For this week's controversy, I will be playing a documentary done by the Discovery Channel called "The Mystery of The Sphinx" I have already watched it myself, and it is absolutely wonderful. What archaeologists have and could discover about the Sphinx is truly astonishing--and world changing!
This documentary has been divided into 5 parts.
Mystery of the Sphinx Part 1
(click here if you cannot view this video)
Mystery of the Sphinx Part 2
(click here if you cannot view this video)
Mystery of the Sphinx Part 3
(click here if you cannot view this video)
Mystery of the Sphinx Part 4
(click here if you cannot view this video)
Mystery of the Sphinx Part 5
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The First Planned Cities: Indus River Valley
Posted by Budding Historian in Analysis, Ancient Times, Civilizations
Sometime around 2500 B.C., another civilization was popping up. No, it wasn't in Mesopotamia, or Egypt, or even China or the Mediterranean but along the fertile Indus River in present day Pakistan. This civilization, in time, become the most organized in all of history--but not one personality has survived. Neither has a clay tablet, a piece of text written on papyrus (these people did trade with the Mesopotamians, who in turn traded with the Egyptians at various points in time) or any example of government. No stories about stupid kings, brave heroes, or any stories at all have survived. As Susan Wise Bauer says, "This annoys the historian to no end!"
Results of Last Poll:
Q. Would you rather live in colonial times as a poor farmhand or in Roman times as a wealthy aristocrat?
A. Colonial Farmhand (0)
A. Roman Aristocrat (3)
A. Neither (0)
A. This is not a fair question! (0)
The Controversy of the Week: B.C./A.D. Vs. B.C.E./C.E.
Posted by Budding Historian in Controversy of the Week
While scientists and religious teachers battle it out over the Science vs. Religion argument, historians are in the middle of a debate quite similar: categorizing time according to the traditional B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini--"In the Time Of Our Lord") or using modern B.C.E (Before Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era) I have listed the pros and cons of each way below:
Traditional Way
Pros:
*Used by most historians
*A large percentage of the world is Christian
Cons:
* May be offensive to some people
Modern Way
Pros:
*Less offensive to people of another religion
*Easier to remember
Cons:
*Not used by most historians
My Opinion
When it comes to this argument, I have a strictly established opinion: use B.C./A.D. There is absolutely no point in just changing the name of the different time periods while still reckoning with Christ's birth. And you're telling the truth, not twisting it!
If I was dictator and could establish my own rules, though, my time periods would be very simple: A.E. (Ancient Era) and M.E. (Modern Era) They would not categorize time according to Christ's birth, but according to what has happened in history. My turning point would be 476 A.D., (according to the traditional way) the year that Rome was burned by Germanic invaders. This year is considered to be the end of the Roman Empire by most historians, as well as the end of ancient times.
Of course, such a drastic change would send Americans into a pool of confusion; all regular dates as we know them would be changed. 2008 would be (saying 476 A.D. is 1 A.E. and 477 A.D. is 1 M.E.) 1531 M.E., I would graduate from high school in 1545!
I would love feedback on this post, send me your opinion at jeberexa@gmail or post a comment on my blog, http://www.buddinghistorian.blogspot.com/.
For those of you who don't know, yesterday, July 12, is the famed Julius Caesar's birthday. His birth is disputed; it was either in 100 B.C. or 102 B.C., so this is either 2108 or 2110 after he was born.
Click here to view N.S. Gill's Ancient History webpage on out About.com--there are many great links to all things related to Caesar.
Controversy of the Week:The Ancient History Spectrum
Posted by Budding Historian in Controversy of the Week
Controversy of the Week
From now on, each week I will debunk, give my opinion, and analyze controversies concerning history.
The Ancient History Spectrum
When most American citizens think of "ancient times," they immediately think of the Roman Empire and Greece. When I say "Middle Ages," I guarantee you the first response would be either "castle," "knight," or "King Arthur." America's schools are flawed when it comes to history--they have an addiction to the "classical" and "western worlds." Asian history is hardly taught, South American history is long forgotten after 4th and 6th grade native American studies.
I could easily major in "Classics" or "Ancient Studies" in college, but what do these include? Classics is chiefly Roman and Greek literature, Ancient Studies is primarily only civilizations touching the Mediterranean!
Of course, you can't blame this all on the U.S., international cooperation, when it comes to archaeology, is all over the spectrum. Whereas Egypt has a whole section of government devoted to the preservation of artifacts--China would kick you to Pluto if they found out you were digging up their remains. The difference is mainly ethical--Egypt would care less if they disturbed their money-addicted ancestors, China is the exact opposite.
Some places, like Iraq, just plain don't care if a test bomb accidentally blows up precious ancient remains. They have no archaeological government--urging digs, or preventing them.
India is a different story; the ancient Harappans (which I will be doing a post on shortly) left little to nothing when it comes to writing--and no portraits or artifacts of much value have been found. To put it short and simple: these ancient people had no personality.
Therefore, archaeologists and the Indian government are at a lost. Yes, there are artifacts to dig up, but there's no point in having them!
My Opinion
Before you start criticizing the world, you've got to give them a break. Salute countries like Egypt and Greece, but don't scream at China--they're honoring their ancestors.
America and Britain, on the other hand, needs to realize something: the ancient world did not exclusively include the Greeks and Romans! Fabulous empires such as the ancient Chinese and Mongols thrived during ancient times and the Middle Ages.
Fearless And Smart: The Dreaded Mongol Empire
Posted by Budding Historian in Analysis, Civilizations, Famous People, Middle Ages, Opinion



Both of these are correct, to some extent. The Mongols were a fearless, nomadic tribe occupying the Chinese steppes, but also excellent horseman warriors, and generals.
In this post I will try to give you the real story of the ancient Mongolians, and the vast empire they developed.
Genghis Khan
After this event, history again shrouds young Temujin's life until some time later when his father is killed by the Mongol's archenemy-- the Tatars. He vows revenge against the tribe, and, many years later, in 1183, has united all of the Mongols and defeated their nomadic enemies.
By 1206, the year Temujin was knighted Genghis Khan, or Khan of Khans, the fierce Mongols were ready to take on China. Even though greatly outnumbered, the succeeded in taking the Northern Empire, then focused on the Kwarezm Empire, encompassing present day Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkestan. A group of merchants from the ever-growing Mongolian Empire had been captured and put to death by the Islamic kingdom.
Genghis vowed revenge and immediately attacked the Kwarezm Empire, capturing current leader Shah Mohammed within days. Soon later the army surrendered to the brilliant Khan of Khans.
By Genghis's death in 1227, the Mongol Empire encompassed northern China, present day Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and other small countries east of the Caspian Sea. Refer to the map at the top of my post for more information.
Which would you rather live in during their most glorious day?
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