Ancient Essay Complete

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Term 3 Assignment ———————–>

I have created a new page for this assignment.

The Roman Water System

The Romans at first looked towards the tiber river for water, but the tiber river became polluted and with the rising population of Rome, the source of water in the Tiber river was becoming scarce. To this the Romans turned towards the mountains or other water sources e.g. lakes, mountain springs and other rivers near by. In order to this the Romans created their own system to supply Rome and their other citis with water. This system worked by collecting the water from the source and transport the water to Rome by channels of concrete. These channels were made up of three different systems:

Tier bridges

Siphons

Tunnels

Tier bridges come in levels, they are bridges with arcs throughout it, most of the well known aqueducts of Rome are made up of this system. The water is transported through the bridge, ontop of each Tier. They are normally used to fill in where the land cannot support the channels straight to keep the flow of water.

Siphons are again a replacement to land where the channels cannot go. Siphons are normally used in valleys that exceed an irregular depth.

Tunnels was a high risk to build as it involved burrowing under hills or mountains that could not be maneuvered around. Tunnels as well were created with concrete channels which had vertical shafts, in which to allow inspections and maintenance.

Source: waterhistory.org

palatium-hill

Masada

Sir, i have completed this work during class and saved it on my usb.

I have lent my usb to louis. L. louis is returning it ot me on the this friday, and i will have this work posted up shortly.

Sorry sir, I know that i should of been more organised, but louis has a habit of not returning things on time.

Masada

-The location and geographical features of Masada

-An overview of Roman rule in Judaea and the organisation of a province

-The cause of conflict between Jews and Romans

-Who and what were the Sicarii (Jewish Rebels)?

-The occupation of Masada

-Josephus and his Jewish war

-The archaeological evidence on the site of Masada and the work of Yagael Yadin

-The military campaign (strategy and action) and the role of Flavius Silva (Roman -commander)

-Evidence for the organisation of the Roman army and the archaeological evidence 

Masada is geographically located in the Judean Valley close to the Dead sea, it is a flat top rock that is of a rhombus like shape. The height of Masada is 50 metres above sea level and its surroundings are mainly of gorges and rocky plains as it is situated in a desert like valley. The position and way Masada is situated makes it ideal to build a fortress upon and it was one of the main factors the Jews’ revolt against the Romans lasted so long. 

Josephus speaks of a “Snake Path” which was an access point in those times for passer-by’s to enter as well as the “White Rock” and two other entrances north and south of the plateau, this also assisted the Jews in their campaign of revolt against the Romans. There were only a few defenders of Masada but because of the difficult surroundings, it took a little ingenuity and three years of force to out muster the revolt of the Jews.

 In modern Israel today, Masada is a popular climb for tourists and is recognised as the most visited and popular sites. Tourists can venture into Masada today via two entry points, the “snake path” or from the opposite site via a roman ramp, which today also has the new feature of a cable car for easier access.

Due to its distinct location and shape, King Herod the great used it as a fortress during his reign and also as a refuge as he wasn’t so much a favourite amongst the Jewish people as he was an ally of the Romans and enforced taxes amongst the people. Herod added many luxuries and protection methods if there was to ever be a revolt against him.

Not until 66 AD was Masada captured by the Jews in the Jewish revolt against the Romans. It was controlled by a minute group of Jews and them and many others Jews occupied the area. Romans tried to capture Masada in a siege but it wasn’t till they employed an army of what was known as 15,000 to siege Masada. It took them three years as they conditions were extremely difficult as means of transport of food and water was very difficult. A wall was created to prevent escape, but at last the Roman army succeeded but to the disappointment of the Romans the Jews had all committed suicide instead of turning themselves over to become slaves.

fact & Opinion

Fact and opinion

A fact is a piece of information well and truly backed with evidence and information, and should not be able to debate on it. While an opinion is a perspective of an individual, although many factors influence his perspective such as, culture, gender, age etc.

What factors affect the objectivity of authors of written sources?

The factors that affect the perception of authors that construct written sources include many things such as their age, gender, their views politically, their whereabouts, the time they lived in, the environment they lived in and also their religion may play a major role.

What is gender bias? How has it manifested itself in the reporting of history over the millennia? Give three examples of gender bias? Is it still a problem today in historiography?

Gender bias is a factor that can influence an individuals perspective through his/her sex. From the time man learnt how to read and write one sex has dominated. Even form this statement has gender bias, as it claims the human species as ‘man’. So all in all through history gender bias has manifested it self in the recordings of history.

Who is Josephus?

Josephus was a scholar and a general in the Jewish army until he was captured by the Romans, this would have left to his death but he was favored by the emperor of Rome and “sucked up to him” so to speak, and allied with the Romans and wrote history about the siege of Masada and many other articles during his time.

When did he live?

Josephus was estimated through his stories and recordings of his rule in the service of the Roman Empire, to have lived from the time about 37 AD to 100 AD.

What did he write about?

Josephus composed much literature that concerned the Jewish faith but he is much more known for his work on the Jewish revolt and the siege of Masada as he was basically the only source that we have for it.

How have modern authors ‘deconstructed’ Josephus’ accounts? 

Modern Authors would of deconstructed it to be first off a bias work. This is read through the dramatization of the heroism, faith, and strongly will-hearted. Although it is bias, Josephus presented a good account of what the story’s foundations is set on.

Do they consider him biased and Why?

Yes, seeing that he is a Jew, and the environment he is placed in.

Lastly, is his Bellum Judaicum useful as a source for the Jewish Revolt?

It is a credible source but readers should be aware as it is not totally accurate as the bias may have influenced Josephus’ account of the source. It is useful though as not many sources are about the Jewish revolt and it gives a good look at some aspects of the Jewish religion.

The Preservation and Destruction of Evidence

Treasure Wars

Pantheon Marble

1)      The Parthenon was built in honour of which ancient Greek goddess?

The Greek Goddess Athena

2)      Where on the Parthenon is the marble frieze located?

The Friezes were located on top of the columns of the Pantheon

3)      When and how did the Parthenon come to lay in ruins?

1687 in the war against the Venice and the Ottoman Empire

4)      Who was Lord Elgin and what did he do with sections of the frieze?

British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, removed the marbles to England

5)      Why do some claim Elgin was the “vandal”?

Some claim that we was a vandal himself because, he cut out the frieze into pices, so they can be shipped more easily

6)      Why does the British Museum (BM) claim legal title to the frieze?

The BM has legal title to the marbles has a mission as a museum of world cultures

7)      How much of the original frieze still stands in Athens?

Only 50% of the original frieze survives

8)      What is the opinion of Greek archaeologists on the matter?

His opinions sat that they should be exhibited together because all the friezes together show a narrative.

9)      How does the BM suggest they could resolve the ‘complicated’ situation?

Create copies of the marble friezes.

10)    What is your stance on returning the frieze to Athens?  Do you agree that it should remain permanently in the BM except for loan periods?

My stance of the dilemma on returning the friezes back to the pantheon in Greece is neutral as both countries have legal and historical rights towards the artifacts. So in conclusion I can not agree or disagree on whether they should permanently stay in the BM.

Treasure Wars

Machu Picchu

1) Where is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is located in green highland regions of Peru

2) The site was left to ruin in the ­­­­­­­­­­________ century until 19__

The site was left to ruin in the 16 century until 1911

3) Who discovered the site and when?

The Archaeologist was Hiram bingham

4) For which university was he working?

Hiram was working for Yale University

5) What did he find?

Hiram found The Lost City of Macchu Picchu

6) In which museum are the finds located?

Yale’s P Body museum

7) What is the debate surrounding these finds?

The ownership of the artifacts.

8) Why the legal action?

Yale felt otherwise, and Peru was unrelenting so legal action was immanent.

9) According to the spokesman from the Museum, why can there be problems if artifacts are returned too quickly?

If the museum is too quick returning artifacts it could cause problems such as:

-Honoring the objects

-Claims of ownership

10) What has been the resolution of this ‘treasure war’ and why does this mean so much to the people of Peru?

The resolution consists ofReturning the artifacts back and strict guidelines. To peruvians it means alot at heart as the artifacts are back where they belong and where they protect it.