Introduction to World History (Terran) - #5

[abe-no-seimei.livejournal.com]

Introduction to World History to 1600 (Terran)
Monday 1:00-3:00 pm

Seimei moved fluidly, albeit a bit slower than usual as he entered the class. He sank to the floor amid his pillows and composed the in-class discussion question.

Displaying his customary scroll across the front of the class:

Discussion question –

What was considered the center of Roman civilization?

“Also, an announcement,” Seimei’s baritone voice rang clearly through the classroom. “Due next Monday, September 26 is a longer written assignment to discuss the following question.”

He rolled out a secondary scroll.

Examine Roman history and analyze the effect the Roman expansion and empire had on Rome from 509 BC to 180 AD.

“No negotiations on due date.”

((ooc: edited to add)) “Please drop by the roster page to verify your name is on the roll for the correct class. I will be keeping stricter tally of who shows up in class and who does not.”

Comments

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

*raises her hand*

Urban life was rather central, sir. To be a true civilized Roman, you had to be educated, successful and part of a community, which you weren't able to find in the countryside. Vacations were acceptable, but it was the barbarians that actually lived in the countryside.

It also partly explains why Rome was so highly reverred, and why "all roads led to Rome"

[abe-no-seimei.livejournal.com]

Seimei raised eyebrow and smiled. "Excellent."

[lisacuddy.livejournal.com]

I agree, but I would also add that part of the reason the Empire collapsed was this very reason. They spread themselves too thin - their army was almost too good - the empire covered such a great expanse with power bases concentrated almost solely in the urban areas, and eventually the center could not hold. A different system may have worked better in the long run, although perhaps Roman civilization wouldn't have made the advances it did without the great minds of the age being so concentrated in one area and able to interact.

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

*looks across at Lisa, nodding in agreement*

There were the other factors which contributed to its fall, like Christianity, and their economic problems. But I agree with Lisa, that their urban centers later led to their downfall.

It's why societies need to be more fluid today. But even now, there's problems due to distance between the differing urban and country lifestyles.

[lisacuddy.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. There is no one cause for the fall of the Empire, but perhaps a nation such as the United States might want to consider the Romans in their thinking. The US is separated politically along similar lines - urban centers with a majority of the resources, but a vast expanse of land with large numbers of people with less supposed influence, but now they seem to be dictating the nation's behavior more and more. Tides turn quickly, and issues like religion only help stoke the flame.

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Often, the problem with the US is the fractures between State and Federal. I mean, if I'm driving along the I-95, and I'm in Connecticut, I can talk on my cell. But as soon as I enter New York state, I have to put it away. It's a fickle example; I'm not saying that we need a federal ban on talking on cells whilst we're driving, like the English do. But it does seem that Washington doesn't listen to those who need the help

[lisacuddy.livejournal.com]

That is also a valid point, and having a unified governmental structure is also something that we have seen in our studies pop up time and time again as a potential problem for any large nation.

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

It sometimes makes you wonder if the US is too large to cope with itself as one country. We need the bipartisan politics, but the difference between them often seems to lead to trouble.

[02maxwell.livejournal.com]

*has been listening*

Man, you guys should travel to my time some day--damn tyrants tryin' to turn the Earth into a world nation that rules over the Colonies, too, causing kids like me to fly weapons of mass destruction. They could learna thing or two from the fall of the Romans, eh? *grins ironically* At least the Romans had good governmental structure in their urban centers, if not all the areas they 'ruled' over--I think that's prolly what kept it together for so long.

[writer-jo.livejournal.com]

I make a slightly confused face but speak up anyway. "The Romans started expanding too much and their empire grew too big for them to handle. There were too many differences between their...realms, I guess? Too many considerations made it hard to rule with a firm hand."

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

And with the fall of the Empire, came the emergence of the first medieval political order. So for the idea of politics, and state control to evolve, the Empire had to fall.

[bloodyrockgod]

Charlie starts doodling the words to "Anarchy in the U.K." in his notebook as he listens. He finds the whole discussion interesting if a bit baffling.

[absolutesnark]

*sits in the back of the room, quietly listening to the discussion because she finds it to be interesting*

[demonbelthazor]

Belthazor wandered in to Halliwell Juggling 101 history. He took note of the paper assignment and sat down near Piper. "Hey," he said, acknowledging her with a smile.

[absolutesnark]

Hi...

*speaks quietly*

Where were you this weekend? I was kinda worried...

[demonbelthazor]

*makes a face*

Had to go home. My foster dad wanted to talk to me.

*grins*

Worried about me, huh?

[absolutesnark]

Well, yeah. I mean, I didn't know where you were and so many students have gone missing lately...

[demonbelthazor]

Don't worry. It takes a lot to take me down. And I'll make sure nothing gets you, either.

*winks*

[absolutesnark]

I admit, I feel a lot safer with you around.

*smiles*

[sakuracchyan.livejournal.com]

Sakura makes a point to take notes on the discussion at hand, desperately hoping she can keep up in the class. History has never been as much of a weak point for her as Mathematics, but this class seems quite stiff. She smiles, despite herself. She always did love a challenge...

[02maxwell.livejournal.com]

*wanders in, starts taking notes*

*listens to what the two ladies near the front are saying*

*raises an eyebrow in amusement*

[maias-notebook.livejournal.com]

Education, Politics and Family ties. Family ties were not always based in blood, many Roman politicians took on 'adopted sons' to take their place in office after their deaths in order to train them in the school of thought that particular politician was associated with. This practice was alway popular with the Caesars during different periods in Roman History.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna sits in the back of the room, skimming through the history books she checked out from the library. I'm supposed to catch up on 1000 years of history in a week? And aren't we supposed to be learning here, not applying what we don't know?

[deirdreofamber.livejournal.com]

*slips into back of class*

*late*

*still lost in this Shadow History thing*

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe slips into class a little late. She takes up a desk in the back corner and starts writing out the questions.

1) What was considered the center of Roman civilization?

---The center of Roman civilization was their religion. It figured into every aspect of their life, no matter how small. The Romans had a very close relationship with their beliefs.


2) Examine Roman history and analyze the effect the Roman expansion and empire had on Rome from 509 BC to 180 AD.

She would have to think on this one a little bit more.