Abstract The following paper discusses Tiberius' reign of the Roman Empire which was oppressive, obsessive and violent. The author also identifies the conflicts and changes in values in the Empire itself, around 25 A.D.
From the Paper "The treason laws of maiestas, particularly the employment of the defamation category, were used incessantly by Tiberius as a convenient and expedient means of repressing his enemies, both real and imagined. The overall goal was a diminution in power for those "treasonous" Romans who dared to disagree with or speak out against the almighty emperor. In 16 A.D., the first execution was ordered, for a dissenter who had consulted astrologers regarding the emperor's health. From that moment on, it became increasingly common to be condemned to death for speaking in any way unfavorably about the emperor.Although Tiberius initially did make some effort to keep control over maiestas trials in the early years of his reign, the situation, with time, spun exceedingly out of control. As the number of treason trials increased, the punishment for conviction became increasingly ruthless. In 25 A.D. Tiberius forced historian Cremitius Cordus to commit suicide for criticizing the regime."
Abstract A general timeline of the city of Pompeii showing what Pompeii was famous for and the technological advancements developed by its citizens. The writer states that Pompeii was an ancient cosmopolitan city during the zenith of the Roman Empire that was living on borrowed time.
From the Paper "Modern day Pompeii is a town located in Western Italy near the city of Naples. It is currently an uninhabited city that, due to its preservation, resembles an opened time capsule. Although it is most famous for being buried and forgotten for approximately 1700 years, in it's heyday, Pompeii was one of the most vibrant cities in the Roman Empire. The ruins of the city have a great deal to offer about the everyday lives of the citizens of the once buried city."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that warfare in ancient times is understood by records of civilizations, which often exaggerate their wins and accomplishments for purposes of bolstering an ancient civilization's perception of their king or leader. The writer discusses that as time passes, and more information is studied and compared against the still emerging body of archeological data, it is possible to better understand the state of warfare in ancient civilizations. The extent to which warfare was waged in ancient times continues to be debated, but the historical and archeological evidence has begun to reveal that when war did occur, it was on a scale that often times completely altered or transformed the civilization in which it occurred. The writer maintains that it would be fair to say that mankind's propensity for waging war is one that can be traced to the ancient tribes of every civilization on earth. It might also be surmised, especially given the role of religious deities and pagan beliefs, that the impetus to make war arose out of superstition as much as it did out of the need to offset nature with resources.
Outline:
Introduction
Ancient Egypt
The Mesoamerica Ancient Civilizations
Conclusion
From the Paper "Even with this information, there remain volumes of unanswered questions, the answers to which can only be speculated about at this time. While the written and archeological data of some civilizations, such as the Egyptians, have left us with a wealth of information, it still must be translated and taken into consideration as to the goals the ancients themselves had in the writings. As has been previously noted here, the ancient Egyptians had a tendency to exaggerate war wins for the benefit of the powerful.
"An examination of a ancient civilizations where the writings and archeological data are not as voluminous as ancient Egypt or Rome, means that much of what is concluded form the artifacts is based on historians' and archeologists' experiences with other ancient civilizations, like Egypt, Greece, and Rome."
Abstract This paper compares the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty with respect to their leaders, demographics, and economies. The author discusses reasons for the decline of both empires. He further argues that the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty eventually fell as a result of dire leaders and rulers. Additionally, the author contends that economic problems were a factor in the decline of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty as well.
From the Paper "The Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty were two of the largest and most powerful empires of ancient Europe and Asia, respectively. Yet the Han Dynasty lasted for about 400 years while the Roman Empire ruled for about 900 years. Both empires shared many similar and different qualities in their rise to power. However, both empires fell after time. The decline of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty both varied with respect to its leaders and rulers, demography, and the economy. Although both empires were massive and powerful during the time, they both declined like all past empires."
Abstract The paper advances the thesis that Roman identity originated as a fixed and highly codified concept in a legal sense because of the distinction of citizens and slaves that became problematic with the introduction of religious and civic pluralism during the expansion of the Roman Empire. The paper focuses on the broad, satirical comedies of Plautus and their depiction of slavery and the discussion of religion in the works of the historian Livy. It also includes some contrasting commentary by the earlier historian Polybius and his contemporary Saullst.
From the Paper "What did it mean to be Roman in the context of ancient Roman society? On its surface, such a question seems obvious. To be Roman means to be a citizen, of course, to be a part of the great, famously "grand" empire that was Imperial Rome. But in analyzing the particular texts of the Roman period the question of who constituted a citizen in the ancient Roman empire, and of the ways in which the "public cult" of Roman civic and religious obedience was observed, this easy analysis of Roman identity is called into question.
In discussing questions of identity, the anthropologist Mary Douglas once observed ?whenever a strict pattern of purity is imposed on our lives it is either highly uncomfortable, or, it leads into contradiction if closely followed, or it leads to hypocrisy.? (Douglas 163) By making this statement, Douglas means that whenever a society has a strong definition of what constitutes its identity and core of values, it is almost impossible to follow the strictures imposed by that definition of identity in any close and accurate form without discomfort or contradiction. This was true of the definition of what it meant to be a good and virtuous Roman citizen from the empire's earliest days. According to the early historian Polybius, "Romaness" was an austere, military discipline."
Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the ways in which warfare has had a significant effect upon the growth and development of the ancient world. It shows how by tracing the history of warfare from prehistoric times up until the late Roman Empire, it is apparent that war has had a powerful effect on philosophy politics history and rhetoric.
From the Paper "Warfare was a powerful force in the ancient world, effecting both social development and change. Warfare has had a supreme effect on civilizations back to the beginning of recorded history and even into the prehistoric human era. One scholar on the subject points out that war is "both a law of nature and a human invention" (Garlan 23). In other words, warfare is an inescapable part of what it means to be human and yet the ways in which warfare effects social development can change from society to society. The purpose of this paper is to examine the ways in which warfare has had a significant effect upon the growth and development of the ancient world. "
Abstract In this paper the author examines the trading routes of the Roman Empire and how changes in them led to the rise of Islam. The author pays particular attention to the development of Islam in Africa and how it remains a great influence in African society even in this modern day.
From the paper:
?Islam offered a number of attractions within Africa. Its fundamental teaching that all Muslims are equal within the community of believers made the acceptance of conquerors and new rulers easier. The Islamic tradition of uniting the powers of the state and religion in the person of the ruler or caliph appealed to some African kings as a way of reinforcing their authority.?
Abstract This essay examines the brutal sport of gladiator fighting in ancient Rome. The essay contains a history of the games, an overview of a typical day's activities, and a look at theories for why the Romans permitted such blood sport in their society for many centuries.
From the Paper "The Romans were, in some ways, the most civilized people of the ancient world. Their well-developed cities, with the many shops, service, and design amenities, were models for the rest of the world. However, that advancement and enlightened way of life cannot hide a dark reality which we find unacceptable in our modern world: an almost total disregard for the value of human life and human rights. The most visible aspect of that disdain for humanity was the massive importation and exploitation of slaves by the Romans. We also have a great difficulty understanding their love of the ?games:? the Roman spectacle of gladiatorial combat to the death."
Abstract This paper is a detailed comparison of the Roman Empire and the Chinese Empire. The author shows how the imperial dynasties of Han and Qin along with the classical empire of Rome offered their people a combination of protection against external enemies and an infrastructure that was far more functional than individual cities or regions would have been able to provide for themselves. This paper describes the reign of all three of these dynasties and their effect on their people as well as world history.
From the Paper "While it is difficult to make any general statement that can cover the political and cultural complexities of the Roman Empire along with the Han and Qin dynasties in China because they were sufficiently different from each other as well as being possessed of substantial internal diversity. And yet, even given the range of institutions and ideals that the three cultures exemplified, there are some commonalties that strike the observer from the vantage point of the 21st century. The primary one of these is that neither the Chinese empire nor the Roman one could have extended its reach as far as it did in geographic terms, had as great a control over its subjects' personal lives as it did, nor ruled for such a long period of time had not the ruling house combined a high degree of bureaucratic efficiency with a depiction of the imperial family that was at least semi-divine."
Abstract This paper explores the creation of the Dutch and Portugese maritime empires, attempting to understand the primary impetus. The author maintains that in both the Dutch and Portuguese cases, means-not motivation-was the major factor in determining the creation and form of the countries' respective empires.
The Portuguese Maritime Empire in Monsoon Asia (1498-1825)
The Dutch Maritime Empire (1400-1800)
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the first stages of imperial expansion, means is more important than motivation. Some empires, such as the Dutch (though not the Portuguese), have a pre-imperialist phase of expansion in which this is particularly true. In this earliest stag, the country is simply trying to preserve the status quo, as the Dutch were trying to preserve their access to spices at the end of the 16th century. Without planning to, they lay the groundwork for imperialism-in the Dutch case, by consolidating trade under the VOC and forming alliances with Asian leaders not already allied with the Portuguese. Only when the necessary means for empire materialize does the country opportunistically and imperialistically expand."
Abstract This paper discusses Muslim Empires and the interpretation of Islam. It looks at the power of the Ottoman Empire and its demise, the Mughal Empire and emperors and the views of Edward Said regarding historical knowledge of another culture.
From the Paper "According to Akbar S Ahmed the main Muslim empires were the Ottomans the Safavids and the Mughals. At its height the empire of the Ottomans extended from Budapest to Yemen and from Baghdad to Algeria. In spite of the size of the empire and the power of the ..."
Tags: Said, Ahmed, Islam, Muslim empires, Ottoman, Mughal
Abstract The paper describes the birth of the Roman republic and the rise and fall of Julius Caesar and notes the aspects that are common to the Roman and the Greek cultures. The paper then discusses the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Empire that was marked by the naming of Octavian Augustus emperor for life. The paper outlines the era of the Five Good Emperors and focuses on Diocletian and Constantine who were some of the most important figures of the Roman Empire at that time and had a role in the spread of Christianity. Finally, the paper overviews the main reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire.
From the Paper "The history of the Roman republic and then empire represents one of the most important segments of the history of the world. It represents the first elements of the organization of the state. However, at the same time the development of the system of government pointed out the different means through which a community can evolve from a political point of view. From the early days of the republic to the late years of the Empire, the Roman state and its institutions were a representative example for the political development of a form of government."
Abstract An outline of the early medieval period, which saw the rise of new kingdoms in Western Europe. The paper discusses the rise and development of the Carolingian Empire. It also provides special attention to the economic and social structure that came from the collapsed Roman Empire and the Barbarian kingdoms.
From the Paper "In the pre-Christian era, the German tribes migrated from the northern Europe to the Roman Empire and occupied the northern lands. There were clashes between the German tribes and the Romans who considered them intruders into their lands and called them "barbarians". The collapse of the Roman Empire enabled the German tribes to explore the Western Roman Empire. There were three basic factions of these German tribes-Germanic Lombards who settled in northern and central Italy, Anglo-Saxons in Britain, And Franks in Gaul (France). The Frankish kingdoms later became one of the new western European civilizations."
Abstract This paper discusses the fall of the Roman empire, and the theory that the destruction of the empire was based on the greed of the wealthy Romans. The paper looks at evidence which contends that Rome experienced a time of peace, and that in that peace there was a need for wealth. Therefore, the wealthy began to tax the poor, and this was the beginning of the fall.
From the Paper "Throughout ancient history Rome was considered the strongest governmental and military force in the world. Researchers indicate that Rome had conquered many lands through the use of innovative military tactics, and with the numerous citizens who loyally served the country. Yet, as Rome had defeated its greatest enemies there came a time of peace for the nation. While this time should have been a rebirth for Rome, the opposite affect occurred. This was evident because without any other country to battle, Rome lost the opportunity to accumulate wealth that had built with each conquest. Therefore, peace for Rome meant growing poverty for it's citizens. This financial strain then spread to the country's hierarchy. It was then that Rome began to fall - for it was the greed of the wealthy that both built, and then destroyed this great power. "
Abstract This paper examines the discussion of the complex relationships the Ottoman Turkish Empire had with her European and Middle Eastern neighbors, as presented in Suraiya Faroqhi's book "The Ottoman Empire and the World Around It". In particular, the paper examines the writing style and expertise of author Suraiya Faroqhi. The paper discusses how the book examines the time period when the Turks were the foremost power in the Muslim world, taking the title from the Arabs before them.
From the Paper "One of the most controversial and most generalized peoples that ever entered the European continent are the Turks. Beginning with the Seljuks, this ethnicity originally from near Mongolia has stayed in the European mindset, even to this day. The actions of Turkish ancestors still might be affecting modern Turkey's inadmission to the European Union."
