gained from working for the Medes, Cyrus was able to persuade the Lydian and the Babylonian empires to join Persia. Within 11 years, Cyrus had all of the Fertile Crescent and and a significant amount of land from Asia Minor. Cyrus’s was able to do this in just 11 years due to his unique way of governing. This unique way was where he left the people he conquered to do what they originally did before they were conquered as long as they paid taxes and stayed peaceful. He never interfered with the local customs or religions, which was why so many people were drawn to Cyrus. After all, when Cyrus arrived at Babylon, they opened their gates for him. In 530 B.C., Cyrus was killed in a battle. His son, Cambyses, took over the throne, and expanded Persian lands by taking over all of Egypt. Cambyses was only in power for only eight years. This was because he died due to an infection from a wound he had gotten in battle. Soon after his death, a new king named Darius I took the throne. After some time, the tolerance of the conquered people’s beliefs started to become a problem. For a successful kingdom to stay united, a king needs more control and order over his citizens. However, there was none, and once Cyrus died, people started to revolt and rebel against the Persian Empire. By the time Darius arrived, the Persian Empire was on the brink of destruction. Before Darius became king, he had to take the throne from a man named Bardiya, one of Cyrus’s other sons. Darius was able to…
His decision to give Cambyses II, the ruler of Persia, a substitute daughter instead of his own daughter was a mistake because he did not want her to become a concubine. Cambyses II discovered the lie and plotted war against Egypt. This mistake led to Egypt being held under Persian rule. Psametik III became pharaoh at a young age at the start of the war in 525BC. He was therefore not experienced to effectively run an empire which contributed to the decline. Poor decisions were not the only…
Among our most intrinsic human characteristics, we strive to express ourselves both creatively and socially. Combining these two traits creates an artistic interaction between an audience and a medium. Cinema, arguably the most visually astounding form of art, not only stimulates visually, but subjects viewers to haptic and acoustic experiences as well. The film scholar, Thomas Elsaesser, makes various points in his book “Film Theory” describing several ways in which we can experience the film…
Xenophon acquired a “taste for war and a distaste for democracy.” His hatred for Athens lead him to the next logical step: to leave Athens at all costs, even going so far as to venture outside of Greece to join Cyrus—Darius’ second son and thereby the second in line for his throne—and his army in their attempts to secure Cyrus’ kingship in Persia over his brother, the reigning king Artaxerxes II. In contrast to his decidedly negative experience amongst Athenian Greeks, Xenophon enjoyed an…
Egypt was expanded to Syria, Nubia, and farther south to the Fourth Cataract drastically improving Egyptian influence, lessening its chances of being attacked. Under Thutmose I, Egypt became the first empire to command western Asia. Not only was Egypt expanding and gaining prosperity, but it was also able to attain peace with other countries who did not dare invade. With the open of the New Kingdom and the defeat of the Hyksos, however, came a new array of enemies, one of which was the Hittites.…
Hitchcock’s Psycho, from ‘Inside Norman Bates’ and ‘The World Inside Its Image’ The benchmark of horror films could easily be Hitchcock’s most revered work ‘Psycho’ (1960). The black and white filmscape does not downplay the crimson colour of blood spiralling down the plughole after Marion’s fatal stabbing, nor the shock of Norman’s mothers sunken eye sockets. It’s 2015 and this is the first time I have properly been introduced to the film however as a testament to its making I had nightmares…
The essay “Kings, Crowns, and Rights of Succession: Obalufon Arts at Ife and Other Yoruba Centers” by Suzanne Preston Blier argues that Copper mask said to represent Ife king Obalufon II is related to the succession of rulers and that its symbolism comes from Obalufon II’s time as a ruler as well as his deification (386). This article is effective because of its meticulous examination of the history of Obalufon II, Ife history and other works relating to the mask. Blier begins the essay by…
Tutankhamun's mask The stunning, gold funeral mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun is considered to be one of the most highly artistic, complex, and beautiful pieces of art crafted by the ancient Egyptians. Tutankhamun, or better known as “King Tut”, reigned from 1332-1323 BC. His name translates to “The living image of Aten.” He was considered to be an atrocious ruler, even at nine years old, unlike his father before him. Under his ruling, he made many changes to Egypt that were unpopular with the…
to be one of superficiality and arrogance. This presents itself well in this chapter in seeing the King’s attitude towards God. At this time the King has seen God strongly in through the testimony of Daniel, so much so that he refers to Daniel in this chapter as being filled with the “spirit of the holy ghost.” The King has seen Daniel’s God interpret dreams, and spare Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from certain death. Each time the King is left singing the praises of their God, yet this…
Monstrosity, defined as a grossly malformed animal, plant, or person would show the exact wording of the phrase. Understanding the exact term helps us identify Monster. Monsters, usually recognized as an imaginary creature described as typically large, ugly, and frightening, but they differ in classifications such as reanimated monsters, ecological monsters, human monsters, and technological monsters. The truth is, monsters come in different shapes and sizes. In this case we will identify and…