Western Civilization

Jillian Kurzmann 1/31/18 Honors Western Civilization Today, I was not in class. I saw Mr. Schick in the hallway and explained that I am ill. I picked up my  books to do homework and went to the doctor. He said that I have a bacterial sinus infection and I will be out until Friday. I will catch up on notes using the powerpoint and I will post another blog tomorrow.

Jillian Kurzmann 1/30/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we had a shorter period due to the 2 hour delay. We also learned more about the Ancient Greek rulers. Hippias was a tyrant who ruled from 527 to 510 BCE. His brother was murdered, and his rule became harsh. Eventually, he was expelled from Athens (this is called being ostracized). In revenge, he began working with the Persian King Darius I, helping them invade Marathon. With Hippias gone, Isagoras and Cleisthenes (both were aristocrats- surprise!) engaged in a power struggle. Isagoras had support from some fellow aristocrats, plus from Sparta. Cleisthenes had support of the majority of Athenians. Isagoras becomes archon eponymous (tyrant). He ostracizes Cleisthenes. Cleisthenes' supporters- and the ordinary Athenian citizens: revolt against Isagoras' tyranny. They trap Isagoras on the acropolis for two days- on the third day, he fled and was banished. 508 BCE! Yes! Cleisthenes- definitely a ...

Jillian Kurzmann 1/26/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we had doughnut holes. We also learned about the first few leaders of Greece. In symposiums, no women were allowed. In symposiums, no middle class people were allowed. In symposiums, no slaves were allowed. Sometimes, even certain aristocrats (who didn't have the right connections, or who fell out of favor) were excluded. What did you do if you're on the outside? Sometimes aristocrats would form alliances with hoplites (well-armed soldiers), and setup an alternative form of gov't called a tyranny. Tyrant: someone who rules outside the framework of the polis. The modern meaning of tyrant: an abusive or oppressive ruler. The Greek meaning of tyrant: someone who simply seized power (usually with hoplite help). Draco (621 BCE) All Athenians (rich or poor) are equal under the law. But, death is the punishment for many crimes. Debt slavery is Ok (work as a slave to re...

Jillian Kurzmann 1/25/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we read pages in the textbook about government and society in Greece. We also took notes of the government of Greece off of the PowerPoint. Polis- fundamental political unit, made upon a city and the surrounding countryside. Politics (affairs of the cities), policy, political, etc. Monarchy- ruled by a single person (a king, in Greece). Aristocracy- rule by a small group noble, very rich, landowning families. Oligarchy- wealthy groups, dissatisfied with aristocratic rule, who seized power (often with military help). Tyrants- powerful individual, who seized control by appealing to the common people for support. During the seventh and sixth centuries BCE, aristocrats ran the show in most of Greece. Really?!? Back then, rich people wielded much more influence in the society, and held much more government power, then the middle class or the poor? Gee, what would that be like? Aristocrats: numbers of the ru...

Jillian Kurzmann 1/24/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we listened to the Odyssey. We also took notes on symbols and important themes in the story. Goats Feasting Traveling by ship Strange land A giant monster man-mountain Wine Sharing gifts Needed to be diluted Flock of sheep Sacrifice to the Gods Huge boulder blocking cave exit Fire Hospitality Cyclops don't care Odysseus is crafty HE ATE TWO DUDES!!!!!! 2 MORE!!!!! His club is as big as a ship's mast 2 MORE MEN!!!!!! Odysseus: "My name is Nobody" Drills a burning mast into cyclops' eye Escape: by clinging to sheep's bellies Trash talk (Uh-oh) A fatal flaw? Pride? Overall, I believe the story expressed a lot of gore and blood. The wine was 20x as strong as normal wine. I believe that Odysseus was very smart and brave. He defeated the cyclops and lived to tell the tale to others. The Odyssey has many good stories to listen to and I enjoyed the Greek mythology.

Jillian Kurzmann 1/22/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we caught the absent kids up on notes. We also learned about ancient Greek culture. Around 1200 BCE, the mysterious "sea people" began to invade Mycenae, and burnt palace after palace. After, the Dorians moved into this war-torn region, dominating from 1150-750 BCE. Dorians were far less advanced. Their trade based economy collapsed. Writing disappeared for 400 years. Talk about a culture decline. Greek oral tradition-stories passed on by word of mouth. Homer lived at the end of these "Greek Dark Ages". He composed stories (epics) of the Trojan War c.750-700 BCE. The Iliad- probably on of the conquests of the Mycenaeans (the Trojan War). The Odyssey- Odysseus attempts to return home after the Trojan War being thwarted by the angry god of the sea, Poseidon. The Odyssey was 12,110 lines of dactylic hexameter. The Homeric question- Homer may have been a mythical creation himself.  ...

Jillian Kurzmann 1/19/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, Kelsie brought doughnuts. We also learned more about Greece's history. Although fertile valleys cover on quarter of the peninsula, only 20% is arable. Greek diet consists of grains, grapes, olives, and fish. Lack of resources most likely led to Greek colonization. Back then, temperatures usually ranged from mid 40s in the winter to low 80s in the summer- although it could get hot in the summer, it was pretty nice year-round. Mycenaeans influence began around 2000 BCE. Mycenae is located on a rocky ridge on Peloponnesus, protected by a 20-foot thick wall. Mycenaean kings dominated Greece from 1600-1100 BCE. The controlled in the region. 1400 BCE, Mycenaeans invaded Crete and absorbed Minoan culture (writing system, language, art, politics, literature, and religion). The Greeks have fought many wars over time. Trojan War- fought in 12th-13th century BCE. Part of Greek mythology- until 19th century ...

Jillian Kurzmann 1/18/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, I bought a composition notebook and transferred my notes from yesterday into it. We also discussed the geography of Greece. Greece is considered a peninsula. Greece has opportunity to trade with many parts of Europe using the Mediterranean Sea. In Greece, there is not a lot of arable land that can be used for farming. There is also not enough food for everyone due to the mountains. The Greeks are considered water fearing people. Greece is surrounded by the Aegean Sea, Adriatic Sea, And the Ionian Sea. The island South of Greece is called Peloponnesus. The capital of Greece is Athens. Sparta is the capital of Peloponnesus. Crete is located South of Peloponnesus. Asia Minor is across the Aegean Sea from Greece. Macedonia is located North of Greece. Many people in Greece were good sailors and shipbuilders Greece is considered a mountainous peninsula. Three-fourths of Greece is mountainous. Greece h...

Jillian Kurzmann 1/16/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, I set up my blog account. We also began an introduction to Ancient Greece. The world's greatest civilizations are located on the water. Most people settled and built homes near water to make it easier for gathering resources. Mesopotamia is located on the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers. Egypt is located on the Nile River. India is located on the Indus River. China is located on the Huang He River. The three major seas that surround Greece are the Adriatic Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Aegean Sea. The word Mediterranean means middle of the Earth. Many people did not know that the Earth was round and believed that the Mediterranean Sea was the middle ocean. Many people did not sail across the Atlantic Sea to find North and South America. Some people did not even venture across the Mediterranean Sea to go to India or China.