment continues today. Inspired by the scientific revolution and prepared to challenge traditional intellectual and theological authority, Enlightenment writers believed that human beings can comprehend the operation of physical nature and mold it to achieve material and moral improvement, economic growth, and administrative reform. Enlightenment intellectuals advocated agricultural improvement, commercial society, expanding consumption, and the application of innovative rational methods to traditional social and economic practices. The spirit of innovation and improvement came to characterize modern Europe and Western society. Politically, the Enlightenment had a direct impact on some rulers--in eastern and central Europe—whose policies came to be known as enlightened absolutism. Section One: Formative Influences of the Enlightenment Section Overview Chief factors that fostered the ideas of the Enlightenment The Newtonian worldview the political stability and...
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...punishment and grace worked out through the execution of the innocent, divine victim in place of a rightly condemned humanity provides the essential sum of Christianity itself. This theology is composed of many elements in scripture and tradition -- references to Jesus’ death as a sacrifice, ideas of redemptive suffering, and a deep tradition of eucharistic remembrance that Jesus died "for us." These elements appear in all branches and eras of Christian tradition. But the organization of them into a complete substitutionary view of the atonement is much less universal, Such a view has never been prominent in the Eastern Christian church, and it was not the dominant view in the Western church for the first half of its history. Many think the rise of atonement theology represented a terrible wrong turn, plunging Christian spirituality into a...
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