The Last Persian War

Oxford First Ancient History

The Greeks were very worried about their women and children, the Persians were certainly going to come again, and when they did, there would be trouble. A long battle, later to be known as, "The Persian Wars"was being fought, the Persian kings were trying their very hardest to capture the small country of Greece. That being said, the Greeks hurried to evacuate Greece of all women and children in the area. Sure enough, after a very hard battle, the Persians took over the Parthenon. Sadly, while they had been waiting outside of the great temple, the Persians had wrecked and ruined ever other statue, building, monument, or temple that they could get their hands on. Soon, the Greeks were able to reclaim the Acropolis for their own, you may think that the Greeks would hurry to repair all of their buildings, but no! They purposely left ruins sitting around the city, in order to warn the people always, “be on your guard!” Themistocles, the general in charge, clearly saw that the Greeks stood no chance against the Persians; their enemy’s army was just to big. He saw that they could only succeed by craftiness, and trickery. In order to do this, he pretended that one of the Greek men was a traitor, he sent this man to king Xerxes’ palace, where he told the king that the Greeks would be at Salamis, and that if he was able to start off quickly, Xerxes might have a chance of beating the Grecians. Now, Salamis was really a narrow strait, in which only a few boats at a time could pass through, Themistocles hoped to beat the Persians by only attacking a few boats at a time, while the other boats were making their way down the narrow passage. This the Greeks did, and to the Persians’ great surprise, the Greeks completely defeated their enemies. In terror, king Xerxes fled, leaving his general, Mardonius, with only a few men, hoping that he could fight a successful battle in a few years. This battle was fought, and to no one’s great surprise, the Greeks drove out the last of the Persians, little did they know that from that year, 479 B.C, all the way to 431 B.C., there would peace for the Greeks.      

The Minoan Religion

Oxford First Ancient History

The Minoans had many gods and goddesses. However, the mother goddesses was the highest of them all. The Minoans did not have any large statues or temples dedicated to their gods, they had small shrines. To give an offering to the mother goddess, the Minoans had to first be anointed by a priestess in order to “wash off their sins”. Only then could you give your offering to the goddess. Many times an animal was sacrificed, yet other times, a golden ornament, sword, etc. could be brought and placed into a chest for the mother goddess to keep. In mythology, we often see that gods of war and battle are worshiped. Yet, no pictures of gods and goddesses partaking in war or even hunting have been found in the Minoan ruins, at all! You may be wondering, is there a Minoan afterlife? Archaeologists have found that on the sides of Minoan coffins, there were pictures of the dead person in the afterlife, walking with the mother goddess, receiving the offerings that his relatives and friends were giving him. The Minoan tombs were shaped like beehives, in these buildings the deceased man's friends would place gold jewelry, swords, and ornaments around the coffin in honor of the dead man. More importantly than anything, the Minoans loved and honored their gods, they were one of the most god-fearing nations. They truly believed in, and honored their gods.

The Minoans

Oxford First Ancient History

On the island of Crete, which lies in the Mediterranean sea there lives a long lost kingdom, the kingdom of Minos. Knossos, Crete’s palace, was built by Minos. Minos was said to own a terrifying bull-man. Every year he would send his ships to Greece. When the captains arrived at Greece, they would demand 7 young girls and 7 young men to enter Minos' labyrinth. When the Grecians found the middle of the maze, the bull-man would be there, waiting to devour the poor victims.We do not know if this really ever happened, but we do know, that there was a king Minos, and there was a great, twisting winding, huge palace, Knossos. Remains have been dug up, they show that Crete really was an amazing place. Houses, built from stone and brick dotted the busy roads. Beautiful pottery has been found that has pictures of dolphins, fish, and octopus on it. The great palace Knossos has even been rebuilt! This palace is a true amazement! With about one thousand rooms, Knossos itself is a maze! Bathrooms, throne rooms, bedrooms, dressing rooms, and many others made up Minos’ breath-taking palace! But enough about the place, let us talk of the people, the Minoans were a very happy busy people, who loved to bull wrestle, dance, sing, etc. the men wore kilts, fastened with a rope at the waist, and the girls wore frontless shirts with long skirts. They had varying occupations, from weavers and merchants, to fishers and farmers, each Minoan was kept busy. Crete must have been a very interesting place, and I am very exited to learn more about it!

Augustus Caesar's World Creative Narration

Rome

Rome is falling, quick and fast!

Please, O Brutus, save it!

You alone can change the hearts

Of Romans, small of wit!

Mark Antony is trying

To claim Rome for his own,

He has Caesar's money

He will take the throne!

No more will there be democracy,

No more will there be peace,

Mark Antony will rule,

That vile, wretched, beast!

Octavius was adopted,

In Julius Caesar’s will,

But Antony will do all he can

To keep the papers, still!

I do not like the look of this,

There will be civil war!

But if we bring back consuls,

Rome can be restored!

A few attempts have been made,

To save Rome from tyranny,

But none have been successful,

Please Brutus, make yours ring!

Make it ring in the hearts of Romans

Make it clear, to Antony,

That we won’t tolerate

A bit of tyranny!

Please, O, Brutus, please!

You saved us from one rebel,

Now help your country once again, 

Now save us from more trouble!

So now Brutus, I plead of you,

Fight for what is right!

Fear no mortal man,

And join in our fight!

Reims Cathedral

Book of Marvels

When Christianity was brought to France, an amazing cathedral was created, in the town of Reims. This cathedral was unlike any other that you have ever seen, colored glass reflected light off the walls, and beautiful statues of angels and saints decorated the glittering halls. Even a beautiful statue of the country’s heroine, Joan of Arc stands before the cathedral, which is covered in beautiful architecture. Would you like to see this marvelous cathedral? Of course you do! Let’s go! On our way across the Atlantic, I tell you of the Reims cathedral’s history. This wonderful cathedral was bombed by the Germans, and now, only a few of the original towers remain. Crumbling walls blocked the passages, and arms of saints and wings of angels have been knocked off their owners. Most of the statues, if not all, have been replaced. Yet, the originals were much more lovely and delicate than the replacements. Even though the Reims cathedral has been scared for life, it stands nobly, along with many others of it’s kind. As we walk down the road which leads to the Reims Cathedral, we are prepared for an amazing sight, however, when we reach the cathedral itself, we are awestruck by it’s beauty and strength. The strong walls of the cathedral are decorated by lovely, delicate architecture. Standing in front of it we can see how horrid war and fighting really is. And, we can respect and honor God, for the beauty of this amazing building is all directed towards Him.

Mount Saint Michael

Book of Marvels

On the northern coast of France, there lies a small, lovely, island. On this island, there stands a tall hillock, which holds one of the most beautiful abbeys in the world. This hillock, is Mount Saint Michael, it holds the Saint Michael monastery. Many years ago, Mount Saint Michael was attached to the shore. How can this be? You may ask. Well, one peaceful day, while the monks were going about their business, they heard a loud, ear shattering, roar. The monks ran to the window, and peered out, to see what could be happening. A earthquake was separating Mount Saint Michael from the rest of France! Luckily, the earthquake did no harm to the abbey, and I am sure that the monks praised God for the safety he had granted them. Let us go and see this amazing abbey. As we reach the island, an amazing sight awaits us, more beautiful, in it’s day, then any other monastery, Mount Saint Michael stands, wrapped in glory, and peace. From the quaint houses, bordering the shore, to the tall, proud, abbey, which towers above, Mount Saint Michael places itself high in our hearts. Being a monastery that had lots of money, Mount Saint Michael was naturally attacked many times, One of its most interesting stories was when an English commander bribed four monks into pulling up 20 of his men in a basket, that was attached to ropes, another monk saw what was going on, and killed the two men who were bringing up the soldiers, but continued to haul up the men. However, when each man was brought up, he would be killed, And that is the way one monk defeated twenty English soldiers, in one night.