Question: Why do many historians consider Hadrian to have been the "best emperor"?
Answer: Hadrian accomplished many good things during his 20 year reign. Some of the most famous Roman structures were built during his time as ruler. He is most famous for building a wall the separated Roman territory and Britain called Hadrian's Wall. Hadrian also directed the construction of the Pantheon. He visited every Roman province and was especially fascinated with the Greek culture and its influence on the known world. Hadrian spent a lot of time with the Roman Army. He lived the life as any normal soldier would. He wanted to connect with everyone that was under his rule. Hadrian traveled abroad before and during his rule. He enjoyed discovering the diverse cultures of each different group of people. Hadrian was especially fond of the Greek culture because of their advancements in art, literature, science, and philosophy. In all, Hadrian was a very stable and fair ruler. He wanted the best for his people and wanted to continue to make advancements in Rome and other places throughout the empire. He tried to keep the peace between groups and end all of the ongoing fights, like the Jewish Wars. Hadrian had hands on experiences with the average people and army of his kingdom. I think many historians consider Hadrian Rome's best emperor because he wanted to connect with everyone from everywhere, which amde him well-liked.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Week #5 Daily #8
Question: Do you think Caesar's killers were justified in their actions?
Answer: After Caesar was assassinated, Rome was announced "free," according to the politicians. What the killers did not see coming was the end of the great Roman Republic. The middle and low class adorned Caesar and were very upset that a group of aristocrats murdered him. The citizens continued to revolt so they threw various things into Caesar's pyre, or fire when they burned his body. Mark Antony, the cousin of Julius, wanted to take control of Rome but there was an heir to the kingdom (unlike Alexander the Great). His grandnephew, Gaius Octavian, was only 18 when he took the throne. Numerous civil wars broke out following Caesar's death and Antony went off and married Cleopatra. The new couple wanted to conquer Rome and take charge. Rome beat Egypt and Octavian became the first Roman emperor to have the name Caesar Augustus. A huge turn of events in Roman history resulted after the death of the dictator. I think the saying "the ends don't justify the means" is the main theme because some good things and bad things came after Caesar's death.
Answer: After Caesar was assassinated, Rome was announced "free," according to the politicians. What the killers did not see coming was the end of the great Roman Republic. The middle and low class adorned Caesar and were very upset that a group of aristocrats murdered him. The citizens continued to revolt so they threw various things into Caesar's pyre, or fire when they burned his body. Mark Antony, the cousin of Julius, wanted to take control of Rome but there was an heir to the kingdom (unlike Alexander the Great). His grandnephew, Gaius Octavian, was only 18 when he took the throne. Numerous civil wars broke out following Caesar's death and Antony went off and married Cleopatra. The new couple wanted to conquer Rome and take charge. Rome beat Egypt and Octavian became the first Roman emperor to have the name Caesar Augustus. A huge turn of events in Roman history resulted after the death of the dictator. I think the saying "the ends don't justify the means" is the main theme because some good things and bad things came after Caesar's death.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Week #5 Daily #11
Question: Was Rome better off as an 'empire' than as a republic?
Answer: I think that Rome was better off as republic because the people choose who they want to be as their ruler. Once again this is another example of how influenced modern nations today. The American people vote for the future president. The candidate with the most votes wins the election. Rome elected many new rulers that led Rome to its high points, and low points. If Rome had stayed an empire then there would always be the same group of people or dynasty in power. The people of Rome chose the best person who could lead their civilization into glory. Take Emperor Claudius for example, he ruled during the time when Rome was an empire. He "accidentally" became the new ruler of Rome. Claudius was considered a coward because he hid behind a curtain when he was announced emperor. The Roman empire didn't want Claudius as their ruler but once they were given an opportunity to elect a new ruler, it gave the people another way to express their opinion. Rome was in fact, one of the greatest empires/republics in the ancient world. It went under many changes and through it all, Rome became a very wealthy and victorious civilization.
Answer: I think that Rome was better off as republic because the people choose who they want to be as their ruler. Once again this is another example of how influenced modern nations today. The American people vote for the future president. The candidate with the most votes wins the election. Rome elected many new rulers that led Rome to its high points, and low points. If Rome had stayed an empire then there would always be the same group of people or dynasty in power. The people of Rome chose the best person who could lead their civilization into glory. Take Emperor Claudius for example, he ruled during the time when Rome was an empire. He "accidentally" became the new ruler of Rome. Claudius was considered a coward because he hid behind a curtain when he was announced emperor. The Roman empire didn't want Claudius as their ruler but once they were given an opportunity to elect a new ruler, it gave the people another way to express their opinion. Rome was in fact, one of the greatest empires/republics in the ancient world. It went under many changes and through it all, Rome became a very wealthy and victorious civilization.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Week #5 Daily #13
Assignment: Required Daily: Read Augustus' 'Res Gestae ' paragraphs 19 - 21 and scavenger hunt for as many pictures relating to the places mentioned as you can find and chart them on a Google Map.
Google Map link:<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=202902566612384583166.00049f0527ffdb49b4173&t=h&ll=41.333016,13.463745&spn=1.154873,1.988526&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=202902566612384583166.00049f0527ffdb49b4173&t=h&ll=41.333016,13.463745&spn=1.154873,1.988526&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Augustus Scavenger Hunt Map</a> in a larger map</small>
Notes On Julius Caesar
- Played a critical role in the transformation as Rome from a republic to an empire.
- Caesar was born into a patrician family.
- There is not much recorded about his childhood.
- Formative years were tough, hard
- His father dies in 85 BCE so at 16 years old he was the head of his family
- Caesar left Rome to join the army and won the Civic Crown award for playing an important role during a siege
- In 63 BCE he ran for the position of the chief priest for the Roman state religion (Pontifex Maximus)
- Ran for consul in 60 BCE, won and took the position for 59 BCE
- Soon became in political debt
- Aristocracy tried to limit his power
- Once his term in ended, left his province in order to avoid prosecution
- Defeated tribes of Gaul and joined alliances
- Meeting was held to have Caesar's governorship renewed (5 years)
- Helped built a bridge over the Rhine River
- Revolts start in Gaul, Caesar cannot control it
- 50 BCE Pompey ordered Caesar to disband his personal army
- He was accused of treason and insubordination
- Defeated Pompey, was named dictator of Rome
- Soon became involved in Egyptian civil war, sided with Cleopatra
- 47 BCE- Cleopatra is announced ruler
- Wiped out the king of the middle east
- Was appointed dictator for the next ten years
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Week #5 Daily #5
Question: Imagine you are a Roman in the year 264 BCE (the year of the 1st Punic War). What does your future look like? Then, look at the world around you today. What does your future look like? Think about politics, technology, culture, dominance, balance.
Answer (diary entry): July 264- They won. The Romans beat them. A treaty was finally signed. The Carthaginians attacked the Mediterranean islands and tried to take control. The people from the islands asked for help from the Roman army along with my brother, Aquila, called to go and fight. We haven't heard anything from him since last summer. He told us that that the sun was scorching and his leg had a puncture in it form an arrow. I'm worried he has gotten sick from infection and didn't fight. Rome has now become on of the most powerful empires in the known world. Who's that? Someone is knocking at the door. Our family has just received news from a Roman soldier that many troops were lost during the last battle. He also said that they did recover some of the bodies and identified some of the dead soldiers. It is with a heavy heart that I write that AQUILA IS DEAD. I can't describe how I am feeling right now. The tears are flowing freely as I write these words. Why did the gods let this happen?! How dare they let my brother just get slaughtered on the battlefield. All I know is one thing-- he died for the city of Rome. You went down in honor dear brother and I will never forget you. I know another war is coming and it will not be pretty.
Answer (diary entry): July 264- They won. The Romans beat them. A treaty was finally signed. The Carthaginians attacked the Mediterranean islands and tried to take control. The people from the islands asked for help from the Roman army along with my brother, Aquila, called to go and fight. We haven't heard anything from him since last summer. He told us that that the sun was scorching and his leg had a puncture in it form an arrow. I'm worried he has gotten sick from infection and didn't fight. Rome has now become on of the most powerful empires in the known world. Who's that? Someone is knocking at the door. Our family has just received news from a Roman soldier that many troops were lost during the last battle. He also said that they did recover some of the bodies and identified some of the dead soldiers. It is with a heavy heart that I write that AQUILA IS DEAD. I can't describe how I am feeling right now. The tears are flowing freely as I write these words. Why did the gods let this happen?! How dare they let my brother just get slaughtered on the battlefield. All I know is one thing-- he died for the city of Rome. You went down in honor dear brother and I will never forget you. I know another war is coming and it will not be pretty.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Week #5 Daily #3
Question: Please write a brief biography of Hannibal and explain whether or not you think his reputation (in Roman eyes) as a monster was deserved.
Answer: Every since Hannibal was a little boy, he was told to hate the Romans. Rome was a very wealthy empire and Carthage wanted to rise up. Hannibal lead the Carthaginian army into the Punic Wars. He wanted to show the Romans his expert battle skills and strategies. It was his job by his leader to take control of the islands in the Mediterranean. The empire that has control of the islands controls the trade routes so that meant they could bring in more wealth and power into their civilization. Hannibal had plan to win the second Punic War. He traveled from North Africa up to Spain and led his troops through Europe, up the Alps, and down into Southern Italy back up to Rome. Although his men were outnumbered, they defeated the Romans because Hannibal had a plan to push the Romans back. Hannibal had his calvary go behind enemy lines and attack the Roman calvary. Then, his troops and calvary surrounded the Romans and slaughtered them. The battle is infamous in Roman history. It disgraced their reputation but also made Hannibal look like a monster. Hannibal got the reputation he deserved because the Romans had a very powerful influence on many civilizations and it destroyed their name.
Answer: Every since Hannibal was a little boy, he was told to hate the Romans. Rome was a very wealthy empire and Carthage wanted to rise up. Hannibal lead the Carthaginian army into the Punic Wars. He wanted to show the Romans his expert battle skills and strategies. It was his job by his leader to take control of the islands in the Mediterranean. The empire that has control of the islands controls the trade routes so that meant they could bring in more wealth and power into their civilization. Hannibal had plan to win the second Punic War. He traveled from North Africa up to Spain and led his troops through Europe, up the Alps, and down into Southern Italy back up to Rome. Although his men were outnumbered, they defeated the Romans because Hannibal had a plan to push the Romans back. Hannibal had his calvary go behind enemy lines and attack the Roman calvary. Then, his troops and calvary surrounded the Romans and slaughtered them. The battle is infamous in Roman history. It disgraced their reputation but also made Hannibal look like a monster. Hannibal got the reputation he deserved because the Romans had a very powerful influence on many civilizations and it destroyed their name.
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