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Today on our online western civ class we had to write a thoughtful, personal essay that analyzes, interprets, and synthesizes the material that Mr. Schick posted on ​yesterday's blog. Due to this word crisis there have been many things that have been modified in everyones daily lives. One of these modifications being cyber school. There are many things that can interrupt you from doing your work. When being at home you have full access to electronic and internet which can stop you from doing your work. This is not the only hard part of cyber school, it is also much harder to ask teachers questions about an assignment which often leads to students making mistakes on their classwork. Another issue being the amount of work. It seems that the workload has doubled since switching to online school. All of these things can lead kids to copy other students work and sometimes can lead kids to not do their work at all. These are all examples of cons during cyber school, and even through the ration of pros and cons are not even, there are still some good things coming from this. We are very lucky to be able to continue out education during this time, some schools are not fortunate enough to be able to do so. Students can learn and do their work at their own pace because we do not have a time limit to class. During this rough time everyone needs to stay positive and motivated so that we can get through it as quick as possible. 

Western Civ Blog 35

Today on our online western civ class we had to compare the plague that hit Athens during the Peloponnesian War with COVID-19. The plague was an epidemic that devastated the city-state of Athens. It occurred in ancient Greece during the second year of the Peloponnesian War. The plague was called Typhus. It raged for 4 years and it resulted in the defeat of Athens. It was an infectious diseases most often cited as causes of the plague include influenza, epidemic typhus, typhoid fever, bubonic plague, smallpox, and measles. Some symptoms for the corona virus are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Typhus and Coronavirus both have a fever as one of the symptoms. They are both deadly epidemics. Both coronavirus and typhus can go away without medicines over time. Both of the epidemics were started due to some sort of animal/bug. 

Western Civ Blog 34

Today in western Civ cyber class we wrote brief biographies on Phillip II, Alexander the Great, and Darius III. First we're going to talk about Phillip II. Phillip II was the king of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and jure uxoris King of England and Ireland. Phillip II was also the Duke of Milan, and from 1555, lord of the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands. He was born on May 21, 1527, in Palacio de Pimentel, Valladolid, Spain. He died on September 13, 1598, in El Escorial, Spain. He died of assassination. He ruled one of the world's largest empires. His reign as Spain's king began the Golden Age, a period of great cultural growth in literature, music and the visual arts. Alexander the Great was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and a member of the Argead dynasty. He was born on July 356 BC, in Pella, Greece. He died on June 323 BC, in Babylon. He brought to the Greeks a new way of fighting. He brought to the Persians the Greek way of life. Alexander's success lay in his tactics, particularly the phalanx, which allowed its enemies little openings for attack. Lastly,  we have Darius III. He was originally named Artashata and called Codomannus by the Greeks. He was born in 381 BC. He died on July 330 BC, in Bactria. He was the last king of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia, from 336 BC to 330 BC. 

Western Civ Blog 33

Today in western Civ cyber class we researched the relationship between Alexander and Bucephalus. Bucephalus was Alexanders horse. He is one of the most famous horses of antiquity. Alexander was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and a member of the Argead dynasty. They had a very strong relationship and they were inseparable. Only Alexander could ride Bucephalus. He rode him into every battle. He rode him from the conquest of the Greek city-states and Thebes through Gaugamela and into India. After the final defeat of Darius, Bucephalus was kidnapped while Alexander was away on excursion. When Alexander found out about his horse being kidnapped, he was very mad and made lots of threats. Not too long after, Bucephalus returned. Some people say Bucephalus died from battle wounds but some say he died of old age. Alexander founded a city in his beloved horse’s memory and named it Bucephala. 

Western Civ Blog 32

Today marks our first week of cyber school!! To me cyber school is not too bad, I've been able to maintain my grades and get all my work done before 2 so I have the rest of the day to relax. Some of my classes have been easy but some have been extremely hard and some of the directs don't make sense to me. One class that is extremely hard is math. It's hard to learn completely new material everyday and have to turn in your work when you've only watched a video on how to do it. English has also been hard but for a different reason. My teacher is giving us lots of work each day which is understandable, but its hard to concentrate and get it all done. I like the way we have been doing the work for your class because we are all used to blogs because on a normal school day we would do them as well. My thoughts on cyber school over all are mostly positive but I do think that eventually I will get tired of it and start having more trouble in different classes. I hope we get to finish this school year out in normal school, especially for the seniors!

Western Civ Blog 31

Today in western Civ cyber class we read page 138 and watched the Crucible of Civilization: Empire of the mind video. We had to think about why we think the Socrates, and Sophists like Protagoras, would start questioning traditional beliefs at this particular point in history.  I think that Socrates didn't let others push him around or tell him what to do. Socrates thought for himself, unlike everyone else in Athens. He also kept to his truths about questioning Athens.  Socrates was the only one who thought that way and he was not able to change the majority of peoples opinions. All of Socrates thoughts were shot down by all Athenians who were in charge of the voting in Athens. Since most of Athens did not agree with Socrates' opinions, he was sentenced to death by drinking poison hemlock,. a very gross and terrible way to die.

Western Civ Blog 30

Today we watched three videos about ancient Geek history. All of the Athenians were behind the Athens walls and the plague was introduced to Athens. All of the citizens were in one tight space and the disease "spread like a wildfire". The symptoms were beyond human suffering and the city was in horrible shape. There was so much terror going around Athens because the citizens were worried about being attacked and about getting the disease. With the crisis erupting, the people began breaking all laws and religious customs. The Athenian society broke down because people stopped being good because the good and the evil were being affected by the disease. The plague killed over a third of Athen's population. Pericles got the plague and lost all strength, he began relying on magic potions to help him survive. After 6 months of struggling, Pericles died in 429 BC. Pericles planned to make Athens the best in the Mediterranean sea but his plan of close quarters brought death and disease. Pericles underestimated the power of the uncontrollable factors. Pericles was the strongest leader so after his death many other leaders tried to take his position. The other leaders did anything and everything to gain power. Direct democracy began "sliding into mob rule".Because of mob rule they had no power to fight a war. Pericles plan to glorify Athens and make it the strongest only brought death and disease which led to them not being able to fight a war. 

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Pericles was a wise and able statesman who lead Athens during much of its golden age. He was honest and fair. He held onto popular support for 32 years. He was a skillful politician, an inspiring speaker, and a respected general. He dominated the life of the Athens from 461 to 429 BC, this period of time is often called the age of Pericles. His goals for the Athens were to strengthen Athenian democracy, to hold and strength the empire, and to glorify the Athens. In a direct democracy, the decisions are not taken by representatives. All decisions are voted on by the people. When a budget or law needs to be passed, then the idea goes to the people. Large governments rarely make decisions this way. Athens helped organize the Delian League. In time the Athenians took over leadership of the league and dominated all city-states. Pericles used the money from the league to make the strongest navy. The military allowed Pericles to treat other members of the delian league as party of an empire. 

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Today in class we talked about how our online classes will work. Mr. Schick explained how he doesn't want to do online calls and he will post all of our work on veracross even though he usually uses blogger, but all the other teachers are going to be using veracious so it will be easier. We will have to read posted textbook pages and answer the questions he provides in a blog by 11:59 that night. He doesn't believe in giving us 45 minutes of busy work so he will give us some work that we usually do in class. We talked about the virus and how it spreads, how we're effected, and. how it works. 

Western Civ Blog 27

Today in class we watched episode two of Crucible of Civilization. The revolution began in 490 BC in Greece, between Athens and Persians , it changed the course of civilization. The people of Athens have established democracy for the first time ever in history. Themistocles and Pericles would change the course of civilization. The Battle of Marathon: Pheidippides was a regular citizen in Athens and he was the one who started the marathon, he was running because his home town was getting taken over by the Persian Empire . He ran from Marathon to Athens to tell the Athenians the Persians were going to attack, he ran 140 miles in just two days, the help was refused. The men had to fight with spears against the Persians . Persians were outnumbering them 2 to 1. Themistocles thought the Persians would still be a danger. Early 5th century BC the Persians were very strong. Athens began gaining power. Persians had to destroy Athens to win. Greeks are the people who emphasize free. Persians follow obedience. Themistocles was the leader of Athens- cocky and not many followers . Known as the savior of the city. Believed Persia would attack again. Athenians were defeated by land but very strong over seas (navy), trienes were Athenian boats used as weapons. In 483 BC the Athenians found a large amount of riches and wanted to divide it among themselves, but Themistocles wanted to spend it on ships. Xerxes conscripted troops from every corner of his empire. They had 2 million men with a great force ready to march. Xerxes was confident of victory, but when the Greeks realized they were about to be invaded they turned to the gods. They sent out a messenger to find their fate 

Western Civ Blog 26

Today in class we watched the Crucible of Civilization. Some notes I took were that Greeks laid the foundation for western civilization. Greeks also achievements shape our world. Heracles was a famous politician. Panamanian ruled the streets of Athens . Cleisthenes born to be a ruler and save Athens. He thought people should have own freedoms. He was born around 570 BC into one of the richest families- Alkamihoded. He was taught that he was an aristocrat because he grew up that way, he had a greedy family. He set Greece on the path for an empire. 6th century BC aristocrats controlled everything in Athens, its impossible to think this place would soon rule a huge empire. Most houses were made out of mud brick. Athens smelled terrible, and had no society of equality . Greece used to be called Hellas, and Athens was built around acropolis . Women spent their days in the house cooking cleaning etc. Reading and writing was a rare skill, and life expectancy was under 15 years. The society was not equal and was ruled under the aristocrats. They did not expect Greece to have an empire by the appearance, south of Greece was Egypt, to the east were the Persians. Greatest civilizations were based off rivers , countless tiny nations called city states. Over a thousand city states in Cleisthenes time. Each polis sought to maintain it's own independence and only some were successful, the Spartans every year caused war against the Helots. Legitament to kill a Helot because they were strong war-like fighters. Athenian potters were motivated by out doing each other. Hippiates became ruler and his brother died and he tortured many people, by Cleisthenes time the games were open to anyone. There was lots of chariot racing, running, boxing, there was no real prize, just fame throughout Greece. Homer wrote the Iliad and Odyssey about war.

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Today in class we went over some more slides in the Greece is the word powerpoint. First we learned about socrates. Socrates looked to science and logic, not the mythological gods, for explanations of how the world worked. The Socratic Method fostered critical thinking. Socrates was charged with serious crimes for impiety, disrespecting the gods, and corrupting the youth of Athens. At his trial, he described himself as a stinging gadfly, and Athens as a lazy old horse. He did not deny what he had done, asked for free dinners. He was found guilty by an Athenian jury, and sentenced to death by drinking poison hemlock. Then we learned about Plato who was a student and follower of Socrates. He wrote out Socrates’ teachings, and described his trial in his other book, Apology. Republic was Socrates’ discussion of justice and the ideal state. It one of the most influential books on philosophy ever written, it includes the Allegory of the Cave.

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Today in class we learned about the wars in Ancient Greece. First we leaned about the fighting Spartans. Greeks were warlike people, especially the Spartans. Spartans were known for their tough, ruthless infantry soldiers who fought on land. Spartan boys started training for war from the time they were seven. Then we learned about the Athens naval power. Athens had a great infantry too, but nothing could compare with their navy. Their most effective weapon was the trireme. Trireme was a technological marvel. It was the fastest ship in the world at the time. It was rowed by up to 170 men on three levels. It could be used as a battering ram. The boat was extremely fast. The phalanx was a close-rank, dense grouping of warriors. They were armed with long spears and interlocking shields. The soldiers would advance slowly toward the enemy, until they broke through their ranks. Greece appears little and insignificant. The Persian Empire is very big. Persians have a huge army, and nearly unlimited resources. The greek army had iron weapons meant ordinary citizens could afford to arm themselves, foot soldiers (hoplites) trained from an early age, armed with spears, swords, shields, often fought in phalanx formation, “home field” advantaged they were motivated to preserve democracy. Persian army first archers, do damage from a distance. Then the cavalry disrupt communication between generals and soldiers. Then lightly armored infantry, carried spear, sword, and bow. Huge numbers, long way from home, professional army, soldiers for hire, or mercenaries. In 490 BC, Persian fleet attacks Marathon, but they lost.

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Today in class we learned about the Gods and Goddesses from Ancient Greece. What is unique about the Greeks’ relationship with their gods is the interaction with humans. Poseidon was the god of the sea, he interfered with Odysseus trying to return home. Aphrodite was goddess of love. She had lovers of both gods and men. Dionysus was the god of wine, he was son of Zeus who was a god, and of Semele, a human princess. Zeus was the ruler of heaven and earth. He was the father of Athena, god of the sky, weather, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. He had a temper and was known to hurl thunderbolts. Athena was Goddess of wisdom, skill, warfare, peace, intelligence, battle strategy, and handicrafts. She was born from Zeus' head fully formed and armored. She was the patron of Athens, the city was named after her. Apollo was the god of music, arts, knowledge, and healing. Zeus was his father. Artemis was his twin sister who was associated with the moon. Apollo is associated with the sun. Poseidon is god of the sea, rivers, floods, and earthquakes. He is the brother of Zeus, king of the sea and waters. Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, desire, sexuality. Her lovers included Ares, god of war, Adonis, demi-god of desire, and Anchises, a mortal who fathered a baby. Demeter was the goddess of grain, harvest, agriculture, she was Zeus’s sister.

Western Civ Blog 22

Today in class we read about democracy and Greece's Golden Age. The main idea was that Democratic principles and classical culture flourished during Greece's golden age. It matters now because at its height, Greece set lasting standards in art, politics, literature, and philosophy that are still influential today. Some important terms in the text were direct democracy, classical art, tragedy, comedy, Peloponnesian war, philosophers, socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Direct democracy is a from of government inn which citizens rule directly and not through representatives. Classical art are values of harmony, order, balance, and proportion. Tragedy is a serious drama about common themes such as love, hate, war, and betrayal. Comedy is contained scenes filled with slapstick situations and crude humor. The Peloponnesian war was between 2 city states. the Athens had a stronger Navy, Sparta had a stronger Army. The location made it easy to be attacked from the sea. Philosophers means "lovers of wisdom." we also read about Socrates and Plato. Plato was a student of socrates. He wrote down conversations of socrates "as a means of philosophical investigation." Aristotle was a philosopher. The Athenians democracy is similar to the U.S. democracy in many ways. Some being that they both had 3 branches of government, the legislative branch passes the laws, the political power was exercised by citizens, and the judicial branch conducts trials with paid juniors.