Abstract The author of this paper discusses how the essential doctrinal and theological differences between Antioch and Alexandria were defined by the basic teachings of Christology. In Antioch it can be summed up that the essential humanity of Christ and his teachings were espoused in all forms of belief and doctrinal worship, in Alexandria Christ's spiritual and God like nature was stressed. These essential differences formed the basis of the rivalry that existed in the early centuries of the first millennium.
Abstract This paper discusses various aspects of the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria, including its geographic features of its location, details of its population and their occupations, the nature and significance of religion and the structure of secular authority. It also investigates the city's cultural, artistic and architectural achievements. The study concludes by drawing attention to the importance of Alexandria and its civilization to the study and understanding of ancient cultures around the globe.
This paper explains the role of the second post-Alexandrian pharaoh, Ptolemy II Philadelphus ,in developing the Library of Alexandria into a monument of Egypt.
Abstract This paper explains that Ptolemy II Philadelphus, who had an insatiable desire for the luxury of books, transformed the Library of Alexandria, which was started by his father Ptolemy I Soter, into the world's biggest and best organized collection of knowledge. The author points out that Zenodotus, who he appointed as "bibliophylax" ("custodian of the books)", instituted a modern shelving system, invented alphabetization and sorted the rolls according to the nature of their contents. The paper concludes that, while the Library ushered in an era of intellectualism and produced and preserved texts, which laid the groundwork for more than two millennia of scholarship, the Library was not regarded as a public institution of education but rather as a way to please the king's intellectual inclinations and to act as a monument to the greatness of Egypt.
From the Paper "Philadelphus was "fair-haired and delicate in health" with a "peculiar thick neck." Besides books, his other great indulgence was women and his lust for both can be expressed in similar terms. He was "a noble patron of science, literature, and art, as well as a man of pleasure" and he "alternated the company of his mistress with that of his philosophers, poets, and men of science." He was a "lover of all that is beautiful and of literature." While subsequent kings of Egypt would broaden the Library's mission to include the sciences, Philadelphus kept his collection inline with his passion and ..."
Abstract This paper analyzes the Good Samaritan Parable (Luke Chapter 10.25-37) from the New Testament. The paper studies the parable from the point of view of three different people: St. Augustine, Origen, and Clement of Alexandria. The paper also relates to the historical and cultural aspects of the Parable.
Abstract The original list of the Seven Wonders was compiled when the city of Egypt was the center of Western civilization. This paper describes how over time the list of Wonders became regularized, the finalists being the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos, the Mausoleum at Halicamassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Pharos at Alexandria. The writer looks in detail at each wonder.
From the Paper "The first Wonder of the World is the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The Great Pyramid was built over a twenty year period. The site was first prepared, and then blocks of stone were transported and placed. An outer casing was then used to smooth the surface. Although it is not known how the blocks were put in place, several theories have been proposed. One theory involves the construction of a straight or spiral ramp that was raised as the construction proceeded. A second theory suggests that the blocks were placed using long levers with a short angled foot. The online Wikipedia Encyclopedia says, "There is enough blocks in the pyramid to build a wall 10 foot tall, all the way
the country of France" (Seven 1). The Great Pyramid is one of the most important because it has withstood weather conditions and aging."
Tags: civilization, monuments, pyramid, history, construction
Abstract The writer gives a brief description of the fundamental tenets of the two ethical perspectives before analyzing the case directly. The paper first looks at the 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who held that morality is based on deontological theories?specific and foundational principles of obligation. The other philosophy addressed is that of Clement of Alexandria, who taught virtue ethics.
From the Paper "In Virtue ethics, morality is derived from externally-imposed rules, such as "don"t kill," or "don"t steal." Therefore, individuals are acting correctly only when they conform with rigidly defined rules. By following these rules, they will develop good habits of character ("Ethics"). In this paper, the text "Who is the Rich Man that Shall be Saved," by Clement of Alexandria, will be used to represent the ethical perspective. God's will and salvation are the external elements that shape the laws of morality in this case. Therefore, people are encourage to developed the "soul's virtue" in order to claim the "prize" of salvation. Otherwise, they faced the threat of being destroyed by God (Clement of Alexandria 307). Therefore, the ideal rich man in this description is one who uses his possessions wisely by generously extending them to others in need. Therefore, he shows that he is not enslaved to his possessions; instead, he holds the wealth in his soul and is therefore in touch with God's spirit (Clement of Alexandria 303)."
Abstract Michael Grant's "Cleopatra" is an interesting read both in terms of subject matter and style. Cleopatra was a powerful woman who, while reigning in Alexandria, Egypt, had affairs with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. Traditional history has tended to superficially dismiss her as a powerful seductress. While Grant's book is written in an academic style, it helps debunk the common misperception regarding Cleopatra and demonstrates that she was a skilled administrator who attempted to salvage Egypt from Roman domination.
Traces the decline of the Egyptian Ptolemaic Dynasty from its position as one of the greatest powers in the world to its eventual defeat at the hands of Caesar Augustus and the take-over of Egypt by Rome.
Abstract This paper argues that the incapacity to govern among many of the Ptolemies led to internal strife and the loss of the respect of other world powers for Egypt, which, in turn, set the stage for the Ptolemaic Dynasty's downfall at the hands of the Romans. The paper discusses the notably incompetent Egyptian pharaohs and illustrates how their actions led to their empire's demise.
From the Paper "In the third century BC, the Ptolemaic Empire was a vast and far-reaching kingdom, including territories in Cyrenaica, the eastern Mediterranean coast up to Tripolis, the island of Cyprus, and various other islands in the north Mediterranean (Bowman 28). However, from 96 BC onwards, the rule of the Ptolemies no longer extended overseas except in Cyprus. The Ptolemies became kings in name only, as the real power over the land and the people lay with Rome (Bowman 33). What caused the Ptolemaic Dynasty to decline from its position as one of the greatest kingdoms of the Hellenistic world and become a mere line of Roman puppets with no real power in the first century BC? Many different factors no doubt contributed to this, but the demise was principally a result of the shortcomings and incompetencies of the Ptolemaic rulers themselves. Decisive events during the reigns of some of the rulers illustrate poor judgment, ineffectual leadership, and a fatal reliance on Roman assistance. The incapable governance of the Ptolemies and the consequent internal strife of the kingdom led to increased vulnerability to and reliance on Rome and provided the appropriate climate for an eventual Roman take-over."
Abstract This essay analyzes Harper Lee's famous novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird", and its message about racism. The paper analyzes the main characters in the play, explaining that they symbolize aspects of racism, innocence and equality.
From the Paper "It is said that a seed needs only to be planted, before it inevitable grows. If the soil is more fertile, as was the heart of young Scout Finch, conscience is more easily instilled, as her father Atticus, would ultimately come to realize. With soil that is dry and barren, much like the town of Maycomb and its' racial convictions, it is impossible to predict whether any seed planted will take root. With regard to Maycomb, it wasn't lack of conscience that proved so tragic, it was the double-consciousness. This refers to the townspeople looking at themselves through the eyes of others. Image is everything, and as others saw you, so it was that you were. A "sheep mentality," with people thinking and acting in similar fashion, most notably when it came to interracial perception and interaction."
Tags: atticus, tom, robinson, injustice, treated, differently, aunt, alexandria, calpurnia
Abstract This is a comprehensive book review of Justo L. Gonzalez, "The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation". The author tells us how Gonzalez's book relates very clearly the details of the disagreement that took place in 325 C.E. The author starts by telling us that the emperor Constantine called around 300 bishops to the Asia Minor city of Nicea, with the primary objective of settling a heated debate that had arisen in Alexandria some time earlier. The author tells us that Gonzalez's book is an examination of the arguments that took place and the personalities involved. He looks at both sides of the arguments that are presented and highlights how this has affected modern day church thinking. But, in conclusion, the author reminds us that it is important to remember that the Christian search is a search for the objective, absolute truth of God.
From the Paper "In reply to the possible objection that the term 'Godhead' signifies a nature and not an action, Gregory argues that the indivisibility of the nature makes the claim that God is Three nonsensical. A nature is an immaterial thing without "bodily appearance, and size, and place, and difference in figure and colour...That which is not thus circumscribed is not enumerated, and that which is not enumerated cannot be contemplated in multitude." In other words, it makes no sense to say that God's nature, which is an immaterial concept, has the number three, much as it would make no sense to say that human nature has a color."
Abstract This paper examines Christianity in Egypt after the personal conversion by Saint Mark. It briefly discusses the Arian heresy and asceticism. Also, the spread of Coptic Christianity to Ethiopia is shown. A great portion of the paper explains the Christian role as a minority in Egypt.
From the Paper "According to recent figures, Coptic Orthodox Christians comprise over thirteen percent of Egypt's population. This is significant particularly because Egypt currently has the largest population in Africa. Today, Coptic Christians comprise over fifty million followers, mostly in Africa. The largest concentration of these Christians is in Ethiopia, with smaller communities in Egypt and Eritrea. Most of the native Orthodox Christians in Egypt are centered in the southern portion of the country. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, when Portuguese Roman Catholic missionaries went to East Africa to convert natives, they were surprised to see Ethiopia already being constituted of practicing Christians. "
Abstract This paper discusses the background and history of St. Anathasius, the 20th Patriarch of Alexandria. It describes some of his contributions to the Christian Church, in which he served as both bishop and deacon. The paper discusses some of the works that St. Anathasius is best known for and describes an apolytikion that was based on his influence and is still sung today.
From the Paper "Beyond his involvement with the Nicene Creed, Anthanasius served his time as bishop in many other constructive and influential ways. Known around the world for the high quality of their astronomers, the bishop of Alexandria had a duty to write to all the other bishops every year to inform them what the correct date for Easter would be. These letters were called Easter, or Paschal Letters. Anthanasius took this duty very seriously and his letters contained other information as well. One letter, for example, Since Alexandria had the best astronomers, it was the duty of the Bishop of Alexandria to write to the other bishops every year and tell them the correct date for Easter. Naturally, his annual letter on this topic contained other material as well. On such Paschal Letter that Anthanasius is well known for, often referred to as his 39th Festal Letter gives a list of the books that should be considered part of the canonical Scriptures. He also listed several books suitable for devotional reading (Forbes & Washbourne)."
Abstract This paper examines the Christian art of the first five centuries C.E., which is potentially a source of a great deal of data and information about Christianity during the period in question. The author explains that the origins and development of early Christian art are indebted to a number of factors. These factors are comprised of certain styles associated with certain regions and practices, converts to Christianity adopting pagan practices, and to more than purely aesthetic functions such as pedagogical uses. The paper concludes that early Christian art did not spring into existence without roots. Rather it can be seen as an undisrupted continuous seam going back to ancient religions and practices.
From the Paper "Textual evidence seems to suggest that certain theologians did indeed go against the production of cultic art objects for the practice of idolatry while perhaps understanding the difference between that and the functional uses of art whether it was decorative, symbolic or didactic. Christians probably understood that smaller objects did not have much significance. So when larger objects did come on to the scene it was not of a great shock since they were not seen as objects of worship and "therefore presented no danger of idolatry." Some scholars believe that many of the Christian converts that came from a polytheistic background abandoned their old practices since they would recognize it was incompatible with their new faith."
Abstract This paper describes the life and death of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus who reigned from 211 to 217 C.E., and was known as Caracalla from the Gallic hooded tunic that he wore. The author explains that although he was a ruthless man and authorized many assassinations, even in his own family, he took great care of his army and marched with them, ate with them and fought with them. As a monument to himself, he commissioned the Baths of Caracalla, one of the last major architectural achievements of the Roman Empire, and the largest public bath ever built in ancient Rome. The paper describes them in detail and concludes that although Caracalla's reign was infamous for many reasons, it was not entirely negative, as Caracalla saw to it that the soldiers in the army were treated well and the baths that he had constructed are part of Rome's cultural heritage today.
Outline:
Introduction
The Rise To Power
The Reign Of Caracalla
The Army and the Legacy
The Fall of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla
Dimensions and Layout of the Baths
Conclusion
From the Paper "He was much like his father in that he was a strong and often cruel ruler and did not give others any second chances (Chastagnol, 1994). He had his own agenda that he followed, and he did not deviate from it just because it was unpopular or because others though that he was unfair. Mostly, people kept their opinions of him to themselves so that they could be left alone by the government and remain alive. Not everyone felt that they had to submit to the rule of Caracalla or that he was a fair emperor, and some people were killed because they became too vocal, but many others survived quietly."
