Plato was, as well as Socrates and all the other great names, was an essential part of Greek history and philosophy. He was the writer of basically all of Socrates' pieces including Meno, and The Apology. With these pieces, came the fame of Plato, in the years after his death.
Plato was born in 428 B.C. and eventually died in 348 B.C. He was a poet, mathematician, philisophical writer, as well as being the founder of the Academy of Athens. (Source) Plato was a student of Socrates, and was greatly influenced by him, and learned much about the society of Athens by studying the death of his teacher. Plato had undeniable ability to think and to write, as can be seen in his works. (Williams 41) Much of this ability is because of the influence he had under the teaching of the greatest philosopher the world has ever seen, Socrates. Plato's works are still used to teach a wide range of subjects in today's schools.
One of Plato's works, The Apology, is studied by many people today. It is the oldest work of Plato to date. Only two copies of this work survive, the one f Plato, and another by Xenophon. The Apology explains the speech of Socrates at his trial. He basically says that Athens are still wrong, and that he is deliberately trying to be found guilty and be condemned to death. "Now, although the word "apology" is the direct descendant into English of the Greek word apología, the meaning has changed. Socrates was not apologizing or making excuses. He wasn't sorry. The Greek word apología simply and precisely meant a defense, or a defense speech. This meaning has been preserved in English in some related words: An "apologist" is still someone who argues a defense of someone or something, and "apologetics" is still a discipline or system of argued defense of something, usually a doctrine, cause, or institution. Socrates' speech thus might be translated The Defense of Socrates without the possible confusion over the modern meaning; but after long usage, it is hard to imagine calling the Apology anything else." (Ross) This quote explains that Plato was at the trial, and he understod that Socrates was not trying to say that he was sorry. The Apolgy was a defense for the freedom of Socrates.
Because Plato was a student of Socrates, his thoughts and ideas were instilled in the minds of all the great philosophers to come out of Greece. Plato was the teacher of Aristotle, who was the teacher of Alexander the Great who was the best ruler and conqueror the world has ever seen. Because Alexander conquered so much territory, his ideas were also spread. This spread of ideas all started with Socrates, to Plato, to Aristotle, to Alexander the Great, and into the rest of the world. (Nails 213)
Plato was one of the greatest philosophers we have ever seen. He was influenced by the best, and he also taught the best. The key to greatness in this life, is to learn from the best, and play with the best, then to teach the best. This way you can collect all information from those who have found it successful and use it to beat the best and learn from them.
Williams, Bernard Arthur Owen. Plato. Routledge. 1999.
Nails, Debra. The People of Plato: A Prosopography of Plato and other Socratics. Hackett Publishing. 2002. New York.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Socrates
Greek philosophy has been and always will be the greatest base for modern thought. The Greeks were people of thinking and reasoning. They helped establish what we base our entire trial of thinking that we usae today. The biggest and brightest of these Greek philosophers was a man named Socrates.
Socrates was born in 470 B.C. in such a way that allowed nobody to think that he would set the base for the modern world of thinking. He is most famous for his developement of the Socratic method, which used the form of questioning to find knowledge and wisdom. The Socratic method has been used for every philosophy book and idea since the time of Socrates where it was developed. This method is still used today with great respect for the man who trademarked it.
Socrates was a man of great thought and intellectual want in a sense that he would aggrivate one so much that one would just stop thinking about the subject and leave himself unanswered. This type of person is called a gadfly, one who says things that make you thimk. Socrates always had someone writing down his ideas, but Socrates himself never wrote any books. His one main idea and quote was "The unexamined life is not worth living." This quote is saying that Socrates believed that life was to be devoted to the study of the human mind and soul. (Stone 211) These ideas made Socrates one of the mosat respected men in the world, but one of the most hated men in the Athenian society.
Because of his challenging ideas and his new thoughts, Socrates became the one most hated man in Athens. He was smelly and disgusting and the people of Athens saw nothing but the outside of this man. (Guthrie 42) They charged him with heresy and sentenced him to death by the drinking of hemlock. He thought long and hard about his sentence and came up with a speech to use in front the royal assembly. His speech was breathtaking but still the assembly chose death for Socrates. He drank the hemlock and he died.
Socrates was a great man. He gave us the Socratic method and many great ideas, that we still use today. He was a thinker who accepted nothing at face value. He was smart enough to admit that he didn't know everything, but only that of his own ignorance. This in itself is one of the single most important things we can learn from Socrates.
Stone, I.F. The Trial of Socrates. Pan Books. 1989. New York
Guthrie, William Keith Chambers. Socrates. Cambridge University Press. 1971. New York.
Socrates was born in 470 B.C. in such a way that allowed nobody to think that he would set the base for the modern world of thinking. He is most famous for his developement of the Socratic method, which used the form of questioning to find knowledge and wisdom. The Socratic method has been used for every philosophy book and idea since the time of Socrates where it was developed. This method is still used today with great respect for the man who trademarked it.
Socrates was a man of great thought and intellectual want in a sense that he would aggrivate one so much that one would just stop thinking about the subject and leave himself unanswered. This type of person is called a gadfly, one who says things that make you thimk. Socrates always had someone writing down his ideas, but Socrates himself never wrote any books. His one main idea and quote was "The unexamined life is not worth living." This quote is saying that Socrates believed that life was to be devoted to the study of the human mind and soul. (Stone 211) These ideas made Socrates one of the mosat respected men in the world, but one of the most hated men in the Athenian society.
Because of his challenging ideas and his new thoughts, Socrates became the one most hated man in Athens. He was smelly and disgusting and the people of Athens saw nothing but the outside of this man. (Guthrie 42) They charged him with heresy and sentenced him to death by the drinking of hemlock. He thought long and hard about his sentence and came up with a speech to use in front the royal assembly. His speech was breathtaking but still the assembly chose death for Socrates. He drank the hemlock and he died.
Socrates was a great man. He gave us the Socratic method and many great ideas, that we still use today. He was a thinker who accepted nothing at face value. He was smart enough to admit that he didn't know everything, but only that of his own ignorance. This in itself is one of the single most important things we can learn from Socrates.
Stone, I.F. The Trial of Socrates. Pan Books. 1989. New York
Guthrie, William Keith Chambers. Socrates. Cambridge University Press. 1971. New York.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Greek Architecture
Greek architecture started in the early Stone Age. it began from small, narrow huts and tents, and went all the way into stone walls and great churches and houses, paved roads, and even villages. Eventually, the Greeks began to build temples for the gods. These temples were first built in Doric style. These temples were burned in the Greek Dark Ages.
In the 6th century, most buildings were made with mud-brick and clay. Because of this, many buildings were destroyed or burnt, so many buildings were lost during the Greek Ages. The only ruins left of these buildings, were a couple unfinished plans and some mud and clay. In the early sixth century, most Greek buildings were built in a Doric style. These buildings were temples and churches. The most expensive, and nicest buildings were built with marble. Marble was extremely expensive and was used for the houses of the aristocrats. There were also buildings of limestone, which Greece was filled with.
There were two main building styles in Ancient Greece. There was the Doric style and the Ionic style and the Corinthian style. These names reflected the belief in the Dorian and Ionian Greeks during the Dark Ages. The Doric style was very formal and fancy. The Ionic style was more relaxed and free. The Corinthian style was made famous in the use of columns. The Doric style originated in mainland Greece where it spread throughout the Greek regions of Italy.
The Doric style was the simplest form of Greek architecture in Greece. The columns consisted of a crown on the top, made of a circle on top of a square. The shaft has 20 sides, and is very plain. The Doric style is simple, but it is still super powerful. It also has no base in the buildings. There was also a metope on the middle of the buildings, often consisting of gods and goddesses. The Doric was used mainly by middle class artisans and craftsman.
Lawrence, Arnold Walter. Greek Architecture. Yale University Press. 1996. New York.
Taylor, William. An Architecture Notebook. Barker Press. 1971. New York
In the 6th century, most buildings were made with mud-brick and clay. Because of this, many buildings were destroyed or burnt, so many buildings were lost during the Greek Ages. The only ruins left of these buildings, were a couple unfinished plans and some mud and clay. In the early sixth century, most Greek buildings were built in a Doric style. These buildings were temples and churches. The most expensive, and nicest buildings were built with marble. Marble was extremely expensive and was used for the houses of the aristocrats. There were also buildings of limestone, which Greece was filled with.
There were two main building styles in Ancient Greece. There was the Doric style and the Ionic style and the Corinthian style. These names reflected the belief in the Dorian and Ionian Greeks during the Dark Ages. The Doric style was very formal and fancy. The Ionic style was more relaxed and free. The Corinthian style was made famous in the use of columns. The Doric style originated in mainland Greece where it spread throughout the Greek regions of Italy.
The Doric style was the simplest form of Greek architecture in Greece. The columns consisted of a crown on the top, made of a circle on top of a square. The shaft has 20 sides, and is very plain. The Doric style is simple, but it is still super powerful. It also has no base in the buildings. There was also a metope on the middle of the buildings, often consisting of gods and goddesses. The Doric was used mainly by middle class artisans and craftsman.
Lawrence, Arnold Walter. Greek Architecture. Yale University Press. 1996. New York.
Taylor, William. An Architecture Notebook. Barker Press. 1971. New York
Friday, October 5, 2007
The New Kingdom
The New Kingdom was the richest time period of Ancient Egypt. There was a cornucopia of famous Pharaohs in this era. This was essentially Egypt’s Golden Age . These were some of the most powerful, and at times the hardest points in Egyptian history.
One of the greatest kings of Egyptian history was Hatshepsut . She was in fact a woman, but not many knew her as a woman. The majority of the Egyptians knew her as a man, and another Pharaoh. As in all positions of authority, it was extremely hard for a woman to rule. She could not lead in military engagements because if she won, the men would take credit, and if she lost she would be blamed for the loss. Hatshepsut ruled for 22 years and eventually croaked.
Another interesting Pharaoh was Akenhaten . He was the first monotheist in Egyptian history. In the 2nd year of his reign, Akenhaten discarded all worship except for worship to the Aten, the sun god. Years later, Akenhaten abandons the capital of Thebes, and moves it to Amarna. In the 12th year of Akenhaten’s reign, his chief wife, Nefertiti, vanishes, and his mother in-law, Ti, dies. After this tragedy, he persecutes all who worship Amun Re, and takes Amun Re off of everything. Eventually, in 1336 B.C., Akenhaten dies.
Tutankaten was the next great Pharaoh. His name would later be changed to Tutankhamen , as the worship was shifted back to Amun Re. Tut took the throne at 9 years old, and ruled for only 10 years, and dies. He is vitally important because what Howard Carter finds in his tomb is one of, if not the greatest treasures ever to be found. More than 52,000 priceless objects are found in Tut’s tomb, all in perfect condition.
The most important Pharaoh in the New Kingdom was Ramses II . He was the richest Pharaoh in Egyptian history. Ramses takes the throne at about 15, and rules for 67 years. During his reign, he fights the battle of Kadesh. In this battle, the Hittites attack and are murdering the Egyptians, when luckily Ramses’ reinforcements show up and defeat the Hittites. In the history books, Ramses wrote that his troops abandoned him and he alone, defeated the Hittites. After this battle, Ramses marries Nefertari. She is a Hittite princess who gives him 12 sons. His 12 sons eventually die before he does, seeing that he lives until 93, leaving him with no heir. The day before his 94th birthday celebration, Ramses dies.
After the death of Ramses, the Egyptian begins to crumble. People are wondering if this is it? Most didn’t know a Pharaoh other than Ramses. During this confusing time with no Pharaoh, the sea people attack. They are fierce warriors, whom where they are from we are not sure. These people also destroy the Hittite and the Nubian empires. With the loss of Nubia, Egypt loses its gold supply, and now becomes a bogey society. No longer are they the dominant force that they were, but they are now an average society. Less than 200 years after Ramses II, the Egyptian empire had fallen, and Ramses XI dies, ending the Ramiside dynasty.
Thomas, Susanna. Ramses II: Pharaoh of the New Kingdom. Rosen Publishing Group. New York. 2003
Hari, Robert. New Kingdom Amarna Period: The Great Hymn to Aten. Brill. New York. 1985
El Mahdy, Christine. Tutankhamen: The Life and Death of the Boy King. St. Martin's Press. New York. 2000
The New Kingdom was the richest time period of Ancient Egypt. There was a cornucopia of famous Pharaohs in this era. This was essentially Egypt’s Golden Age . These were some of the most powerful, and at times the hardest points in Egyptian history.
One of the greatest kings of Egyptian history was Hatshepsut . She was in fact a woman, but not many knew her as a woman. The majority of the Egyptians knew her as a man, and another Pharaoh. As in all positions of authority, it was extremely hard for a woman to rule. She could not lead in military engagements because if she won, the men would take credit, and if she lost she would be blamed for the loss. Hatshepsut ruled for 22 years and eventually croaked.
Another interesting Pharaoh was Akenhaten . He was the first monotheist in Egyptian history. In the 2nd year of his reign, Akenhaten discarded all worship except for worship to the Aten, the sun god. Years later, Akenhaten abandons the capital of Thebes, and moves it to Amarna. In the 12th year of Akenhaten’s reign, his chief wife, Nefertiti, vanishes, and his mother in-law, Ti, dies. After this tragedy, he persecutes all who worship Amun Re, and takes Amun Re off of everything. Eventually, in 1336 B.C., Akenhaten dies.
Tutankaten was the next great Pharaoh. His name would later be changed to Tutankhamen , as the worship was shifted back to Amun Re. Tut took the throne at 9 years old, and ruled for only 10 years, and dies. He is vitally important because what Howard Carter finds in his tomb is one of, if not the greatest treasures ever to be found. More than 52,000 priceless objects are found in Tut’s tomb, all in perfect condition.
The most important Pharaoh in the New Kingdom was Ramses II . He was the richest Pharaoh in Egyptian history. Ramses takes the throne at about 15, and rules for 67 years. During his reign, he fights the battle of Kadesh. In this battle, the Hittites attack and are murdering the Egyptians, when luckily Ramses’ reinforcements show up and defeat the Hittites. In the history books, Ramses wrote that his troops abandoned him and he alone, defeated the Hittites. After this battle, Ramses marries Nefertari. She is a Hittite princess who gives him 12 sons. His 12 sons eventually die before he does, seeing that he lives until 93, leaving him with no heir. The day before his 94th birthday celebration, Ramses dies.
After the death of Ramses, the Egyptian begins to crumble. People are wondering if this is it? Most didn’t know a Pharaoh other than Ramses. During this confusing time with no Pharaoh, the sea people attack. They are fierce warriors, whom where they are from we are not sure. These people also destroy the Hittite and the Nubian empires. With the loss of Nubia, Egypt loses its gold supply, and now becomes a bogey society. No longer are they the dominant force that they were, but they are now an average society. Less than 200 years after Ramses II, the Egyptian empire had fallen, and Ramses XI dies, ending the Ramiside dynasty.
Thomas, Susanna. Ramses II: Pharaoh of the New Kingdom. Rosen Publishing Group. New York. 2003
Hari, Robert. New Kingdom Amarna Period: The Great Hymn to Aten. Brill. New York. 1985
El Mahdy, Christine. Tutankhamen: The Life and Death of the Boy King. St. Martin's Press. New York. 2000
Saturday, September 29, 2007
The Middle Kingdom was a time of great despair for Egypt. There were many foreign rulers who reigned for a good proximity of the Middle Kingdom. These foreigners came from the country of Nubia, and there were also a group of rulers called the Hyksos. These outsiders reigned over and deprived the Egyptians of their dignity.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Book Sources
Wilson, John Albert. The Culture of Ancient Egypt. The University of Chicago Press. 1956
Kamil, Jill. The Ancient Egyptians: Life in the Old Kingdom. The American University in Cairo Press. 1996
Kamil, Jill. The Ancient Egyptians: Life in the Old Kingdom. The American University in Cairo Press. 1996
Beginning
The beginning of the Old Kingdom of Egypt there were two parts of Egypt. The man credited with uniting them is named Menes. He placed the capital at Memphis , which would be moved to Thebes. "The ancient Egyptians knew Memphis as the White Wall and described it as the balance of two lands." (Source) Thebes was the main capital for the majority of the middle and New Kingdom.
During the first dynasty, things such as papyrus were invented. This exalted writing to one of the most important reasons that we found all of the Egyptian artifacts, that we have found. The first important Pharoah was named Djoser. Djoser ordered the building of the first pyramid, a step pyramid. The Old Kingdom was really where most of the pyramids were built.
One of the most fascinating things of the Old Kingdom was their wealth. "The building of pyramids would not have been possible without a flourishing economy and a strong central government. Royal estates throughout the country centralised and provided the necessary resources that were needed in the construction of pyramid complexes. This required a powerful administration, both on a local and on a central level, to successfully manage the resources and ensure the flow of supplies, materials and riches to the central government." (Source) The economy of Egypt was ridiculous. They really could not have wanted more.
The Old Kingdom was the main timeframe for the great pyramids that the Egyptians built. These magnificent structures signaled greatness to other countries, and to the Egyptians as well. The greatest pyramid was that of Khufu. He built the most glorious pyramid in the history of Egypt.
When the Old Kingdom started getting into the 7th and 8th dynasties, Egypt began to collapse. There was a famine , high death rate, and civil disorder. (Source) With the climate getting dryer, the Egyptians were doing well to stay alive. This period is now known as the 1st illness. There was fighting for control, which produces the high death rate. This first illness ended the Old Kingdom.
During the first dynasty, things such as papyrus were invented. This exalted writing to one of the most important reasons that we found all of the Egyptian artifacts, that we have found. The first important Pharoah was named Djoser. Djoser ordered the building of the first pyramid, a step pyramid. The Old Kingdom was really where most of the pyramids were built.
One of the most fascinating things of the Old Kingdom was their wealth. "The building of pyramids would not have been possible without a flourishing economy and a strong central government. Royal estates throughout the country centralised and provided the necessary resources that were needed in the construction of pyramid complexes. This required a powerful administration, both on a local and on a central level, to successfully manage the resources and ensure the flow of supplies, materials and riches to the central government." (Source) The economy of Egypt was ridiculous. They really could not have wanted more.
The Old Kingdom was the main timeframe for the great pyramids that the Egyptians built. These magnificent structures signaled greatness to other countries, and to the Egyptians as well. The greatest pyramid was that of Khufu. He built the most glorious pyramid in the history of Egypt.
When the Old Kingdom started getting into the 7th and 8th dynasties, Egypt began to collapse. There was a famine , high death rate, and civil disorder. (Source) With the climate getting dryer, the Egyptians were doing well to stay alive. This period is now known as the 1st illness. There was fighting for control, which produces the high death rate. This first illness ended the Old Kingdom.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
King Khufu
Khufu was one of the most remarkable pharoahs to ever embrace the Egyptian throne. He built one of the greatest pyramids ever known to man, and was one the richest pharoahs. His most famous pyramid was also called the "Great Pyramid."
Khufu's Accomplishments
The reign of Khufu was an average length. He grew up to marry and have nine sons, one of whom was his successor, and fifteen daughters. He was believed to be a cruel and ruthless king, who showed little or no mercy. He is said to have taken the throne in his twenties and have ruled for about twenty years. He began building his pyramid first thing, and is was finished in his last years on the throne.
The Great Pyramid
The Great Pyramid built by Khufu was the biggest and most glorious pyramid to ever come out of Egypt. The measures are as follows: "Khufu or Cheop's Great Pyramid is 756 feet (241 meters) square in plan, and 481 feet (153 meters) high. The angle of inclination of the triangular faces is about 51.5 degrees. The square of its height equals the area of each triangular face, as determined by Herodotus in 450 B. C. The base of the pyramid covers about 13 acres." (Source)
Khufu
Khufu, whose Greek name was Cheops, was the second king of the fourth dynasty. He is also believed to have had three wives, and is famous for building the Great Pyramid. (source) His life was long and prospering as with most pharoahs. He was loved by some, and hated by others, but most of all he was remembered for the pyramid that he constructed.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Why was the Code written?
Everybody has their own take on why Hammurabi wrote his code of laws. My take is that he saw that Babylon was struggling with their law system and decided to actually do something about it, so he wrote the code. Now, I don't think he knew that it would have such impact, like it did, but it all starts with one simple idea that can change the world. Hammurabi and his code
Babylon
The Code was written in Babylon and was first found on a column at Susa. Babylonia became one of the most famous city- states when Hammurabi moved the capital to Babylon, which led to the writing of the code. Babylon was also extremely well educated. There have been findings of records of highly developed history and science. They also practiced medicine, and chemistry. Babylon
Hammurabi
Hammurabi was a great ruler. He was believed to be a messneger of the gods laws. He was one of the first dynasty kings of Babylon, and he is most famous for his set of laws that governed Babylon. Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylon, and he inherited the throne from his father, Sinmuballit. He also heightened the walls for defensive purposes and expanded the temples. Hammurabi
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
The History of the Code
The Code was first established in circa 1780 B.C. It consisted of 282 laws that expanded on all issues of life. Laws The Code was made so that no man would plead ignorance of the law, because all could see it. Excuses No, the code did not allow excuse or explanation, but it did allow presentation of evidences.
The Code of Hammurabi
The Code of Hammurabi was a set of laws that forever changed history as we know it. It covered all subjects from witchcraft, to crime, to trade. It was the first real set of laws that held strong in the ancient world.
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