Question: Describe the importance of water in the ancient world. (from Twitter)
Thesis: Water was used in everyday life; cities were built around water, and water was used to drink, cook, and clean.
Primary Source #1:
“I.180: The city is divided into two portions by the river which runs through the midst of it. This river is the Euphrates, a broad, deep, swift stream, which rises in Armenia, and empties itself into the Erythraean sea. The city wall is brought down on both sides to the edge of the stream: thence, from the corners of the wall, there is carried along each bank of the river a fence of burnt bricks. The houses are mostly three and four stories high; the streets all run in straight lines, not only those parallel to the river, but also the cross streets which lead down to the water-side. At the river end of these cross streets are low gates in the fence that skirts the stream, which are, like the great gates in the outer wall, of brass, and open on the water.
Greek Reports of Babylonia, Chaldea, and Assyria
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/greek-babylon.html
Primary Source #2:
“The preceding aqueducts, however, have all been surpassed by the costly work which has more recently been completed by the Emperors Gaius [Caligula] and Claudius. Under these princes the Curtian and the Caerulean Waters with the "New Anio" were brought a distance of forty miles, and at so high a level that all the hills---whereon Rome is built---were supplied with water. The sum expended on these works was 350,000,000 sesterces. If we take into account the abundant supply of water to the public, for baths, ponds, canals, household purposes, gardens, places in the suburbs and country houses, and then reflect upon the distances that are traversed from the sources on the hills, the arches that have been constructed, the mountains pierced, the valleys leveled, we must perforce admit that there is nothing more worthy of our admiration throughout the whole universe.”
Pliny the Elder (23/4-79 CE) The Grandeur of Rome, c. 75 CE from Natural History
Primary Source #3:
“Hail to thee, O Nile! Who manifests thyself over this land, and comes to give life to Egypt! Mysterious is thy issuing forth from the darkness, on this day whereon it is celebrated! Watering the orchards created by Re, to cause all the cattle to live, you give the earth to drink, inexhaustible one! Path that descends from the sky, loving the bread of Seb and the first-fruits of Nepera, You cause the workshops of Ptah to prosper!”
Ancient History Sourcebook: Hymn to the Nile, c. 2100 BCE
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/hymn-nile.html
Explanation of Argument:
The first source explains that cities were built around water and that the river separates the two portions of the city. The second source explains how people use the abundant supply of water. It explains just how much water is used in the ancient world. The third source is praising the Nile River. It explains that water is used to help the orchards grow, cause the cattle live, and give the earth to drink, which means because of water, plants grow, animals live, and the earth and people can drink.
Question: Who is a better model for modern historians: Herodotus or Thucydides? Why?
Thesis: Herodotus is the “Father of History” and is a better model for modern historians because he was the first historian known to collect his materials systematically and test their accuracy.
Primary Source #1:
“THESE are the researches of Herodotus of Halicarnassus, which he
publishes, in the hope of thereby preserving from decay the
remembrance of what men have done, and of preventing the great and
wonderful actions of the Greeks and the Barbarians from losing their
due meed of glory; and withal to put on record what were their grounds
of feuds.”
THE HISTORY OF HERODOTUS by Herodotus
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/herodotus-history.txtl
Primary Source #2:
“[2.1] On the death of Cyrus, Cambyses his son by Cassandane daughter of Pharnaspes took the kingdom. Cassandane had died in the lifetime of Cyrus, who had made a great mourning for her at her death, and had commanded all the subjects of his empire to observe the like. Cambyses, the son of this lady and of Cyrus, regarding the Ionian and Aeolian Greeks as vassals of his father, took them with him in his expedition against Egypt among the other nations which owned his sway.”
The Persian Wars by Herodotus: Book 2 - EUTERPE
http://www.parstimes.com/history/herodotus/persian_wars/euterpe.html
Primary Source #3:
“The Persians, and the multitude with them, who fled to the wooden fortress, were able to ascend into the towers before the Lacedaemonians came up. Thus placed, they proceeded to strengthen the defences as well as they could; and when the Lacedaemonians arrived, a sharp fight took place at the rampart. So long as the Athenians were away, the barbarians kept off their assailants, and had much the best of the combat, since the Lacedaemonians were unskilled in the attack of walled places: but on the arrival of the Athenians, a more violent assault was made, and the wallwas for a long time attacked with fury. In the end the valour of the Athenians and their perseverance prevailed- they gained the top of the wall, and, breaking a breach through it, enabled the Greeks to pour in. The first to enter here were the Tegeans, and they it was who plundered the tent of Mardonius; where among other booty the found the manger from which his horses ate, all made of solid brass, and well worth looking at. This manger was given by the Tegeans to the temple of Minerva Alea, while the remainder of their booty was brought into the common stock of the Greeks. As soon as the wall was broken down, the barbarians no longer kept together in any array, nor was there one among them who thought of making further resistance- in good truth, they were all half dead with fright, huddled as so many thousands were into so narrow and confined a space. With such tameness did they submit to be slaughtered by the Greeks, that of the 300,000 men who composed the army- omitting the 40,000 by whom Artabazus was accompanied in his flight- no more than 3000 outlived the battle. Of the Lacedaemonians from.”
The History of Herodotus By Herodotus Book IX
http://classics.mit.edu/Herodotus/history.9.ix.html
Explanation of Argument:
The first source explains what Herodotus wants to do with his writing. He wants to record the fueds that went on. The second source shows that Herodotus broke up is writing into chapters, making them very easy to follow and making it easy to find a specific part of his writing. The third source shows how detailed Herodotus was. It also show how he thoroughly explains what went on and clearly states the outcome of what happened.
Question: Do you think Alexander honestly felt like he was avenging Persian wrongs? Or was that just propaganda to mask his goal of conquest?
Thesis: Alexander thought the only way to security was to procede with spirit, magnaminity, and becoming very powerful. He thought that he was doing the right thing in order to be successful, and that he was doing what he needed to as a leader.
Primary Source #1:
“[Alexander] was only twenty years old when he succeeded to the crown, and he found the kingdom torn into pieces by dangerous parties and implacable animosities. The barbarous nations, even those that bordered upon Macedonia, could not brook subjection, and they longed for their natural kings... Alexander was of opinion, that the only way to security, and a thorough establishment of his affairs, was to proceed with spirit and magnanimity. For he was persuaded, that if he appeared to abate of his dignity in the least article, he would be universally insulted. He therefore quieted the commotions, and put a stop to the rising wars among the barbarians, by marching with the utmost expediency as far as the Danube, where he fought a great battle..”
Plutarch: Selections from the Life of Alexander
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/plutarch-alexander1.html
Primary Source #2:
“You see, my dear Aristotle, it would be in the interests of peace and order, and consistent with political interests, if I were recognized as god in my Western territories as well. It would free my hands here in the East if my own Macedonia and Hellas accepted the political principle of my absolute authority; I could set out with a quiet heart to secure for my own land of Greece her natural frontiers on the coast of China. I should thus secure the power and safety of my Macedonia for all eternity. As you see, this is a sober and reasonable plan; I have long ceased to be the visionary who swore an oath on the tomb of Achilles. If I ask you now as my wise friend and guide to prepare the way by philosophy and to justify my proclamation as god in such a way as to be acceptable to my Greeks and Macedonians, I do so as a responsible politician and statesman; I leave it to you to consider whether you wish to undertake this task as a reasonable and patriotic work and one which is politically necessary.”
The Need for Source Criticism: A Letter from Alexander to Aristotle?
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/alexfake.html
Primary Source #3:
“I could not have blamed you for being the first to lose heart if I, your commander, had not shared in your exhausting marches and your perilous campaigns; it would have been natural enough if you had done all the work merely for others to reap the reward. But it is not so. You and I, gentlemen, have shared the labour and shared the danger, and the rewards are for us all. The conquered territory belongs to you; from your ranks the governors of it are chosen; already the greater part of its treasure passes into your hands, and when all Asia is overrun, then indeed I will go further than the mere satisfaction of our ambitions: the utmost hopes of riches or power which each one of you cherishes will be far surpassed, and whoever wishes to return home will be allowed to go, either with me or without me. I will make those who stay the envy of those who return.”
Arrian: Speech of Alexander the Great, from The Campaigns of Alexander
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/arrian-alexander1.htm
Explanation of Argument:
The first source suggests how Alexander wanted to reach security. The second source is a letter to Aristotle showing that Alexander wants to be recognized as a god because of his absolute authority. The third source is Alexander’s speech to the crown. He is using his wit and deception to get the people to agree with him and be on his side.
Question: Describe the significance of the Battle of Tours.
Thesis: The Battle of Tours was a turning point in history and is very important in Western history.
Primary Source #1:
“The defeat of the Saracen invaders of Frankish lands at Tours (more properly Poitiers) in 732 A.D. was a turning point in history. It is not likely the Muslims, if victorious, would have penetrated, at least at once, far into the north, but they would surely have seized South Gaul, and thence readily have crushed the weak Christian powers of Italy. It is very unfortunate that we do not possess scientific accounts of Charles Martel's great victory, instead of the interesting but insufficient stories of the old Christian chroniclers.”
Arabs, Franks, and the Battle of Tours, 732: Three Accounts: Isidore of Beja's Chronicle
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/732tours.html
Primary Source #2:
“From 711 Muslim forces crossed the Straits of Gibraltar, conquered the Visigothic Kingdom, and in less than a decade crossed the Pyrenees. In 732, under the command of Abd-er- rahman, they were decisively defeated by Charles Martel and the Franks at the Battle of Poitiers [or Tours]. This event looms much larger in Western history than Muslim - leading to a famous passage of purple prose by Edward Gibbon about minarets rather than spires in Oxford if the Muslims had won.”
Anon Arab Chronicler: The Battle of Poitiers, 732
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/arab-poitiers732.html
Primary Source #3:
“The Muslims planned to go to Tours to destroy the Church of St. Martin, the city, and the whole country. Then came against them the glorious Prince Charles, at the head of his whole force. He drew up his host, and he fought as fiercely as the hungry wolf falls upon the stag. By the grace of Our Lord, he wrought a great slaughter upon the enemies of Christian faith, so that---as history bears witness---he slew in that battle 300,000 men, likewise their king by name Abderrahman. Then was he [Charles] first called "Martel," for as a hammer of iron, of steel, and of every other metal, even so he dashed: and smote in the battle all his enemies. And what was the greatest marvel of all, he only lost in that battle 1500 men. The tents and harness [of the enemy] were taken; and whatever else they possessed became a prey to him and his followers. Eudes, Duke of Aquitaine, being now reconciled with Prince Charles Martel, later slew as many of the Saracens as he could find who had escaped from the battle.”
Arabs, Franks, and the Battle of Tours, 732: Three Accounts: Chronicle of St. Denis
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/732tours.html
Explanation of Argument:
The first source explains just how big of a battle the Battle of Tours was. The second source explains how big of an event and how much this changed Western history. The third source explains the plans during this battle and how many men’s lives were spent.
Question: What was the significance of the Black Death and the 100 Years' War to the development of Europe as we know it today?
Thesis: The Black Death and Hundred Years’ War shaped Europe into what it has grown to be today and taught it how to get through rough times.
Primary Source #1:
“In Florence, despite all that human wisdom and forethought could devise to avert it, as the cleansing of the city from many impurities by officials appointed for the purpose, the refusal of entrance to all sick folk, and the adoption of many precautions for the preservation of health; despite also humble supplications addressed to God, and often repeated both in public procession and otherwise by the devout; towards the beginning of the spring of the said year the doleful effects of the pestilence began to be horribly apparent by symptoms that shewed as if miraculous.”
Boccaccio: The Decameron – Introduction
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/boccacio2.html
Primary Source #2:
“There was not so hard a heart within the city of Limoges, an if he had anv remembrance of God, but that wept piteously for the great mischief that they saw before their even: for more than three thousand men, women and children were slain and beheaded that day, God have mercy on their souls, for I trow they were martyrs.”
Jean Froissart: On The Hundred Years War (1337-1453)
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/froissart1.html
Primary Source #3:
“The Court having heard all this and received from the parties their arguments in writing and all the documents and instruments and peace treaties ... it was declared by the Court that Thomas of Uldale is to be received and admitted to request that the defendants put in escrow the sum being demanded, in accordance with the rules of our Court; and, this being done, the parties shall than proceed.”
The Hundred Years War In The High Court Of Parlement
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/100yrs.html
Explanation of Argument:
The first source shows how tragic the Black Death was to the people it hit. The second source says who died in the Hundred Years’ war and how they died. The third source is what was decided and how the parties should proceed from this tragic event.
Question: How does Henry VIII maintain power while breaking away from the Catholic Church?
Thesis: Henry VII maintains power by becoming the head of the Church, awarding people, and requiring the Protestant Reformation to come to England.
Primary Source #1:
“Glastonbury Abbey was one of the largest and most famous English Benedictine Monasteries. It was reputed as home of the Holy Grail. Under Henry VIII, in the most successful land grab in English history, Henry VIII and his chief minister Thomas Cromwell suppressed the monasteries. This act gave the Tudor monarchs immense wealth - perhaps one third of the Land in England. It also, effectively, required the Protestant Reformation to come to England. Although Henry maintained a Catholic faith, he allowed his son to be raised as a Protestant. To maintain political support, Henry, Edward, and later Elizabeth awarded monastic lands to members of the English aristocracy (hence the number of English Stately homes called "Abbey"). This disbursal of Church lands meant that the entire English upper class was committed to maintaining separation from Rome, and "Protestantism" became a defining feature of English national identity.”
The Suppression of Glastonbury Abbey 1539
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/h8-glastonbury.html
Primary Source #2:
“Albeit the king's Majesty justly and rightfully is and ought to be the supreme head of the Church of England, and so is recognized by the clergy of this realm in their convocations, yet nevertheless, for corroboration and confirmation thereof, and for increase of virtue in Christ's religion within this realm of England, and to repress and extirpate all errors, heresies, and other enormities and abuses heretofore used in the same, be it enacted, by authority of this present Parliament, that the king, our sovereign lord, his heirs and successors, kings of this realm, shall be taken, accepted, and reputed the only supreme head in earth of the Church of England..”
Act of Supremacy
http://www.thenagain.info/Classes/Sources/ActSupremacy.html
Primary Source #3:
“First, I acknowledge myself to have most unkindly and unnaturally offended your most excellent highness, in that I have not submitted myself to your most just and virtuous laws; and for my offence therein, which I must confess was in me a thousandfold more grievous than it could be in any other living creature, I put myself wholly and entirely at your gracious mercy; at whose hands I cannot receive that punishment for the same which I have deserved.”
1526, Letter of Princess Mary to King Henry VIII
http://englishhistory.net/tudor/primary1.html
Explanation of Argument:
The first source explains how Henry maintained political support with Edward and Elizabeth. The second source tells how Henry VIII was declared head of the Church of England. The third source is from Mary to Henry VIII and it shows how she believes he is of excellent higness and how people put themselves at Henry’s mercy.
