Introduction

Today in Western Civilization we took textbook notes because a few other kids had to take the test. We are learning about religion’s back in Rome in like 325 AD. A single voice, as Christianity grew, disagreements about beliefs developed among its followers. Church leaders called any belief that appeared to contradict the basic teachings a heresy. The dispute over beliefs became intense. In an attempt to end conflicts, Church leaders tried to set a single, official standard belief. These beliefs were compiled in the New Testament, which contained the four Gospels, the Epistles of Paul, and other documents. The new testament was added to the Hebrew Bible, which Christians called the Old Testament. 

Today in western civilization we took a test and then sat and read through the textbook. We learned about Paul’s mission. One man, the apostle Paul, had enormous influence on Christianity’s development. Paul was a Jew who had never met Jesus and at first was an enemy of Christianity. While traveling to Damascus in Syria, he reportedly had a vision of Jesus. He spent the rest of his life spreading and interpreting Jesus’ teachings. The  Pax Romana,  which made travel and the exchange of ideas fairly safe, provided the ideal conditions for Christianity to spread. Common languages- Latin and Greek- allowed the message to be easily understood. 

Today in western civilization we had taken notes for the test that we are going to have. We learned about Pompey and Julius Caesar.  Julius Caesar (c. July 12 or 13, 100 BC to March 15, 44 BC) was a politically adept and popular leader of the Roman Republic who significantly transformed what became known as the Roman Empire by greatly expanding its geographic reach and establishing its imperial system. Allegedly a descendant of Trojan prince Aeneas, Caesar’s birth marked the beginning of a new chapter in Roman history. By age 31, Caesar had fought in several wars and become involved in Roman politics. After several alliances, he became dictator of the Roman Empire, a rule that lasted for just one year before his death.

Today in Western Civilization we talked about more of the emperors that had ruled after Julius Caesar. There was Tiberius, he ruled from ad 14 to AD 37, he was an excellent general, but a reluctant emperor. After the death of his son, he exiled himself from Rome and left his prefects in charge. He then had died at age 77. Coligula was the next emperor, he had ruled from AD 37 to AD 31 and had won a power struggle after Tiberius’ death. He was known for his cruelty, extravagance, and perversity. He was an insane tyrant! He had later been assassinated by a group of praetorian guards, Senators, and the Imperial court, trying to re-establish the Republic. 

Today in Western Civilization we learned more into depth of Julius Caesar. Caesar started his power off by serving as a consul. Then he had later appointed himself governor of Gaul. Pompey then precedes to get jealous because he is also a consul, which then he becomes his rival. Caesars army clashes with Pompey’s in Greece, Asia, Spain, and Egypt (Caesar winning). In 44 BC he is named dictator, first for six months then for life. Caesar had granted citizenships to people in provinces. He had expanded the Senate, adding his friends. He had then created jobs for the poor, especially through public works and projects. 

Today in Western Civilization we learned quite a bit about Julius Caesar and couple more well-known people. Tiberius Gracchus recognized the advantages of courting the plebians. (even though he was ultimately unsuccessful). Military generals worried that angle-lead an army that conquers lands, then give them a share of the spoils. Soldiers’ loyalty was to their military leader, not necessarily to Rome the Republic. Nobody did that better than Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar was a highly successful general, he conquered the huge territory of Gaul. He made common folks happy and had friends in high places. Pompey was a general who conquered Syria and Palestine. Crassus was the richest man in Rome, one of the richest men in History. 

Today in Western Civ we learned about all the three Punic Wars. The first Punic War was Rome vs Carthage fighting for control of Sicily. Naval battles for control of the strategically located island, Sicily. Though Rome wins the first battle Carthage comes back and fights for the Second Punic War. The 29 year old general Hannibal for Carthaginian almost does the impossible: taking Rome. Carthage attacks Rome from the north after crossing Iberia and the Alps. They lay siege to much of the peninsula for 15 years, but he never can get to Rome. The third and final Punic War was when Rome attacked Carthage because they were tired of the fact that they had to wait for the next attack. 

Today in Western Civ we went into depth with the three branches of government and how it was like for Rome vs US. We also talked kind of distinctly about the 10 Amendments. My favorite topic was when we started talking about how in the Amendment it says we don’t have the right to cruel punishment. Though we have a death penalty? Which I think is wrong because it is basically breaking the law to kill someone because sometimes the lethal injections, electric chair, or firing squad doesn’t turn out the way it’s supposed to. Then the person who was supposed to die a somewhat non-disturbing death is in pain for an hour and a half while they just try to kill him/her. 

Today in Western Civ we took some notes. One of the things we talked about was Rome’s government. The people of Rome were fed up with having horrible king’s just like Tarquin, who is the literal definition of a tyrant. His wife had killed his brother and his earlier wife also known as her sister and told Tarquin to take power and over rule her father. Tarquin then sat on the throne that is only meant for a king. Then he proclaimed to the present king at the time and said that he was king and threw the king down the stairs and mangled him up in the streets and had his guards assassinate him. Later on, his son Sextus then molested one of Rome’s very noble people so noble she had ladies in waiting and stayed at the palace. Once they heard of the news after she committed suicide the people spoke and said they were done with having king’s though they had this attitude for years. 

Today in Western Civ we learned more in detail about Rome and the “founders” of Rome. One of Rome’s most famous legends is the Romulus and Remus story.  Romulus and his twin brother Remus were the founders of the  city  of Rome. They were the children of Rhea Silvia and  Mars  (or in some variations the demi-god her  Hercules ) and their story is recorded by many authors including  Virgil  who claims their birth and adventures were fated in order for Rome to be founded. There is much debate and variation as to whom was the father of Romulus and Remus. Some myths claim that Mars appeared and lay with Rhea Silvia; other myths attest that the demi-god hero Hercules was her partner. Though when they were babies they were founded abandoned and was taken cared for by a she-wolf. 

Today in western civ we took a lot of notes about Rome because we are in a new section. The main idea was power and authority, the early Romans established a republic which grew powerful and spread it’s influence. It matters now because some of the most fundamental values and institutions of western civilization began in the roman republic. Setting the stage, while the great civilization of Greece was in decline, a new city to the west was developing and increasing its power. The origins of Rome, according to legend, the city of Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, twin sons of the god Mars and a Latin princess.