Chapter 12

Within this chapter, it discussed the pilgrimage of Columbus to the New World, the Ming dynasty,  the gathers and hunters, but I want to focus on the Americas. Just for fact of my heritage it interested me.

When you think of the civilizations of the 15th century, you must considered the Aztec Empire with some importance. It was amazing how these groups people became such warriors and knights of their people. I remembered listening stories about them when i was much younger from my grandmother. She would tell me about their battles and how they sacrificed the hearts of their captives to the gods in order for the sun to come out the next day. It almost felt like a fairy tale, but it was real.

The Aztec empire was from from Mexicas becoming mercenaries to power people in the Americas. The Mexicas were able to developed a military that was feared by many people. The Aztec rulers were in control of a empire with  population of 5-6 million people. With this many people, it was sure to be difficult to maintain order and structure. The were tons of rebellions by the people, maybe because of the fact hey hd to bring so many things like clothing, textiles, jewelry  and other luxuries to their rulers.

Even though they had many defects such as slavery, they had some advancements in their architectural designs, agriculture and goods. This empire should be something we should appreciate and learn from.

Ch. 9 Islam

There's a very interesting aspect of the pilgrimage to Mecca in the Muslim culture. The idea of everyone should at least taken the pilgrimage once in their life time, is very interesting. In a way it gives everyone this hope or something to look forward to is something I believe to have true value.

Nowadays some people seem to have not have any goals or anything to be excited for in their lives. With the pilgrimage, their able to have that special belief for themselves in the future. They now have this opportunity to achieve happiness from this unforgettable experience.

As it was mentioned in the chapter's intro, Islam has been developing in the United States. Even though it had been stopped temporarily after the 9/11 incident. The religion before had began to spare some light on several U.S. citizens.

This something we should emphasize in today's societies. We need diversity to share ideas and information. That way we could benefit from each other's beliefs.

Ch. 10 Christendom

In the very introduction of the chapter, it begins with a very typical Christian sense of community. It tells about Yao Hong moving to a Christian community in Shanghai and finding it to be the most comfortable and even patriotic.

She became one of the few who have made the move to Christianity in China. But it wasn't just in China, but also other parts in the world like in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It seem to become one of the most dominate religions in the world. I wonder was is that?

Could it be from the fact the Roman Empire's beginning to collapse gave a new opening for new beliefs and ideas? Did people decided to change faith to something that they may believe to be the "new answer"?

Soon enough the Western Roman Empire collapsed and the Justinian's began to rule the Byzantine Empire. Later on the new emperor is Charlemagne, takes rule of Roman Empire.

Ch. 7 Documents

Marco Polo

Chapter 6 Documents

The chapter 6 documents had some very interesting stories from the Axumite Empire. Stories of conquering new territories, the two sons, and the Gold trade. First of all the story of the unknown monarch telling the tale of how the Axumite Empire continued to conquer new lands and territories. Describing their dominant force as they went through Monroë to the Nile River. The trips of fleets coming over mountains and defeating their oppositions after oppositions. As for the two sons of a philosopher who became of service to the king of Axum. Soon after they began influencing the reins of government with religion.

CH.6 Africa and Americas

When I first think of Africa, I think of all of the vast animal species and the different regions. From the zebras and the savannah grasslands. It is truly an amazing content where there different environments from the tropical rain forests and the hot deserts. This large land mass is split in half by the equator creating the most tropical continent. With its harsh living conditions and disease-spreading vectors, it is amazing to see how humans were able to survive in these environments.

One of the civilizations, the was Nubian civilizations, which eventually came to the city of Moroë. The city of Moroë was a monarchy, which surprised me with the fact that on several occasions the rulers were women or co-ruled with women. Like the female pharaohs of Egypt, but they were presented as women, not men. They help equal power to other men's prominences.

The city was considered to be the old kind of African/Nubian civilization while there was also Axum. It seemed that the city of Axum showed much more success with agriculture and even trade. Within the capital city there could be found famous, royal buildings. Could this be the reason of the fall of the Moroë?

Ch. 4 Documents

The Good Life in Eurasian Civilizations

In the first document, The Analects, you truly sense of the influence Confucius gave over his writers. Throughout the document he was addressed as "The Master". After reading all of his teachings and lessons, he is truly a remarkable and started an enlightenment in China.

One of my favorite of his advice was when someone asked him how to get submission of the people, he says, "Advancement the upright and set aside the crooked, then, the people will submit. Advance the crooked and set aside the upright, then the people will not submit ". I thought this is very interesting answer. I believe he meant that if we allow the people who cheat their way up to success and not the people who work hard through the right way, then why would someone follow the rules.

And then I imagined. What if this was truly expressed in today's society. A lot of people could say  there are people today that have gone through the "bad" road and still achieved success while others who followed regular guidelines have not. Is our society the opposite of what Confucius believes of what a society should be?

Then I continued to the reading of Plato, or a Socrates document. In the reading he was giving a speech to defend himself to a jury. He begins with saying that he will show if a man is wise or not. Or in other words, innocent or guilty.

He then also talks about the young, rich men who accuse others with "ready-made charges". As if people could charge anyone with anything. I certainly don't want to be the end of that stick.