Readings:
1. The Heritage of World Civilizations - Chapter 1 pages 7-23 & Chapter 2 pages 56-61.
2. Selection from the Epic of Gilgamesh * e-reserve
3. Selection from the Book of Genesis "Story of the Flood *
Directions:
1. Now that we have spent a few classes discussing Ancient Egypt, I would like to get a sense as to what you think of this magnificent early civilization. After going over the PowerPoints and reading the textbook material, in what ways does the ancient Egyptian civilization compare to others of the ancient Near East, in terms of political systems, religious concepts (meaning what deities or how they worship), and views of the Afterlife? What, for you personally, is the most significant contribution that the ancient Egyptians make on the history of the Near East?
Readings:
1. The Heritage of World Civilizations - Chapter 3 pages 74-112 & Chapter 6 pages 179-198
2. Herodotus - "Battle of Thermopylae" *e-res
3. Suetonius - "Death of Caesar" *e-res
Directions:
2. How does Herodotus depict the Spartans in this section? Can you get a feel for the way Herodotus depicts the Persians? Is there a significant contrast here? Without a doubt Herodotus is attempting to present an accurate account of the battle, but is there another agenda as well being presented? What would you say is the overarching theme of this particular section?
Directions:
3. In reading the PDF of the Roman historian Suetonius, please answer the following questions: Why, knowing what you now understand about Roman politics from your textbook sections and Powerpt shows, was Julius Caesar assassinated? In your opinion is this an act of criminal murder or liberation of the Republic? Was Caesar a tyrant or a savior of the Republic? How did the Roman common masses react to Caesar's assassination?