Greek Battles in Art

The Greeks portrayed themselves fighting battles and winning wars in a lot of their art. If you look at our artwork today, there are some artists who recreate battles or soldiers through art, but it is not as common as it was back then. Why do you think this is, and what does this tell us about the differences in the attitudes towards war and related things in the ancient Greek society and our society today?

The Epic of Gilgamesh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_of_Gilgamesh


That must've been the longest bedtime story ever, lol

Hammurabi

Today in my world history honors class we learned about Hammurabi and his laws... which was good, I've never actually read all of it, but we got to read some excerpts. One was particularly amusing. It was the law that if one man accuses another of a capital crime and does not prove it, the accusor will be put to death.


O.O

I return?

Hey guys, I might be back to blogging pretty soon. Other than that...nothing much. I wonder if anyone even visits my blog anymore :(

Religion

I just skimmed over some general information about the crusades and I thought, well geez. All these guys fighting over some religious stuff? Just declaring war because you want access to some really old relic or area?

I don't know about you all but I feel as if religion isn't as prominent in our lives as it was back then. One reason is because we're not to combine religion and the state, but I've noticed a lot of people calling themselves atheist. I myself am christian, but I have a lot of friends whom are either humanisitic or outright atheist.

Will religion just completely deteriorate in the future? Science is now explaining 'godly' and 'otherworldy' feats. And now these days any kind of abnormality can be explained through quantum physics. (For example, you could be crossing a street, dissipate, reappear on Mars, dissipate once more, and then be back at Earth- but you would have to wait longer than the lifespan of the universe).

Will there be a god in the future?

OMG! HE'S ALIVE!

Heh. Well, I was gone for quite a while. I'm actually looking into Medieval history now....although I find the Crusades and Jihads of that time disgusting. We should never have mixed religion into war. Anyways, I'm gonna upload some music onto this blog (only for now) so you can visit this site to listen...so I don't feel alone and helpless in this world....perhaps you will stop by because of music? I dunno. Hopefully!

---Edit-----
Meh. I'm having problems uploading the file onto a seperate server so I can link the URL so that the mp3 file will play on the blog.....have to sort it out. Probably dish out some blows amongst the creators of google page creator.


Best wishes to you all

Justin

**********This Site Will Be Closed***********

Sorry guys! But this site will be closed as I work on my other blog. FYI- I'm an active member of the Halo modding community. So, my other blog is about modding Halo.


It's a very technical site and you guys won't find it interesting =P


This site'll be down for only a couple weeks or so.

I've been gone longer, now haven't I?

Don't worry, I'll still drop by on your blogs!

French Contribution and Loss during WWI

WWI was primarily fought on French soil. As a result, the French lost more men in WWI than the U.S. would lose in ALL OF THE 19th century. During WWII, France wanted the war to NOT be fought on their soil- and as a result tried to compromise with Hitler, as did Britain. Seeing these statistics helps me realize how badly countries were damaged during WWI, and why they wanted to prevent WWII to such a large extent.

German Trenches Part Dos

An aerial view of German trenches-those lines aren't roads...they're trenches... =o

German Trenches (Don't blame me if pictures are horrible...reading the descripion will help)

This is one German trench. It's a bad picture, considering that the photographer took a pic of the worst part of the trench...as you can see in the picture, they've set up wooden barricades. Also, they've covered some of the floor with wood. In a typical German trench, lavatories were in the ends of the trenches. Bakeries were also a part of the trench-they were in the back at the command post or reserve trench. Since this is a marsh, they didn't think that they needed a patio...

German Trenches During WWI

German trenches during World War 1 were very sophisticated. Unlike British and French open-air trenches, the Germans built elaborate underground "mini-rooms and passageways" that had food, ELECTRICITY, WATER, and sometimes a kind of make-shift TOILET. You know, the kind of stuff you wouldn't expect in a trench...another example of German idiocy- you only qualify as a soldier when your back is broken, your throat is parched, and your stomach's rumbling. THAT'S RIGHT HITLER.

0

Well you guys...in case anyone actually LIKES my blog, here's some heads-up news... I'M OUT OF IDEAS. Yeah, I could ramble about the Siege of Gergovia, or Caesar's conquests in Gallicia and Briton, but those aren't so...interesting. Educational, yes, out of the ordinary, yes, but not extraordinary. Anyways, do you guys want me to write about something you've been wondering about? Or am I just talking to a wall... o_O

No

No, no...I am not a propaganda artist, anti-american, a neo-nazi, or anti-semetic. Yet I feel like it is my obligation, as one who knows odd parts of ancient and modern history, to tell you the story of the two great american figures who supported Nazism and fascist beliefs during WWII- Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh. Yes, the Henry Ford who manufactured the first model T, the alleged genius of a man who made all the blueprints of the model T himself (which is completely fake-he just gathered all of the best scientists and mechanics), and Charles Lindbergh, the man who made the first trans-atlantic flight, the international hero and the man who only brought 4 ham sandwiches with him on his long voyage.
Just in case all of you people who have never heard of the anti-semetic side of Henry Ford, he was the creator of The International Jew where he voiced his anti-semetic and paranoid opinions about Jewish bankers trying to take over the world. He blamed the WWII on the Jews, the very people that suffered the most than any other. He also supposedly funded the Nazi regime, and he ordered Ford Plants in Nazi occupied Europe to create vehicles for the Nazis. He even boasted that his military jeeps helped the Nazi's conquer France (which is entirely not true-the Nazis used their panzer divisions). He built flying deathtraps for the United States. The U.S. government threatened to take over Ford's plants if he continued to make structurally deficient planes for the air force.
Charles Lindbergh said that Britain should just admit defeat and be occupied by the Germans. He praised the Luftwaffe and said that Britain, France, America, and the Soviet Union would be crushed by the superior planes of the Luftwaffe. Lindbergh started his own radio station about how the allies should surrender to Nazi Germany. Albert Einstein thought about relaying the news about the atomic bomb to the US government via Lindbergh but changed his mind once Lindbergh started his radio show. One day after Lindbergh aired, the President of the United States turned to his most trusted secretary and declared, "If I am to die tomorrow, I want you to know this; I am absolutely convinced that Lindbergh is a spy."

Camillian Reforms

During the time of Rome's expansion throughout Italy and it's goal for hegemony over the Italian peninsula, it obviously had to compete with Italian tribes for land (in compete I mean as in war). It found that it's greek hoplites could not maneuver the tough Italian central plains and mountainous regions. Therefore, they had to reform their entire military force. They reformed their hoplites into camillian heavy maniples (triarii, hastati, principes). Rome also used many repulican reserves for battles (acsensii, rorii). These heavy maniple allowed for more unit flexibility and manipulation whilst marching or moving in battle.

Movie fanatics+Movie haters= massive violence and spilling popcorn

Now, here's a funny story. At a movie theatre, they were showing the film 300. In the middle of the movie, a woman stood up, completely disgusted by the mindless violence, and said, "This movie SUCKS!". A movie fanatic who obviously forgot that he was in a movie theatre and not in the FILM ITSELF screamed back, "This is SPARTA!!!" and kicked her. She fell and broke her neck, and now she is taking legal action against him. So, the question that I ask you is: Have you ever done something extremely stupid and thought that you wouldn't have to suffer the consequences of your actions?

The Mapping Quizzes

In school, I've had a bunch of mapping quizzes on Asia, Africa, and Europe. I thought that the Europe quiz was really annoying because many countries in Europe broke off of the Soviet Union. What I ask is- if you were the leader and you had the choice of breaking off of a large country, would you? It would take a lot of hassle to pull it off, but it's good to be different...right?

Too much power-not enough sanity

Adolf Hitler is probably the most well-known name (excluding Jesus Christ, Coca-Cola, Ronald Mcdonald=P). After all he was an insane madman. First of all, he tried to completely copy the Greeks and the Romans by building in the same style as them. He named the city that he was going to build Germania. I think I've posted on his "super-city" before, but I'll just post about it again because that was one heck of an ancient post. Anyways, he tried to make it bomb-proof failed, got broke by trying to build it, hid in a bunker, then commited suicide. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Anyways, this insane pattern has been resonating through history for years- just a bunch of psychopaths who kill thousands or millions of people and then try to build large monuments and cities to themselves while on the verge of being defeated. Kinda like Rome. Anyways, that was the end of Hitler and his stupid city.

Blood Stones

Here's an interesting fact- in Ancient Rome rubies were called Blood Stones because they were supposed to stop bleeding- they were placed on the wounds of gladiators.

Interesting Fact

Did you know that there are several small towns in Maine named after great cities in Ancient Times? There's a Carthage, a Sparta, and etc.

Sorry!

Hey guys. Sorry that I couldn't post. I was busy managing my google group.

Elephants???

I have been surprised that people don't regard elephants as powerful and mighty- they were the ultimate war machine in ancient times because they trampled men and scared of cavalry. Anyways, I told them to picture themselves armed with a little sword and spear and a shield facing a line of 87 charging elephants- much like The Battle of Zama. The elephant riders and drivers were highly trained. The Carthaginian elephant riders, or mahouts, were one of the most disciplined soldiers of the Carthaginian army and had to keep their calm even when there are 4-6,000 men (one roman legion) throwing their javelins, or pilae you. Also, the elephants could be scared and trample your allies. Although difficult to maintain, elephants definetly gave their users a huge advantage on the battlefield.

Quick note: The Roman Armies were usually comprised of mostly infantry because feeding and maintaining horses and elephants were too difficult- but Hannibal did so on an 11,000 mile long march to Italy.

Alexander the Great (yes...another one)

Alexander the Great was a very... *ahem* interesting person. First of all, as I have stated before, he thought that he was a god, his mother was in a cult of snake-worshippers, and his father never trusted him with any important jobs. When Phillip of Macedonia, Alexander's father, was throwing a gigantic party and feast to the gods, his trusted bodyguard murdered him. Alexander's school friends chased after the assassin and killed him. Many beleive that they did this so that he wouldn't talk. But, you also have to consider that Phillip's bodyguard was ignored when he was in a desperate time of need, and obviously hated the Macedonian King. Also, Olympias, Alexander's mother, wanted to secure Alexander's place on the throne and if Phillip's second son was to mature, then Alexander's half-brother would inherit the throne. So, who do you think is to blame, the bodyguard, Olympias, or Alexander?

Please excuse my absence

I'm sorry but my computer is messed up... sorry!

Wow

Well, so far I've been blogging for 3 months. My ever so notorious mind on the subject of Ancient History has been spewing facts into my blog. Anyways, to celebrate my 59th post, I have done the following:
1. Eaten TWO cookies after school.
2. Re-watched the "Engineering an Empire" special on Rome
3. Watched "Mythbusters"
4. Played "Sim City" and built a HUMONGOUS city
5. Destroyed my city after I built it due to no money
6. Watched "The Grudge" again
7. Ate a bunch of popcorn
8. Overslept and got yelled at
Well, I have to admit that when I did those things I really didn't do that all because of this 59th post... but it sure was fun! Anyways, I did, believe it or not, all those things THIS WEEK! At least my headache's gone now...

No more comment moderation!:D

Yep, that's right people. No more!

Going Triarii

Those Romans. The "iron men". The Romans on the battlefield (although sometimes not tactically brilliant since generals were elected every 2 years so experienced generals were almost non-existent) were formidable opponents because they fought with courage that sometimes it was just ridiculous. For example, in The Battle of Cannae, the Roman Legionaries could have surrendered but they kept fighting until 1 out of 10 Romans were dead. The Romans always were "going triarii", which was a famous statement that means going all the way until the end. The triarii on the battlefield were experienced men who held spears and shields and were the backbone of the legionary armies of Rome. They were the ones who usually decided the fate of a battle, and they usually fought to the death. Do you think that, such as in the battle of Cannae, the courageous men of Rome were somewhat foolish in fighting until their fighting force was so small that it could not even fight back in the Carthaginian "double envelopment" manuever that killed as many men in a couple of hours in the battlefield the size of New York's Time Square as in the Royal Air Force in both World War I and World War II?

The Marching Line

When the Roman army was in a march column formation, they were extremely vulnerable because their columns stretched for maybe even 1-2 miles long and they had only 4 men abreast in each row. So, men couldn't fight back as effectively because they were not in their companies. This was the weakness for all armies. This is how Hannibal was able to campaign in Italy for 17 years- by using the environment around him to spring traps and ambushes.

The Battle of the River Trebia

In the battle of the River Trebia, Hannibal Barca had placed a well-planned ambush near the River Trebia where the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio was conducting a forced march for his troops.

In the battle, Scipio saw what looked like the back of the Carthaginian force. He immediately attacked, but then the hidden 2,000 men came behind the Roman force and ambushed them. Scipio was wounded in battle but got away. No one else escaped. Although a small part of the Roman army actually broke through the Carthaginian line by running. They were rounded up in a couple of days.

Hannibal ad portas!!

Aaah... the Punic Wars. The Punic Wars is something that I enjoy studying about. Anyways, the Punic wars effected the Romans for hundreds of years... whenever the State was threatened or when people wanted to get their kids to bed the famous cry would go up: "Hannibal ad portas!" Hannibal is at the gates! Dang...the Romans shoulda lost... Rome just won the Punic wars due to the genuis of Quintus Fabius Maximus (Maximus was his title and it means "The Greatest" and he was also known as the Delayer for his tactics) and Scipio Africanus (otherwise know as Publius Cornelius Scipio the Younger). Hannibal obviously outsmarted Quintus Fabius Maximus (ha! The greatest... Hannibal was better!) yet he was defeated due to Scipio Africanus's campaigns in Spain. Hannibal was forced to go back to Tunisia (Carthage) when the city of Carthage was threatened by Scipio Africanus's forces. Hannibal then faced Scipio for the last time in the battle of Zama. In the battle of Zama, Hannibal had a line of 87 elephants and some newly recruited weak troops. He also had some of his veterans that fought beside him in his campaigns in Rome. Scipio had hastati, principes, and triarii. In the battle, Hannibal placed the weakest troops in front, and his strong veterans in the back. This was the total opposite of how the Romans fought since they had the strongest in front and the weakest in back to plug up holes in their front line. At that time though, Scipio had Hastati in front, Principes in the middle, and Triarii in the back. The triarii's were the best troops since they were the veterans and were the last to leave battle and they were the most trusted troops. Triarii were the backbone of the legionary army of Rome. Anyways, by the time the Roman army got to the veteran troops of Hannibals army, they were tired. But, Scipio withdrew his troops and spread them into a long solid line that was longer than the Carthaginians so that when Hannibal's army attacked, the Romans would be the most concentrated there. However, Hannibal tried to make a daring move by punching a hole into the line of Romans and therefore destroying the army of Rome by seperating the line into groups where the Numidian horsemen would slaughter them. But, he failed and Hannibal was forced to retreat with only a couple other horsemen. Virtually all of Hannibal's army was destroyed. However, without those two people, Rome would have fallen in 207 B.C. PHEW! That was a long post. I bet that the only person who is going to read this entire post is Richie. =P Kudos Richie!

Did you know? (No, this is not the comcast scam-o-rama)

Did you know that Egyptian Pharoahs ate way too many sweets? They're teeth rotted due to eating so much sugar! Well, I bet egyptians certianly did a lot of things for their candy, unlike the people of Tarentum who desperately needed food. As Hasdrubal said, "Hunger, which moves even the dumbest of beasts, apparently does not move the citizens of Tarentum." WELL SAID!

Alexander the Great (the third one post about him....)

Anyways, Alexander the Great, as others in the blogging community has deemed, was a good person. After spreading greek culture everywhere, Alexander the Great eventually died and his empire went to pieces. What a waste. Anyways, after that, the Romans conquered what was left of Alexander's empire. The romans obviously impacted the lands that Alexander the Great had more than the man himself had. So, do you think that some greek culture survived after the Romans took over?

I'm Sorry :(

Sorry that I haven't been able to post on any of my blogs, but I'm kind of busy going on with daily life (doi, now I'm just like Michael). Anyways, I'LL POST!! but it may take some time. Hey, by the way, since Michael doesn't want 100 comments on one post, heck, give me those comments! =P. Just kidding. Anyways, please drop by sometime!

Alexander the Great (yes, i know... again...)

Well, I spent a good chunk of my school day demonizing Alexander the Great... after all he was mentally insane near the end of his life and he also loved a GUY (Hephaestus). Anyways, do you think, as Hannibal thought, that Alexander the Great was the greatest commander of all time?

Word Verification System

I ask you word verification system users- why use it? For me, I've been having trouble even loading up the IMAGE! Also, blogs with video also freeze up...

Blog malfunctions

Well, I was visiting Adrian's blog... and when I tried to post a comment, the word verification image did not show up! Only a red X...

An Age Old Question

Can kids have deeper insights than some adults?

Carthage- During the Siege in the Third Punic War

Near the end of the third punic war, Carthage was besegied by the House of Scipii. The siege was placed upon carthage for three years! During the siege, the carthaginian citizens spent most of their day making weapons- they made 12,000 swords during the period of time when they were besieged. Hannibal Barca, the greatest carthaginian general ever, was not the one who directed the resistance force, something that I think was damaging to the Carthaginians. But, as you all know, Carthage was burned. If you were a citizen of Carthage during that period of time, what would you spend your day doing?

Alexander the Great

Was Alexander the Great a hero... or a criminal?

Ancient Weapons Discovered in Syrian Ruins
By TARA BURGHART
AP
CHICAGO (Jan. 16) - It was the ancient version of a last stand: Twelve clay bullets lined up and ready to be shot from slings in a desperate attempt to stop fierce invaders who soon would reduce much of the city to rubble.

Talk About It: Post Thoughts
The discovery was made in the ruins of Hamoukar, an ancient settlement in northeastern Syria located just miles from the border with Iraq . Thought to be one of the world's earliest cities and located in northern Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, it is the site of joint excavations by the University of Chicago and the Syrian Department of Antiquities. Excavations have been going on at the site since 1999, but in digs conducted this past fall, researchers uncovered new evidence of the city's end and more clues about how urban life there may have begun. The University of Chicago was to announce the findings Tuesday. The site is so close to Iraq that Clemens Reichel, the American co-director of the expedition, has seen explosions on the other side of the border. "It's somewhat surreal. We're not living in a vacuum there. We know exactly what's happening across the border," Reichel said. "But working in Syria is like working in the eye of the storm. It's very peaceful to work there. Practically no problems." The site was anything but peaceful in approximately 3,500 B.C. The archaeologists have previously detailed how they believe Hamoukar's independence was ended by a battle that caused its buildings and walls to collapse and burn.

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This past fall, the team found more traces of that battle. For example, there was a shallow pit containing a water basin normally used to soften clay sealings for reuse. The clay sealings were used on bags, jars and baskets to help ensure that the valuables or food inside had not been tampered with. But along this basin, the researchers found neatly lined up along its edge 12 "sling bullets," oval-shaped weapons made of clay that were fired using slings. More than 1,000 of the bullets were found in debris of collapsed walls in 2005. Reichel theorizes someone who usually worked with the clay sealings was trying to contribute to the war effort and fashioned bullets from the clay instead. "You imagine the despair the people were in. They were using everything they could to throw back at the attacker," he said. "It looks like a desperate last attempt."

Tribute to Michael

Michael has closed down his blog (www.questionoftheday.blogspot.com). Sadly for me and many of you, I have only a few other sites to comment on... I SALUT YOU MICHAEL!! HAVE A GOOD TIME!!

Warning: this has nothing to do with ancient history

Runescape. I hate that game. It's full of stalkers and scammers and hackers. If you want to get hacked, then go to www.runescape.com. My screen name is Laisfun!! (Get it; Language Arts is fun?...)

aargh! Another malfunction.

Someone left a comment but I can't moderate it... whose comment hasn't been published?

SNOW!! And Martin Luther King Jr.

There's snow on the ground!!! Thank you Martin Luther King!!

Romans

The enemies of Rome referred to them as liars. However, the Romans said that they were pure and that others were tainted... what do you think about the behavior of the Romans throughout time?

Wars, wars, and yet... more wars.

WHY SO MANY WARS???

Hacked!

I've been hacked!!

Site Difficulties

Are you having any trouble loading up my site?

Jerusalam

Jerusalam...the holiest city of Judaism... if you support Judaism then you'll be dissapointed to hear that it has been sacked twice... DANG ROMANS!!!!

Oh Geez...

Statues of Roman Emperors displayed them as young and fierce and energetic when they were actually very old and on the verge of death. They said that they have done mighty deeds and are still doing mighty deeds even though some emperors did nothing...talk about a propoganda machine...

Sparta- Social Outcast?:(

Sparta was a greek city-state. While oligarchies were virtually non-existent in greece anymore, Sparta was the only one to have a stable oligarchy. An oligarchy is when a small group of wealthy individuals share power. The Spartans were kind of the "out" group in almost everything. They were the only oligarchy. Also, they played games and brushed their hair before battles, something that the Athenians laughed at. No one else did that and obviously everyone that the Spartans were "eccentric" in their ways. Their city-state was like a war camp, and boys were trained as soldiers as soon as they were born. Even the women ran and stayed fit. This didn't fit in with the current greek culture at that time. So, do you think that Sparta was that social outcast group? Or was everyone afraid of the military might of the Spartans so that they didn't want to do anything with them?

The Difference

Murderers- They're the worst type of criminal. But, soldiers kill too? What's the difference? Of course I have my opinions, and I'll post it after a day or so. But, what do you think? Soldiers do "good" when they kill an enemy. So, wouldn't that be like murder?

Mirror mirror on the wall, which of our cities is the evilest of all?

According to the bible, the evilist city in the world rests on seven hills. That city is, yup, Rome. What modern day city do you think is the worst? Your answers can be dictated by how the city affects the environment, people, etc.

Classical Greece

Classical Greece was an amazing place. Due to the wealth of city- states, huge temples and monuments were being created. However, after Alexander the Great's Empire fell to pieces the greeks were then destroyed by the Romans. The Greeks also made advances in astronomy and technology. The Romans said that the Greeks should be ignored, so the Romans didn't listen to anything that the Greeks said, even though the Greeks did make a computer like object that calculated movements of the heavenly bodies. Therefore, many Greek ideas and inventions went unnoticed. If the Romans hadn't destroyed the greeks, then do you think that we would be more advanced as a civilization right now or do you think that it would not have mattered that much? In other words, do you think that those technological advances would have been "watered-down" as the centuries passed by?

Who had more thought?

Who do you think was the greatest philosopher of all time?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!

Im going on a trip!

This has nothing to do with Ancient History, but I'm going on a trip to Hawaii! I still may be able to post and blog via wi-fi and laptop... thanks for all the comments and happy new year!

Right, Partly Right, or Wrong?

The Romans thought that war was the natural state of man. Do you agree? For example, do you think that the nature to survive is kind of like a "war" and that the Romans got the words right but not the idea? Do you think that we should be constantly warring? Or do you think that whoever made up the idea was crazy?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!

Whose Better??

Rome and Carthage- they were both extremely wealthy supercities. But, which one was better? Rome built the Circus Maximus (where horse races were held) the Coliseum, many temples, created cement and had the mighties militarial force at that time. Carthage built an oval harbor which could fend of any kind of sea siege, nearly impenetrable walls, brilliant commanders, and expert merchants. So, which is better?

Rome Or Carthage?

If you lived in the Ancient World, would you rather be from Carthage or Rome? Why do you think so?

The Ancient World

If you could live anywhere in the ancient world, where would you live?

Thank the Romans!

The Ancient Romans were the first recorded people to make pastries and cakes! Another answer to a who-dunnit mystery.

When is History... Ancient?

When do you think history is qualified to be identified as "Ancient History"?

Website

I made a website about my blogging experience. Please visit www.mybloggingexperience.4t.com. Thank you! Michael, sorry that I accidentally typed "Adrian". I was really tired and typing extremely fast. Like I am right now.

Ogligarchy

Greece once had an ogligarchy as a government system. An ogligarchy is when very rich men boss around the poor. Meanwhile, there were more poor people than ogligarchy leaders, so the people could revolt and overthrow their government. If they succeeded, then they would be at peace. But, if they failed, then the rebels would be executed. So, would you rather be at the head of an ogligarchy or one of the poor angry peasants?

Spartans and the Helots

In Sparta, if you were a spartan, then you were drafted into the military until you were sixty years old. You did own land though, and that land was cared for by the helot slaves. The helots were not considered citizens, and many call them public slaves because they tended to everything you had. If you were a spartan, you would probably never see your land because you would probably die first because life expectancy was not that high back then. So, what would you rather be, a Spartan that will spend the rest of your life in the military, or a helot, slaves that took care of land and not be considered a citizen?

What would you do?

Let's say, that you traveled back in time with all of your present knowledge, skill, and everything you own (including your house). If you landed in the middle of Rome (which is where all the rich families lived) would you revolutionize Roman science or architecure, intruduce the Ancient Romans to new technology, or would you follow the age old advice of, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"?

Better off Dead?

If you could destroy one person in history, who would it be and why would you do that?

Changing History

If you could, would you change the past? Which parts of history would you change? Why would you change it?

Ancient History-boring or interesting?

What are your views about ancient history?

Genuis=Crazy?

Do you think that all genuises are crazy/obsessed with their work? For example, Hannibal Barca devoted his entire life to destroy the Romans. He spent all of his life planning to sack Rome. But when he failed, he was exiled by the Romans and he then commited suicide. So, I ask you, does genuis=crazy? This question has been proposed by many people. Due to the popularity of this myth, I just posted it on my blog.

Crossing the Alps

Hannnibal Barca supposedly crossed the almost impossible frigid alps by pouring boiling vinegar on the rocks and carved a path through the mountain range. Do you think that this is true? It may seem impossible, but Hannibal was known to be a militarial genius and many people wrote about Hannibal crossing the Alps, but at the same time we do not have solid evidence that he really did cross the Alps in that fashion. What do you think?

The First Seven Kings of Rome

Who were the first seven kings of Rome?

Parthia

The Seleucid Empire was destroyed because it was under tremendous militarial pressure. It was surrounded by its enemies which were the Parthians and the Egyptians. Which country do you think damaged the Selucid Empire more, the Parthians or the Egyptians? (Rome did destroy Seleucid, but which do you think did more damage before the destruction of the Selucids?)

Alexander the Great

According to some stories about Alexander, he had supposedly stabbed his father Phillip to gain power. What do you think?

Roman Navy

The Roman Navy virtually did not exist until the punic wars started due to Carthage's supremacy of the surrounding sea.

Carthage

In the third punic war, Rome decided to sack Carthage. It took the Romans a course of three years to overcome the defenses of Carthage. The first defense of Carthage was this ditch that would slow the Roman troops. The second defense were the archers that shot at Roman troops as the romans tried to get past the first defense. The third an final defense were the massive walls of the city Carthage.

Carthage

Did you know that due to the Greek's success with a democratic government, many other ancient countries adopted the same system, including Carthaginians?

Ancient Greece

How did the Greeks organize their democratic government system?

Empires

Which empire do you think was greater, Alexander the Great's Empire or the Roman Empire?

The two brothers

According to legend, two brothers, Romulus and Remus were abandoned and were left floating in a basket in a river. The two brothers were eventually saved by wolves and raised by them. When the brothers were adopted, they wanted to build a city where they were saved. The two brothers built the city for outlaws, rejects, and people who hated the surrounding greek monarch. Romulus then killed Remus and named the city Rome.

Hello!

Do you know who the first non-italian emperor of Rome was?