World History Homework Two Answers - Student 3

Aran M

1. When did the Greek empire exist, and what events mark its beginning and its end? Classical Greece began around 750 B.C., with the Olympic Games and lasted until around 100 B.C., when it was invaded by the Romans.

2. What is your favorite Aesop's Fable, and why? Explain.

The Dog and the Wolf

A gaunt Wolf was almost dead with hunger when he happened to meet a House-dog who was passing by.

"Ah, Cousin," said the Dog."I knew how it would be; your irregular life will soon be the ruin of you. Why do you not work steadily as I do, and get your food regularly given to you?"

"I would have no objection," said the Wolf, "if I could only get a place."

"I will easily arrange that for you," said the Dog; "come with me to my master and you shall share my work."

So the Wolf and the Dog went towards the town together. On the way there the Wolf noticed that the hair on a certain part of the Dog's neck was very much worn away, so he asked him how that had come about.

"Oh, it is nothing," said the Dog. "That is only the place where the collar is put on at night to keep me chained up; it chafes a bit, but one soon gets used to it."

"Is that all?" said the Wolf. "Then good-bye to you, Master Dog." Better starve free than be a fat slave.

In this fable, the master represents the government, the dog represents somebody who fell for free handouts, while the wolf represents a free man. The dog is oblivious to the position he’s in and in good faith is inviting the wolf to join him. He is unintentionally dragging the wolf into slavery with him, by making it seem like a very easy way to live. Luckily, the wolf read signs (the dog’s worn-off hair) and walks away before he can be pulled into slavery. The moral of this story is that it is better to starve and be free, than be completely dependent on the government.

This fable also shows how stupid domesticated dogs are and how they should be replaced by wolves, because wolves are much smarter. On top of this, pigs are even more intelligent than wolves, so maybe people should have pet pigs. However, one cannot own wolves and pigs at the same time, as they do not get along, since wolves have a special fetish for bacon. Maybe the reason people have pet dogs is that they are stupid and they’ll do anything you want them to. But that’s just my radical conservative opinion.

3. Pick one of the Greek philosophers and compare and contrast him with another Greek philosopher.

4. Explain how the expansion and influence of the Greek culture became useful to the growth of Christianity. Mention the role played by Alexander the Great.

I think Greece majorly helped the spread of Christianity with their localization of the known world making it easier to contact one place from another. The Greek alphabet also helped the spread of Christianity as it was a language mostly known throughout the world (after Alexander the great) and it could express unseen terms. The great boost in knowledge turn the Greek era also helped the spread of Christianity as people could now easier understand its teachings.

5. Pick two of the important ancient empires other than the Greek empire, and briefly describe them.

The first ancient empire in a late to discuss is that of the Aryans. The Aryans were as a very advanced civilization based out of a part of Central Asia I went around where Russia today. Their homes had luxuries such as cooled Food Storage, Wells and ovens designed to sustain temperatures hot enough to smelt bronze. They also had a storm sewer system to prevent their city’s from flooding. The Aryan religion also interested me as it has the same beginnings and the end as Christianity. The aging Aryans believed that the world was created by Ahura Mazda in a perfect form without any diseases, suffering, hunger or thirst. This perfect world was corrupt by ahriman, the evil one who brought diseases, pain, hunger and thirst this world. The Aryans also believed that one day Ahura Mazda would crush ahriman, cleanse the world with fire, and establish his glorious kingdom. They also, had concepts of heaven and hell.

The Omalec was the first great civilization of the Americas. Not much is known about Omalec everyday life other than the art. The most commonly known artifacts are the very large stone heads, the largest being 3 meters across. It’s believed that the Omalecs had a city states much like early Greece. Religion must have been very influential in the Omalec civilization as they have great stone pyramids with Temples on top used for religious rituals.

6. Write 150 words on any aspect of the lecture, or describe 3 important terms from the lecture (such as adding them to the study guide above).

A topic that I find very interesting is the history of the early Britain’s. The Welsh Chronicles begin recording at the fall of Troy. Anchises and his son, Aeneas, fled from Troy when it fell, to the area now known as Italy. In Italy they met with the people that lived there (ancestors of the Romans) people and settled with them Aeneas married Lavinia from which to came Brutus. After accidentally killing both his parents Brutus was exiled from Italy. From there he fled to Greece where he met with slaves that were captured from Troy. After learning of his lineage they quickly rallied to Brutus and successfully overthrew their captors. Now they put to the sea and sale that the Pillars of Hercules (now known as the straits of Gibraltar) they met with more Trojans. Next they stopped in the land now known as France where they defeated the Picts who were living there at the time. Again they set sail across the English channel landing at Totnes in Devon around the 12th century BC. Then Bruce founded the city of Trinovantum (New Troy) which is now known as the London. From this point forward there is a long cession of kings (including Arthor) until the Romans invaded around 55 AD, decimating, the early Britons.

7. Write an essay of 200 words on any aspect of one or more ancient languages, such as their development or origins (or add 5 terms with descriptions to the study guide).

8. What weaknesses, if any, do you see in the ancient Greek democracy?

The Greek democracy would only work for a smaller scale city state and not for large country. To get every citizen’s the position on a topic would be impractical for a large civilization. For large country a republic (as in Rome) is much more practical, as only the elected few’s positions must be heard.

9. Discuss the ancient Persian empire, and suggest reasons why it could not withstand the expansion of Alexander the Great.

10. Discuss any aspect of the lecture.