Page 3 "cast down my faith saying: Have pity, daughter, on my grey hairs; have pity on your father, if I am worthy to be, called father by you; if with these hands I have brought you unto this flower of youth and I have preferred you before all your brothers; give me not over to the reproach of men. Look upon your brothers; look upon your mother and mother's sister; look upon your son, who will not endure to live after you. Give up your resolution; do not destroy us all together;" My goodness this is courageous; to read someone so committed to their faith that they give up everything for religion is commendable. I can not imagine being her father; hurt and begging their child to chose life but they are set on dying. What saddens me is the knowing that her father said the baby will not endure to live after you. The baby will not make it without her milk. I wonder if they are able to get milk from another mother.

Page 2 "Such cares I suffered for many days; and I obtained that the child should abide with me in prison; and straightway I became well and was lightened of my labour and care for the child; and suddenly the prison was made a palace for me, so that I would sooner be there than anywhere else" What I gather here is she asked for the baby to stay there with her and because the baby was there she felt better.

Page 2 "Then all of them going out from the dungeon took their pleasure; I suckled my child that was now faint with hunger. And being careful for him, I spoke to my mother and strengthened my brother and commended my son unto them." This had to be very difficult- giving the baby to her mother and brother.

Page 2 " Then because I was without my father for a few days I gave thanks unto the Lord; and I was comforted because of his absence." I can relate to feeling like this- being on vacation and relaxing; thankful to be away from the everyday routine.

Page 2 " Father, said I, Do you see (for examples) this vessel lying, a pitcher or whatsoever it may be? And he said, I see it. And I said to him, Can it be called by any other name than that which it is? And he answered, No. So can I call myself nought other than that which I am, a Christian. " This was very clever-relating herself to something she could grasp with her hands so her father could understand that she was fully believes in her religion.

Page 3 "The relation of this manly nudity to the nudity of the gods is also crucial: the gods could be nude because they relied on themselves." In my perspective nudity is art and the nudity may mean being free. Being free to enjoy what the festival has to offer without the bondage of clothing.

Page 2 "Those carrying items used in the sacrifice preceded all others..." It makes the most sense for persons carrying the sacrificial items to line up first.<br> Sacrifices to the gods were an important part of the festival.

Page 1 "The Panathenaia has been called the "most political" of Athens' festivals and has been treated as distinctly democratic or populist. 2 This modern assessment echoes that of the Athenians themselves, who saw the Panathenaia as the event that occasioned the defeat of the tyrants and the birth of democracy." This festival reminds me of an extended version of the 4th of July. United States freeing itself from British rule is like the Athenians freeing themselves from a dictatorship.

The Panathenaia is like a 4th of July for the United States for the Athenians. Independence is celebrated from "the tyrants and the birth of democracy," p1.

The Panathenaia seems like an awesome party! Lasting a week long of music and contests.

Page 2 "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." Both polytheism and monotheism believers state their God or god's are the strongest or most intellectual being. Each side wants believe they have the supreme God or god's.

Page 2 "I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 2:3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." I interpret this as Paul saying he wasn't a great orator but he spoke Christianity to the people. He also did not have a lot of knowledge (wisdom) of Christianity. I am still confused on how can he give information about the God of Jesus Christ if he has no knowledge of Christianity.

Page 1 "1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment." There must have been an issue that caused division among the Christians-forcing Paul to write this epistle.

Page 1 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul appears to be speaking on God's behalf saying grace to you from God.

Page 1 "1Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,1:2 unto the church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours:" I interpret the first statement as Paul was adopted or embraced as a Christian missionary through Sosthenes. Sosthenes was a chief in a Jewish synagogue-which leads to my confusion to why the opening statement states Paul was dubbed an apostle through Sosthenes. Older definition of apostle-the original Christian teachers. Modern definition basically a teacher of Christianity. I a few definitions. Another states the 12 disciples (students of Jesus) of Jesus Christ were the apostles. Seemingly by definition all students of Christianity would be disciples and those that teach others Christianity would be apostles. I say all that to say somehow the Jewish chief of the synagogue must have converted from being Jewish to being a Christian in order to adopt Paul as a Christian brother. How else could Sosthenes bring Paul into the Christian brotherhood if he was a Jewish?

Page 4 and 5 Pliny was unsure of what to do to get rid of the Christians. Asking the emperor was a good idea. The emperor was not to harsh and his answer was simple. No witch hunt was involved and if a Christian was brought before Pliny he was too see if they were Christian or not. The only question I have : How were they punished for being a Christian? The correspondence does not give a clear answer to the course of punishment for being a Christian.

Page 2 Large sums of money have been spent and wasted. Projects were also abandoned. These wealthy communities have money to spend on architectural upgrades but they are going unfinished with no true reason why they are left undone.

Page 2 "a possible fire company at Nicomedia on the model of various others already existing; but remember ...Nicomedia, are the prey of factions. Give them the name we may, and however good be the reasons for organization, such associations will soon degenerate into dangerous secret societies. It is better policy to provide fire apparatus, and to encourage property holders to make use of them, and if need comes, press the crowd which collects into the same service." The use of fire engines and having a fire company further illustrates the advancement of the fireman trade. Pliny makes a point to mention that he is considering the emperors well being by cautioning the emperor of the assembling of possible secret societies. A secret society could overturn the emperor. I understand the mentioning of the secret society, this shows that great care will go into the hiring process. His suggestion of simply providing the apparatus and promoting the people to use it may work better than hiring a group of men that may possible turn into a secret society that may over throw the emperor. Lastly he mentions to press the crowd; charge the people for using the fire engine. This is a win-win situation. No formation of the secret society nor paying firemen and collecting funds for using the machine.

Page 1 and 2 "no one not a genuine fireman shall be admitted, and that the guild should not misapply the charter granted it. Again there would be no trouble in keeping an eye on so small a body." The use of fire engines must have become a common practice because Pliny states he going to hire 150 men to do the task. He also states that the only genuine firemen need only to apply. The job of firemen was a known trade and people had been trained to extinguish fires using the fire engine.

Page 1 "not a single public fire engine or bucket in the place, and not one solitary appliance for mastering a fire. However, these will be provided upon orders I have already given. But, Sire, I would have you consider whether you think a fire company of about 150 men ought not to be formed." I must say I found it very interesting to know there were fire engines. Meaning there was some sort of mechanics involved to extinguish fires. I'm not surprised but rather intrigued to know what is the fire engine Pliny speaks of in this correspondence. After doing some research I have found that the fire engine used were a series of long connected pipes that extended high enough to reach a fire. The pipes usually held a bag of water that used to extinguish the fire.

Page 1 "it must be understood that no new taxes are to be raised to meet the cost, and that their contributions for necessary expenses shall not show any falling off.*" What a way to fight for change for the people but to also be respectful that he is corresponding with the emperor. It was a smart move to mention that as long as there was enough money in the budget to move forward with building the new bath. The genius part-not charging the people. Incredible way to work FOR the people and WITH the emperor.

Page 1 " [Then the governor names various ways to find the money, especially cutting down the free distribution of oil.]" This shows excellent management qualities; being able to tell someone of a job that needs to be done but also giving them advise of the resources that would help them to be able to get the job done.

Page 1 " public bath in a neglected and dilapidated state. They wish with your kind permission to restore it; but I think a new one ought to be built, and I reckon you can safely comply with their wishes." This correspondence was a good way for the emperor to know the health of the city. Its also a way for the emperor to show the constituents he cares about their well being. If the public bath was in dire straits then people could eventually suffer from poor health due to the lack of care and cleanliness for the environment of the bath.

Page 3 "The dead are laid in the public sepulchre in the Beautiful suburb of the city, in which those who fall in war are always buried; with the exception of those slain at Marathon, who for their singular and extraordinary valour were interred on the spot where they fell." I wonder if this is where placing the dead in mausoleum's originated? The battle at Marathon must have been a very special battle because the dead were buried where they died.

"So little pains do the vulgar take in the investigation of truth, accepting readily the first story that comes to hand." Page 2 I wouldn't say that the only people who do not the time to investigate the truth are the vulgar. People of all levels of sophistication do not take the necessary measures in seeking the truth.

Page 2 "I grant that there will be difficulty in believing every particular detail." I believe its just my personality but I am a skeptic when it comes to stories told from another person point of view. I always feel like details are bound to be exaggerated or even left out completely.

Page 2 "The way that most men deal with traditions, even traditions of their own country, is to receive them all alike as they are delivered, without applying any critical test whatever." I have fallen for this-following traditions without doing any research as to where this tradition originated and why partake in the tradition.

With all the money he has spent according to the text he must've been a billionaire.

He remained humble throughout and at the end stating "Power I held no more than those who were my colleagues in any magistracy." p4

page 1 He was a merciful military man- showing mercy to surviving Roman citizens.

Talk about being debt free!- He burned the debt records to the treasury.

page 5 Crowning the Lares of the Crossroads with spring and summer flowers reminds me of how many people place flowers on the tombstone of departed loved ones on Memorial Day.

page 5 I am glad he did not allow the beardless youth to join the running and at the Secular Games he would not allow the young people of either sex to attend an entertainment by night except in company with some adult relative-you were considered to be a man at puberty and Lupercalia was a time for these young men to run around naked fulfilling sexual desires. The Secular games were a few days of sacrificing animals, sing songs and plays. There had to be a reason why Augustus saw fit to have the parent/guardian attend these festivals.

page 4 It was a smart idea to urge affluent men to embellish the city with new monuments or to renovate the old buildings. Taking pride in the city makes the people take pride in the city and visitors will also take pride in the city as well. Getting other people involved in the city building was a great idea.

page 3 Augustus was paranoid thinking the Roman knight was a spy. On another occasion thinking Gallius wanted to attack him without any proof he killed him. Augustus may have suffered from some type of trauma that made him not trust people. Maybe the assassination of Julius Caesar (his adopted father)-made him too fear a possible assassination attempt on his life.

He the gained the first consulship by force using his centurion. I wonder if the other twelve were taken by force as well?

Augustus was very strict on the army men, Giving them dishonorable punishments such as death for leaving a post or not allowing the men to see their wives (if allowed then only in winter).

Page 3 I recognize democracy here where The people hold the power to veto or approve the laws,

page 3 The people have the power to sentence a person to death resembles a jury in the court room.

The senate holds many responsibilities; manage public money, handle all public disputes throughout Italy, protecting and defending its people, making treaties, declaring war and upkeep of public edifices.

page 2-allowing the senate to control all of the public money could be detrimental due to there is no checks and balances system in place.

The consuls hold a powerful position- I agree with the statement "It is very reasonable for him to conclude that this government is no other than a simple royalty." p2

pg 12 This is truly sad Aextus rapes and threatens Lucretia-she ultimately kills herself-the grief overtakes her.

pg 5 states the ancestral curse-the curse was prevalent in generations before they were born and now two brothers that suffered together are now at odds-Remus was killed-truly sad because they are twins and struggled from birth to survive.

pg 4 It is said that the festival of Lupercalia , which is still observed...Evander...introduced an annual festival from Arcadia in which young men ran about naked for sport and wantonness-the Lupercalia took place during 2/15 this is where Valentines day originated. The festival as stated was for young men who ran around naked and expressing their sexual desires. The absence of young women makes this a festival for men to express their sexual desires with one another.

page 3 says they attacked brigands-the twins attacked robbers and thieves and split the riches among the shepherds. I'm sure this made popular among their neighbors but created dangerous enemies.

page 3 speaks of the twin boys being put in the water to drown by the kings orders-reminds of the story of Moses being placed in a basket and then being saved by a maiden, The boys were saved and raised by Larentia.

Amulius killed his brother, his nephews and made his niece a vestal virgin-this would make it impossible for her to born a male heir to the throne.

I wonder where did Ascanius come from or who was his mother? It says Lavinia force of character remained unimpaired but there was doubt to whether this was her son or carried the bloodline of the Julian house. The clue for me was the "where ever born, or of whatever mother-it is agreed in any case that he was the son Aeneas to his mother (or his stepmother). Ascanius may have been a child Aeneas birthed while married to Lavinia.

It was such an honor for Aeneas to name a city after his new wife Lavinium.

"Subsequently a family alliance"-p1 does this mean that possibly Latinus married a family member to Aeneas, for the family alliance.

"From this point there is a twofold tradition." p1 I tend to like the possibility of multiple ways a story could have come together. The negative in this situation is not knowing which way the story unfolded.

It might have been a little harsh to ostracize the friends of the tyrant

Intermixing the tribes was a good idea-this allows the people to mix and intermingle with others they might not have associated with.

p1 when the people obtained the common affairs, Cleisthenes was their popular leader. This was for good reason- he had a good government concept of democracy.

The coward is looked upon as a severe disgrace among the Spartans-you would not be welcomed or treated as an equal to the person without the coward title.

Around 491 Thetis cries for her son feeling sorrowful because he is heartbroken. She truly loves her son Achilles.

The female is viewed prize and a tool for breeding. The woman holds the value of a trophy in this society.

Verse 10 A fatal plague fell upon the army because Agamemnon rejected the priest-make me think the priest placed a curse on the army for not accepting what the priest had to say to Agamemnon.

What an awful thing to tell a father. Verse 30 Agamemnon basically threatening the priest's life if he sees him again. Agamemnon also gives a detailed description of how the girl will spend the rest of her life far away from home, working tirelessly and forced to have sex.

Philip had a proud pap moment when he learned Alexander was able do great work with him being absent.

Alexander had to be very educated to entertain the king of Persia-

Odysseus was truly cunning to tell Polyphemus his name was Nobody. When Polyphemus needed help he had to tell the other cyclops that Nobody was killing him.

Interesting to see a culture of beings that do no fear the gods. The cyclops says he would never spare for fear of Zeus's hatred as in to say he doesn't care if Zeus was to get upset with him.

The land of the lotus eaters seems to have a drug induced fruit that makes you forget your troubles. Like an depression medication that makes you feel happy.

Odysseus, the great teller of tales-made me think that he may the kind of extravagant story teller that exaggerates his stories.

"Mob is altogether devoid of knowledge...with no natural sense of what is right and fit" the people would not be confused or devoid of knowledge if they were allowed to partake in learning the political affairs. It is by choice that the tyrant does not allow the people to have a voice in the political arena.

"Possessing as they do all that heart can desire" the saying is true that some people can have everything and still not be satisfied.

I do agree lack of education does lead to poverty. Without education and understanding how the world works -how can a person successfully participate in society.

If in every land the elite are opposed to democracy-then why do democracies exist?

Page 2 "Each one gives law to his children and to his wives," The women were not allowed to attend meetings to discuss politics. The man would have to pass his knowledge of the laws to the women and children.

The statesman would be a politician like a major or governor.