Blog #10

Chapter 12 discusses The Worlds of the Fifteenth Century. One empire were the Aztecs in Mesoamerica, known for exquisite art and elaborate writing and mathematical systems. Another was the Ming Dynasty of China, known more for promoting their religion of Confucianism and centralized government. This new world was full of different states and cultural clashes. There were also many religious differences, such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam and Hinduism.

Blog #9

Chapter 9 explained the development of Islam. The religion of Islam is a monotheistic religion formed in the seventh century by a seminal thinker named Mohammed, who preached and formed the religion. The religion began in Persia, and eventually branched out. a book of Mohammed's teachings, titled the Quran was written. A misinterpretation of some of the teaching caused a divide among Muslims, forming two branches called Sunni and Shi'. Some of Spain was later converted to Islam, as well as India.

Blog #8

Chapter 10 showed the breaking away of Africa and Asia from Christianity. Arabia, the central country of Islam, was one of the first Asian countries to leave Christianity. A wide conversion to Islam also spread throughout Africa. The Byzantine Empire pushed to keep Christianity alive. Although not a large empire, the Byzantine Empire was impressive and had a great influence over many. Within the Byzantine Empire, a region called Constantinople was founded as a capital of Christianity. Despite many civilizations diverting from Christianity, the Byzantine Empire along with Christianity still played a large part religiously, politically and commercially around the world. Russia decided on Easter Orthodox Christianity, the official religion of the Byzantine Empire, after not having an official religion previously. However, western Europe decided to follow Roman Christianity, which had been popular but quickly collapsed. The entire Roman Empire had been overthrown. This caused the fall of their official religion. After the Roman collapse, populations of Europe expanded, leading to many new belief and political systems forming. The Byzantine Empire pushed to bring Western Christianity back.

Blog #7

Chapter 7 depicts the reshaping of civilizations. Islam rose to popularity during this time. Trade was majorly important, as many people around the world were able to get a hold of scare gods that were usually only found in one area. A few ways to travel to ship these goods to other places emerged, namely the silk, sand and sea roads. The silk road involved goods being shipped down to people along the way of where they needed to go. They were carried by large caravans of camels. It is called the silk road because silk came to symbolize Eurasian commerce. Those who make silk were deemed to be of higher class. The process of creating silk originated in China. Eventually, the silk supply expanded and reached other civilizations. However, not very many people traveled along the Silk Roads. The sea roads were important in Southeast Asia and East Africa. Rice was a common good traded among them. Sand roads stretched across the Sahara, and goods commonly traded were gold, salt, and slaves.

Blog #6

The most famous empires of the early Americas were the Aztec and Inca empires. However, many great civilizations came before them. The Mayans had their elaborate writing system, mathematical abilities and were able to measure a complete solar year. They also produced a distinctive form of art that made them memorable. They accomplished these with their meager political system with no real sense of authority. the civilization later thoroughly collapsed. Teotihuacan was another bustling early American city. It was large and advanced in the way that it was built. It had temples and pyramids. This city also held great art and adorned its buildings in murals.

Blog #5

Around 500 BC, civilizations began to spread to other parts of the world, such as the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Monarchs and slavery rose during this time. The civilizations of Persia and Greece often feuded because of how close they were and their differences in politics and cultures. These were not the only civilizations that differed. Every civilization was very different in the way they ran their states. They all differed in religion, politics and the way they handled social issues.

Blog #4

Pericles describes Athenian democracy as "being in favor of the many, and not with the few." They do not actively compete with other empires. Because of this, he claims that they are an example to other empires. The law provides equal justice for all. He claims that nobody is excluded by law. Foreigners are welcome to Athens, and each person contributes into making the civilization as great as it is.

Blog #3

The time period between 3500 BC to 500 BC was the era of the first civilizations. The people of earth divided themselves into cities, states, and even empires. Some civilizations were more wealthy or important-seeming than others. The emergence of civilizations began with agriculture, as many congregated where more crops could be grown. Eventually, hierarchies formed based on the social class of each person in each civilization. Higher class people enjoyed more food and land while the lower class had to work very hard for food. Eventually, hierarchies formed by gender. Men were regarded as more important than women and were given more rights. The invention of writing also surfaced around this time and the ability to write became a sign of class as often the wealthy were more likely to be taught. Kings rose to power and ruled their empire, and empires began to compete for the best empire. Civilizations traded goods with each other, which became a show of peace between some empires.

Blog #2

Nissa's account wouldn't be completely reliable as an account of Paleolitic life, because her story did not happen long enough ago. Also, it seems that men are more dominant within her village, and I don't believe there was actual gender dominance in the Paleolithic era. However, there are clear similarities between the lifestyles. Her village heavily relies on the community within it and their practices are extremely spiritual.

blog #1

All finished with my first reading assignment :)