World History Homework Two Answers - Student Three

JennaN

1. What do you think was the main secret to Alexander the Great's enormous success?

The reason that Alexander the Great succeeded so incredibly was because of his tutor, Aristotle. The way that Aristotle emphasized the importance of only trusting personal experience wired Alexander the Great to become a legend. Although Aristotle’s theory that experience is more important than logic was flawed, it did the trick in teaching Alexander the Great never to give up a battle.

2. What about the Greek geography was unique and conducive to the development of democracy? Explain a bit.

Democracy was able to thrive in ancient Greece because of its unique geography. The rough terrain caused people to cluster into smaller city-states. These city-states knew that they would need a stronger form of government to unit them. The very word democracy comes from the Greek words demos (people), and kratos (strength).Democracy was created because democracy was needed. If the Greek terrain was not so rough, the Greeks would not have even seen the need for democracy.

3. Explain the big advance in language mentioned in the lecture, which might have been even more significant than the invention of the wheel.

Ancient Greece was the first culture that discovered how to make a language really work through using letters. Language is truly a very powerful thing. Take a look at Genesis 11:1, 6-7; “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech…The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.’” Note that the word impossible in verse 6 is bastar, which means isolated. It does not mean humans would be all powerful. It means, “If they try this, they will try anything.” The tower of Babble would not be an isolated incident. Now, the Greeks found out how to use this incredible tool of language in the right way. They realized its power and started to discover how to use it to build up their society. They also saw how having an established written language would preserve their culture for centuries to come.

4. Pick a significant advance in knowledge by the Greeks and comment on it. The Greeks are credited with the incredible invention of medicine. Hippocrates is known as the father of medicine. On top of figuring out how to use medicine, he also knew when not to use medicine. He made this clear by issuing the Hippocratic Oath. It is very upsetting how modern doctors definitely ignore his oath for their own selfish gain.

5. Aesop's Fables: pick one you like best and explain why, or comment on all of them as a group.

I always liked the story of the Hare and the Tortoise. It made me feel like it was okay if I was slower at doing or learning things. It showed that in the end, it would not matter. In fact, the slower and more cautious tracks tend to win.

6. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle: who impresses you most, and why?

Aristotle impresses me the most. He didn’t want people to just trust what other people discovered; he encouraged them to truly experience things on their own. I would like to be able to live more like this in my relationship with Jesus Christ. I don’t want to just trust what other people say He will do; I want to experience what He really do in and through my life.

7. Pick an ancient people other than the Greeks and briefly describe them.

I find the ancient kingdom of Assyria a depressing kingdom. They were constantly surrounded by war and they were known for their cruelty. I have to say, I am glad that I did not live in the kingdom.