Let all that ye do be done in love.
I think this was definitely a crucial statement. You should not do things out of anger, spite, rebellion, etc. What you do should be with good intentions and not to destroy. God did not create everyone and everything for it to be destroyed. He made everyone and everything out of love and he wants everyone to love their neighbor and be kind in the world and to love Him.
ath not God made foolish the wisdom of theworld?1:21For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
I think this is an influential section. I agree that the world can depict foolishness in many aspects. I think too if people do not have something to believe in, or do not have meaning in their lives, they may cause them to behave and live in a certain manner. I think it is also crucial that they believe that God saves those who believe in him.
For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power ofGod.1:19For it is written,
This frame of mind/belief is different from the other people believing in other gods. The cross is a symbol to Christians and they know what it stands for for them. Those who are non-Christ believers may not know what it stands for or they reject it... "For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God" (Amplified Bible). I also think it is significant when it says "For it is written". I think this is said a lot through the bible and believers agree that what is written in the bible is true and they have proof because they can refer back to it in this book.
Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing andthatthere be no divisions among you; butthatye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
I think it was significant for Paul to say this to the people. For them all to honor and obey God, it was important that they all be on the same page so that there would not be any conflict causing separation among them. They needed to be a unit to fulfill what God wanted them to do.
God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord
I do not recall reading that the other stories depicted their gods as being "faithful". Also, we see that God's son is also considered the people's Lord whom they have a 'companionship' with. So this relationship is more personal and meaningful since it is God's son.
erpetua followed behind, glorious of presence, as a true spouse of Christ and darling of God
This reminds me of a god or goddess in Greek or Roman mythology. The ways she is described as having a glorious presence, true spouse of her god and a darling to her god..she was representing something meaningful.
And I awoke; and I understood that I should fight, not with beasts but against the devil; but I knew that mine was the victory
It's interesting how she has been able to interpret her own dreams. She saw her little brother released from his pain and she sees that the beasts are the devil.
I was stripped naked, and I became a man
To be stripped naked in front of others is already defiling especially for a female, but for "and I became a man"? Does this refer to her breasts being removed so she would resemble a man?
Be not afraid; I am here with you and labour together with you. And he went away.
This reminds me of the "footprints in the sand poem" that some people may know. In that poem, a person dreamed they walked with the Lord on the beach and he saw two sets of footprints. During the dark times of his life in his dream, he saw only one set of footprints and he felt troubled by this. But the Lord told him that during those troubling times, the Lord carried him and will never leave him. This part is very similar since He told Perpetua to not be afraid and that he was always with her even when she couldn't see him.
travail
painful or laborious effort
Perform the Sacrifice; have mercy on the child
I think the purpose of sacrifice is to present the best of the best and offer it to please your god. You are supposed to sacrifice the healthiest lamb, goat, etc. or even offer your first born child as tribute. It may be the custom, but I don't know how they could sacrifice their children and animals..that would be so hard for myself to fathom.
Lastly I was tormented there by care for the child.
I'm not sure that I really understand what she meant by "tormented by care for the child'". From the prologue it says, "and a son, a child at the breast; and she herself was about twenty-two years of age"...so since she is in prison she is not able to nurse her son and take care of him? Twenty-two is a younger age for being a new mother as well...I could see how that would be torture to be away from your new and first baby.
recanting
say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical.
o do you consider the circumstances of each place, and the best means of perpetuating his memory, and follow the course you think best
I think more people should give advice like this, instead of adding their opinion into it of what the person should do. It is easy for us to let someone make up our minds for us. I mean I think you should always do what you think would be the best thing, but if someone is giving you a lot of responsibility like this character, it could be tough.
must be content to cut their coat according to their cloth
I never knew this was an actual saying. I looked it up and it means: to plan one's aims and activities in line with one's resources and circumstances....to only buy what you have enough money to pay for..
oreover the architect --the rival, to be sure, of the man who began the work --asserts that the walls, although twenty-two feet thick, cannot bear the weight placed upon them, because they have not been put together with cement in the middle and have not been strengthened with brickwork
It's funny how it says the architect is most likely a rival to the man who started working on the building...it is amazing how they knew so much about architecture and the foundations for building anything.
whether or no there has been any serving of private interests in this beginning and then abandoning of [public] works.
I believe that this happens often in society. Whoever is in charge may get their wants met first then the public needs or wants may be ignored because of this..
He appointed as his chief heirs Tiberius, to receivetwo-thirds of the estate, and Livia, one-third; these he also bade assume his name. Hisheirs in the second degree were Drusus, son of Tiberius, for one-third, and for the restGermanicus and his three male cbildren. In the third grade he mentioned many of hisrelatives and friends. He left to the Roman people forty million sesterces; to the tribesthree million five hundred thousand; to the soldiers of the pretorian guard a thousandeach; to the city cohorts five hundred; and to the legionaries three hundred.
I think after everything that he has done and gone through, it was a leap for him to give back to people as he did...he made sure everyone had some sort of share.
manumission.
the act of a slave owner freeing his or her slaves. Different approaches developed, each specific to the time and place of a society's slave system. The motivations of slave owners in manumitting slaves were complex and varied.
offer incense
From my research of incense: It is not proper (in ritual) to use incense as a means to "create a mood" or a tool to conjure some kind of "magic." The correct attitude is that incense is an offering of love, generosity, gratitude, and worship. You are giving a gift of something fine and precious to the blessed Olympian Gods and the extended pantheon of deities.....
[parricides were sewn upin a sack with a dog, a cock, a snake, and a monkey, and thrown into the sea or a river]
I could not imagine this as a punishment...that would be so terrifying...
brigandage
Brigandage refers to the life and practice of brigands: highway robbery and plunder. A brigand is a person who usually lives in a gang and lives by pillage and robbery.
At the Lupercalia he forbade beardless youths to joinin the running, and at the Secular Games he would not allow young people of either sexto attend any entertainment by night except in company with some adult relative
I think it is interesting that he wouldn't let the "beardless youths" join in the games and he would not let the younger people attend night entertainment without an adult relative...this reminds me when now you have to be accompanied by an adult when you're a certain age to go into places. I wonder why he did this..maybe it was just for their protection.
wards
ward is an administrative unit of the city region
More haste, less speed"; "Better a safecommander than a bold"; and "That is done quickly enough which is done well enough.
I think these words he used were wise..I think using these types of words in war or battle can help the soldiers remained focused and it could help them with endurance during the hardships.
military prizes he was somewhat more ready to give trappings [thephalerae wre discs or plates of metal attached to a belt or to the harness of horses] orcollars, valuable for their gold and silver, than crowns for scaling ramparts or walls,which conferred high honour; the latter he gave as sparingly as possible and withoutfavouritism, often even to the common soldiers.
I think it's interesting that military prizes were given to the soldiers. I did not think that they would offer this during that time...
when there was fear of riots in times of scarcity, he employed freedmen assoldiers only twice
If there was fear of a rampage, why was he only letting them go as free men only twice?
The Forum Julium and the basilica which was between the temple of Castor and the temple of Saturn, works begun and almost completed by my father, I finished
For a person to have buildings built and restored, doubling the water supply by adding another stream, and finishing what his father has started, shows that he has value in enhancement and advancing. It also takes someone who is intelligent and strong-willed to be able to do these kinds of things successfully.
pontifex maximus
the head of the principal college of priests or in the Roman Catholic Church, a title of the Pope
Up to the day that I wrote these words I have been princeps of the Senate forty years. I have been pontifex maximus, augur, member of the "College of Fifteen for the Sacred Rites" [and of the other religious brotherhoods
This to me shows that he was very honorable and had a good character. For him to be elected that many times and stay in the Senate for that long is quite an accomplishment.
thanksgiving unto the Immortal Gods. The number of days, too, on which thanksgiving was professed, fulfilling the Senate's decrees, was 890
890 days is a long time for a Thanksgiving. Why was it this number? Why not less or more than 890? Does this number have significance?
and to all of these I have given lands bought by me, or the money for farms---and this out of my private means.
It is quite generous of him to help the people out in this manner as far as land and finances. He could have done the opposite.
(municipia)
We use this word today for municipality--municipia is plural for municipium--was a social contract between municipes, the "duty holders," or citizens of the town. The duties, or munera, were a communal obligation assumed by the municipes in exchange for the privileges and protections of citizenship....It's amazing how language such as Latin, has created the words we use in English.
be maintained if the wicked stand in equal estimation with the good.
I think this is a strong statement...evil in thought and life does not compare to when people are good and they behave decently toward each other. These are both on two opposite ends of the spectrum.
Greeks, especially, and of the foreign princes, are easily led into this persuasion
Using persuasion can be a good tactic to use for people to believe in something. Since they are forced to negotiate with the Romans, this could alter their perception of certain processes.
To the senate belongs, in the first place, the sole care and management of thepublic money
For a person who is in charge of money, it would be important to make sure that they viewed the money as the "public's" and that they did not embezzle. Deciding what to use the money for could become controversial.
The consuls, when they remain in Rome, before they lead out the armies into the field, are the masters of all public affairs. For all other magistrates, the tribunes alone excepted, are subject to them, and bound to obey their commands.
From our textbook on page 335, it says the "king was replaced by two Consuls who were elected each year. Like the king, they had the powers of imperium and auspicium and were accompanied by twelve lictors carrying the fasces who symbolized the Consul's power".
unchaste
relating to or engaging in sexual activity, especially of an illicit or extramarital nature
Tiberinus, who was drowned in crossing the Albula, and his name transferred to the river, which became henceforth the famous Tiber.
This too is interesting..the fact that he drowned while crossing the river is despairing, but they named the river after him because of it.
Ascanius was succeededby his son Silvius, who by some chance had been born in the forest. He became the father of Aeneas Silvius, who in his turn had a son, Latinus Silvius.
I think it was a form of respect and tradition to name your children after your father or a previous leader. I like how names were significant and passed down to further generations.
n a short time the Aborigines and Trojans became involved in war with Turnus, the king of the Rutulians. Lavinia had been betrothed to him before the arrival of Aeneas, and, furious at finding a stranger preferred to him, he declared war against both Latinus and Aeneas
This is like a slap in the face almost...if a woman is already betrothed to a king but then the father decides to give her away to some stranger, showing that he prefers the stranger over the king, I could definitely see why this caused such a rubble. If I was a king I would feel betrayed as well. This seems like the cause of a lot of conflict..someone does not get what they were promised then they feel some type of way. Time for battle.
atinus received Aeneas as a guest in his house, and there, in the presence of his tutelary deities, completed the political alliance by a domestic one, and gave his daughter in marriage to Aeneas. This incident confirmed the Trojans in the hope that they had reached the term of their wanderings and won a permanent home. They built a town, which Aeneas called Lavinium after his wife. In a short time a boy was born of the new marriage, to whom his parents gave the name of Ascanius.
I think it was interesting how Latinus would give his daughter to the leader Aeneas for marriage. I know it happens often that they would offer women or their daughters for marriage, but since they are Trojans, he feels the need to give him his daughter. I think to gain a wife would definitely be a treaty for a friendship. Obviously this showed the Trojans that they were in the process of finding a homeland that was accepting of them.
When he heard that the men were Trojans, that their leader was Aeneas, the son of Anchises and Venus, that their city had been burnt, and that the homeless exiles were now looking for a place to settle in and build a city, he was so struck with the noble bearing of the men and their leader, and their readiness to accept alike either peace or war, that he gave his right hand as a solemn pledge of friendship for the future
Anchises- He was the father of Aeneas and a member of the royal family of Troy. His major claim to fame in Greek mythology is that he was a mortal lover of the goddess Aphrodite (and in Roman mythology, the lover of Venus).....Venus-In Roman mythology, Venus was the goddess of love, sex, beauty, and fertility. She was the Roman counterpart to the Greek Aphrodite. However, Roman Venus had many abilities beyond the Greek Aphrodite; she was a goddess of victory, fertility, and even prostitution...It's interesting how Greek and Roman Mythology can see a god and goddess so differently... Latinus seems like he is a caring leader and the fact that he was willing to help the Trojans and offer them friendship. This could be a challenging decision to put towards a group of people.
The Melians are a colony of Lacedaemon that would notsubmit to the Athenians like the other islanders, and at first remained neutral and took no part in the struggle, but afterwards upon the Athenians using violence and plundering their territory, assumed an attitude of open hostility.
This shows me that the Melians were strong not to give in so easily even with violence being provoked. This also shows that the Athenians are persistent and they try their hardest to get what they want however they can. Using violence and raiding a territory would probably cause me to have a different attitude too.
t was a custom of their ancestors, and the manner of it is as follows. Three days before the ceremony, the bones of the dead are laid out in a tent which hasbeen erected; and their friends bring to their relatives such offeringsas they please. In the funeral procession cypress coffins are borne in cars, one for each tribe; the bones of the deceased being placed in the coffin of their tribe.
This is a fascinating way to display a funeral. I admire that they kept these customs of their ancestors and I'm sure they do it out of respect to keep a ceremony for the dead, sacred.
The absence of romance in my history will, I fear, detract somewhat from its interest; but if it bejudged useful by those inquirers who desire an exact knowledge of the past as an aid to the interpretation of the future,
I'm not sure if the author really needed to add that his/her love live was not thriving so the document would then be effected by it. I think if you're a good writer, your work should speak for itself; not solely based on your feelings in your personal life.
it was in all cases difficult to carry them word for word in one's memory, so my habit has been to make the speakers say what was in my opinion demanded of them by the various occasions, of course adhering as closely as possible to the general sense of what they really said. And with reference to the narrative of events, far from permitting myself to derive it from the first source that came to hand, I did not even trust my own impressions, but it rests partly on what I saw myself, partly on what others saw for me, the accuracy of the report being always tried by the most severe and detailed tests possible
I think this is a great way to get correct information. I agree that is difficult to remember and retell something word for word because your mind can sometimes alter the information. I like that he did not trust his own impressions, but what he saw and what others saw. Then he compared the accuracy of both. I would not have thought of doing this.
"Just as athletes competed for honor and acclaim in addition to an amphora of sacred olive oil, participants in the procession marched to make a public statement about their place and importance in Athena's city as well as to worship Athena." This shows how important the march was and it had a major significance. Having a special celebration to worship Athena probably helped them stay on good terms with the goddess. It also showed they respected her and were grateful to be in the city.
"Clothing, items, and positions define women as highly honored members of the procession. Their contributions to the community, particularly their economic service of weaving evident in the dedication of Athena's robe, are displayed and celebrated." I think these things also define women in today's society and I think it would be nice for women to be recognized for their contributions on a regular basis. Clearly they have an important role even though they do not share public places with the male citizens.
The section where it says "It obviously was in the best interest of the city to encourage all its members.... However, in displaying their contributions and providing them with an opportunity to earn honor, the procession contradicted the democracy". I think this can happen in a lot of situations. Sometimes things do not go as planned. The fact that it says, ..the inclusion of those who were not part of Athens' political community implicitly raised questions about their 'proper' place within the city's political life--..." I think this is a harsh comment. It was stated that it was the best interest of the city to encourage all its members, but now it criticizes those whom they don't think belong there.
I think the fishmongers' (a person or store that sells fish for food) promise to build a statue of Kallimedon with a fish in his hand at the fish market due to his great love of fish and it has sustained their business, this is like a good luck charm. It says that the elite and wealthy profited from awards like statues but other social group members doubted this kind of practice. I can understand why the higher class would want recognition like this because it is extravagant. I'm sure the other social classes would prefer something more humble.
n its inclusiveness, it exemplified the city's participatory democracy; in its contests it demonstrated the competitive spirit of its people; with its prizes it displayed the skills of its artisans and the wealth of its produce; and above all it celebrated Athena as the divine protectress of a glorious city.
Athena was the Greek virgin goddess of reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature. She was the daughter of Zeus. I think it's interesting that this particular goddess was the protector of the city. Since she is of reason, intelligence, arts, etc., she is not of violence. To me, this displays that the people are not violent and enjoy harmony.
They do not allow caricature and abuse of the commons, lest they should hear themselves the butt of endless jokes, but they do allow you to caricature any person you wish to. They well know that generally the man who is caricatured is notof the poor or of the crowd, but someone rich or well-born or influential,
I think it's interesting that the author used "caricature" in this document. I do not blame the poor for not allowing anyone to make fun of them. And I believe that the person who does tell jokes, is not of the same class. It's easier to make fun of those who you feel are below you because how can they really defend themselves.
Where there are rich slaves it is no longer profitable that my slave should be afraid of you. In Sparta my slave is afraid of you. If your slave is afraid of me there will be a danger even of his giving his own money to avoid personal risks. This then is why we placed even slaves on a footing of equality with free men; and we placed foreigners on a footing of equality with citizens because the state has need of foreigners, owing to the number of skilled trades and because of the fleet.
I think this section is depicting that a slave is more valuable when they are afraid and uneducated. It was better for them to place slaves and free men on the same level so they would avoid any dangers. It is better to have a mixture of individuals for crafts and skills so more resources can be available for people.
f it were legal for a slave or a foreigner or a freedman to be beaten by a free man, you would often have taken the Athenian for a slave, and struck him, for the poor there do not dress better than the slaves and the foreigners
So are the slaves beaten for no reason? Like the free men just go to slaves and beat them when they feel like it? Even though the slaves, poor, and foreigners do not dress differently from each other, I would think they could tell some difference between all of them if they tried hard enough.
or it is the poor which mans the fleet and has brought the state her power, and the steersmen and the boatswains and the shipmasters and the lookout-men and the shipwrights---these have brought the state her power much rather than the hoplites and the best-born and the elite
I think this is saying that those who work the hardest have "created the state power". Steering boats, [boatswains] ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew, the ship captain, look-out men, and [shipwright] shipbuilders, all need to work together for the ship to set sail and to go to places to be able to buy, sell, and trade. If this system is weak, they cannot bring goods for the people of the state. So though these may be poorer jobs, they definitely are not easy.
Artystone, was a virgin. He married also Parmys, daughter of Smerdis, son of Cyrus; and he likewise took to wife the daughter of Otanes, who had made the discovery about the Magus. And now whenhis power was established firmly throughout all the kingdoms, the first thing that he did was to set up a carving in stone, which showed a man mounted upon a horse, with an inscription in these words following: "Darius, son of Hystaspes, by aid of his good horse" (here followed the horse's name), "and of his good groom Oibares, got himself the kingdom of the Persians." III.89: This he set up in Persia; and afterwards he procee
I think this shows that Darius was feeling himself and was going to take as much as he could since he was now king. In a way, I don't blame him but on the other hand, I would not want to be one of many other wives. Plus it seems as though the wife who was the virgin would be his highest priority. I also think it's almost like an inside joke that he wanted a stone carving of himself on his horse and the the inscription says, "by aid of his horse". Only he and Oibares would really understand what that meant.
e, and tethering it in the suburb, brought his master's horse to the place; then, after leading him round and round the mare several
I think this plan shows that Darius is very clever and I like how he thinks in ways that are not violent. He could have done something worse to get the horse to neigh, but all he did was introduce a mare to the steed. It's something so simple but so cunning.
first neighed after the sun was up should have the kingdom. III.85: No
I think this idea was a little over the top to rely on which ever steed neighed first after the sun came up. What if both steeds neighed, what would they do then. To me it's kind of bizarre to rely on something so unpredictable.
not to change the laws of our forefathers when they work fairly; for to do so is not well." II
From this, I see there is a strong sense of respect of the men before them. The forefathers worked hard to get freedom for the next generations, so why change it.
re secret than in other states. Contrariwise, in oligarchies, where men vie with each other in the service of the commonwealth, fierce enmities are apt to arise between man and man, each wishing to be le
This section shows that Darius has compassion for people and understands it's important to being a good leader. He does not show off as a "hero", he does what he has to.
As a mother, hearing your child talk about the pain and torment that he has been facing would be heart-wrenching. Thetis answers Achilles and feels so sorry for him and feels responsible for bringing him into all his heartbreak. She is determined to persuade Zeus to help her son.
It is so sad how Achilles gave up his beauty to Agamemnon to prove a point. He did the opposite of what Agamemnon thought he would do. I would not want to be a female in these times and be given as a "prize" to some dude. Beauty is a major asset in these times as well. The more beautiful, the greater the prize.
Agamemnon even says he hates Achilles most of all. He may be loved by the gods, but his heart if full of bitterness and the love of battle. Agamemnon even threatens to take Achilles' prize to prove how much greater he is. You can see the effect that this had on Achilles as it says his heart was rugged and torn. Though Achilles may be strong for battle, certain things to get to him which causes his anger to become even greater.
I think it's intriguing how Achilles complains to Agamemnon that his army is always in front where the savage fighting takes place. But then when they are to divide up the spoils, Agamemnon always gets the lion's share and he only gets the scraps like the rest of a lion pride would. He would like to get more because he feels he earned it for fighting so hard. This shows how Achilles feels about Agamemnon. He thinks he is somewhat selfish.
Agamemnon compares the girl to his wife and says he would rather have her...but he is willing to give her back if it's best for everyone. It was surprising that through all his rage, what he really wanted was to keep his people safe and not see them die anymore. But still, he wanted yet another prize and was in a way being manipulative here.
It would be horrific for the father and his daughter to know that the girl was not going to be given back, she would stay in his house long after she was old, she would be a slave, forced to share his bed. Agamemnon seems like a harsh person and leader.
Ethics is true, that the happy life is the life according to virtue lived without impediment, and that virtue is a mean, then the life which is in a mean, and in a mean attainable by every one, must be the best. And the same the same principles of virtue and vice are characteristic of cities and of constitutions; for the constitution is in a figure the life of the city
I think this is a great mindset: the happy life is the life. Virtue should be attainable in everyone's life. Constitutions and cities should have the same virtues that the people have. Moral principles should be accounted for in every situation.
for when there is no middle class, and the poor greatly exceed in number, troubles arise, and the state soon comes to an end.
This is a believable statement. I think there is a need for the middle class in a society. Not everyone can be exceedingly wealthy and no one should be poor. If there is no way for the poor to advance, how would more issues not arise. The poor cannot make up a whole state on its own for there would not be enough resources to sustain them.
are boys, by reason of the luxury in which they are brought up, they never learn, even at school, the habit of obedience. On the other hand, the very poor, who are in the opposite extreme, are too degraded
I would have to agree that the evil begins at home... Some parents are not the best with children and this does lead to long term effects. I also agree that those who are brought up wealthy will have differences in behavior compared to poorer individuals.
"And it is a characteristic of man that he alone has any sense of good and evil of just and unjust, and the like, and the association of living beings who have this sense makes a family and a state"- I think this is very important because especially when humans are supposed to be the voice of the animals, the plants, the environment, etc., they take it for granted. There are those who do not realize some of the consequences of their actions. I also think this is saying that living beings with a proper state of mind, and understand what it takes to be a good human being, they are capable of having a family and are going to add to the land properly.
In the first place there must be a union of those who cannot exist without each other; namely, of male and female, that the race may continue (and this is a union which is formed, not of deliberate purpose, but because, in common with other animals and with plants, mankind have a natural desire to leave behind them an image of themselves),
I think this is saying that people of the same race should continue to stay together so that they can keep their bloodlines the same and keep their generations strong of those who look like them. Mixing races would not fit into this category obviously. Society now can still be like this and they only want their same race to be passed down and do not allow any tainting. Others accept this more as a part of a changing society.
he immediately ran to the horse, and taking hold of the bridle, turned him directly towards the sun, having, it seems, observed that he was disturbed at and afraid of the motion of his own shadow; then letting him go forward a little, still keeping the reins in his hands, and stroking him gently when he found him begin to grow eager and fiery, he let fall his upper garment softly, and with one nimble leap securely mounted him,
This shows that Alexander is observant and intelligent. He took notice of how the horse was acting and he immediately turned the horse towards the sun so it could not see its shadow was clever. He knew he could outsmart the men even when they all laughed at him.
Whenever he heard Philip had taken any town of importance, or won any signal victory, instead of rejoicing at it altogether, he would tell his companions that his father would anticipate everything, and leave him and them no opportunities of performing great and illustrious actions. For being more bent upon action and glory than either upon pleasure or riches, he esteemed all that he should receive from his father as a diminution and prevention of his own future achievements; and would have chosen rather to succeed to a kingdom involved in troubles and wars, which wouldhave afforded him frequent exercise of his courage, and a large field of honour, than to one already flourishing and settled, where his inheritance would be an inactive life, and the mere enjoyment of wealth and luxury.
I think this says a lot about Alexander's character. He wanted to outdo his father and he even said that his father would not leave anything left for him or his companions to implement. He wanted to do great things for himself and he did not mind working hard to fulfill them. Alexander did not want to necessarily follow in his father's footsteps or be in his fathers's shadow. He wanted to be great for himself and prove that he was great. The fact that he wanted to 'exercise his courage, and a large field of honor', is admirable. He did not just want to live off of his inheritance with an inactive life. He wanted to be successful and be proud of what he could do by himself.
addition to his satisfaction, he was assured by the diviners that a son, whose birth was accompanied with three such successes, could not fail of being invincible.
I like how the diviners have assured that Alexander will be nothing but invincible because he has such a strong lineage of forefathers. I think even parents today think this of their own children. However, there are times when your children do not turn out like you may plan. This shows that people heavily relied on fortune tellers, power of the gods, and prophecies.
and was told he should one day lose that eye with which he presumed to peep through that chink of the door, when he saw the god, under the form of a serpent, in the company of his wife.
I found that in Greek Mythology, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing. The ouroboros is a symbol of eternity and continual renewal of life....I was curious as to what the serpent symbolized. I also found that a serpent means a sly or treacherous person, especially one who exploits a position of trust in order to betray it...both definitions are interesting...I also wonder why Philip should one day lose his eye when the god in the form of the serpent was with his wife? That's his wife.
hewas ever after less fond of her conversation. Others say, that the women of this country having always been extremely addicted to the enthusiastic Orphic rites, and the wild worship of Bacchus
Again, there is controversy over meaning. Both however reveal the fact that a serpent around a woman scares a man. In a way, the serpent reveals there is some sort of business between a god and the women.
Some of the diviners interpreted this as a warning to Philip to look narrowly to his wife; but Aristander of Telmessus, considering how unusual it was to seal up anything that was empty, assured him the meaning of his dream was that the queen was with child of a boy, who would one day prove as stout and courageous as a lion.
diviner: a person supposed to be able to foresee the future. I think it's interesting how people can interpret dreams. In this instance, there were two interpretations. So I suppose people choose to believe soothsayers or they choose what they believe it means.
bigger boys a special rule. In the very streetsthey were to keep their two hands within the folds of their coat; they were to walk in silence and without turning their heads to gaze, now here, now there, but rather to keep their eyes fixed upon the ground before them. And hereby it would seem to be proved conclusively that, even in the matter of quiet bearing and sobriety, the masculine type may claim greater strength than that which we attribute to the nature of women.
I think teaching boys to behave a certain way in public is a strong discipline method. Keeping their eyes fixed on the ground could help them to stay focused without the need to look around and possibly get distracted. The fact that they may be stronger in this area than the nature of women is interesting. If the boys are learning to be dignified in a sense, and women are the same, would more people turn out this way? If the Spartan boys are keeping this mentality as they get older, then marry a woman and have children, would they raise their children as they were brought up?
he did give them permission to steal this thing or that in the effort to alleviate their hunger.
I take it that the Spartan training methods are based on brutality and making the body and mind strong. Allowing them to steal on occasion is not teaching them honesty or to do the right thing. It's teaching to do what you have to in order to survive.
with his feet so trained the young Spartan would leap and spring and run faster unshod than another in the ordinary way. Instead of making them effeminate with a variety of clothes, his rule was to habituatethem to a single garment the whole year through, thinking that so they would be better prepared to withstand the variations of heat and cold
Having your feet to be well suited for different types of terrain would be beneficial. To attack another army, you could catch them off guard by coming from different areas than expected. Also getting them used to variations of heat and cold is like endurance. I would imagine that in some cases, not all the boys would be very healthy and could possible die? Human bodies do not have fur to help insulate them.
his guardian was elected from those who filled the highest magistracies. He had authority to hold musters of the boys, and as their guardian, in case of any misbehavior, to chastise severely. Lycurgos further provided the guardian with a body of youths in the prime of life and bearing whips to inflict punishment when necessary
At least the guardian was chosen for specific characteristics instead of just anybody, but this sounds like a severe babysitter. As for the Spartans, punishments of pain would be more severe, but this would train the boys to be able to handle pain during times of battle. I also think that being used to such pain could enable the boys to inflict pain on others in the future if they had to.
laid down for the future that persons under sentence of ostracism must live between Geraestus and Scyllaeum, on pain oflosing their civic rights irrevocably
To be ostracized for ten years would be a brutal punishment. Then having to live in a certain area for that long that you aren't accustomed to, could be challenging as well.
law concerning ostracism.
was a procedure under the Athenian democracy in which any citizen could be expelled from the city-state of Athens for ten years
to the end that the new citizens might not be exposed by the habitual use of family names, but that men might be officially described by the names of their demes; and accordingly it is by the names of their demes that the Athenians speak of one another.
This shows that instead of pointing fingers at individuals, they will only be addressed by their political division and this gives them a place instead of only being categorized with their background.
'Do not look at the tribes', addressed to those who wished to scrutinize the lists of the old families.
This saying is important because I think it relates to issues today. There are some today who act as though certain groups of people are not important or they are quick to judge. I think the fact that mixing the tribes so all can share in the franchise was an innovative idea.
Thereupon Isagoras, finding himself left inferior in power, invited Cleomenes, who was united to him by ties of hospitality, to return to Athens,
I think this shows that Isagoras knew he needed help, so he picked another leader to help him. It can be difficult for people in power to accept the fact that they cannot always fulfill what they are trying to do. Then reaching out to someone who can do the job better, could sometimes cause masculinity questioning.
there came another popular drinking song,
I think it's kind of comical for a popular drinking song to talk about good health. Although drinking is not always bad for you in smaller quantities, alcoholism becomes an issue. I'm sure wine was the main beverage in these times, but they could still get drunk.
For the scene with Calypso, I suppose 'deep in her arching caverns' is a sexual reference and 'craving me for a husband', she must have been lonely. Circe also wanted Odysseus, but he says, "they never won the heart inside me, never." This shows me that the love of a female is not as important to him as his country. You would like that a male would have the opposite mind set.
The description of the Cyclops' chores of herding his sheep, milking them, drinking the milk, curdling the milk, and pressing the rest for cheese, seemed like a harmless lifestyle and portrayed the Cyclops as being harmless himself. When the Cyclops saw Odysseus and his crew in his cave unwelcome, I think this is what caused his rage. Maybe if Odysseus tried a different approach, there may have been a different outcome.
The part where Odysseus tells the Cyclops that his name is 'Nobody' I think is very memorable. It was very clever of Odysseus to do that so when his plan was plotted, the Cyclops' neighbors thought he was being ridiculous saying 'Nobody' did anything to him. Though Odysseus got himself and his crew into trouble, he was a clever leader.
When Odysseus and his men wept and cried to Zeus while they were in the cave with the Cyclops, Zeus did not help them. Odysseus mentions that Zeus was still obsessed with destroying his fleet and his crew. I did not know in the story that the Cyclops' father was Poseidon, but when his son prayed to him, he heard his prayer and suddenly acted on it. I find it interesting how even though they pray to the gods, the gods ultimately decide who they will answer and how they will answer the prayers.
Odysseus is a headstrong leader; he is constantly witty with his remarks and his plotting against the Cyclops and he constantly taunts the Cyclops. I believe the fault lies with Odysseus. If he would have just got on the ship with his men and the sheep and not have said a word, they could have escaped easily.
"Honor your father and your mother,that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
I think this commandment is also similar to the Code of Hammurabi and to the Load Precepts of Ptah Hotep. Showing respect even when you do not always want to, is important. I think God made this because honoring your parents is being obedient and is building your spiritual strength. This shows God that his desires are more important than your own.
"You shall have no other gods before me.
The fact that this is first obviously shows that it is the most important to God. I think it is depicting that he is a jealous God and since he has done so much for the Israelites, there should be no reason to worship anyone but him.
And the LORD said to Moses, "Lo, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you for ever."
I think it was important for God to let the people see him. Although for faith, seeing is not always believing, but he wanted to do this so the people would continue to believe Moses. When Moses came to Egypt to free the slaves, they had a hard time believing him. So God wanted to make it clear to them that his words were true and he has always directly spoken to Moses.
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and howI bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
I think God is making it clear to the Israelites that he is very powerful. The Plagues he did to Egypt are to be a reminder and through that, God has protected them and freed them. He is instructing to them that if they are obedient to him, they will be his chosen people and become a holy nation. He fulfilled his promise, so in return, they shall fulfill his.
To attend therefore profits the son of him who has attended. To attend is the result of the fact that one has attended. A teachable auditor is formed, because I have attended. Good when he has attended, good when he speaks, he who has attended has profited, and it is profitable to attend to him who has attended. To attend is worth more than anything else, for it produces love, the good thing that is twice good.
Being present in your son's life is a big deal. It not only benefits the father, but the son. The son will respect his father and and he will learn how to be a good person and a good father for his own son. Being there for your son shows him that you care about him and that being a part of his life is important to you.
f you are annoyed at a thing, if you are tormented by someone who is acting within his right, get out of his sight, and remember him no more when he has ceased to address you.
I think this is a very wise, straight forward point. If someone is causing you much suffering and agony, remove yourself from him. Do not dwell on him or what may have happened. Keep moving forward.
Teach others to render homage to a great man. If you gather the crop for him among men, cause it to return fully to its owner, at whose hands is your subsistence. But the gift of affection is worth more than the provisions with which your back is covered. For that which the great man receives from you will enable your house to live, without speaking of the maintenance you enjoy, which you desire to preserve; it is thereby that he extends a beneficent hand, and that in your home good things are added to good things. Let your love pass into the heart of those who love you; cause those about you to be loving and obedient.
I enjoy this part of the passage because it is explaining not only the importance of honoring a good man, but to teach others to be respectful. Affection and "being there" means a lot more to your household than the material things. Good things brought into your home with render good things. It is important to love those who love you and this will teach them to also be loving and in turn want to be obedient.
Be not arrogant because of that which you know; deal with the ignorant as with the learned; for the barriers of art are not closed, no artist being in possession of the perfection to which he should aspire. But good words are more difficult to find than the emerald, for it is by slaves that that is discovered among the rocks of pegmatite.
I think this part is saying that just because you may think you know so much about a lot of things, do not be haughty but be humble...people who may be less knowledgeable are just as important as those who are more experienced and there is always room for improvement...even an artist who may seem perfect, does not know how to make his work free of flaws...goodness seems to be a lot harder to find in the world than an actual precious gem...even a slave can have a heart of gold compared to the rest of those in this world
so as to instruct the ignorant in the knowledge of the arguments of the good sayings. It is profitable for him who hears them, it is a loss to him who shall transgress them. He says tohis son:
I like this part because of how it is written. "Ignorant" individuals do not seem to know what they should know as far as "good" things. It is beneficial if he pay attention to what Ptah is saying, but it is also disappointing if he strays away..