Roman influence on Christianity

As we discussed this week Christianity went from a minority religion to a major religion in Rome. The person that helped with this huge shift from repressing Christian to accepting them was Constantine. His adoption of the religion started the acceptance of the religion and it continue to gain popularity when he started to give Christians benefits such as tax breaks. Until Constantine Christianity was seen as a cult. It also gained popularity because people could chose to be Christians, they were not forced to. Christianity started to become a powerful part of society in Rome. This religion however was so foreign to the Romans because they were used to having many gods for many different thing and Christianity believes in one god who is all powerful. The buildings that were built to be churches ended holding government meeting during time when church was not being held. Also Christianity started to form itself around the Roman government model. The early churches modeled their leadership positions after the Roman government. There is many other ways that Christianity became "Romanized" it is even said that Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas were changed so that they correlated with popular Roman festivals of the day. Many of these details (i.e. when to celebrate Christmas and Easter.) were debated out at the Council of Nicaea in which Constantine sat as the debate settler. He would let two parties argue their points and then would decide which one he felt was right.




http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/sbrandt/nicea.htm

Gautama Siddhartha and Buddhism

It may not be the fastest growing religion in the world, but Buddhism sure is interesting. We learned about Buddhism last week briefly and about it's founder, Gautama Siddhartha, the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism and the difference between Buddhism and Hinduism. Always been intrigued about religion, I decided to find out what else I could about the origin of thereligion that had originated roughly 2,500 years ago.

Gautama Siddhartha, also known as Buddha Shakyamuni, was born to King Shuddhodana and Queen Mayadevi in Lumbini, which is now a region in Nepal. Mayadevi dreamed that an elephant had entered her womb, a sign that her soon-too-be baby would become a strong and powerful being. It is said that Shuddhodana invited a seer to make predictions about his son and the seer predicted that their son would become a "Buddha, and that his beneficial influence will pervade the thousand million worlds like the rays of the sun".

The Prince grew up to be quite intelligent. It is recorded that he learned 64 languages and didn't have to study but did so to please his family and others. He also became quite a sportsman and quite compassionate for his people, whom he acknowledged many as ill, elderely and suffering. He realized that he had to leave the palace, since only a completely enlightened buddha has the ability to help all those suffering, who is everyone. In his late twenties, he told his parents his idea.










His parents didn't want him to leave however and did all that they could to stop him, including surrounding him with beautiful women, dancers and musicians as means to entice him. They failed however and the Prince did manage to escape. Afterin traveling six miles, Gautama Buddha "cut off his hair hrew it into the sky, where it was caught by the gods of the Land of the Thirty-three Heavens".
The Prince meditated in India for six years and with this determination he entered the space-like concentration on the Dharmakaya where he focused all his energy on the ultimate nature of all phenomena. He did this until he achieved complete full enlightenment. Devaputra Mara, leader of all demons tried distracing the Prince with images of beautiful women as well as illusions of demons firing arrows, rolling boulders and other scenes of violence. Devaputra Mara failed howver and Siddhartha continued his meditation until he "removed the final veils of ignorance from his mind and in the next moment became a Buddha, a fully enlightened being".

Later on, Siddhartha taught the First Wheel of Dharma, which includes the Four Noble Truths as well as the Second Wheel, which is about the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, and the Third Wheel, which is the Sutra Discriminating the Intention.

Much of Buddhism includes training your mind and not letting other conditions or situations control your state of mind. It's also important to note that "Buddha" means "awakened one" and "Dharma" means protection.

Learning more about this religion truly made me look at situations differently. By redefining the way we look at situations can help us control our mind and learn from these "opportunites", instead of "problems" or "hardships". I definitely see a nowaday phrase that captures this message: Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference".

After finding out about the origin of Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha, and the principles of this ancient religion, I can't help but feel excited. Heck, I would even say enlightened. And I hope you do too!

Thanks!

http://www.aboutbuddha.org/english/index.htm/

http://ericm954.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/391px-siddhartha_gautama_meditating.png?w=274&h=419

http://www.indianetzone.com/photos_gallery/6/Buddha-mara_14671.jpg

The Other Pyramids

The main pyramids that we are most familiar, we associate with Egypt, and they are the three great Pyramids of Giza. But scattered throughout the area controlled by Egyptian kings lie hundreds of other lesser pyramids and ziggurats. But they were not the only ones to fully embrace their style of pyramids and incorporate them as tombs. Far to the south, controlling the regions of the lower Nile the Nubian Kings built hundreds of other lesser pyramids.

These Nubian pharaohs of Egypt’s 25^th dynasty, themselves took the Egyptian style of building and created hundreds of burial complexes first in Nuri and later in Meroe. These fields are riddled with small pyramids containing Kings and queens alike.

But even more how similar these monuments looked to there brothers in Upper Egypt at Giza.

As well as the scope found, specifically in Meroe

The difference though was more interesting. The Nubians would build them on a much smaller scale, more similar to today’s mausoleums; a less expensive and less time consuming but know less important and no lacking in meaning. They had a sharper angle giving them a more pronounced point. Also these were built more for markers then actual chambers with the tombs more in front and below the pyramids then in them. But they were also built with large temple like entrances devoted to a specific god or goddess to pray for the dead ruler.

Interestingly, the remains of horses were also found. They were buried upright and amazingly enough were missing their heads. They were draped and covered in long strings of beads and shells and plum ornamentals. They were supposed to be chariot pullers bringing the dead to the afterlife. I find it incredibly interesting that they would bury the horse’s upright but more so, why were the heads not buried with the animals following the sacrificial decapitation?

Nubian Pyramids

Constantine the Great, and his influence on Christianity

One of the most important people in the Roman Empire around 300 C.E. was Constantine the Great. He was born around 270 C.E. to Flavius Constantius and Helena and following his father’s death, he became a ruler. He was a leader from 306 to 337 C.E. and played a key role in Christianity becoming more popular.

Constantine was not the only ruler of the Roman Empire. There were others (for example Maxentius and Galerius) that were all split up to rule a certain part, whether it be to the East or West. A lot of them would be involved in wars having to do with who and where they were ruling. Constantine stayed out it it as long as possible, until the war became inevitable. The night before a big battle, Constantine had a vision of a religious symbol, the Labarum. The Labarum is a symbol with two Greek letters literally meaning "Christ".

With Christ on his side, he won the battle, and converted to Christianity. He did not force his religion upon others, but as time increased more “rewards” were given to those in the faith. First, many churches and buildings were built to worship, in which Constantine provided. He would later continue to help others in that religion by, for example, priests not having to pay taxes. Overall, Constantine was a huge influence on the spread of Christianity, which is extremely important to many people today.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04295c.htm

Was That Really Egypt?

The post directly beneath mine, written by Katie Lett, describes to you a wonderful view on the life of early Egyptians. After reading her exciting, yet informational, post I have decided to delve into some interesting facts about ancient Egypt.

"There is but little room for doubt that Egypt led the way in the creation of the earliest known group of civilizations which arose on both sides of the land bridge between Africa and Eurasia in the fourth millennium B.C. "

- James H. Breasted

1.) There are many objects that we use daily, such as makeup, deodorant, and toothpaste, that have been invented or used by the Egyptions.

2.) Among the first people to create writing, ink, and paper, were the Egyptions.

3.) "Ancient Egyptians were the first holistic health practitioners. They treated the whole person, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Remedies ranged from herbal and magic medicine to surgery."



4.) They performed circumsicions and pregnancy tests in Egypt.

5.) Their practice of mummification made them excel in anatomy.



6.) Some Egyption inventions include, the 365 days in a year, and the 24-hour day.

7.) The first known labor strike was organized by Egyptions.

8.) One of the earliest known wine cellars was discovered in Egypt.

http://www.all-about-egypt.com/interesting-facts-about-ancient-egypt.html

It is amazing that we have accumulated so much around us, but very rarely do we know where it truly came from. Hopefully this small insight in Egypt's exciting history has compelled you to look at the world a little differently, I know I have.

Recently Unemployed? Not the case in Egypt before 1500.

In Ancient Egyptian history, there were 8 major jobs that the people withheld proudly. Ancient Egyptians were beginning to value working together to form a common community. The following jobs made up the Ancient Egyptian society:

1) The Scribes.
Many of the scribes also served, not only as government employees, but also as teachers. There was considerable amounts of money available to some scribes, and the job was highly revered.

2) The Priests/Priestesses and Astrologers.
Their job was to look after the temple and also to conduct religious ceremonies. The Astrologers, on the other hand, had important duty helping decide where to build the temples and tombs.

3) The Servants.
They worked as chefs and household cleaners in the homes of the wealthy. Some slaves were also used for this purpose.

4) Engineers and Architects.
These people were very influential in the building advancement of Ancient Egypt. They paved the way for urbanization.

5) The Builders and Artists.
Builders were employed by the Kings and also some builders were slave power. They received orders from the Kings and followed them directly. The artists' jobs were to beautify Egypt. They were set in place for sculpture and decoration of the tombs and temples in Egypt.

6) The Soldiers.
Well known soldiers were the foot soldiers as well as the charioteers. Commands in the army provided and opportunity for ordinary people to rise and be a part of the armed forces.

7) The Entertainers.
The entertainers performed acts, such as, acrobat and dancing performances. They were often summoned by the wealthy Egyptians for entertainment. Some dancers also had jobs related to dancing at religious festivals.

8) Manual Laborers, Fisherman, and Farmers.
The farmers often had jobs working in the fields of the nobles, in the cultivation of soil or the rearing of cattle. This category also encompasses the jobs of, weavers, metal workers, potters, carpenters, upholsterers, tailors, shoe makers, glass blowers and embalmers.

There is no doubt that Ancient History brought about a lot of change and innovation. The previously mentioned jobs are just a few examples of how Egypt changed into an urbanized culture. They paved the way for many states and cultures to go after them in history.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!!!!!!

Trading along the Silk Road

As many of us know the Silk Road stretched from China to Persia and that many products were traded along this route. From China products such as silk and spices came into the rest of the world, Central Asia contributed horses, and the Romans offered wool, linens, oils, and wine to the rest of the world. However, what spread the most throughout this land was the religion of Buddhism. This religion originated in the northern parts of India, and was able to spread because of the travel of missionaries along the Silk Road. This religion became a comfort for the Chinese when their civilization was in chaos at the end of the 2nd century. The introduction of Buddhism changed much more of than the spiritual culture of the Chinese people. It changed their diets, knowledge of the outside world, and their economic practices. The Silk Road allowed the Chinese to be connected with the rest of the civilized world for the first time in history. This connection lasted through the Tang dynasty in China with a small time where the trade route went by the wayside. The Tang dynasty also expanded the amount of trade along the Silk Road. Also when a sea trade route was discovered in the 15th century the land route became less important due to the fact that ships could carry raw materials and more of them in a safer manner than caravans could across the desert. Overall the Silk Road was a very important tool in the history of the world in the fact that it connected a civilization to the rest of the world and spread many ideas and products across Europe and Asia.