Julius Caesar (Louvre in Paris)
Week 13.2

Today we will complete our study of Roman civilization up to Imperial Rome. Make sure you have updated your E-Portfolios to include the activities for the Roman civilization.  Next week, we will explore both Chrisitanity and Islam.  Please read the sections in your text describing these two world religions.

Note that the due date for submissions to the E-Portfolio competition is Monday, March 30th.

                          General Hannibal of Carthage

Week 13.1

Today we will complete our study of the Roman Republic with a look at some of its greatest battles. The Punic Wars and their aftermath set the stage for transforming Rome from a republic into an empire.

For Thursday, have the primary source article either submitted via e-mail or ready to turn in during class.  Also, please note that the May 1st deadline is next Tuesday.  That is the date for the second evaluation of your E-Portfolios.  They should be complete in every category up to, and including the Roman Civilization.  Projects are to be loaded by May 6th.

                                 Founding Myth of Rome: Romulus and Remus

Week 12.2

Today we will plunge into our investigation of the Roman civilization.  Please makes sure your readings are complete for this civilization. For next Thursday, we will discuss our Primary Source for Rome: Livy: The Roman Way of Declaring War: http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/ancient/650livy1-34.asp

For next Tuesay, we will take our second exam on the cultures of China and Greece.  Be prepared to continue with the lecture after the exam.  Also, begin work on your E-Portfolio submissions for the Roman civilization.

News:

The First Annual BHCC ePortfolio Showcase Contest Deadline: April 30

To submit an ePorfolio to be considered for the BHCC ePortfolio Showcase Contest you will need to join the appropriate Community within Digication. The following links will connect you to the Community for the category in which you intend to compete. You may submit your ePortfolio in as many categories as you think appropriate.

NOTE: If you have more than one ePortfolio connected with your name then please provide the TITLE of your submission in the discussion area.

Submission deadline: Monday, April 30, 2012

Category see https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74013

Category learn https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74014

Category be https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74015

Category do https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74016

Category know https://bhcc.digication.com/course_view.digi?courseid=74017

Winning ePortfolios will be showcased on Monday, May 7, 6–8:00 p.m. D-Lounge

The BEST representative of each category wins a $100 prize.

see:     Showcase of Mastery in a Discipline

learn:   Appreciation for Diversity

be:      Reflection on the Learning Process
do:      Evidence of Community Engagement
know: Demonstration of Critical Thinking

For more information please contact Professor Ted Carlson at rcarlson@bhcc.mass.edu .

At BHCC, electronic portfolios provide vehicles for students to display and reflect on written, visual, audio, and other work they create as part of their college experience. ePortfolio is a key component of LifeMap, an integrated system that supports students in achieving their educational, career and life goals.

Week 12.1  The Battle of Marathon

The Persian Empire over the years expanded to the Mediterrean Sea. In the process some Greek settlements were conquered. Ionia was one such settlement. After many years, they tried to revolt against the Persians but the uprising was immediately squashed by the powerful Persian Army. By the year 490 B.C., the Persian Army was ready to expand their territory and move into Europe. They landed a large force just outside of Athens on the plains of Marathon and prepared for attack.


The Role of Phidippides

The Athens, vastly outnumbered, desperately needed the help of Sparta's military base to help fend off the attack. Time was short, so the Athenian generals send Phidippides to Sparta to ask for help. The 140 mile course was very mountainous and rugged. Phidippides ran the course in about 36 hours. Sparta agreed to help but said they would not take the field until the moon was full due to religious laws. This would leave the Athenians alone to fight the Persian Army. Phidippides ran back to Athens (another 140 miles!) with the disappointing news. Immediately, the small Athenian Army (including Phidippedes) marched to the plains of Marathon to prepare for battle.


The Battle of Marathon

The Athenian Army was outnumbered 4 to 1 but they launched a suprise offensive thrust which at the time appeared suicidal. But by day's end, 6400 Persian bodies lay dead on the field while only 192 Athenians had been killed. The surviving Persians fled to sea and headed south to Athens where they hoped to attack the city before the Greek Army could re-assemble there.

Phidippides was again called upon to run to Athens (26 miles away) to carry the news of the victory and the warning about the approaching Persian ships. Despite his fatigue after his recent run to Sparta and back and having fought all morning in heavy armor, Phidippides rose to the challenge. Pushing himself past normal limits of human endurance, the reached Athens in perhaps 3 hours, deliverd his message "Nike" (victory) and then died from exhaustion.

                                                  Alexander the Great

Week 11.2

Today we will complete our study of Greece up to the Classical Era.  For next Tuesday, please complete your readings for Hellenistic Greece and also read the beginning of the Roman Civilization.

                                   King Leonidas in "300"
Week 12.1

Today we will explore Archaic Greece, in particular the cities of Athens and Sparta. For Thursday, please be prepared to do your map quiz of Greece.

                                      Poisedon, Athena, and Cecrops

Week 11.2

We are continuing our exploration of Ancient Greece.  For next Tuesday, please prepare for the discussion of the Primary Source on Greek Slavery: 
 http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/ancient/greek-slaves.asp

Also, we will have a map quiz on Greece on Thursday, April 12.

As I have posted two legends for you about Greece, here is a third.  How did the city of Athen's get it's name?  The legend of the Naming of Athens is a good one - read on:

The Naming of Athens

Once, a long long time ago, there was a man named Cecrops. Cecrops, whose name means "face with a snake," was half-man and half-snake. He was also the founder and first king of Athens. Athens started looking pretty good, and Athena and Poseidon both wanted to be the patron of it. They were on the verge of attacking each other, when the wise Athena came up with an idea about who could win the city. It was decided that whoever gave the city the best gift would get it as her/his own. The people of the city would be the judges.

Leading a huge crowd, the two gods ascended to the Acropolis to give their gifts. Poseidon was first, and he lifted his trident and struck the earth with it. A spring shot forth and began pouring out water. The people sighed in wonder, but when they tasted it, they were not so impressed for the spring was as salty as the sea Poseidon ruled.

Athena, on the other hand, merely knelt and buried something in the ground. It was an olive tree. Simple, yes, but the olive tree was also a rich gift. It gave the Athenians the olives (food), oil, and wood. The people deemed Athena's the better gift. As the winner, Athena name the city after herself (Athens, of course).

Athena's Owl:  The goddess of Athen's is usually pictured with an owl to sybolize her wisdom.  Here is an unusual video showing an eagle owl landing on a security camera.  It made me think of Athena:  http://www.dogwork.com/owfo8/

The "Owls" were used throughout ancient Greece because of their easy exchangeability. Athena's picture was on the reverse side. Owls thus became the world's first great trade currency,