Unit 1 "Innocent Saves his Realm"

Author

American Editor Oliver Thatcher 

Born in 1827

Medieval historian and the editor of the multi-volume series of source material called the Library of Original Sources. He also edited the source material known as “A Source Book for Mediaeval History. Selected Documents.”

Speaker 

Pope Innocent III (1160 A.D. - 1216 A.D.)

One of the greatest popes known in Christian history. He is used as the main judge and final jury for a court towards a noble that has a quarrell towards John, King of England.

Background

This was a jury during the Victorian Era specifically under the rule of John, King of England ( 6th of April, 1199 till 19 October 1216). This was after the quarrel between the church and crown.

Summary

The whole entire document was a written description of Pope Innocent’s Acknowledgment of John’s the title of divine majesty. He states that the quarrel between any party that thinks ill of the king must end. Things like confederacy and conspiracy against the king must end. If any ill behavior against the king is made. Then they risk being excommunicated by the pope. He ends his decree with wishing that all those who is against the king, they must follow the king's order and wishes. As a return for their loyalty, John will be lenient and graciously grant them petition. Alongside with a promise of protection and support to those who follows and in trade for their loyalty.

Quotes 

“By our apostolic authority we hereby dissolve all conspiracy and confederacy that had been made since the quarrel between the crown and church began, and forbid them under the threat of excommunication”

“We ask and beseech the king in the lord that commanded him, in order to obtain forgiveness of his sins, to treat you leniently, and graciously to grant you petitions.”

“We order you to endeavor by clear proofs of humility and devotion to placate you king and to win his favor  rendering him those customary services high you and your ancestors have paid to him and his predecessors.”

Unit 1 - "Abuse of Power"

Author Bio: Suetonius (ca. 70-130 A.D.) Roman biographer and historian who wrote during the Imperial Era of the Roman Empire.

Date/Context: Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C.E.

Summary: The people believed that Julius Caesar was killed for a good reason. He believed that Julius Caesar was too conceited and thought too highly of himself. He gave himself so many honors that were not possible for a mortal. He had a golden throne in the House, a chariot and litter in the procession at the circuses. Caesar had too many statues, temples, and altars dedicated to himself. He put himself next to the gods. Any honor that could be received, he got. Anything Julius Caesar said, would become a law. After awhile, people began to resent him. It's a controversial topic whether or not Caesar deserved to be killed or not.

Key Quotations:

"But it was the following action that roused deadly hatred against him."
"Yet after all, his other actions and words so turn the scale, that it is thought that he abused his power and was justly slain."
"No less arrogant were his public utterances..."

Unit 1: The Reforms of Lycurgus

Author Bio:
Author - Plutarch: Plutarch was a Greek scholar and writer who lived until 120 CE. He is most famous for writing biographies of several influential Greeks and Romans. Besides his writings he spent his time as a magistrate or priest at Delphi.

Subject - Lycurgus: Lycurgus is a figure with not much known for fact about him, but we can draw predictions based on other parts of Plutarch's biography. Lycurgus was the younger brother of the Spartan king until the brother fell ill and died. Lycurgus was offered the throne and he assumed power until it was discovered the former king had died with a pregnant wife. Lycurgus offered the crown to the baby and served as regent until he feared that conspirators may kill the baby and frame him. Lycurgus then spent the next many years traveling the eastern Mediterranean and sampling the governments there. When he was begged to return to Sparta Lycurgus started a policy of incremental changes to society, and once these were complete, he extracted an oath from every Spartan citizen to follow his laws until his return. Lycurgus then traveled to Delphi to receive messages from the oracle, afterwards starving himself to death so the Spartans would be forced to follow his laws forever.

Date/Context:
This section of a biography was written by a Roman many centuries after the actual man Lycurgus, if he existed, would have died. We see this writing more as an explanation for what Plutarch saw as the root of contemporary Spartan behavior.

Summary:
The biography begins by talking about currency, and how Lycurgus saw to make the wealthy focus on more useful things by making the state currency of Sparta be worthless when traded anywhere else. Further, by making the currency impossible to steal in sufficient quantities for profit, Lycurgus massively dropped the crime rate. Next, the biography tells how the rich were made to the same level as the poor in society by forcing everyone to eat the same thing, at the same time, in the same place, at the same table. The rich were unable to enjoy the fruits of their success, so they did not become fat and bloated leaches on society. Thirdly, the biography talks about the method by which children were raised in Sparta. Children were judged from the moment they were born, by age seven they were taken to a communal barracks where the most obedient were put in charge. By the time the children grew older they were found to be both disciplined and insightful. By being accustomed to long periods of silence, the Spartans gained favor for their short but intelligent remarks.

Key Quotation:
"The third and most masterly stroke of this great lawgiver, by which he struck a yet more effectual blow against luxury and the desire of riches, was the ordinance he made..."

Unit 1- "The Imperial Army"

Author Bio: Flavius Josephus was a Jewish historian during Roman times. He fought in a war against the Romans, as well as becoming a slave translator for emperor Vaspasian, and eventually gained his freedom and took on the family name of Flavius. His background gives him a large knowledge of the Roman Army, and makes him an excellent person to explain it.

Date/Context: The context that this was written, was sometime during the reign of the Roman Emperor Vaspaian, because he was the one who granted Flavius his freedom from slavery, as well as his Roman citizenship. In the Roman Empire, this is still a time for expansion and conquering, because he talks of the Romans expanding their military forces.

Summary: Flavius gives a thorough explanation of the Imperial Army of Rome in this text. He describes, with much pride, the perfect discipline instilled into the troops, and their perfect rank and order, every soldier knows his place, and stays perfectly in it. He describes the perfect organization, and at the sound of a trumpet, every man knew exactly what he had to do, whether it was to pack up, burn the previous ground, or move out, no man was left not understanding what he had to do.

Key Quotes: 
"As though they had been born with weapons in hand, they never have a truce from training, never wait for emergencies to arise."
"When the camp is to be broken up, the trumpet sounds a first call; at that none remain idle..."

Unit 1 "Innocent Chooses the Holy Roman Emperor"

Author Bio: Speaker: Pope Innocent III- (1160 or 1161 – 16 July 1216) reigned from 8 January 1198 to his death. Pope Innocent was one of the most influential and powerful popes in history. He exerted a wide influence over the Christian states of Europe, claiming supremacy over all of Europe's kings. One of his most influential actions was organising the Fourth Crusade.

Date/Context: (1201) This discusses the Pope deciding who the next Holy Roman Emperor. Since there is a lot of options, he needs to choose someone who is smart, strong, and suited for this position.

Summary: Pope Innocent III responsibility is now to choose the next Holy Roman Emperor. The youthful choice (Frederick) is questioned and denied due to his arrogance and his unfit nature. His uncle, Philip, was also rejected. Ultimately it came down to who was most suited to lead strongly and diligently. The Pope chose Otto. Traditionally known as Otto I the Great , was then chosen to be emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He was the oldest son of Henry I the Fowler and Matilda.

Key Quotes:

“ Otto is not only himself devoted to the church but comes from devout ancestors on both sides... therefore we decree that he ought to be accepted and supported as king and ought to be given the crown of the empire after the rights of the Roman Church have been secured.“

Unit 1 "Sermon On The Mount"

Author Bio: Sermon on the Mount is an excerpt by one of Jesus 12 disciples, Matthew. The New Testament records that as a disciple, he followed Jesus, and was one of the witnesses of the Resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus. Afterwards, the disciples withdrew to an upper room in Jerusalem. The disciples remained in and about Jerusalem and proclaimed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. But Matthew was not in fact the actual author of this excerpt. Nowhere does the unknown author claim to have been an eyewitness to these Christian historical events. There is no information on the true author who put Matthews teachings into the bible.

Date/Context: This event occurred around 25 AD. This document describes one of Jesus’s miracles in action. It entails Jesus’s interaction with the sick and the healing that follows. He incorporates some of his teachings into his message to the people of Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea and the land on the other side of the Jordan.

Summary: Jesus ventured all over many towns throughout Jerusalem, Galilee, Judea, and many others. He spread the good news of the kingdom, and healed the sick. He cured people of every disease imaginable. People came from all over to receive the great gift of a clean bill of health from Jesus. He then decided to climb upon a hill, taking all these following people with him, and begins to inform them of teachings from God. He states that you should not act on revenge. If someone has wronged you, your first reaction may be an eye for an eye. But you should not demean yourself to this level. Jesus also discusses that you should do kind actions not only when people are watching, but especially when they aren't. This includes praying. Last, he talks about loving your enemies. He says we should “pray for those who mistreat others, so you may become the sons of your Father in heaven”. He states if you follow this, you will be rewarded with the gift of eternal life in heaven.

Key Quotes:

“Happy are you when men insult you and mistreat you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. Rejoice and be glad, because a great reward is kept for you in heaven.”

“An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But now i tell you: do not take advantage on someone who does you wrong. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap you on the left cheek too. And if someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if one of the occupation troops forces you to carry his pack one mile, carry it another mile.”

“Love your friends, hate your enemies.’ But now I tell you: love your enemies, and pray for those who mistreat you, so that you will become the sons of your Father in heaven.”

Unit 1 "Alexander Ran Him Through"

Author: Plutarch lived from 48 AD to 120 AD. Plutarch mostly wrote biographies for different people of great importance


Summary: In this document Plutarch tells the events of Alexander the Great Killing his childhood friend Cleitus. Someone began singing a song that was written to make fun of some Macedonian commanders that recently lost to some barbarians. Cleitus gets angered at the men who are singing it. Alexander tells the men to continue singing, but Cleitus does not agree with this and starts arguing with Alexander and the men singing it. Cleitus said the wrong thing to Alexander and he throws an apple at him then looks for his dagger but one of his bodyguards took it when the argument broke out. He then took a spear from one of his guards and when Cleitus tried escaping Alexander ran the spear through him. After Alexander calmed down he realized what he had done and got very up set and tried killing himself but the men in the room hold him back and take him back to his chambers where he cried for the night and the next day. A group of men became worried and stormed into his room and he ignored all of them except Aristander the diviner who told him this event was determined long ago.

Quotes: "He paid no attention to what any of them said, except that when Aristander the diviner reminded him … that these events had long ago been ordained by fate, he seemed to accept this assurance."

Unit 1:"The Plague in France"

Author Bio: Jean De Venette(ca. 1307-1370CE)- A French Carmelite friar who became the prior of the carmelite monastery. He was raised a peasant, but became a master of theology at the University of Paris.
Speaker: Jean de Venette.

Date/Context: August 1348; France is greatly affected by the plague; France has not been hit by an epidemic worse than war; Pope Clement VI granted absolution to the sick and dying.

Summary: The Plague had struck hard in France, leaving people to believe that it was the doing of bad Christians and Jews. They had believed that the water and air was corrupted by the Jews. Jews were massacred and burned in Germany and other countries where Jews lived. After the ending of the plague. Men and women who had survived the plague married each other, and gave birth to many more children that had less teeth than the normal child. The new population was not a blessing but a curse. France and the Church’s enemies had become much wickeder and stronger than before. As there was an abundance of food and sin, there became a lack of charity and people no longer taught children the importance of grammar.
Key Quotation:

• “In Germany and other parts of the world where Jews lived, they were massacred and slaughtered by Christians, and many thousands were burned everywhere, indiscriminately.”
• “This plague, it is said, began among the unbelievers, came to Italy, and then crossing the Alps reached Avignon, where it attacked several cardinals and took from them their whole household”

Unit 1: "Abuse of Power

Author Bio: Suetonius(ca. 70-135 CE)- A Roman historian belonging to the equestrian order. He lived during the Roman imperial era, and is mainly known for his set of biographies of twelve successive Roman rulers(Julius Caesar-Domitian).
Speaker: Suetonius.

Date/Context: Caesars corrupt reforms which could have led to him becoming king; Caesar’s assassination on March 14, 44 BCE.

Summary: Suetonius talks about how Caesar deserved to be assassinated, as he greatly abused his powers. He had given himself many privileges which were thought to be not worthy of a mortal human. Suetonius stated that Caesar had said the Roman Republic would be nothing without a strong leader, meaning himself.

Key Quotation:
 “Yet after all, his other actions and words so turn the scale, that it is thought that he abused his power and was justly slain.”
“No less arrogant were his public utterances.. That the Republic was nothing, a mere name without body or form…”

Unit 1 - "Unam Sanctum"

Author: Pope Boniface VIII – Born in Anagni, Pope from December 1294 to his death in 1303, organized the first Roman Catholic jubilee year, believed in strong spiritual and temporal power for the papacy.

Date/Context: By 1294, when Boniface VIII assumed the papacy, canon law in which the pope himself could make legal decisions was quite large. He had printed a book on canon law, including 88 of his own legal decisions. This book is still used today for scholars of canon law.

Summary: Pope Boniface VIII, the devout Catholic he obviously was, believed that there was only one holy Catholic apostolic church. If anyone says they not subject to Peter and his successors, he writes, then they are not ‘sheep of Christ’. He describes the ‘two swords’ that are in the power of the Church: spiritual authority and temporal authority. He says that spiritual authority is used by the Church by the hand of the priest, and that temporal authority is used for the church by the hand of kings and knights. He concludes by says that every man must by subdued to the bishop of Rome for his own salvation.

Key Quotes: “We therefore declare, say, and affirm that submission on the part of every man to the bishop of Rome is altogether necessary for his salvation”

Unit 1: To His Love Afar

Author Bio: The main biography of Rudel was taken in part by this poem and his other works. His songs and poems focus on the same type of lament, feeling a longing love for someone he cannot have. The theme of unrequited love was is his main sorrow. In fact, in To His Love Afar, the woman he desires so deeply is the Countess of Tripoli, a woman he has never even seen before. It is believed that he heard of her through praise of returning from Antioch. She is the main subject of all of his work, and in a last-ditch effort to meet her, he joined the Crusades just to get to the Holy Land. On the journey, he fell incredibly ill, and was not believed to make it. Soon after, he made it to Tripoli, and the Countess, who heard of this journey, ran to him. He finally thanked God for fulfilling his wish and died in her arms. He was buried in the Temple, and the grief pushed the Countess to become a nun.

Date/Context: Jaufre Rudel lived during the mid-12th century, and fought in the 2nd Crusade.

Summary: This piece, full of sorrow and lament, brings together the time period's focus on God and religion and society's way of worshipping women. The high middle ages at the time saw women as respected individuals who deserved love and adoration. The main idea of this poem is the speaker has fallen in love with a woman who will be forever separated from him. He believes that she will be the only love he ever has, and feels as if God has cursed him with such a poor fate. He prays for a chance to see her but knows that his curse has been his since birth, and will follow him until death.

Key Quotation: It will not be, for at birth they said / That one had set this doom upon my head, -God curse him among men!- / That I  should love, and not till I be dead / Be loved again.

Unit 1 - "A Most Terrible Plague"

Author Bio:  Author - Giovanni Boccaccio (1313 CE - 1375 CE) - Best known as a humanist of the Italian Renaissance; laid the foundation for humanism; was born in Certaldo, Italy (a small town and commune of Tuscany); his passions resided in writing poetry and literature; greatest and most famous work was, The Decameron

Speaker - Giovanni Boccaccio (above)

Date/ Context: This document was written during the Renaissance. To be more specific, it was written in the years of the bubonic plague (1348 CE - 1353 CE). Additionally, this document is an excerpt taken from, The Decameron. The Decameron, is a compilation of stories and experiences of several men and women who had lived through the plague. This excerpt, was the introduction to those stories; it provided the background information on the plague, and the effects it had on the people, town, etc. that were living through it.

Summary: Boccaccio began by explaining that the plague did not reach Florence, Italy until some time after the plague had broken out. The plague started out in eastern Europe, and eventually made its way over to the west. He explained the fatal prognostic of the millions of people who were affected by the plague. Originally, from what had been seen in France, the fatal prognostic was bleeding from the nose. However, as the plague caught its victims in Florence, it became apparent that people were suffering from tumors found in the groin and armpits. Boccaccio elaborated more on the details; he went on to discuss the inability of finding a cure for the millions of people who were affected by the plague. As a result, the cities piled up with dead bodies, and there was an inability to smell anything other than rotting corpses. Towards the middle and end of the excerpt, Boccaccio explained the horrid affects that the plague had on people, friends, family, and society. He explained and highlighted on how people turned on one another; siblings left siblings, parents left their own children, wives left their husbands, etc. The Black Death had no remorse, and as a result it took remorse from its victims. Boccaccio explained with more verbiage, that it became a fight for survival.

Key Quotes: 

"I pass over the little regard that citizens and relations showed to each other; for their terror was such, that a brother even fled from his brother, a wife from her husband, and, what is more uncommon, a parent from his own child"

"And such, at that time, was the public distress, that the laws, human and divine, were no more regarded; for the officers, to put them in force, being either dead, sick, or in want of persons to assist them, every one did just as he pleased."

"nearly all died the third day from the first appearance of the symptoms, some sooner, some later"

Unit 1: "God's Hand Was Unstrung"

Author Bio: Matteo Villani (1283-1363) - Italian historian who spent most of his life in Florence. He was the brother to Giovanni Villani who was the first great chronicler of Florence and had described the beginnings of the plague. When Giovanni died of the plague himself, Matteo continued his work writing eleven books of the Nuova Cronica. Matteo died of the plague 1363.

Date/Context: The plague or “Black Death” arrived in Europe by sea in 1347 by Genoese trading ships. Most of the sailors were dead and the few survivors were overcome by fever, unable to keep food down, and covered in black boils. The plague spread rapidly through Europe for the next five years killing more than 20 million people and livestock. People didn't know how to stop it or cure it so they fled and avoided the sick. Many believed that it was a curse from God so they either led temperate lives in hope that God would approve and lift his ban against humanity or enjoyed life to the utmost before death knocked on their door.

Summary: Villani wrote these observations about the survivors after the plague had run its course. Citizens believed that the few whose God’s grace had saved would become better conditioned, humble, virtuous, have love and charity towards one another and they would guard themselves from sin, but once they had survived, the opposite occurred. Citizens abounded in material objects, games of hazard, upgrading everything they owned and wearing strange and indecent clothing. Lawsuits, and riots, and quarrels arose debating legacies and successions. The common folk were affected too, they started taking anything they found that had been left by the dead and using it to benefit themselves. The city of Florence fell into disorderliness and other cities were the same or worse. Prices of everything rose beyond what they had ever been and men believing they had felt and survived the Lord’s wrath, did not believe God had anymore control over them.

Key Quotations: 

• “...no sooner had the plague ceased than we saw the contrary; for, since men were few, and since, by hereditary succession, they abounded in earthly goods, they forgot the past as though it had never been, and gave themselves up to a more shameful and disordered life than they had led before.”
• “...there was no part of the world wherein men restrained themselves to live in temperance, when once they had escaped from the fury of the Lord; for now they thought that God’s hand was unstrung…”

Unit 1- "Europe's Environmental Crisis"

Author Bio: Robert S. Gottfried is a Professor of History and Director of Medieval Studies at Rutgers University. He left the University in 1989. His most famous work is “The Black Death” which is about the plague in Medieval Europe.

Date/Context: Mid 13th to end of 15th century, Europe and much of the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia  suffered the most severe environmental crisis in history. This worst thing about the times was the presence of the plague, which killed millions of Europeans.

Summary: Gottfried argues that the Black Death should be ranked as the greatest biological-environmental  event in history, because of how it changed nearly everything in Europe. He added that there were some positives for the people who survived the plague, like income increase, but noted how some of these advantages were not seen by the survivors. Being a survivor was terrifying because he or she never knew when the next “attack” was coming. However, the Black Death changed how people lived in Europe forever. Before the plague, the community was the most important thing to the people besides God. Everything the people did was for the community and for God. The plague changed this ideal, turning the people of Europe into independents. Essentially, all ideals before the plague were thrown out with the presence of new ideas that were found better suited by the living people.

Key Quotations:

• “Perhaps the key to understanding the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the watershed between medieval and modern civilizations, is man’s helplessness before nature.”
• “Disaster and depopulation brought no good to those whose lived ended prematurely, and no sense of comfort, security, or well-being to those who survived but lived in bereavement and fear of the next attack.”
• “Life in the monastery approximated on earth the ideal community of heaven more closely than any other form of existence.”
• “It engendered a new society with new attitudes, layers and bonds of authority, sources of wealth, and, most important, new ideas.”

Unit 1- "The Petrine Thoery"

Author Bio: The author of this article is Pope Leo I (c. 400-461 AD). Leo I was an Roman aristocrat and he was the first pope ever to have been called "the Great". He was most famous for encountering Attila the Hun, where Leo I persuaded Attila the Hun to draw back his invasion of Italy. Pope Leo I was also a Doctor of the Church.

Date/Context: During the early Middle Ages, the Catholic Church and the Church in the East were not unified. The Church in the East's members questioned whether or not the Pope was the leader of the Catholic Church. The Petrine Theory retells the actual role of the Pope in the Catholic Church

Summary:  The Petrine Theory is to confirm the declaration of Papacy in the Roman Catholic Church. Next, Leo I states that Jesus Christ gave the the papacy to all of the apostle, and that Jesus Christ made St. Peter the head of all of them. Leo I then goes on to explain the disapproval of those who feel separating from the papacy is better. Then, he states that the Bishops will take over the papacy after the apostles are gone. He gave the head of the churches to the successor of st, Peter.

Key Quotations:
- "Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, caused his truth to be promulgated through the apostles."
- "And while this duty was placed on all the apostles, the Lord made St. Peter the head of them all, that from him as from their head his gifts should flow out into all the body."
- "But secular matters are based on one thing, ecclesiastical matters on another."
- "In my humble person he [Peter] should be seen and honored who has the care over all shepherds and sheep committed to him, and whose dignity is not lacking in me, his heir, although I am unworthy."

Unit 1 - "A Christian Defense"

Author: Tertullian (c. 160-230 C.E.) – Christian author from Carthage in Rome, influenced by Stoic philosophy,  the first Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature, a notable Christian apologist, Tertullian has been called "the father of Latin Christianity" and "the founder of Western theology”

Date/Context: Carthage was an early center for Christianity. While at first scarce in number, Christians soon populated Carthage quite heavily. This obviously impacted Tertullian a great deal. In 197 C.E., Tertullian wrote that Christians “have filled every place among you —cities, islands, fortresses, towns, market-places, the very camp, tribes, companies, palaces, senate, forum; we have left nothing to you but the temples of your gods”.

Summary: Addressing the magistrates of the Roman Empire, Tertullian attempts to clarify as well as defend Christianity from pagan misconception. Appealing to the power of the magistrates, he pleads for them to understand the truths of Christianity as he perceives them before they pass a judgment. He notes that it would not be fair to judge Christianity without first learning about it. Tertullian believes that the misconceptions and the demeaning of Christianity is largely due to ignorance of the religion. He also mentions that Christians are not allowed to say anything that would clear their name of a crime, whereas a non-Christian is given the benefit of the doubt. Tertullian tells the magistrates that Christians pray for them and for the emperors. Most importantly, however, he says that although maltreated, Christians pray for Rome and the continuance of the empire.

Key Quotations:

 “Truth makes no appeal on her own behalf, because she does not wonder at her present condition”

“Men remain in ignorance as long as they hate, and they hate as long as they remain in ignorance” 

Unit 1: "The Theory of Edward Gibbon"

Author Bio: Edward Gibbon (1737 CE - 1794 CE) - a prime model of the Enlightenment era; known for a story telling style; one of the founding fathers of history as a profession. After discovering Catholicism, his father forcing him back to study Calvinism, and a reluctant return to the Protestant faith, Gibbon held a strong distaste for religion.

Speaker: Edward Gibbon, above

Date/Context: It was written during Enlightenment Period, a time in which people began to emphasize reason and better understand the scientific way of how things worked. The first volume appeared in 1776 and the last in 1787. The book came to be rather controversial, as it was disputing religion, which had rarely been done so pointedly before.

Summary: Gibbon’s main argument is that Christianity played a major part in the fall of the Roman Empire. Part of his reasoning was the fact that the church preached its doctrines far too much, and all military sprit was gone. Also, the wealth went to charity instead of taxes or an army, and the state became distracted with arguments on religion rather than focusing on defending and growing its empire. However, religion impacted the Romans in beneficial ways as well. Christianity taught many to obey a lawful emperor, and the Bible helped many soldiers keep faith with their leaders and not fear death.

Key Quotation: “… the church, and even the state, were distracted by religious factions… the attention of the emperors was diverted from camps to [church] synods…”

“If the decline of the Roman empire was hastened by the conversion of [the Emperor] Constantine, his victorious religion broke the violence of the fall, and mollified the ferocious temper of the conquerors.”

Unit 1: "The Breakdown of Roman Unity"

Author Bio: Sallust was a Roman politician. He was born a plebeian, yet became a governor in Africa. He was influenced mainly by the Greek historian Thucydides. He is the earliest known Roman historian, he has many very influential works such as Cataline's war, The Jugurthine War, and The Histories.

Date/Context: The background to this text, is after the Punic Wars, near the end of the Age of Peace, Rome has not had any serious threat for some time, and while keeping its borders strong, it has neglected to see that it's interior is changing, nobles are abusing their power, citizens are abusing their liberty, and the empire is becoming a nasty place to live. This is due to a lazy Rome and an ignorance of its citizens.

Summary: In this text, Sallust is addressing the Age of Peace after the end of the Punic Wars. He states that this peaceful time has led to the downfall of Rome. During this time, the nobles began to abuse their power over the common people, he uses examples of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, and how they were murdered for questioning the power of the nobles. He also addresses how the threat of Carthage kept atoms in line and made it necessary for the people to have morals, and therefore when there were no worries, Rome became lazy and thus began its downfall and degradation.

Key Quotations: 
"There was no strife among the citizens for glory and power; fear of the enemy preserved the good morals of the state."
"Thus the peace [the people of Rome] had longed in time of adversity itself, after they gained it proved to be more cruel and bitter than adversity itself."
"For the nobles began to abuse their position, and the people their liberty, and every man for himself robbed, pillaged, and plundered."

Unit 1- "The Speech of Pope Urban II at Clermont"

Author bio: Robert the Monk(1047-1122) was a latin historian of the first crusade. He was one of the Benedictine brethren at the monastery of St-Rémi in Reims. He is the author of influential history of the first crusade. He did not participate in it but wrote the accounts as a request of of his abbot.

Speaker: Robert the monk and Pope Urban II: he was pope from 1088-1099. He is the one that suggested the men take back the holy land. His speech essentially started the first crusade.

Date/context: this is a speech the was the start of the expedition to free the holy land from the museums. Catholicism was on the rise and trying to gain power. The speech was given in 1095 to call people to action against the muslims. This is the start of the first crusade(1096-1099) which is is the Middle Ages (1000-1300). The aim was to take back the holy land.

Summary: There was a great council held at clear mount where many cardinals bishops and princes from several countries attended. The pope is then quoted in for his speech that he gave. It starts out by describing the persons having the holy land and killing and torturing Catholics. This is said in a disgusted angry kind of tone, but the language is persuasive. He goes into detail about what was happening to exaggerate his next pint. The he goes on to say that they should fight for the holy land back. That it is their duty to god and if they love something more will get turned away by god. He says they will be forgiven for their sins and go to heaven. Then he goes on to say that they need more land for the population and for food. He really lays on the reasons out of the Bible to get the persuaded. He says they will succeed because god is on their side. The entire speech was a persuasive one and the tone towards the end was confident and excited. Robert monk goes onto explain that people thought the pope spoke the word of god and everyone rallied at that.

Key quotes: 
“The sass news has  from Jerusalem and Constantinople that the people of Persia, an accursed and foreign race, enemies of God, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with god, have invalided the lands of those Christian's and devastated them with sword, Rapine and fire.”

“There is not much wealth here, and the soil scarcely yields enough for you.”

“When pope urban had said this and much more of the same sort, all who were present were moved to cry out with one accord, it is the will of god, it is the will of god.”

Unit 1-"Absolute Tyranny

Author bio: author- Appian(95-165 AD) was a Roman historian of Greek origin that was born in Alexandria center of learning. Appian records shifts in power and societal changes. He is underrated because we don't know much about him because most of his autobiography was lost. He flourished during the reigns of Emperors of Rome Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius. He was around when Rome had its autocratic rule and he is seeing this tyrannical dictator take the empire. 

Speaker-  Appian, it is from his point of view. 

Date and context: the ascendency of generals(100-45 BCE) this took place during the wrath of Sulla, a Roman general that is seeking revenge on mariuss men(82 BCE). This was a time when generals would recruit men that were unemployed and had no land. They were professional soldiers and stayed loyal to the generals allowing them to take run by killing and fear. Marius started this all but Sulla is competing for power against him. 

Summary: This description details the atrocities of Sullas tyrannical raise to power. Sulla is inflicting terror on the city of Rome. His seeks to bring out order through fear, but he also said he would bring change to those that followed him and death to those who do not. Sulla goes around killing his enmities in many ways. He started out by going after forty senators and 1600 equites. But he kept going from there. His soldiers would sometimes kill them where they found them or bring them to Sulla. This action made him the de facto leader of the city. The tone of the piece is written in disgust and terror. He is trying to record the tyranny that happened before him and the city. Appian outlines the terrible way in which sullas rose to power. 

Key Quotations:

“He finished by saying that he would bring about change which would be beneficial to the people if they would obey him, but of his enemies he would spare none, but would visit them with the utmost severity.”

“Others were dragged through the city and trampled on, none of the spectators daring to utter a word of remonstrance against these horrors.”

“Thus Sulla became king, or tyrant, a de facto-not elected but holding power by force and violence....” 

Unit 1 - "The Funeral Oration of Pericles" - PDP Sample

NOTE:  This is a sample PDP compiled from our discussion.  

PDP Directions:

• Before you read, learn about the author of the document:  When & where did he/she live?  How do his/her experiences shape their portrayal of the event (i.e. bias)?   
• While you read the document, consider tone, purpose, and argument (including the words that were chosen to deliver the message).  
• Finally, when you've finished, please follow this FORMAT when creating your own PDP as a unique POST to our class blog.  The TITLE of your post should include the unit number AND the name of the document.
• If you have ANY difficulties, please see or contact Mrs. Friday!

Author Bio:  Author - Thucydides (ca. 460-400 BCE) - Greek historian who was born in Alimos;  a product of Sophist movement; considered the father of scientific history & founder of modern historiography; strove to maintain impartiality & accuracy in his accounts

Speaker - Pericles (ca. 495-429 BCE, r. 461-429 BCE) - leader of Athens largely responsible for Delian League; initiates rebuilding of Parthenon for glory of Athens & as public works project; called "the first citizen of Athens" by Thucydides

Date/Context:  Alliances between competing city-states created tensions in Greek world; Athens as democracy; The beginning of the Peloponnesian Wars (431-404 BCE), in which Sparta and its allies (Peloponnesian League) are fighting with Athens and its allies (Delian League) in order to check the imperialistic Athens’ power; this speech was delivered in 430 at the beginning of the Peloponnesian Wars

Summary: In this speech to widows and parents of the fallen soldiers, Pericles describes the greatness of Athenian society as a justification for the deaths and continued fighting.  Pericles highlights the individual’s status in democracy: he has free will to go about his pursuits but, when called upon by the state, he willingly defends her (i.e. the state) to keep her free. He extols the glories of Athens as a mighty city-state founded on knowledge and reason, and he tells these relatives that any man should be proud to fight and die for such a wonderful and admirable cause. He describes the men as honorable and praises their sacrifice. He declares Athens to be superior to Sparta, and that although the Athenian soldiers do not undergo such rigorous training as Spartans they are no less brave and should be esteemed highly for their sacrifice. Further, he emphasizes that after completing hard work, one should enjoy beauty and wealth. Finally, he reminds citizens to be proud of their sacrifice and to continue to fight and work in support of this great city.

Key Quotation: (quotations for all groups are listed below)

• “I have no wish to make a long speech on subject familiar to you all: so I shall say nothing about the warlike deeds by which we acquire our power or the battles in which we or our fathers gallantly resisted our enemies greek or foreign.”
• “Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous.”
• “Others are brave out of ignorance; and, when they stop to think, they begin to fear. But the man who can most truly be accounted brave is he who best knows the meaning of what is sweet in life and of what is terrible, and then goes out undeterred to meet what is to come.”
• “But the man who can most truly be accounted brave is he who best knows the meaning of what is sweet in life and what is terrible, and then goes out undeterred to meet what is to come.”
• “Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance; our love of the things of the mind does not make us soft.”