Mesoamerica -> Middle America -> Middle Earth -> The Fellowship of the Ring -> "You Shall not Pass!!!"-> Rakestraw Sending Subliminal messages.

Mesoamerica is defined as central America and Mexico and all the lands that held the Olmec, Aztec and Maya Civs. The topography made it so that many different civilizations had different crops and access to other Civilizations. Highlands produced obsidian for tools, and the lowlands had shells for trading and such. Goods were hard to move due to the rugged, mountainous land and the lack of mountable animals. The Olmecs were the first to make monumental art and the first to do sports and stuff. They made 2 calendars, one with 365 days and one with 260 days; every 52 years, they cross. The Olmecs built large pyramids to perform rituals upon. Mayan pyramids, however, are more narrow and slanted. All of the Mayan texts are indecipherable, so much of their history is lost. The Aztecs were the most proficient at expanding territory than the other two, they also performed more human sacrifice. Since the Aztec lands were so poor, conquered peoples had to give resources as tribute to the Aztecs. Aztec belief holds that two gods sacrificed themselves to create the world and the gods are still wanting more to keep the world in balance. Women were not sacrificed, it was some glory thing for men only.  

and now, my reaction when i realize winter break is next week.... 

           

Artsy, Fartsy, Culture, and Stuff.

Medieval
This period included the revolution of Byzantine, Gothic, Islamic, and Viking art. The rejection of pagan ideas induced the main focus on Christianity. They also moved away from 3D art. There was also the depictions of Bible images and the battle between good and Evil. Some leading Medieval arts were such like Jato.

Gothic
Most Gothic arts were found in the architecture. These new buildings were mostly cathedrals and they featured flying buttresses, thin walls, and large stain-glass widows. The Gothic way was to illuminate books. This was the beautification of images depicted in books and the styling of the edges of said books. Some of the most famous illuminators were the Lambeaux brothers.

Renaissance
This period was centered around the arts like painting, sculpting and writing. Values seen in this kind of art dates back the Greek and Roman times. Most paintings were funded by wealthy families and were based on Christianity. These Renaissance artists used depth and perception in sculptures and paintings. Some of the most famous artists were Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Rafael.


And now, my face when I realize that midterms are next week...

 

Failed Colonies.... Isn't that an Indie Rock Band?

1.The Spanish saw the massacre as a military accomplishment and a planned incident, while the French saw it as a mistake by the Spanish and a travesty.
2. The Spanish thought that they were cleansing the protestant filth, while the French still saw it as a travesty.
3. Both were well defended and supplied well. The awareness and outside help could have saved them, though.
4. The storm in Ft. Caroline was natural and also the storm in the case of Ajacan. They do account the unprepared states on themselves, however.
5. The Ajacan made peace with the Indians, and the French Protestants, as well as the Ajacan people, sent messages in their time of need.
6. Their trust in the Indians caused their downfall.
7.They both did not perceive the storm, so that messed up their schedule.
8. With Fort Caroline, the guard just ran away, and the Ajacan's were peaceful, too peaceful.
9. A well armed guard, good resources, natural water, up a river, good soil, and peaceful neighbors.
10. They had auxiliary supplies, just in case, but their over trust of the natives was not good for them.
11. Fort Caroline was destroyed and Roanoke disappeared.
12. Well, other colonies did not get lost to history, and they did not have to rely on the outside for resources.
13. A better guard and better soil.
14. Don't trust the natives.
15. They really only effected the Fort Caroline because the Spanish wiped them out.

                                and now, possibly one of my most favorite things ever made.

That dude Justinian.

Justinian's wife, Theodora, was a former (ahem) "professional." He himself began a construction spree, and he tightened his grip over all people and did away with all of Constantinople's loved policies. At the Hippodrome, one of the biggest arenas ever, chariot races and other sports took place. He slew all of an army of rebels there at the Hippodrome when they rose against him. After these riots, he sped to rebuild the city to make it grander and more devoted to God. One of his main accomplishments was the building of the Hagia Sophia. This magnificent building was a huge church that was later converted into a mosque. The church has the largest dome ever built at the top. In the end, all of Justinian's military campaigns and his constant building sprees bankrupted the Byzantine Empire.

Here is an aerial view of the Hagia Sophia  

The Honeymoon. DUN DUN DUN!!!

           Whilst on a glorious walk on the sandy beaches of San Martin, Curtis Rakestraw, the hero of this story, discovers something amiss. His newly wed wife had fallen behind and had not caught up. He looks behind him and his eyes lay upon the sun hat that she had been wearing. filled with fear and distress, Curtis races over and picks up the hat, a note falls out. On the note was handwriting unfamiliar to him, it wasn't his wife's. "She's gone, we'll return her one the sum of 500,000 dollars has been transferred to our secure account on this paper..." Immediately, Rakestraw asks himself, "On a teacher's salary?!?" Finding no other choice, he sets off to find more information about who did this.
            Heading to the baddest part of town, Curt picks out where he might find out more information. He picks out a bar in the back ally behind a Macy's. Storming into the bar, the letter in his hand, he slams one of the patron's head into his glass. Rakestraw goes up to the now terrified barkeep and growls," Would you know anything about THIS?!" He shoves the note into the barkeep's face."N..N.. Not exactly," the barkeep stutters," but they might." He points over to a group of surprisingly well-dressed men in the corner. "Thanks," Rakestraw snorts as he strolls over to the men, cracking his knuckles.
             Walking out of the bar wiping teeth and blood off his shirt, Rakestraw reads his newly found note, it reads, " In the old church, at the very top of the steeple..." Curt hails a taxi and speeds away. Dark clouds are forming as Rakestraw steps out of the taxi. Suddenly, a voice over a loudspeaker shouts, " YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE COME LOOKING!" People are running through the streets, shouting, "HURRICANE!" Winds howl and rain pounds the ground, knocking over trees and lampposts. With one fluid movement, Rakestraw leaps into the air and critical-hits the hurricane into oblivion. "Aww, that's adorable." Curt mutters to himself. Filled once again with urgency, he speeds into the church and begins running up the stairs. he comes to a door at the top and begins pounding on it with all his might. Rakestraw then wakes up to the barkeep banging on the bar. "Wake up, man! You've been here all night, your wife went back to the hotel." Blurry-eyed, Curt looks at his surroundings, " I hope this is soup." He says, looking at his shoes. "Yeah, probably was, now leave!" the barkeep shouts. Curt stumbles his way out of the bar, the sun stings his eyes. He walks all the way back to the hotel with his tie stuck to his head.

                                             Finally,Here's a picture that I found!

Confucianism? More like Confusing-ism?! Amirite?

Confucianism is based on the teachings of a Chinese philosopher that came up with ideas during the Warring States period. He believed that his social order would bring about peace and order. the basics of Confucianism revolve around following the actions of the good past emperors. His views of family life center on everybody following a system of that older men are the highest position in a family.

                                              Some Famous Confucius quotes...

UGHHHH More Art!

Greece
In Greek art history, there are three common art periods, the Archaic, the Classical, and the Hellenistic periods. Some add another to this list, this is the Geometric period. Classic Greek art was put in the Parthenon, these pieces of art, usually sculptures, were very realistic. Geometric arts were usually pictures painted on ceramics. Classical art would later influence Roman and Renaissance artists. Freezes, 3D pictures on walls, would include religious scenes or animals. Hellenistic art includes some of the most famous Greek sculptures, the Venus Di Milo, and the Winged Victory.

Roman
Roman art includes coinage, paintings, glass work, and metalwork. Early Roman art drew from the Etruscans of ancient Italy. Later Roman art blended Etruscan and Greek art, with a mix between realistic and auto-correct. Romans used and revolutionized concrete making and used it for construction. Some of the greatest feats of Roman construction is the Pantheon and the Colosseum.  

Early Christian
This form of art started up after Christ's death, and it used realism in its arts. Sculptures could not depict iconic figures, so artists had to use other mediums. A repetitive style in catacombs are frescoes, or paintings on plaster. Early on, Christ wasn't directly used as an icon, so artists used a Shepard or a peacock. Artists would disguise crosses as other symbols to ward off suspicion. When Constantinople issued the Edict of Milan, artists no longer had to hide their art.
                                       
                             This is one of my favorite depictions of Jesus

5 Paragraphs Aboot 5 Religions' Histories

Buddhism
Buddhism first appeared around 2500 years ago .The basis of Buddhism comes from the teachings of a man known as the Buddha. His teachings focus on finding a release from the cycle of reincarnation by achieving Nirvana. One can achieve Nirvana by accepting the 4 noble truths. After the death of the Buddha, Buddhism split into Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhism became very popular in Asia after monks and missionaries traveled along the Silk Road.

Hinduism
Hinduism is in many ways the world's oldest religion. It originated around the Indus River and Pakistan. Hinduism has no original founder. Hindus believe in a single supreme god that resides in aspects in all of the other multiple Hindu gods.

Christianity
Christianity originated about 2000 years ago in Roman controlled Judea. The religion centers around the teachings of Jesus, the supposed son of God. Jesus was crucified and then was resurrected three days later, upon seeing this, his apostles devoted their lives to spreading the word of Jesus. Christianity got the biggest boost in followers after Paul began to convert the gentiles in Rome.

Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism was founded in Iran about 3500 years ago. The prophet Zoroaster created a belief system revolving around the battle of good and evil. It is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. Today it is one of the smallest world religions.

Judaism
Judaism originated in the Middle East, and was founded by Moses, but most Jews trace their Heritage all the way back to Abraham. Judaism follows the belief of one God. The Jews constantly await the coming of the savior, or the messiah. The Jews also follow a set of rules set by the holy book, the Talmud.
  
                                          And here's something to lighten the mood!

Rome: The City Of Art (and killing things for pleasure, but that's not important).

Ancient Rome was very different than what we see today. Buildings were fuller and extravagantly colored with mosaics and sculptures. Two prominent hills stood out among the plethora of houses and streets. The Capitoline Hill was the hill that supported the main temple of Jupiter, and was considered to be the city's center of religion. And the Palatine Hill which was a hill covered in places and even was the location of the emperor's palace. Outside of the hill, the Circus Maximus was built. this was where major parades and chariot races were held.
  During the reign of Nero, the Colosseum was used as a lake for Nero's palace. Afterwords, the Colosseum was filled and was once again used as a public entertainment building. This is where the famous gladiator fights were held. The Forum was a large open aired market in the center of the city. Away from the Forum there is a large flat area called the Fields of Mars. the is were the Pantheon is located. The Pantheon was a huge building that included the first dome used in a building.

Alexander The Great: Was He Really THAT Great?

Throughout ancient history, the Persians have been one of the most powerful empires in the Middle East. the had conquered Greece multiple times, and when Macedonia took over Greece, their views of Greece would soon change. Alexander the Great stormed his armies across Persia, destroying religious items and place in his path. From this point on the Persians have looked towards Alexander with distaste.
In the West, Alexander the Great is viewed as an unbelievable hero and amazing hero. But in Persian history, he is seen a little differently. In Persia, Alexander burned down Persepolis in a fit of drunken rage. The rest of his conquering of Persia was linked to his admiration towards Persia, and a little bit because of a Greek grudge towards Persia. During the time that Persia was conquered, it was on of the most powerful empires in the world and definitely one of the biggest. Since he destroyed much of their heritage and history, Persians see Alexander the Great as an evil man with no respect of peoples' homes or natural way of life. And (and this is a little off-topic) Persia did gain a little trust back from the Greeks after they helped the Spartans defeat the Athenians during the Peloponnesian war.

And have you ever wondered who would win in a fight, Attila the Hun or Alexander the Great?
                                                    Watch this video to see who wins!