Roman Empire Weekly

Did the Roman Empire 'decline and fall' or did it evolve into something new?

     The Roman Empire never declined or fell, it just was reborn. It became a new empire out of an old one. It's like upgrading, you have all the great things from the old thing incorporated with the new thing. Many believe that it fell because it wasn't called the roman empire. People just don't understand why they think something with a new name is different. The roman empire never fell but was reborn into new smaller empires.

     Firstly, How could someone think that the roman empire fell? People do not understand that it became smaller empires. The roman empire just changed its name. They still had its strength it had before but they just condensed into mini empires. "no empire has ever fallen – but rather been absorbed into the peoples and ways of living that came after it."(Winstonite) This is why the empire never actually declined. 

     Secondly, They were still the same people. So the empire just switched around and changed names. This does not really change the people and their lives. It only changes their government. "We today in the West bear more resemblance ideologically and figuratively to the Romans than we do to the Barbarians of Europe"(Winstonite) The quote shows that we today are just like the romans is some ways. We are more like them then we thought.This is why the roman empire never actually fell.

     Finally, Their culture still was alive in the people. They were not change the people it changed the government. People do not understand that when the roman empire split they became small empires with the same culture they had before. "in fact, that I think it’s safe to say that the Roman Empire never fell. The ideas of that time never died." (Winstonite) This quote shows that the ideas of goverment and politics are still with us today from the romans.

     In Conclusion, the quotes really show how the roman empire never fell. The Roman empire was absorbed into small empires with the same culture. The roman empire never fell but was reborn into new smaller empires. How could someone say the roman empire fell when we still use their form of government today. This really shows how we are still living in the roman empire. The culture is also till alive in our society. This is really why the roman empire never fell. 

CITED:

Winstonite. "The Roman Empire never fell. | The Winstonite." The Winstonite | Dedicated to the memory of Winston Smith. Winsonite, 6 Jan. 2011. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. 

Weekly Rough Draft #1

Did the Roman Empire 'decline and fall' or did it evolve into something new?

     The Roman Empire never declined or fell, it just was reborn. It became a new empire out of an old one. It's like upgrading, you have all the great things from the old thing incorporated with the new thing. Many believe that it fell because it wasn't called the roman empire. People just don't understand why they think something with a new name is different. The roman empire never fell but was reborn into new smaller empires. I think that the roman empire did fall because it was never the same again.

     Firstly, How could someone think that the roman empire fell? People do not understand that it became smaller empires. The roman empire just changed its name. They still had its strength it had before but they just condensed into mini empires. "no empire has ever fallen – but rather been absorbed into the peoples and ways of living that came after it."(Winstonite) This is why the empire never actually declined. 

     Secondly, They were still the same people. So the empire just switched around and changed names. This does not really change the people and their lives. It only changes their government. "We today in the West bear more resemblance ideologically and figuratively to the Romans than we do to the Barbarians of Europe"(Winstonite) The quote shows that we today are just like the romans is some ways. We are more like them then we thought.This is why the roman empire never actually fell.

     Finally, Their culture still was alive in the people. They were not change the people it changed the government. People do not understand that when the roman empire split they became small empires with the same culture they had before. "in fact, that I think it’s safe to say that the Roman Empire never fell. The ideas of that time never died." (Winstonite) This quote shows that the ideas of goverment and politics are still with us today from the romans.

     In Conclusion, the quotes really show how the roman empire never fell. The Roman empire was absorbed into small empires with the same culture. The roman empire never fell but was reborn into new smaller empires. This is really why the roman empire never fell. 


CITED:
Winstonite. "The Roman Empire never fell. | The Winstonite." The Winstonite | Dedicated to the memory of Winston Smith. Winsonite, 6 Jan. 2011. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. <http://www.winstonite.com/?p=781>.

The Death of Seneca Essay

Stoicism is having control of one's emotions. Stoics have all been throughout history. A stoic makes a great leader because even in tough personal times they can stay professional. A great Stoic was Seneca. He was a adviser and friend of the Roman Emperor, Nero. Other than being an adviser he was a great diplomat and debater. Stoicism is the ability to endure pain and hardship without showing emotion; Seneca at his death was a perfect example of a stoic. 

     One can see his stoicism through the story of his death. There are many quotes that can depict his stoicism at his death bed. "Seneca, quite unmoved, asked for tablets on which to inscribe his will, and, on the centurion's refusal, turned to his friends, protesting that as he was forbidden to requite them, he bequeathed to them the only, but still the noblest possession yet remaining to him, the pattern of his life, which, if they remembered, they would win a name for moral worth and steadfast friendship." (Tacitus) This quote shows him being unmoved when he is dieing. Even when everyone around him was sad he was dieing he sat there and showed no emotion. He was there and just wanted to write down  his will. 

     This next quote shows how he had no fear. Even in the face of a great trouble he showed no fear and was unmoved. “Upon this the tribune asserted that he saw no signs of fear, and perceived no sadness in his words or in his looks.”(Tacitus) Also it shows how he was not sad. He didn't cry or show any emotion of sadness. He is very strong with his emotions. He controlled his emotions and was able to over come the sadness. 

     The last quote that really shows his stoicism is one of the best. “Seneca, as his aged frame, attenuated by frugal diet, allowed the blood to escape but slowly, severed also the veins of his legs and knees.”(Tacitus) This quote is very good example of him being a stoic. It describes as he lies there bleeding to death and he doesn't seem to care. He has given up on all his emotions and life. He just sits there and lets himself bleed out with out screaming, crying, or asking for help. 

     In conclusion, stoicism is the ability to endure pain and hardship without showing emotion; Seneca at his death was a perfect example of a stoic. Seneca was and still is a perfect example of a stoic. He was able to take a lot of pain as he was at his own death bed. Even when he was there he showed no emotions when he was bleeding out. He also stayed professional and was a great advisor even through to his death. This is why Seneca is a perfect example of a stoic in our ancient history.  

Cited:

Tacitus. "Ancient History Sourcebook: Tacitus: The Death of Seneca." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 06 Apr. 2011. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/tacitus-ann15a.html>.

Dailies #33

Required Daily: Read Tacitus' description of the Death of Seneca and Book One of M. Aurelius' Meditations. Find quotes within those two texts that help explain what Stoicism is all about.

Quotes:
Meditations:


"From my grandfather Verus I learned good morals and the government of my temper."


"From Diognetus, not to busy myself about trifling things, and not to give credit to what was said by miracle-workers and jugglers about incantations and the driving away of daemons and such things; and not to breed quails for fighting, nor to give myself up passionately to such things;"


“In my father I observed mildness of temper, and unchangeable resolution in the things which he had determined after due deliberation; and no vainglory in those things which men call honours…”


“…but he showed sobriety in all things and firmness, and never any mean thoughts or action, nor love of novelty.”


“From Maximus I learned self-government, and not to be led aside by anything; and cheerfulness in all circumstances, as well as in illness; and a just admixture in the moral character of sweetness and dignity, and to do what was set before me without complaining.”


Death of Seneca:


“Seneca, quite unmoved, asked for tablets on which to inscribe his will, and, on the centurion's refusal, turned to his friends, protesting that as he was forbidden to requite them, he bequeathed to them the only, but still the noblest possession yet remaining to him, the pattern of his life, which, if they remembered, they would win a name for moral worth and steadfast friendship.”


“Upon this the tribune asserted that he saw no signs of fear, and perceived no sadness in his words or in his looks.”


“Seneca, as his aged frame, attenuated by frugal diet, allowed the blood to escape but slowly, severed also the veins of his legs and knees.”