Rafay's Western Civilization 2018

I began my class in Western Civ by putting my phone away and taking a seat. I obviously heard people talking and everything that would be happening on a Monday. Before we began class, we prayed. Then Mr. Schick separated 2 desks and put 2 people on a desk, one each. While they were taking the open blog test, WHICH I GOT A 90 ON, we took notes and the religion that consists some billion amount of people. Today we discussed about how Christianity began. In Western Civ, we just talk about Jesus as a historical figure rather than a religious leader. We also talked about the apostles and the different letters that Peter wrote to the *insert different groups of people here*. We also linked how Christianity affected Rome and why it is a part of Western Civilization. My mind is giving up on me and I don't know what else to write. it's almost summer and I just want to sleep.

Wow. So the test was open blog and that just really saved my grade from dropping. With the ability to use my blog, I was able to look of of it and make sure if I got the answer right and double check if it all worked out. I believed that without me using my blogs I don't know how I would've done. There were some questions which I was very skeptical about and my gut was like no this is the answer so I'm like alrighty then. I hope I get a very good grade on this test so my grade can raise up. I don't know what else to write so I'll just do what I did last time. The test was on white paper and it said "Name" "Section" and the most important of them all, "This blog is an open blog test, you can use your blog." It's a Friday right now and I am sitting in Patriot Transitions doing this because Mr. Ireton let us use this time right now and finish up work. I also have other homework but I will do that when I get home. The weather right now ...

Oh great the blog I write before the test. This is where I'm supposed to write on how I feel about the test or how well prepared I am. Well this blog is going to be different. I'll just tell everyone that is interested of reading my blogs that I am definitely not ready. There is like wayyyy to much material and I'm like woah. I've been doing my blogs and transcribing my notes but I feel as like that I don't remember anything after class or when I transcribe my notes. The class is very interesting but my mind just doesn't seem to get a hold of it. I really wish we get to use our blogs so I can atleast do somewhat good. Mr. Schick projected my grade for this test to be an 86% and I actually feel pretty good that he thinks I can get a good grade. But, my parents on the other hand are like I have to get an A. It's like a cultural thing and I am like so used to it. Whenever I bring home a B or below my parents have that face saying "you're such a disappo...

I decided the other blog was too long so I just made a new one :) SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS Expanded the Roman Empire further into Africa He set up civil service to run the government/empire Building a network of roads Collecting taxes Establishing a postal service Administering the grain supply Building awesome public facilities Buildings, aqueducts Setting up a police department Running a fire-fighting organization Finally died of natural causes AGE OF EMPERORS ranged between good, bad, INSANE emperors TIBERIUS Ruled from AD 14 to AD 37 an excellent general, but a reluctant emperor after the death of his son, he exiled himself from Rome and left his prefects in charge died at age 77 CALIGULA Ruled from AD 37 to AD 41 (only 4 years!) won a power struggle after Tiberius' death known for his cruelty, extravagance, and perversity - an insane tyrant assassinated by a group of praetorian guards, Senators, ...

So after my appointment, I missed a lot of notes. These are the notes I took from both days. CEASER SEIZING POWER Serves as consul (one year) Appoints himself governor of Gaul Pompey is jealous, becomes his rival Caesar’s armies clash with Pompey’s in Greece, Asia, Spain, and Egypt (Caesar - winning!) In 44BC he is named dictator - first for six months, then for life CEASER'S REFORMS Granted citizenship to people in provinces Expanded the Senate, adding his friends Created jobs for the poor, especially through public works projects Increased pay for soldiers Started colonies where those without land could own property “Sic semper tyrannis!”---- Thus always to tyrants!” ASSASSINATION The senators saw Caesar’s rise in power as a huge threat to their political viability How? They lured him into the Senate, stabbing him 23 times, making sure all were involved Who? Even Brutus, Caesar’s ally (“ et tu, Brute...

I missed class today because of a dentist appointment.

Yesterday in class, I learned that Julius Caesar was an interesting man that had something special with him. This is what I learned... poor plebs keep plebs happy the poet Juvenal said Rome "anxiously hopes for 2 things (Breads and Circuses)" bread (free grain from the state)  Circus Maximus, Colesseum, partly to keep them alive, and partly too keep them quiet, distracted and docile. a change in rule Tiberius Gracchus recognized the advantages of courting the plebs (even though he was ultimately unsuccessful) military generals worked that angle--lead an army that conquers a land, then give them a share in spoils  soldiers' loyalty was to their military leader, not necessarily to Rome or to the Republic. NO ONE BETTER THAN CAESAR Julius Caesar (100- 44 BCE)  a highly successful general he conquered the huge territory of Gaul Politics made common folks happy good speaker made friends in high places  Pompey (a general who conquere...

Today in class we went over how Rome completely DESTROYED Carthage. These are the notes I took during class. Roman Legion 5000 soldiers> not yet in it for pay the Romans army's elite heavy infantry recruited excessively from citizens of Rome group of 80's a century on horseback in a cavlary shield, sword, dagger, and armor and a tunic *PUNIC WARS (264-146 BCE)* Rome vs. Carthage 3 wars 2 empires fight for control First Punic War (254-241 BCE) naval battles for control of the strategically located on the island of Sicily Rome wins Second Punic War 29 y.o. Carthaginian general Hannibal almost does the impossible (takes Rome)  attacks Rome from NORTH after crossing Iberia (Spain) and the Alps lays siege to much of the peninsula for 15 years, but he can never get to Rome Rome:2 ; Carthage:0 Third and Final Punic War (149-146) Rome wanted to finally remove the threat of Carthage  Scipio, Tiberius Gracchus, and others mercilessly at...

We distinguished the differences between Rome and the US government in class. Res publica-- the people's affairs brand new republic-- ready to run aristocracy (300 members) monarchy (the consuls) not a tyranny GOV'T ANCIENT ROME originally, the US modeled their new government on the model used by the Romans  NOT THE SAME both have 3 branches of government executive--consuls legislative--sentate judicial--assembly both have a legal code 3 BRANCHES - ROME/US EXECUTIVE SPQR 1 year terms each has veto power controls the military 2 consuls could appoint a dictator in a crisis for 6 month term USA President + VP 4 year terms veto proposed laws commander-in-chief of the military LEGISLATIVE SPQR senate-300 people- aristocrats- members for life assemblies (either Centuriate or Tribal) 193 members (later 373)-- members for life USA Senate--100 senators (2 from each state) 6-year terms H.O.R.-- 435 members (55 from Cal...

So our wifi is back and now I have to write 2 blogs . Great In West Civ, we continued the powerpoint which was about Tarquin the Proud and his "interesting" life, Pats vs. Plebs and SPQR. Tarquin really got on some people's nerves. After his ruling, people were like NO, so this made them make a big decision which was to never be ruled by a king. Each consul has a 1 year term and they are elected officials. They would always be aristocrats. Patricians traced their descents from the father and there job was to make sure Rome was stabilized. For the regular folks, there life was pretty much ruled over the patricians. 98% were plebs while 2% were pats. Plebs could be in the army and not hold office, threatened with debt slavery and NO LEGAL RIGHTS. After this plebs rebelled and this forced the pats to make the Twelve Tables. TRIBUNES (tribal leaders) were elected.   SPQR-- Senatus Populasaue Romanum-> designates any decree or decision made by the Roman Senate and people....

Today during Western Civilization, we went down to the brown room. We went down there because there was a gathering going on throughout the hours of school to raise awareness about genocide. The slogan they use is #TogetherWeRemember. The person that started this movement spoke at John Carroll today, but I didn't go. I am glad to have attended the vigil because I learned a lot about different genocides that have occurred. The one that struck me the most was the last guy who spoke. His father's story is very interesting and so shocking at the same time, because if he wasn't at that spot in Germany at the time, he wouldn't have known about the killing of the Jews that early. The presenter said that this image that he witnessed in Germany was etched in his for what I believe was 72 more years of his life. He started off to work for the military at age 18. This was the beginning of World War 2 and so many lives were lost. IF the United States didn't win the war, the wor...

Today in class, we started on the Rome powerpoint. Who Settled Rome? Etruscans came from north-central part of the peninsula metalworkers, artist and architects *2 FOUNDATION MYTHS* Virgil Aeneid (where Aeneas escaped from Troy) story of Romulus and Remus Who Else? Greeks  they had many colonies around the Mediterranean Sea Romans borrowed ideas from them such as religious beliefs alphabets much of their art military techniques and weaponry First Settlers The Latins descendants of Indo- Europeans settled on the banks of the Tiber situated so trading ships- but not war fleets - could navigate as far as Rome, but no further. a commercial port, but not susceptible to attack. built on the 7 hills (esp. Palatine)  Drained a swamp many streams flowed into the river there was a marshy area called the Forum, between Palatine and Capitoline Hills. Tarquin the Proud's grandfather built the Cloaca Maxima (largest ancient drain), whic...

Today we took notes on Rome. Rome grew from a small settlement to a mighty civilization that eventually conquered the Mediterranean world. The Origins of Rome Rome was founded in 753 B.C by Romulus and Remus sons of the god Mars and a Latin princess Twins were abandoned on the Tiber River and raised by a she-wolf. Men built the city, not immortals Geography Rome was built on 7 rolling hills at a curve on the Tiber River Located at the midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea. The First Romans The earliest Italian peninsula arrivers in prehistoric times. 1000-500 B.C.: 3 groups fought over control of the land. Latins, Greeks, Etruscans Latins built the original settlement at Rome on Palatine hill 750-600 BC: Greeks established colonies southern of Italy and Sicily Cities became more active Etruscans were native to northern Italy Skilled metalworkers and engineers. Influenced the development of Roman civilization The Early Republic 600 BC: Etrusc...