The Greeks had a influence on many things and one of these was Architecture. They did not necessarily create all the types and styles but they did make a lot of them known. They had three particular styles the Ionic, Corinthian, and Doric. Greek architecture was mainly seen on public and religious buildings. These styles and ideas were then carried on to effect all the different time periods. (Geffern, Boardman)
Greek architecture is big in Greek life. It was what housed their religious and government buildings. Before them came the Persian architecture and Egyptian architecture. There was also some lesser known cultures that came before them and started the influence over the Greek's ideas. But the Greeks were the main ones to make the styles known and remembered. Even though many of the early Greek buildings were destroyed we still have the later Greek buildings and the descriptions for them. (Geffern)
There were three main types of architectural styles; they were the Doric order, Ionic order, and the Corinthian order. The Doric order was plainer, simpler, and sturdier on top. This architectural style was found primarily on the mainland of Greece and the colonies of Southern Italy and Sicily. The Parthenon is an example of the Doric style. The Ionic architectural style is thinner and more elegant than the Doric. The Ionic style is decorated with a scroll-like design. This style was found in Eastern Greece and on the Greek islands. Examples of this style would be the Erectheum, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the Temple of Athena W. The Corinthian style is not used often in the Greek time but it is the most elaborate, decorated with leaves. An example of this order is the Temple of Zeus at Athens. (Boardman)
The Greeks did not just make these buildings just to look at, these buildings were often there public buildings of use. Most of the time these buildings were used to worship their gods and that is why they put so much work into it, to make it as grand as possible to please their gods. Other times the buildings were for the government or public use as in arenas or amphitheaters. Which these are both used in today's time. After the Greeks made known these styles they were then carried into the Roman style and from there on through to have and effect on today's modern culture. If the Greeks had not done the work so elegantly and beautifully no one would have looked at it and copied it but because of their work we look at it, study it and preserve it. (Boardman)
The history of architecture is important, because we need to know where we came from to understand where were at. Although each style is different and has its distinct elements they are all remembered and cherished. The importance of Greek architecture is that it had an influence on the past and effected the present and will have an influence on the future. When people do grand things it is noticed. (Geffern)
Book sources:
Geffern, Anthony (producer). The Greeks: Crucibe of Civilization. NY: PBS Home Video; 1999.
Boardman, John. Greek Art: World of Art. Thames & Hudson; Oxford :1996
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Greek Art
Art was very important to most Greeks. Their art mainly consists of their architecture, their sculptures, and their pottery. Art was especially big in the Greek city-state of Athens. What the Greeks did with art did not change only the present, it also changed the future for art. (Geffern, Boardman)
Greek architecture is big in Greek life. It was what housed their religious and government buildings. There were three main types of architectural styles; they were the Doric order, Ionic order, and the Corinthian order. The Doric order was plainer, simpler, and sturdier on top. This architectural style was found primarily on the mainland of Greece and the colonies of Southern Italy and Sicily. The Parthenon is an example of the Doric style. The Ionic architectural style is thinner and more elegant than the Doric. The Ionic style is decorated with a scroll-like design. This style was found in Eastern Greece and on the Greek islands. Examples of this style would be the Erectheum, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the Temple of Athena W. The Corinthian style is not used often in the Greek time but it is the most elaborate, decorated with leaves. An example of this order is the Temple of Zeus at Athens. Greek architecture is very adored today. source (Boardman)
Another great par of the Greek art is their sculptures. Many great artists lived during the Greed times this is why their skill was looked at so often. The Greeks used many different materials to build their sculptures and statues some of these materials included stone, marble, and limestone. They would use these because they were in abundance in Greece. There were seven different time periods in Greek sculpture, these were the Mycenaean Art, Sub-Mycenaean Art, also known as the dark age, Proto-Geometric, Geometric Art, Archaic, Classical and Haenistic. Each time-period had their own distinct style. In Greek statues, the ideal body was perfect.source (Boardman)
Greek art was also expressed in pottery, used in everyday life. Most of the painted potteries we find now are bowls or drinking utensils, like jugs or cups. Greek pottery was also divided into time-periods: the Proto Geometric, the Geometric, the Archaic, the Black Figure, and the Red Figure. The most common colors of the paint would have been red, black, white, and yellow. When the Greeks painted their pots, it was part of everyday life. However, today we look at it with awe and imagine their skill.source (Geffern)
The greatness of the Greek Art is to be remembered and looked at for years to come. Greek art has effect on the other time periods of art. Art had great importance to the society of Greece.
Book sources:
Geffern, Anthony (producer). The Greeks: Crucibe of Civilization. NY: PBS Home Video; 1999.
Boardman, John. Greek Art: World of Art. Thames & Hudson; Oxford :1996.
Sorry Mr. Lockwood my blog was really not working I had, had it done but it was somehow deleted because the internet shut down and then the second time it would not work on my moms computer because of the links (which i had done correctly). So i got it in as soon as it would work.
Jessica
Greek architecture is big in Greek life. It was what housed their religious and government buildings. There were three main types of architectural styles; they were the Doric order, Ionic order, and the Corinthian order. The Doric order was plainer, simpler, and sturdier on top. This architectural style was found primarily on the mainland of Greece and the colonies of Southern Italy and Sicily. The Parthenon is an example of the Doric style. The Ionic architectural style is thinner and more elegant than the Doric. The Ionic style is decorated with a scroll-like design. This style was found in Eastern Greece and on the Greek islands. Examples of this style would be the Erectheum, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the Temple of Athena W. The Corinthian style is not used often in the Greek time but it is the most elaborate, decorated with leaves. An example of this order is the Temple of Zeus at Athens. Greek architecture is very adored today. source (Boardman)
Another great par of the Greek art is their sculptures. Many great artists lived during the Greed times this is why their skill was looked at so often. The Greeks used many different materials to build their sculptures and statues some of these materials included stone, marble, and limestone. They would use these because they were in abundance in Greece. There were seven different time periods in Greek sculpture, these were the Mycenaean Art, Sub-Mycenaean Art, also known as the dark age, Proto-Geometric, Geometric Art, Archaic, Classical and Haenistic. Each time-period had their own distinct style. In Greek statues, the ideal body was perfect.source (Boardman)
Greek art was also expressed in pottery, used in everyday life. Most of the painted potteries we find now are bowls or drinking utensils, like jugs or cups. Greek pottery was also divided into time-periods: the Proto Geometric, the Geometric, the Archaic, the Black Figure, and the Red Figure. The most common colors of the paint would have been red, black, white, and yellow. When the Greeks painted their pots, it was part of everyday life. However, today we look at it with awe and imagine their skill.source (Geffern)
The greatness of the Greek Art is to be remembered and looked at for years to come. Greek art has effect on the other time periods of art. Art had great importance to the society of Greece.
Book sources:
Geffern, Anthony (producer). The Greeks: Crucibe of Civilization. NY: PBS Home Video; 1999.
Boardman, John. Greek Art: World of Art. Thames & Hudson; Oxford :1996.
Sorry Mr. Lockwood my blog was really not working I had, had it done but it was somehow deleted because the internet shut down and then the second time it would not work on my moms computer because of the links (which i had done correctly). So i got it in as soon as it would work.
Jessica
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Greek Art
my blog is not working i have been trying to work on it and still am..... so sorry i doon know whats wrong with it.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Alexander the Great
I accidently made this blog dissappear. but you had graded it before. Geffern, Anthony (producer). The Greeks: Crucibe of Civilization. NY: PBS Home Video; 1999.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Percelis
The era of Pericles is very important to the Athenian Greek history because this time period is at the apex of their society. Pericles came directly after the win against the Persians. However, before the Athenians could beat the Persian navy their armies had burned down the entire city of Athens. So therefore afterwards the Athenians had to rebuild their city and this task fell into the hands of Pericles; and it is a good thing it did because he made Athens a beautiful site to see. He had many projects under way to get Athens back up and running just as smoothly as it had been. (Geffern)
Pericles ruled with the same methods in place that which Cleisthenies had set into play around 50 years before him. He still used the same governing techniques but the focus for this era was more on the rebuilding of Athens. Pericles did this by having many grand building projects, this would give jobs to many Athenians and it involved many people. These building projects were much like the pyramids such as they were massive town buildings which now are looked at with amaze. Source (Geffern)
One of these building that was made during this time was the great Parthenon on a top of the acropolis. The Parthenon stands for a temple to the virgin. This project was of stunning magnitude it had a budget of one billion dollars in modern terms and was solid marble not just layered with it. It was composed of twenty thousand tons of marble. The building used to enclose a forty foot statue of Athena and in her hand was a six foot statue of Nike. This statue would have been glorious, it was made with marble and ivory, and covered with gold and all kinds of jewels. Source (Geffern, Meiggs)
Another exquisite detail that was added to this new buildings and projects were friezes. Friezes are picture carvings in stone that just alone signal greatness and power. The friezes were originally painted but now look just stone. Pericles was a very hands on guy in his participation with these build projects. He would directly involve him self by finding the perfect people to do the jobs to helping himself. (Geffern, Meiggs)
Many of the great details of most the buildings that were built in this time are now gone. This is mainly because since this was the apex of Athenian society it went down from there. When Athens would be invaded they would take parts of it not altogether knowing that it was great and beautiful, amazing history. Some people believe that because of the grandness of how Pericles made the rebuilding of Athens it enhanced the feud between the Spartans and Athenians, which ultimately destroyed and brought the end of Athens. Source (Geffern, Meiggs)
book sources:
Geffern, Anthony (producer). The Greeks: Crucibe of Civilization. NY: PBS Home Video; 1999.
Meiggs, Russell. The Athenian Empire. Oxford University Press; New York: 1979.
Pericles ruled with the same methods in place that which Cleisthenies had set into play around 50 years before him. He still used the same governing techniques but the focus for this era was more on the rebuilding of Athens. Pericles did this by having many grand building projects, this would give jobs to many Athenians and it involved many people. These building projects were much like the pyramids such as they were massive town buildings which now are looked at with amaze. Source (Geffern)
One of these building that was made during this time was the great Parthenon on a top of the acropolis. The Parthenon stands for a temple to the virgin. This project was of stunning magnitude it had a budget of one billion dollars in modern terms and was solid marble not just layered with it. It was composed of twenty thousand tons of marble. The building used to enclose a forty foot statue of Athena and in her hand was a six foot statue of Nike. This statue would have been glorious, it was made with marble and ivory, and covered with gold and all kinds of jewels. Source (Geffern, Meiggs)
Another exquisite detail that was added to this new buildings and projects were friezes. Friezes are picture carvings in stone that just alone signal greatness and power. The friezes were originally painted but now look just stone. Pericles was a very hands on guy in his participation with these build projects. He would directly involve him self by finding the perfect people to do the jobs to helping himself. (Geffern, Meiggs)
Many of the great details of most the buildings that were built in this time are now gone. This is mainly because since this was the apex of Athenian society it went down from there. When Athens would be invaded they would take parts of it not altogether knowing that it was great and beautiful, amazing history. Some people believe that because of the grandness of how Pericles made the rebuilding of Athens it enhanced the feud between the Spartans and Athenians, which ultimately destroyed and brought the end of Athens. Source (Geffern, Meiggs)
book sources:
Geffern, Anthony (producer). The Greeks: Crucibe of Civilization. NY: PBS Home Video; 1999.
Meiggs, Russell. The Athenian Empire. Oxford University Press; New York: 1979.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Difference between the Athenians and the Spartans
Both the Athenians and the Spartans are city-states located in Greece. Despite the fact that they were part of the same country they were bitter rivals. This was because that in Greece when the city-states formed they became little individual governments in itself. However at times the Greek people will work together to save their country against greater powers. There are many differences between the two city-states; Sparta is more known for being brutal, strong, and powerful. On the other hand the Athenians were more interested in the intellectual side of Greece. (Meiggs,Pomeroy)
Today when we look at the Spartans we see that practically all the books explain them as ruthless and brutal. This point of view is for the current time however and the Spartans would not have been as extremely ruthless in the time they were at. Their armies and tactics were extremely strong but their culture, economics, and politics were however stagnant. The people of Sparta were very hard even down to the fact of what they ate was more brutal than the others of that time. Source(Pomeroy)
The women of Sparta alone were tuff, they had to be able to let their little boys leave the house as early as age seven to prepare them for battle. The wives would not get to see their husbands very often and they would not even live together till at least the husband turned thirty; this because all the men would stay and sleep together. (this is why many of the Spartan men were gay) The wives would also have to prepare for the death of their husbands. In Sparta there was not marriage from love it came from the need to multiply. Another thing that the Spartans did that was extremely hard was that they would take their babies to a cliff and if it was too skinny they would throw it off. (Pomeroy)
The Athenians are not as extreme as the Spartans are, they have more influence on the intelligent side to things. They had a huge part to the start of philosophy and most Greek art and architecture came from them. Another part of the Athenian's society that was strong was their government. They were the first society to introduce the prospect of democracy this has a big influnence on the future (today). Their rulers were strong and successfull, along with their generals. (Meiggs)
The Athenians had a much more normal and less extreme way of living compared to the Spartans. This could have caused rivalry between them because each of them had their strong suits. Because they each were powerful in their own ways they made Greece stronger when they worked all together. Source
Book Sources:
Meiggs, Russell. The Athenian Empire. Oxford University Press; New York: 1979.
Pomeroy, Sarah B. Acient Greece: A Political, Social, and Cultural History. Oxford University Press; USA: 2007.
Today when we look at the Spartans we see that practically all the books explain them as ruthless and brutal. This point of view is for the current time however and the Spartans would not have been as extremely ruthless in the time they were at. Their armies and tactics were extremely strong but their culture, economics, and politics were however stagnant. The people of Sparta were very hard even down to the fact of what they ate was more brutal than the others of that time. Source(Pomeroy)
The women of Sparta alone were tuff, they had to be able to let their little boys leave the house as early as age seven to prepare them for battle. The wives would not get to see their husbands very often and they would not even live together till at least the husband turned thirty; this because all the men would stay and sleep together. (this is why many of the Spartan men were gay) The wives would also have to prepare for the death of their husbands. In Sparta there was not marriage from love it came from the need to multiply. Another thing that the Spartans did that was extremely hard was that they would take their babies to a cliff and if it was too skinny they would throw it off. (Pomeroy)
The Athenians are not as extreme as the Spartans are, they have more influence on the intelligent side to things. They had a huge part to the start of philosophy and most Greek art and architecture came from them. Another part of the Athenian's society that was strong was their government. They were the first society to introduce the prospect of democracy this has a big influnence on the future (today). Their rulers were strong and successfull, along with their generals. (Meiggs)
The Athenians had a much more normal and less extreme way of living compared to the Spartans. This could have caused rivalry between them because each of them had their strong suits. Because they each were powerful in their own ways they made Greece stronger when they worked all together. Source
Book Sources:
Meiggs, Russell. The Athenian Empire. Oxford University Press; New York: 1979.
Pomeroy, Sarah B. Acient Greece: A Political, Social, and Cultural History. Oxford University Press; USA: 2007.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
My Favorite Part of Egyptian Society
What I like most about the Egyptian Society is their Architecture and their growth in it. The Egyptian architecture had a great effect through the different time periods till even today. This is because Egypt was the starting point and had to make every idea from scratch looking at no one in the past. However the Greeks and Romans were hugely effected by the Egyptians which carried on. (Haffner, Oakes)
The great temples they built into the mountain sides and the beautiful city of Amarna. To add to that there are the legendary and beautiful pyramids and the great Valley of the Kings. Some obvious things that were passed on are the massive and amazing statues carved and the great obelisks. All of these are just some of the great architectural memories we have awed over today. (Oakes)Today even in our own country we see their influense of the obelisks of the Washington monutment at the Capital. There is a difference however, the Egyptian obelisks are carved out of stone in one big piece and ours however are not the are made up of blocks put together. We can also see the use and effect of statues quite easily. (Oakes)
Now we have not created things such grand sites as the great pyramids or the valley of the kings, the world is still amazed at what was acomplished there. Escpecially in concide
ring the terms that they worked under and with. Because the Egyptians created such great monuments it was part of the reason why they had good wealth and authority to others, however this was lost. (Haffner)
ring the terms that they worked under and with. Because the Egyptians created such great monuments it was part of the reason why they had good wealth and authority to others, however this was lost. (Haffner)The architecture is the structure or design of anything, and the architecture of the Egyptian society was greatly structured by their work and what they built. The type of buildings that they built then structured the architecture of building through the generations and time periods. Their acomplishments are still loved and looked at with amaze today even though Egyptian society has crumbled they are still talked about because of the great things and sites they left behind. Their architecture leaves their legacy.
Haffner, Craig and Donna E. Lusitana. Mummies and the Wonders of Ancient Egypt. A&E Television Network: New York, 1996.
Oakes, Lorina/ Gahlin, Lucia. Ancient Egypt: An Illistrated reference to the myths, religion, pyramids, and temples of the land of the paharaohs. Barnes and Noble: New York; 2003.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Nefiertiti
Nefertititi was one of the great queens known in the Egyptian history. She was queen and co-regent to Akhenaten, who was her husband. The two of them had six daughters but no sons. The two had a good relationship but Nefertiti had to share her husband and their relationship with many other women and queens. Which this would have been a common thing for the pharaohs to have many and not just one. (Shaw,Casson)
Nefertiti did not necessarily come from a royal blood line and is not even sure what her family members were. Her dad is guessed to be Ay the army officer and later the pharaoh. Ay is also thought to have might been the brother of Queen Tiye. These relations came when Nefertiti's sister was seen in many of the decorations in Ay's tomb. However these are not "written in stone" calculations. Source
During the reign of Akhenaten, Nefertiti played a large role not only was she a gorgious and beautiful queen which she was known as by her statues but she also was of great importance to the throne and what happened within the Amarna period of the eighteenth dynsty. She had a great influence over her husband, the pharaoh, which helped her a lot. Even in most of the artwork war of her being depicted from a pose not pharaoh Akhenaten. Source (Casson)
The Queen Nefertiti had many jobs and one of the most important was the she would go, along with her eldest daughter Meritaten and do the rituals to the gods for her husband, the pharaoh Akhenaten. Nefertiti was very active in the change of religion for the Egyptians. In fact some people think that she might have caused and been the source of the change in the first place. This change in religion was going from a multi-theistic culture to a mono-theistic culture and this one god was the god of the sun, Aten. source (Casson,Shaw)
Nefertiti at the end of Akhenaten's reign disappeared. Many think it was because she must have disgraced the king. However earlier she had another one of his wives disgraced and erased. but afterward she got a new name that was, Neferneferuaten. She then came back after Akhenaten's death and even reigned for a short time after. source (shaw)
Nefertiti's death is unknown and all we have to made guesses and put the pieces of the puzzle together are what they left behind for us to see. This great Queen and woman left a great legacy for herself and us to have and know about. source
book sources:
Casson, Lionel. Ancient Egypt. Time Incorperated, New York: 1965.
Shaw, Ian. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press, New York: 2000.
Nefertiti did not necessarily come from a royal blood line and is not even sure what her family members were. Her dad is guessed to be Ay the army officer and later the pharaoh. Ay is also thought to have might been the brother of Queen Tiye. These relations came when Nefertiti's sister was seen in many of the decorations in Ay's tomb. However these are not "written in stone" calculations. Source
During the reign of Akhenaten, Nefertiti played a large role not only was she a gorgious and beautiful queen which she was known as by her statues but she also was of great importance to the throne and what happened within the Amarna period of the eighteenth dynsty. She had a great influence over her husband, the pharaoh, which helped her a lot. Even in most of the artwork war of her being depicted from a pose not pharaoh Akhenaten. Source (Casson)
The Queen Nefertiti had many jobs and one of the most important was the she would go, along with her eldest daughter Meritaten and do the rituals to the gods for her husband, the pharaoh Akhenaten. Nefertiti was very active in the change of religion for the Egyptians. In fact some people think that she might have caused and been the source of the change in the first place. This change in religion was going from a multi-theistic culture to a mono-theistic culture and this one god was the god of the sun, Aten. source (Casson,Shaw)
Nefertiti at the end of Akhenaten's reign disappeared. Many think it was because she must have disgraced the king. However earlier she had another one of his wives disgraced and erased. but afterward she got a new name that was, Neferneferuaten. She then came back after Akhenaten's death and even reigned for a short time after. source (shaw)
Nefertiti's death is unknown and all we have to made guesses and put the pieces of the puzzle together are what they left behind for us to see. This great Queen and woman left a great legacy for herself and us to have and know about. source
book sources:
Casson, Lionel. Ancient Egypt. Time Incorperated, New York: 1965.
Shaw, Ian. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press, New York: 2000.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Pharaoh Tutankhamen
Tutankhamen first started his life with the name of Tutankhaten but changed it sometime within the first year of his reign. He was the son of the pharaoh Amenhotep III. His name coming from the sun god Aton. Tutankhamen estimated life span was very short; nineteen years was his suspected age at death. (Casson)
Tutankhamen's reign was in the eighteenth dynasty and only lasted around ten years long. The reign actually started at 1361 B.C, he took it at age ten and probably married a wife of twelve year of age. He was not the only or even the first to take the throne at such a young age. The others who did it before him however had a older female from the royal family to help them. He did not have this assistance available to him so to help with the military side of the ruling a none royal family member assisted him. (Casson, Shaw)
During Tutankhamen's reign the most important document was called the Resoration Stele. It contained details and a discription of the way Akhenaten's reforms left Egypt. All the temples were destroyed and the Egyptians were back to being monotheistic. Also in the second year of his reign he moved the capital back to Thebes its origanal place. Even though there are some images of him going to war agianst the Hitties and Nubians he never did fight in any of the battles. (Shaw)
Even to this day we still are not sure how exactly the young pharaoh Tutankhamen died it is looking more and more that he could have possible been murdered. This imformation was found after a c.t. was done on the head of the skelaten. Some mysteries will always be unfound and not understood this could very well one of them. Source (Shaw)
The biggest thing that makes Tutankhamen known is that of his tomb, it is understood to be one of the greatest archiological sites of ancient Egypt. It was found unrobbed and well preserved almost as if it was forgotten through all the years. The tomb contained great statues and drawings. The tomb was found in the valley of the kings. His inner sarcafogas was made of beautiful gold. In his tomb there were statues of goddesses for each of his important organs. The heart however would have been left in the body. (Casson)
Books:
Casson, Lionel. Ancient Egypt. Time Incorperated, New York: 1965.
Shaw, Ian. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press, New York: 2000.
Tutankhamen's reign was in the eighteenth dynasty and only lasted around ten years long. The reign actually started at 1361 B.C, he took it at age ten and probably married a wife of twelve year of age. He was not the only or even the first to take the throne at such a young age. The others who did it before him however had a older female from the royal family to help them. He did not have this assistance available to him so to help with the military side of the ruling a none royal family member assisted him. (Casson, Shaw)
During Tutankhamen's reign the most important document was called the Resoration Stele. It contained details and a discription of the way Akhenaten's reforms left Egypt. All the temples were destroyed and the Egyptians were back to being monotheistic. Also in the second year of his reign he moved the capital back to Thebes its origanal place. Even though there are some images of him going to war agianst the Hitties and Nubians he never did fight in any of the battles. (Shaw)
Even to this day we still are not sure how exactly the young pharaoh Tutankhamen died it is looking more and more that he could have possible been murdered. This imformation was found after a c.t. was done on the head of the skelaten. Some mysteries will always be unfound and not understood this could very well one of them. Source (Shaw)
The biggest thing that makes Tutankhamen known is that of his tomb, it is understood to be one of the greatest archiological sites of ancient Egypt. It was found unrobbed and well preserved almost as if it was forgotten through all the years. The tomb contained great statues and drawings. The tomb was found in the valley of the kings. His inner sarcafogas was made of beautiful gold. In his tomb there were statues of goddesses for each of his important organs. The heart however would have been left in the body. (Casson)
Books:
Casson, Lionel. Ancient Egypt. Time Incorperated, New York: 1965.
Shaw, Ian. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press, New York: 2000.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Ramsses II
Ramsses II or also called Ramsses the great lived a non-forgettable life. His success was great with in his reign of 67 years. He was the son of Seti I and Queen Tuya. He reigned in the nineteenth dynasty from around 1279-1213 B.C. (Oakes)
In Ramsesses' reign he showed himself as a great builder of magnificent monuments. He did much work to improve the valley of the kings. He had built many of the famous ancient temples, tombs and statues during his reign. Some of the many awe-inspiring places were the great hall at Karnak in Thebes, his father's funerary temple, his own which was called Ramsesseum, and the rock hewn temple of Abu Simbel. Because of his great works he left his mark and perhaps the greatest marks of all the rulers of his country. (James, Oakes)
Another thing that Ramsesses II showed himself as in his reign was a great warrior. One of the most major events in his reign was the Battle of Kadesh. At this battle Ramsesses was also most captured in the battle but was not. The battle was not a loss but it was neither a victory to Ramsesses because he was not successful in gaining more territory. Source (James)
He had numerous wives one of which was Nefertari who had the best and prettiest tomb in the valley of the queens. His other wives consisted of two of his daughters, a sister, and two Hittie princesses. Through his lifespan he fathered around a hundred children. After his death one of his son's Merneptah took over and reigned after him. His body was first placed in his tomb in the valley of the kings after his death but was then moved to a safer place with the greater value things. This was because looting tombs had become a widespread event. Source (Oakes)
If we look at this Pharaoh's military, building, and life achievements he is a legendary figure that is great and will be remember forever along with many other Egyptian Pharaohs. This is what he wanted and wished for. It was an extraordinarily long reign this was because he had lived a long and full life. Despite Ramsesses II hard work and great help to his country Egypt within 150 years after his death they were taken over and the New Kingdom was then over for the Egyptians. source (Oakes)
Book Sources:
Oakes, Lorina/ Gahlin, Lucia. Ancient Egypt: An Illistrated reference to the myths, religion, pyramids, and temples of the land of the paharaohs. Barnes and Noble: New York; 2003.
James, T.G.H. Ramsesse II. Fairfax pub.: New York; 2002
picture 1 link: http://www.travelegypt.com/peopleinfo/images/ramses2-1.jpg
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Pharaoh Akhenaten
The Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten or originally whose name was Amenhotep IV had a great effect on Egypt's history. He dramatically changed the religious views of the Egyptians. He also changed the status of Egypt and its wealth.
Source
This Pharaoh started out as a young ruler he was only about as old as a teenager when his dad, Amenhotep III died. His mother Queen Tiy wanted him to take over and so he did. He only became Pharaoh because of his older brother's untimely death. As a child he was the out cast of the family and scientist are thinking that he had a genetic disease called Marfan Syndromehe and his daughters both showed the sign of having it. Akhenaten's wife and queen was the famous Nefertiti. Akhenaten was nick-named the "heretic" pharaoh, his reign is said to be only sixteen years long. While he lived only from approximately 1352 b.c. to 1336 b.c. (Romer)
Akehenaten's huge change to the Egyptian society was the religious part. He took a major polytheistic nation and mad it monothiestic to honnor Aton the sun disk god. In his reign the richness and power of Egypt was falling but some people would say that it had started to happen before his reign.
Romer, John.The Great Pyramid: Ancient Egypt Revisited. Canbridge University Press, New York;2007
Source
This Pharaoh started out as a young ruler he was only about as old as a teenager when his dad, Amenhotep III died. His mother Queen Tiy wanted him to take over and so he did. He only became Pharaoh because of his older brother's untimely death. As a child he was the out cast of the family and scientist are thinking that he had a genetic disease called Marfan Syndromehe and his daughters both showed the sign of having it. Akhenaten's wife and queen was the famous Nefertiti. Akhenaten was nick-named the "heretic" pharaoh, his reign is said to be only sixteen years long. While he lived only from approximately 1352 b.c. to 1336 b.c. (Romer)
Akehenaten's huge change to the Egyptian society was the religious part. He took a major polytheistic nation and mad it monothiestic to honnor Aton the sun disk god. In his reign the richness and power of Egypt was falling but some people would say that it had started to happen before his reign.
Romer, John.The Great Pyramid: Ancient Egypt Revisited. Canbridge University Press, New York;2007
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Pyrimads of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most beautiful sites in the world so much so that they were considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The pyramids stood so clean, crisp, and smooth in their day. They originally stood pure white and their outside layer was made of limestone. The pyramids would have shown to the world how powerful and strong Egypt was.They took years of hard work from many workers and are so big that we are still trying to uncover all of their secrets and mysteries to this day. (Hafner)
This great site is located just about fifteen miles southwest of the Nile river. Which is a great water source and would have helped the building process a lot. The only civilisation that lasted in Egypt during that day was along the Nile because the only vegetation and water in the whole desert was along the Nile.
The purpose of the pyramids was to hold the most powerful Pharaohs. The three pyramids at Giza hold Khufu, who is in largest of the three pyramids. Khafre is in the middle of the three and Menkaure who is in the smallest pyramid. (Hafner)
W e are now uncovering a burial that was for the workers that worked on the pyramids. A Great mystery that everyone asks is who were the pyramids made by. We known that they were made for the Egyptian Pharaohs, but not by whom some think that they were created by the Egyptians as well. Others think that they were made by the Israelites when they were in custody of the Egyptians before Moses with Gods help set them free. In the first chapter of Exodus in the Bible we see that after Joesph was in Egypt. He and his family lived there and populated and as the Pharaohs changed over reigns they forgot how Joesph helped them and soon the Pharaoh treated the Israelites as slaves and it is presented that they built the pyramids. However there is no way of knowing exactly who created them.(Bible)
The estamate is that the pyramid of Khufu would have taken fourteen years with 20-30,000 workers working on it. You could not even imagine how hot it would be and what conditions they would have to work under. But Even still their precition to their cuts and edges are practically perfect. It is amazing to see what the builers created even in the ancient days with not as many presise tools."the living people who made King Khufu's Pyramid, left their marks upon the Plateau and then simply disappeared." (Romer 102)
The reason to why the pyramids were built was because the Egyptians thought that the after life was of high importance and where your body went when you died accounted for how good your after life would be also. This is why the Pharaohs and other Egyptians would ask to have their greatest things put with them when they died. (Romer)
These great sites stand tall and big they are magnificent and take the breaths of all that see them. The pyramids give great insight to the ancient times and the Egyptians worldview. The hold great history and have lasted through many historical events.
Book Sources:
Haffner, Craig and Donna E. Lusitana. Mummies and the Wonders of Ancient Egypt. A&E Television Network: New York, 1996.
Romer, John. The Great Pyramid:Ancient Egypht Revisited. Cambridge University Press: New York, 2007.
image one: http://www.mmdtkw.org/Pyramids3Night.jpg
image two: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1238/536297333_919fd66101.jpg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)