In this project, we would like to present to you our findings and research on the Four Great Beauties of China.
INTRODUCTION: In this project, we would like to present to you our findings and research on the Four Great Beauties of China. We have chosen on this particular topic because firstly it interests us and the fact that in the long historical background of China, much has been said about the political aspects of China but little has been covered regarding the cultural aspect, especially the 4 Great Beauties, which made us decided to look further into this remote topic. There has been quite an avalanche of books in English on China and the Chinese but comparatively few have been written on the women of ancient China. The Four Great Beauties of China are Xi Shi, Wang Zhao Jun, Diao Chan and Yang Guifei. This four women have been extolled by people for their exceptionable and breath-taking beauty which has been said to bedazzle the rulers of the states whom they served, but physical beauty aside, they have been said to have made noble self-sacrifices for the good of their country. Included in this report is a detailed historical background of each of these four respectable ladies and their impact and influence upon Chinese culture and even the society today. For Xi Shi, we can see her significance prevailing even in today's society as there is a temple and pavilion built specially to commemorate her sacrifice and simply just to remember all that she has done for China. Wang Zhao
What threat did the Vikings pose to Carolingian Christianity?
Jess Shaw Did the Vikings pose a threat to the Christian faith in the ninth century? Viking paganism, with its human sacrifices, bloody rituals and numerous gods, instilled fear into the hearts of many Christians and diluted the Christian faith with their ‘lore of trolls, giants, dwarves and elves’ as mentioned by Viking historian Martin Arnold[1]. With raids in the 9th century and onwards focusing on religious centres across Europe e.g. monasteries and churches, many feared an attack on Christianity, and a threat to religious unity. With early attacks on the monastery at Lindisfarne in 793, where ‘Vikings slaughtered some of the monks, robbed and burned the monastery’ according to Johannes Bronsted’s book, and other seemingly religious attacks on Iona and Kintyre in Scotland, it seemed Christianity was under attack.[2] Raids continued throughout Western Europe through the 9th century, yet religious motives seemed not to be on the forefront of most Vikings’ minds. As Gwyn Jones’ states ‘Viking motives overseas were routed in human nature’, with motives ranging from ‘land to farm, wealth to make life splendid’ and even for merely ‘dignity and fame’[3]. Therefore it can be said that many monasteries and religious institutions were merely targeted for their wealth, not as a pagan attack on the Christian faith. There are little to no records of the
Does Herodotus offer adequate explanations for Greek colonisation during the archaic period?
“Does Herodotus offer adequate explanations for Greek colonisation during the archaic period?” In order to assess how adequate Herodotus explanations for Greek colonisation in the archaic period are it is necessary to first look at Herodotus’ reasons behind the establishment of Hellenic settlements, the attitudes of modern historians. Herodotus relies heavily on religion as a main factor behind Greek colonisation, most notably the Delphic Oracle at the Temple of Apollo. Herodotus and modern historians also mention political motivation for the foundation of new colonies however the latter prefer to focus more on ‘land hunger’ and trade developments as being the main reasons behind the institution of apoikia. Lastly it is important to examine the reliability of Herodotus himself; assessing whether The Histories is dependable on its own as source or whether other information is required along side it to paint an adequate picture for the true purpose behind Greek colonisation during the archaic period. The most important reason Herodotus uses to explain Greek colonisation would be down to instructions relayed by the Delphic oracle. Herodotus writes how the “Phocaean’s made Cyrnus their destination, because twenty years earlier, on the advice of an oracle, they had founded a community there called Alalia”[1] and also how the colonisation of Cyrene involves the
The Ionian revolt
The Ionian Revolt Name :Kris Agnew Student #: 0262044 TA: Laura Hoy The Ionian revolt occurred in about the year 500 BC with the major players being the Greeks and the Persians. The Ionians were a Greek people who had settled in what is presently the west coast of Turkey. The Greek states in Asia minor have been under Persian rule for 50 years before this when Cyrus, the Persian King, conquered them. Ever since then all the coastal islands were taken control of under the rule of the later, King Darius. Sometime later Cyprus was added to this already vast empire. The islands between Ionia and Greece were left independent and were known as the Cyclades1. They were important trade routes between Greece and Ionia. The Ionian people were not the only ones to revolt, they gathered others like the Hellspontians and the Byzantines to join them in their rebellion. The reasons for the Ionians rebelling were as various as the different cities involved in the revolt, taxes, and independence and probably most widely spread was the hate and contempt for Tyranny. Even if they had been more successful the overwhelming might, and power of the Persian Empire would have quelled their resistance in the end. The key inspiration and the flame to the fuel of the revolt was Aristagoras. After Aristagoras decided to rebel, and Herodotus says that "Aristagoras, in open rebellion, set
Jessica Cullimore
Jessica Cullimore Week 1, Hilary 2005 How Greek and how Roman is Terence's Adelphoe? Terence, like one of the other main dramatists of the Roman era Plautus, could be considered by many in the modern world as merely being a translator, who took great liberties with the works which he chose to translate; however, his usage of original Greek theatre is far deeper than merely translation. Terence's additional creativity towards the works of the ancient Greeks, which he set out to re-write and often creatively manipulate, was very much frowned upon by his critics, who that he both spoiled the original works and plagiarised them. In this essay, I will look at the reasons why Terence chose to imitate the works of the Greeks, and especially Menander, in the original way he did, and will examine just how founded the criticism of his contemporaries truly was. Firstly, let us take the influence of the Greek dramatist Menander on Terence's writing of the Adelphoe. Many consider Terence's play to have been based solely on Menander's 'A????? but direct evidence of this "is confined to about a dozen fragments"1 of Menander's work. The opening scenes of both Terence's play and Menander's are very similar, with the introduction of Micio as being an individual character, as Martin points out, rather than a stock comedic stereotype; the openings also reveal a little about the
The development of scientific logic.
The Development of Scientific Logic The origins of science lie in the earliest civilizations, those of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India and Arabia. However, the school of thought which would undisputedly have the greatest influence on the development of modern science was that of Ancient Greece. The Greeks eventually broke with the mystical beliefs of their early development and came to focus on logic as the means of seeking truth. The theories of such great thinkers as Plato, Aristotle and Archimedes were to have enormous impact on the development of modern science. The earliest scientific theories were founded in philosophical and not empirical thought. In fact Plato, one of the most influential Greeks, asserted that the senses were deceitful and not to be trusted, and that only through pure reason could truths be uncovered. The modern scientific method was not to make its appearance for many centuries to come. The vast sources of Greek knowledge were preserved by the Romans when Greece fell to their rapidly expanding empire. Roman education was focused primarily on oratory, and politics, and less on the understanding of the natural world. Although the Romans made little contribution themselves, they produced Latin compilations of many Greek works, which the formed the sole source of knowledge for the scientists of the early Medieval Christian West. During the
Ancient Egypt.
CONTENTS . Ancient Egypt 2 ) Introduction 2 2) The Pharaohs 3 3) Diet 5 4) Education 6 5) Entertainment 7 6) Monuments 8 7) The Main Events of Ancient Egypt. 10 8) Worshipping Cats 11 9) The most famous Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt. 12 2. Ancient Rome 14 0) INTRODUCTION 14 1) ROMAN SOCIETY 15 2) ROMAN VILLAS 17 3) THE ROMAN DAY 19 4) ROMAN BATHS 20 5) ROMAN DRESS 24 6) ROMAN EMPERORS 25 7) ROMAN EMPIRE 29 8) ROMAN CENTURION AND LEGIONARY 31 9) ENTERTAINMENT 32 . Ancient Egypt ) Introduction Ancient Egypt was the homeland of one of the earliest and greatest civilizations known to man. These truly amazing people were The Ancient Egyptians. This civilization began in about 3100 BC up until about 1070 BC. The Egyptians were recognized for their richness and sophistication. They built huge monuments such as the great pyramids, which still stand here today. They evolved a great system of government, the invention of irrigation and hieroglyphics, and the beginnings of astronomy, mathematics, medicine and great artistic skill. 2) The Pharaohs The pharaoh controlled the most power. As a living god he was the high priest in everything in Egypt. The pharaoh was supported by a large number of advisers and officials. Scribes were employed to administer the land, the law, the army and the temples. The pharaoh was the ultimate authority. The pharaoh was accepted by
Roman public health
Roman public health was far better than public health in the Middle Ages. As time goes on it is expected that science will advance and new discoveries would be made. However, this was not the case by the Middle Ages where things actually regressed. There were many factors that caused this relapse such as government views, lack of military force, social organisation and wealth. The Romans had a very well organised system of public health due to the government's high interest in this issue. The army was important for Romans because it help to conquer and hold on to their great empire. Therefore, it was essential that the population was healthy so that healthy soldiers could be recruited. The Romans took practical steps in their plan to improve public health because there were quite a few problems. Although they did not know that germs caused diseases, they observed that the following made people ill: 'bad air', bad water, swamps and marshes, being near sewage and not keeping clean. For example, they noticed that people who lived near swamps got ill and sometimes died. This was due to the mosquitoes which most likely carried malaria. The swamps were drained as a result and fewer people became sick. A good reason why the Romans advanced so quickly in public health was because they realised the importance of clean water. Knowing this, they engineered aqueducts, lead piping and
Was Roman medicine the same as Greek medicine?
Was Roman medicine the same as Greek medicine? 300BC the Roman Empire was gaining power and strength, but at the same time the Greek Empire was growing weaker. By 120AD Rome controlled most of the Mediterranean lands and Western Europe. The Romans took over most of the Greeks old empire thus leading to the two empires being closely connected. These connections affected Roman medicine, so much so that we must question as to if Roman medicine was the same as Greek medicine. We must look at the differences and similarities in the factors science and technology, individuals, religion, chance, improved communications, war and government. The Greeks had many Gods. They had a God of wisdom, God of the sea and a God of laughing. It was believed by the Greeks that Gods caused events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and thunderstorms, as well as disease. If there was a good harvest, the people would have said that the Gods were pleased. There also was a God of healing, Asclepius. From 600BC temples were built in quiet places. When people went to the Asclepius Temples to be cured they firstly had to put offerings for the God on the Altar. They all then had to go to sleep, then in the patient's dreams they were visited by the God and his daughters and he then cured them. Also at the Temples there would have been a gymnasium and a stadium. This shows that the Greeks had noticed
