Free Essay

Time Traveling Historian

In:

Submitted By ginayork922
Words 2009
Pages 9
Time Traveling Historian
Gina York
HUM/205
October 14, 2012
William Devine

Time Traveling Historian
As a child I often pondered what it would have been like to live in another time. A time far removed from the time I currently lived in. Would it have been as exciting to live in then as I imagined it to be in my head and would it look anything remotely like I had envisioned it in my “mind’s eye”? In order for me to finally realize my childhood dream I decided to take it upon myself to build a time machine. The question is once I got the time machine built, where would it take me? Would I go back into the past or go forward into the future? I decided that I would choose to go back into the past simply because the future is still open for change but the past has been written; but as an author I was curious to know, had the past been written accurately? I decided that this would be my task. I will travel back in time to verify that what I read in my humanities books was correct.
I have tasked myself with a formidable question. What point in time do I want to travel to? How hard it will be to make that decision. Indeed, making the choice turned out to be difficult, but I came to the conclusion that the period I chose to travel back to must have some type of cultural or artistic significance. Of course any given time period produced some kind of cultural or artistic significance. My dilemma was finally resolved when I came to the conclusion that I would simply start the time machine and let the timer start counting backward and with my eyes closed I would just hit the stop button and there is where my adventure would commence. So, with eyes closed, the journey began---
Hellenistic Greece
The counter on the time machines stops and it reads 323 B.C. Thankfully I remembered to bring a history book with me and if my history serves me correctly, this was also about the time that Alexander the Great had died and that meant that I have traveled to the beginning of the Hellenistic Greece time period. This period had enormous amounts of historical benefit to culture and the arts. As I made my way through the city I believed to be Pergamon, I marveled at the beauty of the sculptures that adorned the architecture. “This Hellenistic city was grand in vision, designed on a large scale and embellished with a profusion of ornament” (Benton & DiYanni, 2008, p. 86). The 400 hundred feet long relief sculptures of the “Battle of the Gods and the Giants” on sides of the podium of the “Alter of Zeus” at Pergamon which would be celebrated for millennia to come.
As I made my way through the narrow city streets, I came upon another addition to the grand friezes’ of Hellenistic Greece, and that was of “Gandhara”. I stepped into an alley way so as not to attract too much attention to myself as I looked through my history book to find the chapter on the Trojan horse. The Gandhara frieze depicts the prophetess Cassandra and the priest Lancoön as they block the entry into Troy (Benton & DiYanni, 2008, p. 89). The sheer size of this relief sculpture is amazing in itself. How much time must it have taken to create these works of art with what I considered to be crudely made tools? Albeit they were most likely to be current with the tools of the sculpting trade back in 323 B.C. The quality of the craftsmanship was sure to stand the test of time.
The sun was beginning to set as sat quietly scribbling down as many notes as I could before I would have to turn around and retrace my steps to go back to my time machine. I found myself ready for my next adventure. Where would the next spin of the counter take me? Perhaps I would go to see the Great Wall of China or maybe I would get the view the beauty of the stained-glass windows of the Romanesque Cathedrals of the Late Middle Ages. What I did know was that I would not get to see anything if I did not start the counter. I closed my eyes for only what seemed to be just a moment or two before I hit the counter again to stop the time machine. I was ready for my next adventure.
The Early 20th Century
The counter on the time machine read 1907. From the looks of the city streets and the signs that hung above the doors of the buildings, I could tell exactly where I was. Paris, France. I could feel the anticipation welling up inside of me that very moment! I was going to experience, first hand, my favorite artistic styles. Of course I am referring to the “avant-garde movement known as the “isms”, or more specifically, fauvism, cubism, futurism, and expressionism. If I had to define what “isms” are, I would say that they are an art movement or a type or style of art. “A specific common philosophy or goal generally started by one person and then followed by a group of artists of that time and often duplicated by others in during a later time” (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 2012, para 1). I was regretful that I arrived after the “Fauvism” period. “Fauvism” was a named coined for paintings with wild brush strokes and no particular pallet of colors. Artists such and Matisse and Rouault had certainly shown their art for the first time in the “Salons” of Paris. However, I did stop in the timeline that would allow me to view “Cubism” as it was in its infancy. I immediately began to look for a “Salon” or more commonly known in my time period as an art gallery so that I could view first hand, what I knew in the future, would be considered to be priceless works of art.
I opened my history book to the early 20th century and read about “Cubism” and how “Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque painted specific shapes and characteristic details that would represent the whole object or person” (Gersh-Nesic, 2012). As I made notes into my journal, I felt a bit of sorrow that I could not view them all. I commented briefly on the “Futurism” style which began in Italy many years later than the time period I was currently in. This style was created by the poet Filippo Marinetti who created and published the “Manifesto of Futurism”. The manifesto outlines a pledge that all “Futurists” would follow.
“Sing the love of danger,” to “affirm that the world’s magnificence has been enriched by a new beauty, the beauty of speed” to “glorify war—the world’s only hygiene,” to “destroy the museums, libraries, and academies of every kind,” and, finally, to “sing of great crowds excited to work, by pleasure, and by riot” (Benton & DiYanni, 2008, p. 543).
This style confused me but I certainly appreciated the art and the cultural impact it created.
The final style of the”isms” I wrote in my journal about during my stop in 1907 was about “Expressionism”, “German Expressionism” to be more precise. This style was the last of the pre-war artistic movements considered to be “avant-garde”. “Expressionism” was best known for its “liberation of colors and the celebration of sexuality (Benton & DiYanni, 2008, p. 545). As I glanced at my watch I knew that it was time to take my leave of this extraordinary place and point in time. One more turn of the clock to go---
The Late 20th Century
The final and last stop of my time traveling journey was not what I had expected but welcomed none-the-less. I had landed exactly where my interest in this time traveling journey had begun, during the late 20th century. It was 1965 to be exact. I was a merely young child of ten years; but the desire to know about the past had been proclaimed. My interest was only of general knowledge at that point. Many things were going on during this time. The Vietnam War was still raging on and after much civil unrest; the African-American Civil Rights movement was finally beginning to become realized with the Voter’s Rights Act. In addition, feminist and anti-war movements were increasing, just to name a few points
Even though I had become interested in the arts and cultures of the past, it wasn’t until much later that I had settled upon a particular interest. “Pop Culture” as it had become to be known, was not so much any particular style, but it was most definitely a term that covered many genres of art, styles and cultures. To understand “Pop Culture” one must look at examples of what this style refers to. As defined, “Pop Culture” is “commercial culture based on popular taste” (HighBeam™ Research, Inc, 2012). However, popular taste in 1965 was subjective and encompassed many, many things. The music of this time was a prime example of the phenomenon of the pop culture movement. A musical event called “Woodstock” would come to be known as. “…one of the most significant concerts in rock history" (Yahoo new network, 2012, para. 1). Other things commonly referred to as “Pop Culture” during this timeline included fashion styles such as bell-bottoms and the mini-skirt. Lest we forget the television shows we loved to watch like, “I Dream of Jeannie” and “Green Acres”. Both of which are still playing 47 years later! 1965 also gave us the first “walk in space” by a Russian Cosmonaut. Pop culture affected us as it began and will continue to for years to come.
Before I completed my time here in the late 20th century I wrote in my journal the following message, “I have decided that ‘pop culture’ has most definitely turned out to be the most enlightening time I have experienced during my time traveling journey. However, as a whole, I have seen many fantastic things and examples of art and the cultural events that were inspired by them, such as the relief sculptures in Hellenistic Greece. I was able to gaze upon the artworks of famed fauvists, Matisse and Rouault. I have also witnessed the infancy of Picasso’s “Cubism” style”. I was not fortunate enough to view the “Expressionism” style but it appears to be the freest of all ‘isms’ that I have studied to date. I further notated, “While ‘Futurism’ may never be my desired choice or style, I can certainly appreciate the vision of the artist”.
As I set the date to return to my own time and make one last press of the counter button, I truly wish I had created my time machine with the capability to travel to more places. To visit and view other cultures would be another dream come true! Perhaps someday I will develop another time machine. However, next time I believe I will visit the future. Who knows what affects the past and the present have made on the arts and the cultures of the future? Of course, if there is a way, I will find out. Let the next journey begin---

References
Benton, J. R., & DiYanni, R. (2008). Arts and Culture: An Introduction to the Hummanities
(3rd ed.). Upper Saddle, NJ: Pearson.
Gersh-Nesic, B. (2012). Art history definition: analytic cubism. Retrieved from about.com: http://arthistory.about.com/od/glossary_a/a/a_analytic_cubism.htm HighBeam™ Research, Inc. (2012). Pop culture. Retrieved from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-popculture.html
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2012). Art movement. Retrieved from wikipedia.com: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_movement
Yahoo new network. (2012). The history and legacy of woodstock. Retrieved from Yahoo.voices: http://voices.yahoo.com/the-history-legacy-woodstock-4115845.html?cat=40

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Time Traveling, Art Historian

...I have had the greatest adventure traveling back in time visiting a few periods in history and I want to share my experiences with everyone. The first period I visited was the Egyptian Civilization, particularly the period of The Great Pyramids. After that I traveled to central Italy for a look at the Roman Civilization wanting to learn about the Etruscans and see the Tomb of the Reliefs. Finally I traveled to Milan during the Italian Renaissance to see the painting of The Last Supper by Leonardo de Vinci. Egypt is bustling during this period in time as the people are building The Great Pyramid for their Pharaoh and divine ruler Cheops. Cheops is the second Pharaoh of the fourth dynasty of Egypt and rules a unified country along with relatives and administrators. He is also the Pharaoh that commissioned the building of The Great Pyramid, which would become one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Great Pyramid is built as a tomb from which Cheops or his spirit will ascend to the heavens and the sun God RA, who is believed to be the father of all things. The Egyptians believed that their body goes on in an afterlife. To the Egyptians the afterlife is a culmination of their lives work. The Pharaohs strive for a good afterlife and all of the people of the Pharaoh’s dynasty strive for and work toward that same goal. Part of what makes this civilization and culture so productive is the way they work for the unified causes of pleasing the Gods and having a good afterlife...

Words: 1757 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Governor Meriwether Lewis Research Paper

...Governor Meriwether Lewis died on October 11th, 1809. The death of Meriwether Lewis isn’t your ordinary everyday death. Many historians believe he committed suicide. Other historians believe he was murdered. I, myself, believe he was murdered. How could it possibly be difficult to tell the difference between a murder and a suicidal case? The document “Mysterious Death of Meriwether Lewis” states Meriwether Lewis was 32 years old when he came back from the expedition he is most well-known for. Lewis was an extreme outdoorsman. When President Thomas Jefferson appointed him to be the Governor of the Upper Louisiana Territory, he was very grateful, but it wasn’t the job meant for him. Close friends stated he was having a drinking problem, due to a hard time adjusting. In addition, the document also explained he had problems with the new Secretary of War. William Eustis...

Words: 1392 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Zanzibar Research Paper

...Zanzibar is a beautiful series of islands located in the Indian Ocean off the Coast of Tanzania in Africa. It consist of two main Islands, Pemba and Unguja, and 34 smaller islands and islets. Traveling to Zanzibar can be a rewarding and memorable experience and there is heap of information available that allows one to learn prior to traveling there! In this paper I will delve into everything from this land’s rich culture and history to its unique medical needs. Unguja is the local name for what is internationally known as Zanzibar Island. The Unguja and Pemba Islands are a huge tourist attractions thanks to their beautiful sandy beaches, plethora of wildlife, and historian loved destinations. Zanzibar is home to many unique and interesting creatures. It hosts 23 species of bats, which although at times terrifying, are responsible for the pollination of the gorgeous fruit trees found among the islands. The tropical weather of the islands has allowed for it’s local species to grow larger than...

Words: 590 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Walker

...was always being offended so he left Wilmington between 1815 and 1820. He then traveled the country spending time in Charleston, South Carolina, which had a large population of free African Americans and then he settled in Boston by 1825. In 1829 Walker published a pamphlet entitled. Walker's Appeal which had 4 parts titled: Together with a Preamble, to the Colored Citizens of the World, but in Particular Those of the United States of America. In his appeal Walker used example within the Bible and the Declaration of Independence to argue against slavery and also discrimination .Two more editions of Walker's Appeal were printed in 1830 Walker distributed the Appeal through friends and contacts traveling to the South who carried copies with them. He also send copies through the regular mail. David Walker even taught thousands of slaves how to read and write. During that time it was a crime to teach African Americans how to read; Southern authorities were alarmed by the Appeal, and did everything in their power to suppress it. In its pages, Walker describes the terrible cruelty and unchristian nature of slavery with a lot of intensity which no one ever heard before. Many historians said: Walker’s Appeal is the first sustained written assault upon slavery and racism to come from a black man in the United States. This was the main source of its overwhelming power in its own time; this is the source of enormous impact that remains in it.Never before or since...

Words: 809 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Jesus and Mohammed

...Reviewing such topics such as history including their deaths, how they are worshiped and last but not least how people are reacting to the past in relation to Jesus and Mohammed currently. Allowing time to explore and compare/contrast the various religions that derives in part from Jesus and Mohammed can be confusing, thrilling, and entertaining. Tracing the lives of Jesus and Mohammed historically can be challenging due to the fact that there are some scientist that post relatively strong arguments that there is very little historical proof of the life of Jesus outside of the Bible, and Mohammed beyond word of mouth transfer via the Quran. Although and despite the gaining evidence which disputes the factual proof against either of these prophets/son of God being legitimate, the evidence. shreds of evidence that is for Jesus and Mohammed is also evident. Some of the facts relating to Jesus historically include the Jewish historian Josephus who was born in approximately 37 CE, notice the “CE” because at this point cultures had not begun using BC and or AC. Josephus was caught and held capture by the Romans and at that time had wrote very in depth about details concerning Jewish history and it was these writings that have indeed been confirmed by archaeological discoveries. This Jewish historian, Josephus, made two brief references to Jesus that may or may not have been given a positive point of view by current following Christian copy...

Words: 1751 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Call Of The Wild Research Paper

...history, writers have often used their surroundings as subjects. They tend to capture the life around them and incorporate it into their work. Many authors, such as Jack London, write prolifically and never cease to depict their experiences. The Call of the Wild is an example of one of these prolific works. Jack London illustrates his life experiences and the history surrounding him in The Call of the Wild, all while using elements of realism to highlight the sense of believability. In the 1890s, the time period in which The Call of the Wild is set, many movements were were going on throughout America. The most monumental of these movements was the Gold Rush. According to Charlotte Gray, a historian about the Gold Rush, America had just survived a depression and many were rendered poor. The poor Americans went west in hopes of finding...

Words: 1767 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

President T. Jefferson's Response To 'Manifest Destiny'

...These were avoidable, thus, the federal government developed strongly pro-settler Indian policies. As time went on, new territories became states, creating further political and sectional tensions as plans for the development of these new states were put forward. The Monroe Doctrine, passed by President Monroe, modified the definition of the “frontier” and the concept of “Manifest Destiny” emphasized America’s sense of its mission in the world. By 1844, the politics of frontier expansion caused a war with Mexico which helped decide a presidential election. After the civil war, the...

Words: 887 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Alexander The Great Interview Essay

...Alexander the Great interview - Yr7 History - Mr Southcombe By Ella Vartazarian and George Barbas INTERVIEW: Interview between Alexander the Great and interviewer: Alexander the Great: George Interviewer: Ella Ella: Today, we have a very special visitor in our studio. Please welcome Alexander the Great. Thank you for taking time out of your extremely busy day to come and answer some questions for us. George: Thank you. You are right, I am quite busy but I am happy to take out some time to answer some questions for you. Ella: As you probably know, there has been an argument over the years by historians, debating wether you deserve to be called ‘The Great’. In your instance, you were born, destined for greatness. Could you please give us reasoning as to why historians state that you were destined for greatness from birth?...

Words: 1259 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

The Cause Of Meriwether Lewis's Death

...There is a big question of how did the great outdoors man, Meriwether Lewis die? Well many historians and forensic have debated this over the years. Others have tried to prove their theory like I am now. Some believe that it was murder while others believe it was suicide. I believe the cause of Meriwether Lewis's death was murder. Lewis was on his way to Washington to work on the publication of his journals. In the Letter to Jefferson written by Neelly it states that Lewis did not want his papers to fall into the British hands so he changed his route. This shows how important this papers where to Lewis. No one ever kills themselves when they feel as if they are playing an important role in something. Lewis was on a mission to get these papers...

Words: 362 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Reconstruction and the West

...the plains states, confrontations with Native Americans was inevitable, due to their nomadic nature. The Homestead Act of 1862 opened the way for Americans looking for a fresh start after the Civil War, giving 160 acres to families that took part. With these homesteads came farms, livestock, modernization and fences. The idea of cordoning off a section of land was an unheard of concept for Native Americans. According to "Native American Indian Facts" (2014), “Many of the tribes of the Great Plains were nomadic and followed the buffalo migrations which provided their food. These tribes spent a good part of the year living in camps that could easily be dismantled and moved to follow the buffalo migrations”. The Native Americans had been traveling the plains in search of food for generations before settlers even ventured west. When these nomadic Indians came across these fences in their nomadic pursuit of food, they were ignored which led to confrontations with farmers. The transcontinental railroad had a significant impact with Native Americans and the decline of the nomadic way of life. According to "American Experience" (2014),” it was an irrevocable marker of encroaching white society, that unstoppable force which would force Indians onto reservations within decades". Modern technology of the era far surpassed Native Americans, and it was used to a great advantage of conquering the west. There were probably direct skirmishes between Indians and Railroad employees, it was the...

Words: 885 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Dbq Erie Canal

...When the Erie Canal, lining Lake Erie and Ontario from Albany to Buffalo in New York, had been constructed and opened in the year 1825, the economic landscape in New York would be changed forever. During the time it was built, the Industrial Revolution, adopted from the Great British movement, had shaped New England into a land of virtue and one unrecognized by the rest of the world, let alone the United States. The Erie Canal had been proven to be one of the most cogent aspects of New York’s, “rise to distinction,” throughout it’s 200 years of notable existence. It had offered many advantageous opportunities and therefore implanted growth within the colonial state as a result. Given the influx in the amount of people, workers and inventors...

Words: 915 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Alexander the Great Historiography

...intelligent, handsome, and a successful military leader, one who cared about his men and paid attention to even the lowest soldier. He respected his enemies by giving them glorious funerals (Darius of Persia) and/or awarding them large expanses of territory after defeating them (King Porus of Paurava). He is credited with playing a huge part in the spread of Greek culture into all the regions he conquered, leading to a flourishing of trade, cultural diversity, art and architecture, education, philosophy, math and science up until the rise of the Roman Empire. By some accounts his quests reached as far north as the Arctic Ocean and as far east as China and he died at the age of 33. Despite all of his accomplishments, both contemporary historians and historians through the ages have seen Alexander in a different light. In this light, Alexander's military prowess were only possible due to the actions of his father, Philip II. The Greeks rejected and rebelled against his rule, but could do nothing about it. His conquests were not so much brilliance as luck and an aversion to ruling his actual empire, and his darker side, in which he had a ferocious temper, allowed him to needlessly kill thousands and even murder close advisors and friends without rhyme or reason. This Alexander led his...

Words: 2436 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Gilded Era Vs Progressive Era Essay

...Historians still debate whether the Gilded and Progressive eras should be classified as either a “Long Progressive Era” or remaining it as two separate time periods. However in this essay, I will argue that both eras should be divided into two eras due to the rise of third parties, regulations in big businesses and improvements in public health. The historical trends discuss why the Gilded Age should be separated from the years, 1865 to 1879 and the Progressive Era from 1880-1920s. The Gilded Age should be renamed the era of unsolved problems as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution caused strikes, poverty and the mistreatment of workers. The Progressive era should be rename the era of action, as government increased...

Words: 497 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Aztec Empire Research Paper

...The Aztec people had a rich and diverse culture that burned bright and quick. From the years 1100 to 1525, the Aztec empire rose and fell, leaving behind one of the greatest and well known legacies of all time. During this period, advances had been made in government, agriculture, warfare, food, textiles jewelry, and religion. Farmers used new methods of planting crops to provide themselves and their families with more food while keeping the land fertile. Prisoners of war were often sold into slavery or sacrificed to the gods. Nobles often times kept themselves in a life of luxury while riding on the broken backs of workers that are under their control. Recipes were concocted by the Aztec people that have not only continued to be eaten in Mexico,...

Words: 1131 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Hippocrates

...Biography Of Hippocrates Great Greek men such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were people who laid the foundation for modern Philosophy. These three men are always mentioned when the subject of who are the Great Greek men of the past who made a significant impact on the world. Hippocrates is another great Greek genius who made a significant impact not on Philosophy but on the field of Medicine. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the History of Medicine. He is referred to as the “Father of Medicine” because of his endless contributions to the medical field as the founder of the Hippocratic School of Medicine. He created a school which revolutionized medicine in Greece because this school would eventually establish medicine as a separate profession. He changed the perception of Greek medicine with his revolutionary vision that disease was not caused by gods or spirits but was the result of natural action. The life of Hippocrates will be discussed in further detail such as his early childhood & life, his work, and his contributions/accomplishments to the World until his death. Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician, who is also called the "Father of Medicine". He was born on the Aegean island of Cos which is near the island of Greece called Halicarnassus during the Classical Greece era towards the end of the fifth century B.C.E, around 460 BC. Ancient Greek history also believed that he was related to Hercules through his...

Words: 1230 - Pages: 5