This blog will be used throughout the semester for primary document analysis, reflection, and classroom discussions. Remember that your posts can be viewed by anyone with access to the Internet. Please maintain proper decorum and civil discourse
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Using Primary Documents to Understand History
Reflect on the use of primary documents in history. For example: When reading a document, what aspects should be considered? Why is it important for historians to use primary documents?
Author Bio: Author- Plutarch (c. AD 46- AD 120)- Greek biographer and essayist who was born in Boeotia; A believer in the Platonist philosophy of the time; his works influenced English and French literature, in particular the plays written by William Shakespeare; even though he took some liberties with how accurate his Works were, he always made sure they were informative and interesting to read.
Date/Context: As Alexander the Great left for Persia, he took with him a powerful military force as well naturalists and historians to study the Persian world and record his adventures. Alexander, like most of his fellow Greeks drank great amounts of wine but he liked his wine undiluted (contrary to Greek custom). This account of the murder of Alexander the Great's close childhood friend Cleitus tells us a lot about Alexander's personality and temperament.
Summary: In this account of the murder of Alexander’s childhood friend Cleitus, Alexander kills Cleitus in a drunken quarrel. Someone at a party sings a song that make fun of the Macedonian commanders that had fallen to the barbarians. Cleitus was offended by this song, because it insulted their fallen countrymen. Alexander the Great accuses Cleitus of being a coward for defending his fallen Macedonians. Cleitus retorts back to his friend and King that the Macedonians he is making fun of are the ones that in fact saved his life. Cleitus questions Alexander’s greatness, prompting Alexander to kill him in a drunken rage with a spear. In conclusion, Alexander the Great believes that he is better than all other Macedonians because he is the son of the god Zeus, and he believes that being the son of a powerful divine being gives him special abilities and privileges.
Key Quotations: “Alexander retorted that if Cleitus was trying to disguise cowardice as misfortune, he must be pleading his own case.”
“Yes it was my Cowardice that saved your life, you who call yourself son of the gods, when you were turning your back to Spithdates sword.”
Unit 1- “Alexander Ran Him Through!”
ReplyDeletePlutarch
Author Bio: Author- Plutarch (c. AD 46- AD 120)- Greek biographer and essayist who was born in Boeotia; A believer in the Platonist philosophy of the time; his works influenced English and French literature, in particular the plays written by William Shakespeare; even though he took some liberties with how accurate his Works were, he always made sure they were informative and interesting to read.
Date/Context: As Alexander the Great left for Persia, he took with him a powerful military force as well naturalists and historians to study the Persian world and record his adventures. Alexander, like most of his fellow Greeks drank great amounts of wine but he liked his wine undiluted (contrary to Greek custom). This account of the murder of Alexander the Great's close childhood friend Cleitus tells us a lot about Alexander's personality and temperament.
Summary: In this account of the murder of Alexander’s childhood friend Cleitus, Alexander kills Cleitus in a drunken quarrel. Someone at a party sings a song that make fun of the Macedonian commanders that had fallen to the barbarians. Cleitus was offended by this song, because it insulted their fallen countrymen. Alexander the Great accuses Cleitus of being a coward for defending his fallen Macedonians. Cleitus retorts back to his friend and King that the Macedonians he is making fun of are the ones that in fact saved his life. Cleitus questions Alexander’s greatness, prompting Alexander to kill him in a drunken rage with a spear. In conclusion, Alexander the Great believes that he is better than all other Macedonians because he is the son of the god Zeus, and he believes that being the son of a powerful divine being gives him special abilities and privileges.
Key Quotations: “Alexander retorted that if Cleitus was trying to disguise cowardice as misfortune, he must be pleading his own case.”
“Yes it was my Cowardice that saved your life, you who call yourself son of the gods, when you were turning your back to Spithdates sword.”