(353,7,'2011-02-17 12:57:29','2011-02-17 18:57:29','<em>The megalographia</em> (portrayal of life-like figure) found in the Villa of Mysteries are a collection of narratives, speaking to the many facets of the Dionysius (Bacchus) Cult and are among the finest examples of fresco or wall art of the period.  To this date, no other collection like it has been discovered.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->The artisan employed by to wealthy merchants and the owners of the Villa, Aulus Vettius Restitutus and Aulus Vettius Coniviva, created this work about 60 B.C.E. sometime after the earthquake of 62 B.C.E. (Janson, H.W.)   A cataclysmic event, the eruption of Mount Visuviu in 79 A.D., threatened to destroy all of the art work in the Pompeii and Herculaneum. Though the Villa was buried in ash, the frescoes survived, preserved under the ash and protected by the walls of the building. In 1909-1910 the owner of the land where the Villa sits partially excavated but the government took over the official excavation in 1929. (Deem, James M.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                          <a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/6a0133ee47fab8970b013485341528970c-320wi.gif\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-263\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/6a0133ee47fab8970b013485341528970c-320wi-300x209.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" /></a> http://www.flickr.com/photos/30485517@N00/1416691484\r\n\r\nThis frieze represents the “Dionysiac initiation rites and the prenuptial ordeals of a bride, in the so-called triclinium of the Villa of the Mysteries (or Villa Item)” (Villa of the Mysteries) found near the Herculaneum gate of Pompeii. Each component of these frescoes is separated from the next with strips of a black. One might image the old strips of film found in the 20<sup>th</sup> century; each frame separated by a narrow line from the next, yet all images on the film joined in the context of the film.\r\n\r\nThe pageantry of the work in total provides cadence in the characters movements while the artists’ brilliant use of color speaks to the sumptuous atmosphere of the day. Also typical of the day is the artists’ use of mythological themes. Equally important is the quality of this work with its beautiful images that were likely copies of Greek statues or images; a practice common throughout the Roman territories. As summarized in the History of Art, “An artist of exceptional greatness of vision has filled these forms with new life,” further comparing the artist to the famous Greek masters, “whose works are lost to us forever, he (the artist) was their legitimate heir.”( Janson, H.W.)\r\n\r\nThere is very scant research material mentioning critiques of wall paintings in these times and nothing is found that specifically mentions the Villa of Mysteries murals; however, there is one critic of the day offering comments on Roman paintings in general terms. In the rule of Emperor Augustus (27 B.C.E.–14 C.E.), an architectural author, Vitruvius, critiqued some of Roman’s (meaning those of Roman territories) frescoes. Though the Villa of Mysteries frescoes is of the Second Style, the following is offered for an overview of the genre as judged by Vitruvius; the First Style or, as Vitruvius described it, the Masonry Style utilized color mixed with mortar allowing the artist to create a dimensional work like a low relief carving;  the Second Style (as seen in the frescoes at Villa of Mysteries) was described by Vitruvius thusly, “(this art) took some of its inspiration from the scenery in theatrical productions,” however, the Second Style gained his approval for its depiction of mythological themes; the Third Style was not completely to Vitruvius’ liking as evident with his comment, “(this work is) elegant and exquisite, but it was also oppressive,” utilizing mural designs emphasizing the wall and not as in the second style with its mural motif, illustrating landscapes that seem to melt into a distant haze. (Vitruvius) The Fourth Style was described by Vitruvius as utilizing imagery that is not found in nature, not copied from real life and like other frescoes produce in the same time period, the wall art at the Villa of Mysteries are colorful, sumptuous and carried a distinct mythological theme.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Villa.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-272\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Villa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" /></a>\r\n\r\nhttp://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/MI001556.html\r\n\r\nThe masterful work at the Villa of Mysteries (right) is quite different from its counterparts executed by other painters throughout Pompeii and even Rome; though generally speaking, all artistic endeavors of the day reflected the pinnacle of the Roman Empire’s expanse and success. Wall art from most of these artists exhibited less skill than that of the Mystery panels and very little attention to scale from one figure to the next in the same piece.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-273\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hurcules.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"136\" height=\"160\" />http://www.answers.com/topic/telephus</p>\r\nThe most disconcerting aspect of many of the frescos of the time was the very execution of the work. For example, the wall painting found in Herculaneum, <em>Hercules and Telphus</em> c 70 AD (above) reveals that “not only the forms, but even the brushwork varies from one figure to the next.”(Janson, H.W.) The wall art panels in the Villa of Mysteries are not only consistent and coherent they are unified in there execution. Shedding more light on the exceptional quality of this work we turn to H. W. Jansen who asserted, “An artist of exceptional greatness of vision has filled these forms with new life.”(Janson, H.W.)\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Apollo1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-281\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Apollo1-300x257.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"257\" /></a>http://www.artknowledgenews.com/Birmingham_Museum_of_Art_Pompeii_Erupts.html\r\n\r\nSimilar works of the day offer interesting contrasts. Comparing <em>Apollo, also referred to as Nero as Apollo, in the image below to mythical fresco on the right depicting Silen and Satires </em>in the Villa of Mysteries similarities are in evidence and the differences are apparent.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/images.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-283\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/images.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"191\" height=\"263\" /></a>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">http://www.fr-novaroma.com/E_cards/</p>\r\nBoth bodies of work carry themes based upon mythological and both designs have marked similarities: vivid red toned background, a faux marble decorative lower segment, a decorative band above the key images and dividing the images one from the next are columns represented as thin lines.  There are differences in these bodies of work made clear in the figures of each work. The Mysteries panels, according to Jansen, carry a, “dignity of bearing and expression,” and “the wonderful firmness of body and drapery.”(Janson, H.W.) Each panel exhibits life-sized models or portraits of the human form (Dionysus phallus excluded) that are clearly grounded in a realistic setting.\r\n\r\nIn contrast to the Villa panels, the Apollo, frescoes from a building just south of Pompeii, features small figures float or stand on pedestals with voluptuous, colorful fabrics swelling about them. Above these figures are miniature landscapes set in a perspective, imitating a coffered ceiling.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/images1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-289\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/images1-300x158.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThematically, each work is divergent. The ritualistic myth of the Dionysus cult is played out in a series of panels of a private home or villa; each depicting a specific scene and an allegory from the times(see image below). The Apollo works (right) are found in the Building of the Triclinia, a structure perhaps used as a public house or a restaurant; some scholars even supposed it may have been the head office of an affluent corporation. The images depicting the individual characters and props are clues to the buildings uses: Apollo, eight of the nine muse’s musical instruments and dimensional\r\n\r\nimage source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/arts/design/24pomp.html\r\n\r\nstructures “jutting” out into the room.  Perhaps the Apollo image is that of Nero and the muses represent his family as Nero was renowned as a devotee of music and poetry. Clearly this work is secular in nature and a model of the Fourth Style.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/fresco-panels.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-310\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/fresco-panels-300x291.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"291\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThe content of the imagery is quite risqué in the Villa of the Mysteries. Brochures offering, “Pompeii’s Frisky Frescoes Revealed, Sexy Wall Art Uncovered at Archaeological Site!” (Blanchard, Paul.) in 2011 seemed to pander to the baser human traits.   However, the theme of the work underscores its importance as an example of the cult-like atmosphere of the day; treating sex as sacrament to the cult god, unique to this time and place of the antiquities. The panels; however, are acclaimed art work and praised by artists, historians, and scholars for their significance in the history of artistic expression.\r\n\r\nhttp://www.lessing-photo.com/dispimg.asp?i=03050342+&amp;cr=42&amp;cl=1\r\n\r\nFrom a personal perspective; these images, at first “blush” were amusing; especially that of <em>Dionysus Weighing His Phallus</em> (not pictured though the image at the beginning of this piece offers a similar excesses) which seemed, at least to me, an extreme exaggeration of locker room aggrandizement.  Upon further study, a realization of the historical significance of these colorful, cryptic, and evocative works represents an immeasurable documentation of some of the religious rites in the 1<sup>st</sup> century A.D. is evident; make use of the artist as the historian.  As an artist, I find the style, use of color, and theme a snap-shot of the times when mortality, morality, and the cycle of life were explained through mythology; a time of proving mans resilience in the face of natural disasters.\r\n\r\nA periodical piece from 2008 described an important exhibition at the National Museum in Washington D.C. described the theme of the exhibition as a “tension between modesty and extravagance.” (Rosenberg, Karen)  The frescoes at the Villa of Mysteries offer a unique opportunity; and opportunity to convey to the future a glimpse into mans’ vulnerability; a fear of mortality and man’s lack of control over the outcome, a thesis poignantly explored by artists throughout human history using the very same tension described in the periodical.\r\n\r\nThe frescoes of the Villa of Mysteries are an important body of work for future generations as a way to scrutinize mans quest for immortality and explaining the unknown while offering an excellent example of the artistic mastery of the Roman Empire during a monumental era in its history.\r\n\r\n<strong>Works Cited</strong>\r\n\r\nDeem, James M. <em>Bodies From the Ash: Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii</em>. Houghton Mifflin, N.Y., N.Y. 2005. Pg 10.\r\n\r\n\"Villa of the Mysteries.\" <em>Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online</em>. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. February 10, 2011.\r\n\r\nJanson, H.W.  History of Art, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 1983, 2<sup>nd</sup> edition.  Pg 188/189\r\n\r\nVitruvius, \"The Decadence of Fresco Painting,\" in <em>the Ten Books of Architecture</em>. Trans. Morris Hicky Morgan (New York: Dover, 1969): 210–211. Text modified by James Allan Evans.\r\n\r\nJanson, H.W.  <em>History of Art</em>, Prentice-Hall. 1983, 2<sup>nd</sup> edition.  Pg 188/189\r\n\r\nJanson, H.W.  <em>History of Art</em>, Prentice-Hall. 1983, 2<sup>nd</sup> edition.  Pg 188/189\r\n\r\nJanson, H.W.  <em>History of Art</em>, Prentice-Hall. 1983, 2<sup>nd</sup> edition.  Pg 188/189\r\n\r\nBlanchard, Paul. <em>Blue Guide, Southern Italy; From Rome to Calabrie</em>. New York: W.W. Norton &amp; Company Inc. 1982\r\n\r\nRosenberg, Karen. <em>Pompeii Style, B.C.E. (Before Catastrophic Eruption)</em>. October 23, 2008.  The New York Times, Art &amp; Design. Web. 2/16/2011\r\n\r\n<span>found in the Villa of Mysteries are a collection of narratives, speaking to the many facets of the Dionysius (Bacchus) Cult and are among the finest examples of fresco or wall art of the period.<span> </span>To this date, no other collection like it has been discovered</span>','The Frescoes of the Villa of Mysteries','','inherit','open','open','','167-revision-27','','','2011-02-17 12:57:29','2011-02-17 18:57:29','',167,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=353',0,'revision','',0),(518,1,'2011-02-27 14:42:50','2011-02-27 20:42:50','<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/UrZiggurat.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-178\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/UrZiggurat-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmcfall/46769923/</p>\nGood Morning all,<!--more-->\nMy name is Jay Dongieux.\n\nThe Earth has become uninhabitable as we all know.\n\nHow sad that we have become so self-focused that we have allowed our world to crumble and wither away.\n\nThis has occurred partially as a result of fragmented societies.  Families as well as individuals focused too much on themselves rather than the planet as a whole. The year is 2100. Our goal here together today is to choose four art works to carry aboard our space ship, to preserve and serve as inspiration for our people. The work I have chosen is the Ziggurat of Ur.\n\nThe reason I have chosen this work is because of its architectural, historical\nand societal influence. The building of the Ziggurat of Ur showed that huge\nthrongs of people could come together for long periods of time to accomplish\na common goal for the good of the people as a whole.\n\nIt is architecturally significant in the fact that it was the first known structure of its kind anywhere in the world.  It showed the architectural awareness of its builders. It is historically significant because it was followed by many other ziggurats, 32 that we know of today.\n\nIt was similar to the pyramids of Egypt. It is societally significant because , unlike the society of today where families and communities are splintered off and separated, thousands of people probably came together for years at a time to build this magnificent building.\n\nSociety should become more communal ,rather than individualistic. When we become so individualistic, we lose focus of the good of all mankind as a whole.\n\nA ziggurat is a rectangular tiered temple mound.  Many have seven tiers. The seven tiers represent the heavens.  It was erected by ancient Babylonians around 2100 B.C.   Ziggurat is the moderm term derived from the Akkadian word ziggurratu. They resembled pyramids, and are made of mud-brick and stone.  The structures were intended to be ladders to the gods. Building techniques were mastered by the third millenium. Ziggurats are similar to pyramids, because they have stair-stepped shape and temple tops.  Ziggurats had large stairways, or in some cases ramps.\n\nUr is a Sumerian city in southern Iraq. Abraham, from the bible,  home was known as Ur. It is along the Euphrates River. Water is essential to human survival, so the location of structures  is of the utmost importance. An ur is a \"tell\" , which is an artificial mound containing remains of accumulated habitants.\n\nThe ziggurat is the most enduring symbol of the Mesopotamian era.  They are monuments of their kings, as well as to the combined labor forces of the time. The Ziggurat of Ur was basically the center for many community activities such as religion,economy,education and government.\n\nThe Ziggurat of Ur was the first known structure of its kind anywhere.  It was constructed under the direction of King Ur-Nammu. Ur-Nammu directed the construction of ziggurats in the cities of Eridu, Uruk and Nippur.Nanna is the moon god, who was the patron deity and divine king of Ur.Knowledge of the peoples life, history, business and art is now fairly complete and detailed.\n\nBoth ziggurats and pyramids were viewed as symbolic representations of the first land to appear on earth.  Ziggurats remind us of the possibility of a higher power, being, god or divinity figure. It helps us focus on something other than ourselves. Taking the focus away from oneself allows us to grow.\n\nThe first serious excavations at Ur were made after World War I by H.R. Hall of the British Museum. The Ziggurat of Ur has also been referred to as the Tower of Babel.\n\nUnlike Egyptian pyramids, ziggurats were never tomb buildings. So far , archaeologists have found the remains of thirty-two ziggurats in and around the Mesopotamian plains.\n\nFollowed was  Mr. Leonard Woolley led the well published excavations between 1922 and 1934. Woolley\'s excavations gave us information about Ur. The information from his work focused on walls, tombs, houses and a religious center. His  work was very important , because it greatly expanded our knowledge of  history. There is some evidence that the occupation of Ur ended with a flood, the  one described in Genesis in the Bible. Woolley\'s work showed that the builders were familiar with columns, arches, vaults and domes.  Excavations have revealed storerooms, courtyards,other buildings and a shrine. Excavations have also revealed massive treasures of gold, silver, bronze and semiprecious stones.\n\nThe ziggurat was an icon of the community at the time. It was the center of activity for its people. It was used very frequently and was the most significant structure in the area. Judging by the detail of what was found in the excavations of Woolley and Hall, it contained items relevant to all facets of life in the present, and up to and including present day year 2100 such as religion,art,science,industry and government.\n\nThe Ziggurat of Ur should be preserved to remind future generations of how to accomplish a common goal over a long time period and among a  huge number of people. Society has become so splintered and multi-focused today that we have forgotten the common good for immediate gratification.\nInternet, cell phones, instant messages, everything is disposable and nothing\nis made to last or carry any meaning behind it.  Nothing these days has any\nlasting value, permanence or significance. Columns, canals, perfumes and\nglass were all very important innovations of the time of the ziggurats.\n\nworks cited\n\nross,leslie, Art and Architecture of the World Religions, greenwood press,Volume 1 , 2009\npearsall, deborah m, Editor-In-Chief, Encyclopedia of Archaeology, Volume 1A, 2 , B-M, academic press, San Diego,2008\nturner, jane. Dictionary of art. Vol 12, London,oxford university press, 1996 , print\ndl.lib.brown.edu/reserves/pdffiles/10242_Westenholz_Ur.pdf','DONGIEUXJAY-TCP1','','inherit','open','open','','179-autosave','','','2011-02-27 14:42:50','2011-02-27 20:42:50','',179,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=518',0,'revision','',0),(357,28,'2011-02-20 23:00:06','2011-02-21 05:00:06','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\n\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\n\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\n\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\n\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\n\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\n\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\n\nWORKS CITED\n\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\n\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\n\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\n\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\n\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision','','','2011-02-20 23:00:06','2011-02-21 05:00:06','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=357',0,'revision','',0),(358,28,'2011-02-20 23:03:20','2011-02-21 05:03:20','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\n\n<img src=\"/Users/Ace2/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png\" alt=\"\" />\n\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\n\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\n\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\n\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\n\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\n\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\n\nWORKS CITED\n\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\n\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\n\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\n\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\n\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-2','','','2011-02-20 23:03:20','2011-02-21 05:03:20','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=358',0,'revision','',0),(360,28,'2011-02-20 23:12:45','2011-02-21 05:12:45','','hebrew_bible.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','hebrew_bible-jpg','','','2011-02-20 23:12:45','2011-02-21 05:12:45','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible.jpg.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(359,28,'2011-02-20 23:03:55','2011-02-21 05:03:55','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<img src=\"/Users/Ace2/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-3','','','2011-02-20 23:03:55','2011-02-21 05:03:55','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=359',0,'revision','',0),(361,28,'2011-02-20 23:09:53','2011-02-21 05:09:53','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-4','','','2011-02-20 23:09:53','2011-02-21 05:09:53','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=361',0,'revision','',0),(362,28,'2011-02-20 23:13:24','2011-02-21 05:13:24','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-5','','','2011-02-20 23:13:24','2011-02-21 05:13:24','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=362',0,'revision','',0),(363,28,'2011-02-20 23:13:33','2011-02-21 05:13:33','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-6','','','2011-02-20 23:13:33','2011-02-21 05:13:33','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=363',0,'revision','',0),(364,28,'2011-02-20 23:13:44','2011-02-21 05:13:44','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-7','','','2011-02-20 23:13:44','2011-02-21 05:13:44','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=364',0,'revision','',0),(365,28,'2011-02-20 23:13:54','2011-02-21 05:13:54','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-8','','','2011-02-20 23:13:54','2011-02-21 05:13:54','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=365',0,'revision','',0),(366,28,'2011-02-20 23:14:14','2011-02-21 05:14:14','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-9','','','2011-02-20 23:14:14','2011-02-21 05:14:14','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=366',0,'revision','',0),(367,28,'2011-02-20 23:15:50','2011-02-21 05:15:50','','hebrew_bible.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','hebrew_bible-jpg-2','','','2011-02-20 23:15:50','2011-02-21 05:15:50','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(368,28,'2011-02-20 23:14:24','2011-02-21 05:14:24','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-10','','','2011-02-20 23:14:24','2011-02-21 05:14:24','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=368',0,'revision','',0),(369,28,'2011-02-20 23:16:12','2011-02-21 05:16:12','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-367\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-11','','','2011-02-20 23:16:12','2011-02-21 05:16:12','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=369',0,'revision','',0),(370,28,'2011-02-20 23:16:44','2011-02-21 05:16:44','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\n\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-367\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\n\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\n\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\n\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\n\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\n\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\n\nWORKS CITED\n\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\n\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\n\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\n\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\n\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-12','','','2011-02-20 23:16:44','2011-02-21 05:16:44','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=370',0,'revision','',0),(371,28,'2011-03-15 12:48:08','2011-03-15 18:48:08','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\n\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-367\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</p>\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.<!--more-->\n\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\n\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\n\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\n\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\n\nWORKS CITED\n\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\n\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\n\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\n\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\n\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-autosave','','','2011-03-15 12:48:08','2011-03-15 18:48:08','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=371',0,'revision','',0),(372,28,'2011-02-20 23:17:47','2011-02-21 05:17:47','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-367\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-13','','','2011-02-20 23:17:47','2011-02-21 05:17:47','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=372',0,'revision','',0),(373,17,'2011-02-21 00:17:17','2011-02-21 06:17:17','The Pantheon is a Roman temple built in 27 B.C.E. It is a rectangular temple with a huge concrete dome and portico.  <!--more-->Located in Rome, it was saved from sacking and burning during the crusades when  , it was converted into a Catholic church.  .  The Greeks worshipped many gods and the Pantheon meaning “All the Gods” was meant as a place where they could all be worshipped at once.  It is the world’s second largest dome to this day.\r\n\r\nThe Pantheon is typical of its era in that it was meant as a place of worship for the gods.  Just as churches are common in Texas, temples were easy to find in ancient Rome.  The dome had been in existence for a while before the Pantheon was built, small domed structures were common.  The roman people worshipped many gods and temples were pretty common back then.  The materials and style of the pantheon are also typical of this time period.  The building materials, bricks and limestone, were plentiful in that area and most buildings were made of the same materials.  The pillars are designed in the Corinthian style.  Characterized by various features including a capital resembling leavesand entasis, a widening of the pillar near the middle, to counter the look of concavity that straight pillars have.  This is another aspect of Corinthian style, which makes the columns appear straight.\r\n\r\nThe Pantheon is innovative in its size and some of the technology used to allow for such a large dome.  These innovations include the use of adytons and coffers and empty spaces in the walls helped to reduce the weight of the drum easing stress on the foundation.  A new kind of concrete was used in the upper parts of the dome, mixed with pumice it was lighter.  The pantheon is innovative in its size and some of the technology used to allow for such a large dome.  These innovations include the use of adytons and coffers and empty spaces in the walls helped to reduce the weight of the drum easing stress on the foundation.  A new kind of concrete was used in the upper parts of the dome.  It was mixed with pumice, which lightened the load on the structure and kept the dome from collapsing.  This allowed it to be built higher and wider than any preceding dome. The fact that the Pantheon still exists is another unique aspect about it.  Rome has suffered through fires and pillaging which destroyed many of its buildings.  The Pantheon has burned down before, but was rebuilt.  While many of the materials used in the Pantheon were readily available in the area, those used to build the pillars were not.  They were quarried in Egypt where they waited until spring for the Nile river to flood its banks so they could by floated to the Mediterranean.  Once there they were loaded onto ships and had to be pulled up 40 miles or river before they were then dragged on land to their final resting place.  Normally lengths this great wouldn’t be taken to build a temple but the Pantheon’s grand size meant it received the best materials.  Marcus Agrippas wanted Romans to be able to worship straight to the heavens while they were in the Pantheon.  This is why there is a hole, or oculus, in the ceiling.  Like Cowboys stadium, it was unique in this aspect.  When it would only cost a little more to keep out the elements few roman buildings featured a hole in the ceiling and roof.\r\n\r\nThe Pantheon was well received in its time because nearly everyone believed in the polytheistic religion it was built for.  Also, it was thought that the gods would be pleased with such a structure built in their honor.  Nationalism was another reason to have pride in such a large structure.  It flaunted the wealth and might of the Roman Empire.  A lot of money collected in taxes funded the project which may have upset some who didn’t see the need for such excessive displays of wealth, but when foreigners came to Rome they visited its greatest monuments and the Pantheon was undoubtedly one of them.   Another reason the Pantheon would have been more impressive at the time is because its ceilings were once entirely covered in Bronze.  The precious metal was eventually removed for use in the altar of St. Peter’s and several other works.  As I mentioned earlier, the concept of the dome was not at all new, but this one was just so much bigger than any before it that people were awe struck when they saw it for the first time.  It was a fitting shrine to the gods they worshipped.\r\n\r\nTo this day people are still amazed by the Pantheon.  It is the best preserved roman monument in the world “thanks to its conversion to a church in 609 when the Byzantine emperor Pholas presented it to Pope Boniface VI as a gift” (“Sights”). Like the Egyptian pyramids; it’s fantastic to think that humans created the building without the aid of machinery.  The advances in technology at the time which allowed for the dome to tower to such a height are now commonplace and knowing that the dome was one of the first structures to implement these technologies make it that much more fascinating to us today.  Nowadays we are used to huge buildings being completed in about a year but the great lengths the Romans went to in order to construct this gigantic structure would be  considered excessive nowadays.  For example, the pillars on the portico took many months to transfer from Egypt.  We wouldn’t stand for a wait this long for pillars in the present.  In today’s world, where we can build a structure comparable to the Pantheon in just a few months, we don’t value buildings like the romans did.  For this reason, as much as people are impressed by the Pantheon, I don’t think they admire it anywhere as much as ancient Romans would have upon its completion.  Despite this, the Pantheon has accumulated an interesting history over its nearly 2000 years of existence.  For example, it is the first temple in Rome to be Christianised.  In 609 A.D. the Byzantine emperor Pholas gave it to Pope Boniface VI who then converted it into a church.  According to legend, he had 28 wagonloads of martyrs bones transferred from the Roman catacombs and had them buried beneath the altar.\r\n\r\nI’ve seen the pantheon first hand and I was more than impressed.  Knowing how old the building is and that it was built almost entirely by hand are just a couple of reasons to be impressed by it.  It’s huge even by today’s standards and the style is completely different from that of today’s buildings.  For example, there is no glass.  A lack of metal and windows on the exterior of the building help to distinguish it from modern day architecture.  It doesn’t look anything like what we often perceive as a normal structure.  Today’s buildings are typically square or rectangular, with right angles where walls meet.  The pantheon is round so the dome can sit atop the walls.  When I visited the pantheon, we came approached it from the rear so it appeared as just a huge circular wall. (We were too close to see the massive dome sitting on top) Upon entering, the only light coming in when I visited came through the small opening in the top of the dome and some unobtrusive lighting that was installed within the last twenty or thirty years.  The combination of a huge ceiling, a small amount of natural lighting, and the lack of carpet or other materials which might deaden echoes combined to make the Pantheon seem even larger and older, unlike any building I’ve entered in the states.\r\n\r\nDuring my trip to Europe I visited a lot of famous buildings that were older than anything still in existence in here in the United States.  There were a few roman buildings that hadn’t been destroyed during the crusades but they were all fairly small.  The Pantheon is similar to many buildings of its time because it is made of the same materials and shares various decorative features.   Take the Parthenon for example.  A large publicly funded build, it shares pillars built in the Corinthian style.  However, it does not have a dome, and it was built to honor only one god, Athena Parthenos.    Large buildings existed almost exclusively in this time to serve the roman government in some way.  Private businesses that could fund such works didn’t exist like they do today and it’s a guarantee that any large buildings still in existence were government owned.  The Parthenon and Pantheon are no exception.\r\n\r\nI think that what future generations should know about the Pantheon is the effect it gives when one is inside.  We are used to buildings which are flooded with light thanks to windows and electricity.   The opportunity to step into a naturally lit building as old as the Pantheon will come less and less often to future generations as old buildings fall apart and disappear.  Another aspect of the Pantheon we don’t experience often is the effect of huge arched ceilings.  Today’s buildings almost always implement the kind of space in the dome of the pantheon for more floors but the dome is open in the Pantheon.  The average American ceiling is probably around 12 feet tall and not worth looking at.  However the Pantheon draws attention to its cavernous ceiling with coffers sunk into the curved ceiling of the massive dome.  It’s a new experience that you can only get from visiting old buildings.  Future generations should also be aware of the history of the Pantheon because it has been a focal point of attention for almost two thousand years.  It has stood as a symbol of power and religion during this time so naturally people have wanted it in order to celebrate their religion within its walls.  It’s an old building that offers a new experience and a rich history.  As we get older, these monuments do too and they also become rarer.  It’s important that future generations get to experience them firsthand.\r\n\r\nSchulman, Bruce. \"Classical Orders of Architecture.\"\r\n\r\nhttp://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, 011310. Web. 13 Feb 2011. &lt;http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html&gt;.\r\n\r\nDutemple, Lesley. “The Pantheon”. 1st. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Group, 2003. Print.\r\n\r\nMacDonald, William. The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny. 2nd. Cambridge: Harvard University\r\n\r\nPress, 1976. Print.\r\n\r\nSteven W. Semes. “Pantheon Inside” ArchitectureWeek No. 254, 2005.0831, pC1.1.\r\n\r\nSemes, Steven. \"Pantheon Inside.\" Architecture Week February 2004: n. pag. Web. 13 Feb 2011.                 &lt;http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/0831/culture_1-1.html&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Sights.\" Pantheon. 4th. New York: Random House, 2010. Print.','The Pantheon - draft','','publish','open','open','','the-pantheon','','','2013-09-16 13:01:00','2013-09-16 19:01:00','',0,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=373',0,'post','',0),(374,17,'2011-02-21 00:16:54','2011-02-21 06:16:54','The Pantheon is a Roman temple built in 27 B.C.E. It is a rectangular temple with a huge concrete dome and portic<!--more-->o.  Located in Rome, it was saved from sacking and burning during the crusades when  , it was converted into a Catholic church.  .  The Greeks worshipped many gods and the Pantheon meaning “All the Gods” was meant as a place where they could all be worshipped at once.  It is the world’s second largest dome to this day.\n\nThe Pantheon is typical of its era in that it was meant as a place of worship for the gods.  Just as churches are common in Texas, temples were easy to find in ancient Rome.  The dome had been in existence for a while before the Pantheon was built, small domed structures were common.  The roman people worshipped many gods and temples were pretty common back then.  The materials and style of the pantheon are also typical of this time period.  The building materials, bricks and limestone, were plentiful in that area and most buildings were made of the same materials.  The pillars are designed in the Corinthian style.  Characterized by various features including a capital resembling leavesand entasis, a widening of the pillar near the middle, to counter the look of concavity that straight pillars have.  This is another aspect of Corinthian style, which makes the columns appear straight.\n\nThe Pantheon is innovative in its size and some of the technology used to allow for such a large dome.  These innovations include the use of adytons and coffers and empty spaces in the walls helped to reduce the weight of the drum easing stress on the foundation.  A new kind of concrete was used in the upper parts of the dome, mixed with pumice it was lighter.  The pantheon is innovative in its size and some of the technology used to allow for such a large dome.  These innovations include the use of adytons and coffers and empty spaces in the walls helped to reduce the weight of the drum easing stress on the foundation.  A new kind of concrete was used in the upper parts of the dome.  It was mixed with pumice, which lightened the load on the structure and kept the dome from collapsing.  This allowed it to be built higher and wider than any preceding dome. The fact that the Pantheon still exists is another unique aspect about it.  Rome has suffered through fires and pillaging which destroyed many of its buildings.  The Pantheon has burned down before, but was rebuilt.  While many of the materials used in the Pantheon were readily available in the area, those used to build the pillars were not.  They were quarried in Egypt where they waited until spring for the Nile river to flood its banks so they could by floated to the Mediterranean.  Once there they were loaded onto ships and had to be pulled up 40 miles or river before they were then dragged on land to their final resting place.  Normally lengths this great wouldn’t be taken to build a temple but the Pantheon’s grand size meant it received the best materials.  Marcus Agrippas wanted Romans to be able to worship straight to the heavens while they were in the Pantheon.  This is why there is a hole, or oculus, in the ceiling.  Like Cowboys stadium, it was unique in this aspect.  When it would only cost a little more to keep out the elements few roman buildings featured a hole in the ceiling and roof.\n\nThe Pantheon was well received in its time because nearly everyone believed in the polytheistic religion it was built for.  Also, it was thought that the gods would be pleased with such a structure built in their honor.  Nationalism was another reason to have pride in such a large structure.  It flaunted the wealth and might of the Roman Empire.  A lot of money collected in taxes funded the project which may have upset some who didn’t see the need for such excessive displays of wealth, but when foreigners came to Rome they visited its greatest monuments and the Pantheon was undoubtedly one of them.   Another reason the Pantheon would have been more impressive at the time is because its ceilings were once entirely covered in Bronze.  The precious metal was eventually removed for use in the altar of St. Peter’s and several other works.  As I mentioned earlier, the concept of the dome was not at all new, but this one was just so much bigger than any before it that people were awe struck when they saw it for the first time.  It was a fitting shrine to the gods they worshipped.\n\nTo this day people are still amazed by the Pantheon.  It is the best preserved roman monument in the world “thanks to its conversion to a church in 609 when the Byzantine emperor Pholas presented it to Pope Boniface VI as a gift” (“Sights”). Like the Egyptian pyramids; it’s fantastic to think that humans created the building without the aid of machinery.  The advances in technology at the time which allowed for the dome to tower to such a height are now commonplace and knowing that the dome was one of the first structures to implement these technologies make it that much more fascinating to us today.  Nowadays we are used to huge buildings being completed in about a year but the great lengths the Romans went to in order to construct this gigantic structure would be  considered excessive nowadays.  For example, the pillars on the portico took many months to transfer from Egypt.  We wouldn’t stand for a wait this long for pillars in the present.  In today’s world, where we can build a structure comparable to the Pantheon in just a few months, we don’t value buildings like the romans did.  For this reason, as much as people are impressed by the Pantheon, I don’t think they admire it anywhere as much as ancient Romans would have upon its completion.  Despite this, the Pantheon has accumulated an interesting history over its nearly 2000 years of existence.  For example, it is the first temple in Rome to be Christianised.  In 609 A.D. the Byzantine emperor Pholas gave it to Pope Boniface VI who then converted it into a church.  According to legend, he had 28 wagonloads of martyrs bones transferred from the Roman catacombs and had them buried beneath the altar.\n\nI’ve seen the pantheon first hand and I was more than impressed.  Knowing how old the building is and that it was built almost entirely by hand are just a couple of reasons to be impressed by it.  It’s huge even by today’s standards and the style is completely different from that of today’s buildings.  For example, there is no glass.  A lack of metal and windows on the exterior of the building help to distinguish it from modern day architecture.  It doesn’t look anything like what we often perceive as a normal structure.  Today’s buildings are typically square or rectangular, with right angles where walls meet.  The pantheon is round so the dome can sit atop the walls.  When I visited the pantheon, we came approached it from the rear so it appeared as just a huge circular wall. (We were too close to see the massive dome sitting on top) Upon entering, the only light coming in when I visited came through the small opening in the top of the dome and some unobtrusive lighting that was installed within the last twenty or thirty years.  The combination of a huge ceiling, a small amount of natural lighting, and the lack of carpet or other materials which might deaden echoes combined to make the Pantheon seem even larger and older, unlike any building I’ve entered in the states.\n\nDuring my trip to Europe I visited a lot of famous buildings that were older than anything still in existence in here in the United States.  There were a few roman buildings that hadn’t been destroyed during the crusades but they were all fairly small.  The Pantheon is similar to many buildings of its time because it is made of the same materials and shares various decorative features.   Take the Parthenon for example.  A large publicly funded build, it shares pillars built in the Corinthian style.  However, it does not have a dome, and it was built to honor only one god, Athena Parthenos.    Large buildings existed almost exclusively in this time to serve the roman government in some way.  Private businesses that could fund such works didn’t exist like they do today and it’s a guarantee that any large buildings still in existence were government owned.  The Parthenon and Pantheon are no exception.\n\nI think that what future generations should know about the Pantheon is the effect it gives when one is inside.  We are used to buildings which are flooded with light thanks to windows and electricity.   The opportunity to step into a naturally lit building as old as the Pantheon will come less and less often to future generations as old buildings fall apart and disappear.  Another aspect of the Pantheon we don’t experience often is the effect of huge arched ceilings.  Today’s buildings almost always implement the kind of space in the dome of the pantheon for more floors but the dome is open in the Pantheon.  The average American ceiling is probably around 12 feet tall and not worth looking at.  However the Pantheon draws attention to its cavernous ceiling with coffers sunk into the curved ceiling of the massive dome.  It’s a new experience that you can only get from visiting old buildings.  Future generations should also be aware of the history of the Pantheon because it has been a focal point of attention for almost two thousand years.  It has stood as a symbol of power and religion during this time so naturally people have wanted it in order to celebrate their religion within its walls.  It’s an old building that offers a new experience and a rich history.  As we get older, these monuments do too and they also become rarer.  It’s important that future generations get to experience them firsthand.\n\nSchulman, Bruce. \"Classical Orders of Architecture.\"\n\nhttp://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, 011310. Web. 13 Feb 2011. &lt;http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html&gt;.\n\nDutemple, Lesley. “The Pantheon”. 1st. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Group, 2003. Print.\n\nMacDonald, William. The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny. 2nd. Cambridge: Harvard University\n\nPress, 1976. Print.\n\nSteven W. Semes. “Pantheon Inside” ArchitectureWeek No. 254, 2005.0831, pC1.1.\n\nSemes, Steven. \"Pantheon Inside.\" Architecture Week February 2004: n. pag. Web. 13 Feb 2011.                 &lt;http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/0831/culture_1-1.html&gt;.\n\n\"Sights.\" Pantheon. 4th. New York: Random House, 2010. Print.','The Pantheon','','inherit','open','open','','373-revision-v1','','','2011-02-21 00:16:54','2011-02-21 06:16:54','',373,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=374',0,'revision','',0),(375,35,'2011-02-21 09:43:24','2011-02-21 15:43:24','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/enumaelish1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-460 aligncenter\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/enumaelish1-300x208.jpg\" alt=\"Enuma Elish\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">http://www.crystalinks.com/enumaelish.html</p>\r\nThe <em>Babylonian Creation</em> is a Sumerian poem, traced back to the early second millennium b.c.e. It is the first cosmological creation myth; it describes the birth of the Babylonian gods and the progression of creation. According to our textbook <em>The Humanistic Tradition </em>it was “[R]ecited during the festival of the New Year,[…] [I]t describes a universe that originated by means of spontaneous generation: at a moment when there was neither heaven nor earth, the sweet and bitter waters “mingled” to produce the first family of gods” (Fiero B1 17). <!--more-->Around 1700 BCE, the time of the Babylonian King Hammurabi, the poem was inscribed on seven clay tablets and is known as <em>Enuma Elish</em>. The <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em> explains that “Its title, meaning “when on high,” comes from the first line of the epic, which begins: “When on high the heaven had not been named/Firm ground below had not been called by name” (354). The main theme of this poem is creation but it also describes the ascending power of the myth’s hero and deity Marduk. <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology </em>writes that “Marduk represents the supreme power of the gods over humans. According to myth, he created humans for the sole purpose of doing labor for the gods, […] Marduk also represents youth and strength, which overcome the army of the older gods and Tiamat” (669). The <em>Babylonian Creation </em>is an imperative literary poem to include in our time capsule because it is vital for future generations to be educated and understand the origins of the Mesopotamian era. This is important because the Babylonian civilization was one of the first societies to set roots and help evolve humanity.\r\n\r\nFrom reading excepts of the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> Myth in <em>The Humanistic Tradition </em>and an overview from the<em> </em><em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em>, my summary of <em>Enuma Elish </em>is as follows: before there was heaven and earth, light, names for anything, etc., there was Apsu (fresh water) and Tiamat (salt water). They created the gods, Lahmu and Lahamu (male and female primordial beings) and Anshar and Kishar (horizon of the sky, male and horizon of the earth, female) in their waters to bring order to the world. From them, Anu (god of the sky) and Ea (god of wisdom) were born. The divine beings Anu and Ea were very powerful and chaos broke out between the gods. “Ea kills Apsu; Marduk is born and Tiamat spawns serpents and monsters (the leader of the monsters being Kingu) to make war on the gods.” to avenge Apsu’s death. Marduk becomes the commander of the war and used a net held by the winds on all sides (north, south, east and west) so Tiamat could not get through or escape. Once held captive, Marduk kills Tiamat, cutting his body in half, from one half he creates heaven and the other, earth. Babylon (the home of the gods) was created. Peace was restored and the gods wanted to create humans to sacrifice, Marduk creates man from the blood of Kingu. The gods build a shrine and temple to show appreciation and respect to Marduk in Babylon (Fiero B1 18). Learning about the different gods and religious concepts of ancient cultures gives future generations the opportunity to compare the foundations of their own beliefs, as well as mythology and cosmology of further early traditions.\r\n\r\nPreserving historical literature also assists future generations by supplying them with various works of art. This helps by being able to compare the characteristics of one body of work with another from the same era and/or topic, and to get a greater sense of what life was like and what was essential in their society.  Characteristics of the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> myth are comparable to other literary works of Mesopotamia. It is similar to the <em>Epic of Gilgamesh</em> with the clear fact that they both were narrative poems<em> </em>recited orally, possibly through song for generations before finally being recorded otherwise. They are both significant and innovative to this era because they are considered the originals of their type of work;<em> Enuma Elish </em>is the first cosmological creation myth whereas<em> Epic of Gilgamesh </em>is the “world’s first epic.” Furthermore, the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> and <em>Epic of Gilgamesh “</em>recounts the deeds of a hero in quest of meaning and identity”,both literary works also “embodies the ideals and values of the culture from which it comes” (Fiero B1 19). Even though <em>Epic of Gilgamesh </em>is currently the first epic, some believe that the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> isn’t truly a myth of how our world was created but also an epic in respects because it focuses on a hero, Murduk. The Crystallinks, a metaphysics and science website formulates the opinion that “This epic is […] centered on the supremacy of Marduk and the creation of mankind for the service of the gods. Its primary original purpose, however, is not an exposition of theology […], but the elevation of Marduk, the chief god of Babylon, above other Mesopotamian gods” (Crystal).\r\n\r\nThe <em>Babylonian creation</em> not only is innovative because it is one of the first creation myths but also because it influenced politics during its time as well. It is perceived that the hero/god of the poem, Marduk was revered as such so he could take his place as the head in the Babylonian Pantheon. According to Giovanni Pettinato, author of <em>Mesopotamian Religions: An Overview [Further Considerations]</em> the scribes “[…] chose to establish a father-son relationship between Enki (Ea) and Marduk […] their syllogistic reasoning is clear: if Enki the king is Marduk\'s father, then Marduk becomes the king. […] The text then goes on to describe the generation of the god Enki and his son Marduk, thus ensuring that Marduk is given a definite place in the Mesopotamian pantheon” (Pettinato 5965). The <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology </em>also states that “<em>Enuma Elish</em> had political as well as religious meaning for the Babylonians. By identifying the heroic creator god as Marduk of Babylon, the myth justified the city\'s dominance over the region” (355).\r\n\r\nFrom my research and comprehension the citizens of the Mesopotamian era believed this myth as truth, and they used it as part of their New Years celebration. However, some scholars today say that it was used as propaganda. Swedish scholar on ancient history of religion, Ola Wikander “states firmly that Enuma Elish is the work of one single writer, who saw Babylon as the natural center of the world, and wanted to express just that.  In addition to propagating Babylonian superiority, Wikander speculates that the text also intends to justify the turn from collective rule to absolute monarchy” (Stenudd). From another academic perspective, according to <em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em> in most scholarly groups “The poem is usually viewed as theological underpinning for the rise of an upstart city to become the seat of a mighty empire and for the elevation of its hitherto obscure god to the head of the pantheon in place of the Sumerian god Enlil” (269).\r\n\r\nPersonally I found this poem fascinating because I like to reflect on the different creationism/evolutionism ideals from other cultures and eras. The questions of “where did we come from?” and “why are we here?” are questions that all humans consider in their life time. It’s a curiosity that binds us in unity and yet, unfortunately, sometimes because of these beliefs cause hostilities.  I think it is important to educate ourselves and the next generations in our diversities. In doing so we are helping humanity by understanding and hopefully respecting, the uniqueness of various traditions and civilizations.\r\n\r\nBibliography\r\n\r\nBRINKMAN, J. A. \"Enuma Elish.\" <em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em>. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 267-269. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 5 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nCystal, Ellie. \"Babylonian Creational Myths Enuma Elish - Crystalinks.\" <em>Crystalinks Home Page</em>. 1995-2010. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.crystalinks.com/enumaelish.html&gt;.\r\n\r\nEnuma Elish.\" <em>U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em>. Vol. 2. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 354-356. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nFiero, Gloria K. <em>The Humanistic Tradition</em>. 6th. McGraw-Hill, 2011. B1.17-23 eBook. (Fiero B1. 17-23).\r\n\r\n\"Marduk.\" <em>U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em>. Vol. 4. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 668-670. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nPettinato, Giovanni. \"Mesopotamian Religions: An Overview [FurtherConsiderations].\" <em>Encyclopedia of Religion</em>. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 9. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 5963-5967. <em>Gale Virtual Reference Library</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nrymer-Kensky, Tikva, and Giovanni Pettinato. \"Enuma Elish.\" <em>Encyclopedia of Religion</em>. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 4. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 2809-2812. <em>Gale Virtual Reference Library</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nStenudd, Stefan. \"ENUMA ELISH - Babylonian Creation Myth - Theories.\" <em>Aikido, Art, Myth, Fiction, and More - by STEFAN STENUDD</em>. 2007. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.stenudd.com/myth/enumaelish/enumaelish-4.htm&gt;.','The Babylonian Creation','','publish','open','open','','the-babylonian-creation','','','2011-03-06 14:26:30','2011-03-06 20:26:30','',0,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=375',0,'post','',2),(376,35,'2011-02-21 09:41:53','2011-02-21 15:41:53','The <em>Babylonian Creation</em> is a Sumerian poem, traced back to the early second millennium b.c.e. It is the first cosmological creation myth; it describes the birth of the Babylonian gods and the progression of creation. According to our textbook <em>The Humanistic Tradition </em>it was “[R]ecited during the festival of the New Year,[…] [I]t describes a universe that originated by means of spontaneous generation: at a moment when there was neither heaven nor earth, the sweet and bitter waters “mingled” to produce the first family of gods” (Fiero B1 17). Around 1700 BCE, the time of the Babylonian King Hammurabi, the poem was inscribed on seven clay tablets and is known as <em>Enuma Elish</em>. The <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em> explains that “Its title, meaning “when on high,” comes from the first line of the epic, which begins: “When on high the heaven had not been named/Firm ground below had not been called by name” (354). The main theme of this poem is creation but it also describes the ascending power of the myth’s hero and deity Marduk. <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology </em>writes that “Marduk represents the supreme power of the gods over humans. According to myth, he created humans for the sole purpose of doing labor for the gods, […] Marduk also represents youth and strength, which overcome the army of the older gods and Tiamat” (669).\n\nFrom reading excepts of the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> Myth in <em>The Humanistic Tradition </em>and an overview from the<em> </em><em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em>, my summary of <em>Enuma Elish </em>is as follows: before there was heaven and earth, light, name, etc., there was Apsu (fresh water) and Tiamat (salt water). They created the gods, Lahmu and Lahamu (male and female primordial beings) and Anshar and Kishar (horizon of the sky, male and horizon of the earth, female) in their waters to bring order to the world. From them, Anu (god of the sky) and Ea (god of wisdom) were born. They were very powerful and chaos broke out between the gods. “Ea kills Apsu; Marduk is born and Tiamat spawns serpents and monsters (the leader of the monsters being Kingu) to make war on the gods.” to avenge Apsu’s death. Marduk becomes the commander of the war and used a net held by the winds on all sides (north, south, east and west) so Tiamat could not get through or escape. Once held captive, Marduk kills Tiamat, cutting his body in half, from one half he creates heaven and the other, earth. Babylon (the home of the gods) was created. Peace was restored and the gods wanted to create humans to sacrifice, Marduk creates man from the blood of Kingu. The gods build a shrine and temple to show appreciation and respect to Marduk in Babylon (Fiero B1 18).\n\nCharacteristics of the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> myth are comparable to other literary works of Mesopotamia; similar to <em>Epic of Gilgamesh</em>, both were narrative poems<em> </em>recited orally, possibly through song for generations before finally being recorded otherwise. They are both significant and innovative to this era because they are considered the first of their type of work;<em> Enuma Elish </em>is the first cosmological creation myth whereas<em> Epic of Gilgamesh </em>is the “world’s first epic.” Also, the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> and <em>Epic of Gilgamesh </em>“recounts the deeds of a hero in quest of meaning and identity”, both literary works “embodies the ideals and values of the culture from which it comes” (Fiero B1 19).\n\nThe <em>Babylonian creation</em> not only is innovative because it is one of the first creation myths but also because it influenced politics during its time as well. It is perceived that the hero/god of the poem, Marduk was revered as such so he could take his place as the head in the Babylonian Pantheon. According to Giovanni Pettinato, author of <em>Mesopotamian Religions: An Overview [Further Considerations]</em> the scribes “[…] chose to establish a father-son relationship between Enki (Ea) and Marduk […] their syllogistic reasoning is clear: if Enki the king is Marduk\'s father, then Marduk becomes the king. […] The text then goes on to describe the generation of the god Enki and his son Marduk, thus ensuring that Marduk is given a definite place in the Mesopotamian pantheon” (Pettinato 5965). The <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology </em>also states that “<em>Enuma Elish</em> had political as well as religious meaning for the Babylonians. By identifying the heroic creator god as Marduk of Babylon, the myth justified the city\'s dominance over the region” (355).\n\nFrom a academic perspective, according to <em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em> in most scholarly groups “The poem is usually viewed as theological underpinning for the rise of an upstart city to become the seat of a mighty empire and for the elevation of its hitherto obscure god to the head of the pantheon in place of the Sumerian god Enlil” (269).\n\nPersonally I found this poem fascinating because I like to reflect on the different creationism/evolutionism ideals from other cultures and eras. The questions of “where did we come from?” and “why are we here?” are ones that all humans consider in their life time, it’s a curiosity that binds us in unity and yet, unfortunately sometimes because of these beliefs cause hostilities.  I think it is important to educate ourselves and the next generations in our diversities. In doing so we are helping humanity by understanding and hopefully respecting, the uniqueness of various traditions and civilizations.\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Bibliography</p>\n\n\nBRINKMAN, J. A. \"Enuma Elish.\" <em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em>. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 267-269. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 5 Feb. 2011.\n\nEnuma Elish.\" <em>U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em>. Vol. 2. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 354-356. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.\n\nFiero, Gloria K. <em>The Humanistic Tradition</em>. 6th. McGraw-Hill, 2011. B1.17-23 eBook. (Fiero B1. 17-23).\n\n\"Marduk.\" <em>U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em>. Vol. 4. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 668-670. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.\n\nPettinato, Giovanni. \"Mesopotamian Religions: An Overview [FurtherConsiderations].\" <em>Encyclopedia of Religion</em>. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 9. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 5963-5967. <em>Gale Virtual Reference Library</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.\n\nrymer-Kensky, Tikva, and Giovanni Pettinato. \"Enuma Elish.\" <em>Encyclopedia of Religion</em>. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 4. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 2809-2812. <em>Gale Virtual Reference Library</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.','The Babylonian Creation','','inherit','open','open','','375-revision','','','2011-02-21 09:41:53','2011-02-21 15:41:53','',375,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=376',0,'revision','',0),(377,35,'2011-02-21 09:42:42','2011-02-21 15:42:42','The <em>Babylonian Creation</em> is a Sumerian poem, traced back to the early second millennium b.c.e. It is the first cosmological creation myth; it describes the birth of the Babylonian gods and the progression of creation. According to our textbook <em>The Humanistic Tradition </em>it was “[R]ecited during the festival of the New Year,[…] [I]t describes a universe that originated by means of spontaneous generation: at a moment when there was neither heaven nor earth, the sweet and bitter waters “mingled” to produce the first family of gods” (Fiero B1 17). Around 1700 BCE, the time of the Babylonian King Hammurabi, the poem was inscribed on seven clay tablets and is known as <em>Enuma Elish</em>. The <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em> explains that “Its title, meaning “when on high,” comes from the first line of the epic, which begins: “When on high the heaven had not been named/Firm ground below had not been called by name” (354). The main theme of this poem is creation but it also describes the ascending power of the myth’s hero and deity Marduk. <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology </em>writes that “Marduk represents the supreme power of the gods over humans. According to myth, he created humans for the sole purpose of doing labor for the gods, […] Marduk also represents youth and strength, which overcome the army of the older gods and Tiamat” (669).\r\n\r\nFrom reading excepts of the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> Myth in <em>The Humanistic Tradition </em>and an overview from the<em> </em><em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em>, my summary of <em>Enuma Elish </em>is as follows: before there was heaven and earth, light, name, etc., there was Apsu (fresh water) and Tiamat (salt water). They created the gods, Lahmu and Lahamu (male and female primordial beings) and Anshar and Kishar (horizon of the sky, male and horizon of the earth, female) in their waters to bring order to the world. From them, Anu (god of the sky) and Ea (god of wisdom) were born. They were very powerful and chaos broke out between the gods. “Ea kills Apsu; Marduk is born and Tiamat spawns serpents and monsters (the leader of the monsters being Kingu) to make war on the gods.” to avenge Apsu’s death. Marduk becomes the commander of the war and used a net held by the winds on all sides (north, south, east and west) so Tiamat could not get through or escape. Once held captive, Marduk kills Tiamat, cutting his body in half, from one half he creates heaven and the other, earth. Babylon (the home of the gods) was created. Peace was restored and the gods wanted to create humans to sacrifice, Marduk creates man from the blood of Kingu. The gods build a shrine and temple to show appreciation and respect to Marduk in Babylon (Fiero B1 18).\r\n\r\nCharacteristics of the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> myth are comparable to other literary works of Mesopotamia; similar to <em>Epic of Gilgamesh</em>, both were narrative poems<em> </em>recited orally, possibly through song for generations before finally being recorded otherwise. They are both significant and innovative to this era because they are considered the first of their type of work;<em> Enuma Elish </em>is the first cosmological creation myth whereas<em> Epic of Gilgamesh </em>is the “world’s first epic.” Also, the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> and <em>Epic of Gilgamesh </em>“recounts the deeds of a hero in quest of meaning and identity”, both literary works “embodies the ideals and values of the culture from which it comes” (Fiero B1 19).\r\n\r\nThe <em>Babylonian creation</em> not only is innovative because it is one of the first creation myths but also because it influenced politics during its time as well. It is perceived that the hero/god of the poem, Marduk was revered as such so he could take his place as the head in the Babylonian Pantheon. According to Giovanni Pettinato, author of <em>Mesopotamian Religions: An Overview [Further Considerations]</em> the scribes “[…] chose to establish a father-son relationship between Enki (Ea) and Marduk […] their syllogistic reasoning is clear: if Enki the king is Marduk\'s father, then Marduk becomes the king. […] The text then goes on to describe the generation of the god Enki and his son Marduk, thus ensuring that Marduk is given a definite place in the Mesopotamian pantheon” (Pettinato 5965). The <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology </em>also states that “<em>Enuma Elish</em> had political as well as religious meaning for the Babylonians. By identifying the heroic creator god as Marduk of Babylon, the myth justified the city\'s dominance over the region” (355).\r\n\r\nFrom a academic perspective, according to <em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em> in most scholarly groups “The poem is usually viewed as theological underpinning for the rise of an upstart city to become the seat of a mighty empire and for the elevation of its hitherto obscure god to the head of the pantheon in place of the Sumerian god Enlil” (269).\r\n\r\nPersonally I found this poem fascinating because I like to reflect on the different creationism/evolutionism ideals from other cultures and eras. The questions of “where did we come from?” and “why are we here?” are ones that all humans consider in their life time, it’s a curiosity that binds us in unity and yet, unfortunately sometimes because of these beliefs cause hostilities.  I think it is important to educate ourselves and the next generations in our diversities. In doing so we are helping humanity by understanding and hopefully respecting, the uniqueness of various traditions and civilizations.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Bibliography</p>\r\n\r\n\r\nBRINKMAN, J. A. \"Enuma Elish.\" <em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em>. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 267-269. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 5 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nEnuma Elish.\" <em>U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em>. Vol. 2. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 354-356. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nFiero, Gloria K. <em>The Humanistic Tradition</em>. 6th. McGraw-Hill, 2011. B1.17-23 eBook. (Fiero B1. 17-23).\r\n\r\n\"Marduk.\" <em>U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em>. Vol. 4. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 668-670. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nPettinato, Giovanni. \"Mesopotamian Religions: An Overview [FurtherConsiderations].\" <em>Encyclopedia of Religion</em>. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 9. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 5963-5967. <em>Gale Virtual Reference Library</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nrymer-Kensky, Tikva, and Giovanni Pettinato. \"Enuma Elish.\" <em>Encyclopedia of Religion</em>. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 4. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 2809-2812. <em>Gale Virtual Reference Library</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.','The Babylonian Creation','','inherit','open','open','','375-revision-2','','','2011-02-21 09:42:42','2011-02-21 15:42:42','',375,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=377',0,'revision','',0),(383,35,'2011-02-21 09:43:24','2011-02-21 15:43:24','The <em>Babylonian Creation</em> is a Sumerian poem, traced back to the early second millennium b.c.e. It is the first cosmological creation myth; it describes the birth of the Babylonian gods and the progression of creation. According to our textbook <em>The Humanistic Tradition </em>it was “[R]ecited during the festival of the New Year,[…] [I]t describes a universe that originated by means of spontaneous generation: at a moment when there was neither heaven nor earth, the sweet and bitter waters “mingled” to produce the first family of gods” (Fiero B1 17). Around 1700 BCE, the time of the Babylonian King Hammurabi, the poem was inscribed on seven clay tablets and is known as <em>Enuma Elish</em>. The <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em> explains that “Its title, meaning “when on high,” comes from the first line of the epic, which begins: “When on high the heaven had not been named/Firm ground below had not been called by name” (354). The main theme of this poem is creation but it also describes the ascending power of the myth’s hero and deity Marduk. <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology </em>writes that “Marduk represents the supreme power of the gods over humans. According to myth, he created humans for the sole purpose of doing labor for the gods, […] Marduk also represents youth and strength, which overcome the army of the older gods and Tiamat” (669).\r\n\r\nFrom reading excepts of the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> Myth in <em>The Humanistic Tradition </em>and an overview from the<em> </em><em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em>, my summary of <em>Enuma Elish </em>is as follows: before there was heaven and earth, light, name, etc., there was Apsu (fresh water) and Tiamat (salt water). They created the gods, Lahmu and Lahamu (male and female primordial beings) and Anshar and Kishar (horizon of the sky, male and horizon of the earth, female) in their waters to bring order to the world. From them, Anu (god of the sky) and Ea (god of wisdom) were born. They were very powerful and chaos broke out between the gods. “Ea kills Apsu; Marduk is born and Tiamat spawns serpents and monsters (the leader of the monsters being Kingu) to make war on the gods.” to avenge Apsu’s death. Marduk becomes the commander of the war and used a net held by the winds on all sides (north, south, east and west) so Tiamat could not get through or escape. Once held captive, Marduk kills Tiamat, cutting his body in half, from one half he creates heaven and the other, earth. Babylon (the home of the gods) was created. Peace was restored and the gods wanted to create humans to sacrifice, Marduk creates man from the blood of Kingu. The gods build a shrine and temple to show appreciation and respect to Marduk in Babylon (Fiero B1 18).\r\n\r\nCharacteristics of the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> myth are comparable to other literary works of Mesopotamia; similar to <em>Epic of Gilgamesh</em>, both were narrative poems<em> </em>recited orally, possibly through song for generations before finally being recorded otherwise. They are both significant and innovative to this era because they are considered the first of their type of work;<em> Enuma Elish </em>is the first cosmological creation myth whereas<em> Epic of Gilgamesh </em>is the “world’s first epic.” Also, the <em>Babylonian Creation</em> and <em>Epic of Gilgamesh </em>“recounts the deeds of a hero in quest of meaning and identity”, both literary works “embodies the ideals and values of the culture from which it comes” (Fiero B1 19).\r\n\r\nThe <em>Babylonian creation</em> not only is innovative because it is one of the first creation myths but also because it influenced politics during its time as well. It is perceived that the hero/god of the poem, Marduk was revered as such so he could take his place as the head in the Babylonian Pantheon. According to Giovanni Pettinato, author of <em>Mesopotamian Religions: An Overview [Further Considerations]</em> the scribes “[…] chose to establish a father-son relationship between Enki (Ea) and Marduk […] their syllogistic reasoning is clear: if Enki the king is Marduk\'s father, then Marduk becomes the king. […] The text then goes on to describe the generation of the god Enki and his son Marduk, thus ensuring that Marduk is given a definite place in the Mesopotamian pantheon” (Pettinato 5965). The <em>Encyclopedia of World Mythology </em>also states that “<em>Enuma Elish</em> had political as well as religious meaning for the Babylonians. By identifying the heroic creator god as Marduk of Babylon, the myth justified the city\'s dominance over the region” (355).\r\n\r\nFrom a academic perspective, according to <em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em> in most scholarly groups “The poem is usually viewed as theological underpinning for the rise of an upstart city to become the seat of a mighty empire and for the elevation of its hitherto obscure god to the head of the pantheon in place of the Sumerian god Enlil” (269).\r\n\r\nPersonally I found this poem fascinating because I like to reflect on the different creationism/evolutionism ideals from other cultures and eras. The questions of “where did we come from?” and “why are we here?” are ones that all humans consider in their life time, it’s a curiosity that binds us in unity and yet, unfortunately sometimes because of these beliefs cause hostilities.  I think it is important to educate ourselves and the next generations in our diversities. In doing so we are helping humanity by understanding and hopefully respecting, the uniqueness of various traditions and civilizations.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Bibliography</p>\r\n\r\n\r\nBRINKMAN, J. A. \"Enuma Elish.\" <em>New Catholic Encyclopedia</em>. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 267-269. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 5 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nEnuma Elish.\" <em>U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em>. Vol. 2. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 354-356. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nFiero, Gloria K. <em>The Humanistic Tradition</em>. 6th. McGraw-Hill, 2011. B1.17-23 eBook. (Fiero B1. 17-23).\r\n\r\n\"Marduk.\" <em>U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology</em>. Vol. 4. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 668-670. <em>Gale World History In Context</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nPettinato, Giovanni. \"Mesopotamian Religions: An Overview [FurtherConsiderations].\" <em>Encyclopedia of Religion</em>. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 9. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 5963-5967. <em>Gale Virtual Reference Library</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nrymer-Kensky, Tikva, and Giovanni Pettinato. \"Enuma Elish.\" <em>Encyclopedia of Religion</em>. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 4. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 2809-2812. <em>Gale Virtual Reference Library</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.','The Babylonian Creation','','inherit','open','open','','375-revision-3','','','2011-02-21 09:43:24','2011-02-21 15:43:24','',375,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=383',0,'revision','',0),(386,8,'2011-02-21 14:03:14','2011-02-21 20:03:14','\nRich Martinez\nProfessor Lauer\nHumanities I 1301\nFebruary 21, 2011\n“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”\n\n	To understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.  \nWealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigations which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.   \nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.  \nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages. \nNo. 290 - Hymns from the Rig Veda , Encaustic and Collage on Wood\nWorks Cited\nDoniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\n	New York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed. \n		New York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book\n\n\n\n \n','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-2','','','2011-02-21 14:03:14','2011-02-21 20:03:14','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=386',0,'revision','',0),(387,8,'2011-02-21 14:16:03','2011-02-21 20:16:03','Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011\r\n“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”\r\n\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). <!--more-->and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\nWealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigations which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\nNo. 290 - Hymns from the Rig Veda , Encaustic and Collage on Wood\r\nWorks Cited\r\nDoniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\r\nNew York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-3','','','2011-02-21 14:16:03','2011-02-21 20:16:03','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=387',0,'revision','',0),(388,8,'2011-02-21 14:17:04','2011-02-21 20:17:04','Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011\r\n“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”\r\n\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). <!--more-->and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\nWealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\nNo. 290 - Hymns from the Rig Veda , Encaustic and Collage on Wood\r\nWorks Cited\r\nDoniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\r\nNew York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-4','','','2011-02-21 14:17:04','2011-02-21 20:17:04','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=388',0,'revision','',0),(389,8,'2011-02-21 14:17:39','2011-02-21 20:17:39','Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011\r\n“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”\r\n\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). <!--more-->and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\nWealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\nNo. 290 - Hymns from the Rig Veda ,\r\n\r\nEncaustic and Collage on Wood\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">\r\nDoniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\r\nNew York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book</p>','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-5','','','2011-02-21 14:17:39','2011-02-21 20:17:39','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=389',0,'revision','',0),(390,8,'2011-02-21 14:17:54','2011-02-21 20:17:54','<p style=\"text-align: left\">Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">\r\n“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”</p>\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). <!--more-->and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\nWealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\nNo. 290 - Hymns from the Rig Veda ,\r\n\r\nEncaustic and Collage on Wood\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Doniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\r\nNew York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book</p>','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-6','','','2011-02-21 14:17:54','2011-02-21 20:17:54','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=390',0,'revision','',0),(391,8,'2011-02-21 14:18:44','2011-02-21 20:18:44','<p style=\"text-align: left\">Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”</p>\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). <!--more-->and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\nWealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature; below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\nNo. 290 - Hymns from the Rig Veda ,\r\n\r\nEncaustic and Collage on Wood\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Doniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\r\nNew York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book</p>','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-7','','','2011-02-21 14:18:44','2011-02-21 20:18:44','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=391',0,'revision','',0),(392,8,'2011-02-21 14:19:29','2011-02-21 20:19:29','<p style=\"text-align: left\">Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”</p>\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). <!--more-->and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\nWealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature; below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\nNo. 290 - Hymns from the Rig Veda ,\r\n\r\nEncaustic and Collage on Wood\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Doniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\r\nNew York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book</p>','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-8','','','2011-02-21 14:19:29','2011-02-21 20:19:29','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=392',0,'revision','',0),(393,8,'2011-02-21 14:20:18','2011-02-21 20:20:18','<p style=\"text-align: left\">Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”</p>\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Wealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature; below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\nNo. 290 - Hymns from the Rig Veda ,\r\n\r\nEncaustic and Collage on Wood\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Doniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\r\nNew York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book</p>','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-9','','','2011-02-21 14:20:18','2011-02-21 20:20:18','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=393',0,'revision','',0),(396,10,'2011-02-21 14:47:41','2011-02-21 20:47:41','<em>Homer\'s Iliad</em> is an epic poem written in the classical antiquity time period, approximately 850-800 B.C. It is typically credited to a blind poet named Homer. The time of Homer\'s existence is still disputed today. Herodotus suggested that Homer lived about 400 years prior to his time, which was around 400 B.C, placing Homer around the 9th century B.C. Other scholars date Homer much closer to the actual events of the Trojan War, around 11oo B.C. This ancient work of literature should be preserved in the time capsule because it is one of the most important texts in Greek history and gives us insight on the theological and social views of the Hellenistic time period. Much of our information about the Trojan War and mythological tales of the gods are preserved in the text of <em>Homer\'s Iliad.</em>\r\n\r\n<em><!--more--></em>\r\n\r\nThe Iliad chronicles a short period of time in the ten-year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. The poem focuses on Homer’s epic hero, swift-footed Achilles. The poem starts off nine years into the war, describing the Greeks sacking a Trojan village, where Achilles takes Briseis as his prize, and Agamemnon, commander of the Achaean army, takes Chrysies. Chryses pleads with Agamemnon to return his daughter, but is only refused. With no luck, Chryses prays to the god Apollo for help, who brings plague upon the Greeks. Achilles then summons the aid of a soothsayer, Calchas, to reveal the cause of the plague. When they find that it was sent by Chryses and Apollo, Agamemnon becomes enraged, saying that he will only return Chrysies if he gets Briseis as his prize. This creates conflict between Agamemnon and one of his greatest warriors, swift-footed Achilles (SparkNotes:Iliad).\r\n\r\nThe Iliad concerns itself with the rage of mortals and the intervention of the gods with the mortals during war. The gods associate themselves with mortal affairs in two ways. In one way, they act as external forces on the events of man, like when Apollo sends the plague upon the Achaean army. In the second way, they interact internally with the mortals, such as when Athena prevents Achilles from abandoning reason, and persuades him to use words against Agamemnon, instead of violence. While the gods play a vital role in the clockwork of life, death and war, they also provide another function, sort of a satirical comic relief.  The conflicts and squabbles between the gods often seem humorously petty and ridiculous in comparison to the serious death and destruction that is occurring below.\r\n\r\nThe epic was a masterpiece of its time, concerning the moral values and ethics of the Hellenistic people of ancient Greece.  In this time, mythological gods and heroes dominated the religious sector of Greek society. Along with art and music of the Hellenistic and Homeric period, literature often incorporated mythological figures, like Zeus and Athena, who regarded as supreme gods of the Greek realm, and were celebrated as such through sculptures, paintings and epic poems. Before the Iliad, no epic poem had concerned itself so much with divine intervention and the dealings and interactions of mortals and the gods (I. A. Richards 50). The work itself seems to celebrate war. In that, it presents its characters as worthy or cowardice as a degree depending on their competence and bravery in battle.  With its constant gory battles and brutal death, it sets up a mood of intensity with a touch of taking things way too seriously.\r\n\r\nThe poem is written in dactylic hexameter, a style often attributed to Homer. During his time, epics were performed orally, often aided by a lyre or some other kind of instrument. An epic poem contains guidelines to be followed carefully in order to write a proper epic. First, the poem’s theme or purpose must be stated. Invocation of a muse follows, praising her and asking for aid in writing the poem. Muses were the daughters of Zeus, Calliope being the music of epic poetry. Once the muse is invoked, one must begin the poem <em>in medias res, </em>or “in the middle of things\" (Bloom 117). Epic poems always begin the tale of whatever is going on after it has been going on for quite some time. Earlier events of the story are then told in flashbacks. The past events then provide a layout of the events occurring in the poem. The poem must center itself around a heroic figure, often personifying the ideals and moral ethics of the culture of his society.  The hero often utilizes the aid of the divine and supernatural, associating himself with the quarrels of the gods. It is typical of epics to present war and the theme of death and mortality. In this time period, humanism and realism were topics of interest among the intellectuals and scholars. The theories of life, death and purpose were discussed in treatises and teachings as well as art and poetry throughout the ages of early Greek civilization.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad was extremely influential on Greek culture. It was the closest thing they had to a holy text.  It helped to create a sense of virtue as a constant struggle to exert peak human excellence in all forms (Johnston p. 5). These traditional virtues became very important in the writings of thinkers like Aristotle. The Iliad also had a profound influence on Greek and Roman writers, such as Virgil and Ovid, and inspiration to the arts for generations. Paintings and sculptures were modeled after people and events described by Homer. It possibly made the Trojan War the single most important event in Greek literature and tradition.\r\n\r\nCompared to cotemporary religions, the polytheistic pagan views of the ancient Greeks as outlined by Homer are outdated and serve as a foundation to later religions. According to modern scholars, the stories of the epic had to have been passed down orally many times before being written down. Each orator added his own touch and detail to the story over generations, creating a lengthy and detailed story before being written down and credited to a still uncertain author. This is only a theory considering that, although the poem is credited to being written by Homer and orally performed by him and others until written down sometime in the 5th century, it is still unknown for sure the exact origins of the story.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad is no unlike the Odyssey, another epic poem by Homer. It centralizes around a single heroic character on a mission. Unlike the Iliad, however, <em>the Odyssey </em>focuses more on motives such as love of family and homeland (Therese p. 3). The journey of Odysseus is his attempt to regain those things dearest to him, and to return home safely (Therese). The underlying themes of the Iliad are war and death, along with the constant competitive struggle of the epic hero. The underlying themes of the Odyssey are that of cunning and wit, not strength and endurance. The Odyssey is a compliment to the Iliad, which is the story of Odysseus’ long, arduous travels home. He encounters many obstacles and setbacks, using his cunning and wit to fool even the toughest of foes (Therese 4). Although supposedly written by the same blind bard, the two epics differ in mood and tone entirely. Some historians go as far as saying that the Odyssey was written by a different poet completely, merely to compliment the Iliad with a surreal tale of heroic travels. It is said that the Odyssey was written in Homer’s later years, when he was less concerned with the dealings of death and mortality in the form of brutal war, and more interested in hospitality and the natural beauty of the landscape he so adamantly describes.\r\n\r\n<em>Cultural Influences</em>\r\n\r\nEven today, the <em>Iliad</em> still makes itself and it\'s story known to us, like the movie Troy. There are some major and minor differences between the original epic and  the Hollywood interpretation. For instance, the war took seventeen days in the movie, when in reality it lasted closer to ten years. In the movie, Patroklus was cousin to Achilles and younger than him. From the <em>Iliad, </em>Patroklus was neither cousin to Achilles nor older than him, he was just Achilles\' favorite warrior whom he loved very much. Despite few differences, the movie still serves to portray the long-lived poem and is entertaining nonetheless. Also from the stories of the Trojan War comes the tale of the Trojan Horse, which is a term we now use today to describe a vicious computer virus. The <em>Iliad </em>is and will always be a timeless piece of literature, and therefore should be included in the time capsule.\r\n\r\nWorks cited:\r\n\r\nJohnston, Ian. \"The Iliad (abridged).\" <em>Www.naxosaudiobooks.com</em>. Naxos. Web. 19 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/445812.htm&gt;.\r\n\r\nTherese. \"Iliad vs the Odyssey.\" <em>Inklings</em>. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://sesquipadalianmusings.blogspot.com/2007/10/iliad-vs-odyssey.html&gt;.\r\n\r\nHomer, and I. A. Richards. <em>The Wrath of Achilles: the Iliad of Homer</em>. London: Routledge &amp; K. Paul, 1951. Print.\r\n\r\nBloom, Harold. <em>Homer\'s The Iliad</em>. New York: Chelsea House, 1987. Print.\r\n\r\nJohnston, Ian C. <em>The Ironies of War: an Introduction to Homer\'s Iliad</em>. Lanham, MD: University of America, 1988. Print.\r\n\r\n\"SparkNotes: The Iliad: Context.\" <em>SparkNotes: Today\'s Most Popular Study Guides</em>. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/iliad/context.html&gt;.','Homer\'s Iliad','','publish','open','open','','homers-iliad-tcp-1','','','2011-02-23 00:30:45','2011-02-23 06:30:45','',0,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=396',0,'post','',5),(397,8,'2011-02-21 14:30:50','2011-02-21 20:30:50','','rigvedaimage','','inherit','open','open','','rigvedaimage','','','2011-02-21 14:30:50','2011-02-21 20:30:50','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/rigvedaimage.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(398,8,'2011-02-21 14:36:14','2011-02-21 20:36:14','<p style=\"text-align: left\">Rich Martinez\nProfessor Lauer\nHumanities I 1301\nFebruary 21, 2011</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”</p>\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\n\n<!--more-->Wealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature; below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Photo of Rig Veda</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/rigvedaimage1.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-401 aligncenter\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/rigvedaimage1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"269\" height=\"187\" /></a></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Doniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">New York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\"></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Fiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book</p>','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-autosave','','','2011-02-21 14:36:14','2011-02-21 20:36:14','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=398',0,'revision','',0),(399,8,'2011-02-21 14:21:06','2011-02-21 20:21:06','<p style=\"text-align: left\">Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”</p>\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Wealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature; below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">No. 290 - Hymns from the Rig Veda , Encaustic and Collage on Wood</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Doniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\r\nNew York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book</p>','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-10','','','2011-02-21 14:21:06','2011-02-21 20:21:06','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=399',0,'revision','',0),(401,8,'2011-02-21 14:33:57','2011-02-21 20:33:57','','rigvedaimage','','inherit','open','open','','rigvedaimage-2','','','2011-02-21 14:33:57','2011-02-21 20:33:57','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/rigvedaimage1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(402,13,'2011-02-21 14:38:40','2011-02-21 20:38:40','<strong>                      </strong>Stonehenge\r\n\r\nAccording to Dan Falk, Stonehenge was created by ancient Neolithic astronaut and was built around 3,000 and done around 2,300 B.C.. Stonehenge is a group of enormous standing stones, located in Salisbury Plain in England, that are enclosed within a circular ditch 300ft in diameter and consist of two kinds of stone: Sarsen (tertiary sandstone) and (igneous rock and other variety of stones). Stonehenge is a site of concentric rings of stones that are situated on a hinge, an area enclosed by a bank and ditch.<!--more--> There are four stone alignments—two are circles and two others are horseshoe-shaped patterns. The outer circle is about 100 feet in diameter and originally consisted of 30 upright stones (17 still stand), Pairs of standing stones are topped by a series of lintels\". It was said that all of the stones had grooves cut out of them so that the lintels and the vertical stones fit together better. \"The second ring consists of bluestones, a smaller-sized stone. Within that circle are five lintel pairs of Sarsen stones in a horseshoe shape. Another horseshoe, consisting of blue-stones, is at the center. A single standing stone, called the Heel Stone, is positioned in the center of the avenue just outside the outer circular ditch\" (Falk).\r\n\r\n       Some say that Stonehenge is connected to the Celtic culture and their \"priestly caste among them called the Druids, who were believed to have supervised construction of Stonehenge and other stone circles in the region. Druids were keepers of lore and leaders of ceremonial rites among Celts. They have been associated with magic powers, human sacrifice, and various mystical rites\" (Columbia).When the Druids were in charge, Stonehenge was a sacred ceremonial site. The famous Slaughter Stone at Stonehenge was believed to have been an altar where Druids performed human sacrifices. According to Gordon Melton, Stonehenge was also included in certain rituals by Christian missionaries that would hold ceremonies in which a single stone was attacked to symbolize and show \"the victory of the Christian church over the devil\" ( Columbia). It was also said by another scholar that medieval Britons thought that only the magic Merlin could have assemble the stones of Stonehenge.\r\n\r\n\"Archeologist announced, may of 2003, that they might have found the grave of three men who appear to have grown up in Wales and buried near Stonehenge around the same time it was built\" (Steiger) but we still don’t know if the men found were the men who built Stonehenge.  So already, between a total of four peoples thoughts on why the Stonehenge was built, we have that it was built for religious purposes, that it was built for the use of slaughtering people or that astronomers built to correlate with the stars, the sun, and the moon but nobody really knows exact why it was built.\r\n\r\n       The long standing stones are very unique and unusual for its time because it leaves modern civilization wondering how they put these stones in the order they are in today and why. Some of the many myths say that it was done by magic and nobody really knows why they were built, everything said about the stones are theories that have been created from what is observed.\r\n\r\n          All of the stones were brought far distances to Salisbury Plain, using only muscle and ancient tools, like ropes and wooden levers. \"The Sarcen stones are believed to have been brought from Marlborough Downs, 30 kilometers to the north of Stonehenge\" (Burl). But even more intriguing than this is the mystery of the bluestones. \"They are believed to have come from the Preseli Mountains in southwest Wales, nearly 385 kilometers away\"(Burl). Nobody knows how the stones, each being four tons, got to Salisbury Plain. No matter how it got to the location of Stonehenge it is obvious how much work it would have been since its time was before the invention of the wheel. This alone shows the importance of this particular structure.\r\n\r\nA structure comparative to the Stonehenge is the Temple at Tarxien, Malta. They are both built with gigantic boulders made of white stone, they both have the same set up where there are two rocks standing vertically then another sitting on top of both laying horizontally, also known as the lintels. Another comparison is that when looking down on the structures there is the circle or oval shape to it which is very common in most Neolithic buildings or architectures. I find this very interesting because circle structures don’t seem as uniform as the types of structures we have now, which are mainly rectangular shaped. Although, I have a feeling they did most of their building that way for a reason, given their extreme intelligence.\r\n\r\nI haven\'t found any information about what the civilizations thought about Stonehenge but I can assume that it wasn\'t as big of a deal as it is today. People back in the Neolithic age built their houses the same way as the Stonehenge was built. According to Eroin Groger, 90 structures that looked like houses, dated back to the Neolithic age, were found and \" there was a considerable variations in size and form two principle types are disconcernable, the large rectangular buildings of the early Neolithic and the circular or oval structures that have a wider chronological span\" (Groger). This information suggest that people of this era didn\'t know any better (that how they built the buildings were amazing and very skillful) and that\'s all they knew how to do things. They used the supplies that they had and hard work was normal to them.\r\n\r\nThe reason why it\'s such big deal today is because we don\'t know how or why it was built and it is astonishing to know that the people that built Stonehenge didn\'t have machines and had to do everything by hand. I argue the fact that this was preserved for apparent reasons. One of those reasons being that the stones were entirely too large (weighing tons) for just a couple of people to life and build Stonehenge. This architecture is very important because, I think, it shows the intelligence and knowledge that the \"architects\" put into this structure. I also think that this structure is very important and should be preserved for future generations because there is so much to learn from it and how or why it\'s still standing. The fact that people don\'t know very much about how or why it was built makes it even more interesting and more plausible to keep it and study it more to find out the facts about Stonehenge. The unknown has always need to be preserved so that assumptions can be replaced with facts and increase knowledge amongst society.\r\n\r\nMy personal reaction to Stonehenge is that I am very inspired by the way the builders of this structure were able to use what they had to construct such an enormous monument of rocks to use whatever they intended to use it for. I find that the way the stones are positioned within one another is very meaningful. We may not know why they a positioned the way they are but there has to be a reason why there are four layers of circles then a single stone in the middle. Also, like I said earlier, the construction of Stonehenge was before the invention of the wheel which makes Stonehenge even more exhilarating.\r\n\r\nWorks Cited\r\n\r\nBurl, Aubrey. \"STONEHENGE.\" History Today 51.3 (2001): 19. Academic Search\r\n\r\nComplete. EBSCO. Web. 1 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nFalk, Dan. \"Did ancient astronomers build Stonehenge?.\" Astronomy 36.7\r\n\r\n(2008): 52-57. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 31 Jan. 2011.\r\n\r\nGrogan, Eoin. \"Neolithic houses in Ireland: a broader perspective.\" Antiquity\r\n\r\n76.292 (2002): 517. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.  \"Stonehenge.\" Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2010): 1. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 1 Feb. 2011.\r\n\r\nStonehenge.\" The Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained. Ed. Brad\r\n\r\nSteiger and Sherry Hanson Steiger. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 272-275. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 2 Feb. 2011.','TCP #1 Stonehenge','','publish','open','open','','tcp-1-stonehenge','','','2011-02-21 14:38:40','2011-02-21 20:38:40','',0,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=402',0,'post','',6),(403,8,'2011-02-21 14:33:10','2011-02-21 20:33:10','<p style=\"text-align: left\">Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”</p>\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Wealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature; below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Photo of Rig Veda</p>\r\n<img src=\"/Users/ncatuser/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png\" alt=\"\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Doniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”\r\nNew York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book</p>','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-11','','','2011-02-21 14:33:10','2011-02-21 20:33:10','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=403',0,'revision','',0),(404,8,'2011-02-21 14:35:12','2011-02-21 20:35:12','<p style=\"text-align: left\">Rich Martinez\r\nProfessor Lauer\r\nHumanities I 1301\r\nFebruary 21, 2011</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”</p>\r\nTo understand how an ancient Sanskrit text becomes sacred to followers of the Hindu religion we must first learn of a “band of foreigners that entered the Indian subcontinent and settled throughout the Indus Valley.” (32)  This group of nomadic and pastoral communities spoke Indo-European languages calling themselves “noble people.”(32). and they began their journey traveling the passes of Hindu Kush Mountains and established themselves in small agriculture villages in northern parts of India.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->Wealthy individuals in early Aryan society owned extensive herds of cattle.  Horses were considered prize possessions for two reasons; the amount they paid for them and because they did not breed well in these hot and dry climates.  Innovative for their time their farming required artificial systems of irrigation\'s which in turn required cooperative efforts by many locally as well of those of a higher degree and in most instances these individuals held high religious place within their communities. A common business practice that’s similar with our own local government, state government, federal entities that work with many religious institutions like we see today and how they support one another.\r\nThese early “noble people.” (32). didn’t use writing but composed numerous poems and songs and preserved extensive collections of religious and literary works by memorizing them and then passing them orally from one generation to another in their own native sacred language.\r\nReligious scholars believe that the there are four Vedas which are collections of hymns, songs and prayers, and rituals honoring the various gods of the Aryans.  The earliest and most important from this collection is the “Rig Veda, a collection of 1,028 hymns addressed to various Hindu gods.”(65)  Many of these hymns were designed to be sung during specific religious rituals, especially sacrifices and they contain stories about the deed of the Hindu gods.  Hindus believe “that the Vedas were not composed by people, but rather directly revealed, mirroring Christian beliefs about the Bible.”(59)  There have been many translations published for people to read the Rigveda in their native languages.  But like all works of translation the concerns for retaining the original poetic content of the Rigveda continues to prove difficult no different than the various translations of King James Version for practicing Christians today.   These hymns are the major way in which the Aryan people praised their gods.  The subject of the hymns is the personification of the powers of nature; below is an example of hymn written in poetic form:\r\n\"This light hath come, of all the lights the fairest,\r\nThe brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining,\r\nUrged on to prompt the sun-god\'s shining power.\r\nNight and Morning clash not, nor yet do linger.\" (Bloomfield 30).\r\nVery evident in our modern times is the practice of religion and how we sing hymns in Church, and recite certain religious rituals for weddings and funerals alike.  The creation of the Rig Veda like our Bible must have taken place over several centuries and respected by so many as well.\r\nDue to the nomadic nature of the society described it cannot be localized, and in its earliest phase describes tribes that were essentially on the move and historical records set in only after the end of the Vedic period with much of it remaining scarce throughout this time.  Their nomadic abilities to use tools available from their environment helped this group to adapt and cope with demands that came with such early life.\r\nEvident enough in our in society today am I ever again amazed on how this group sustained themselves, and lived from the land to survive.  There is much to be learn from these hard working travelers that were considered nomadic for their times.  If only they could see how we as a society have improved our means of travel for example; how astonished they would be to learn that they could travel in merely minute’s miles away from their villages.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Photo of Rig Veda</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/rigvedaimage1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-401\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/rigvedaimage1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"269\" height=\"187\" /></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n<img src=\"/Users/ncatuser/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png\" alt=\"\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Doniger, Wendy. “The Hindus: an alternative history”</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">New York: Penguin Press, 2009. Print</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">\r\nFiero, Gloria. “The Humanistic Tradition”Vol 1 6e. Ed.\r\nNew York: McGraw-Hill Press, 2011. E-Book</p>','“Rig Veda – Rigvedic Period”','','inherit','open','open','','379-revision-12','','','2011-02-21 14:35:12','2011-02-21 20:35:12','',379,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=404',0,'revision','',0),(407,13,'2011-02-21 14:38:08','2011-02-21 20:38:08','<strong>                      </strong>Stonehenge\n\nAccording to Dan Falk, Stonehenge was created by ancient Neolithic astronaut and was built around 3,000 and done around 2,300 B.C.. Stonehenge is a group of enormous standing stones, located in Salisbury Plain in England, that are enclosed within a circular ditch 300ft in diameter and consist of two kinds of stone: Sarsen (tertiary sandstone) and (igneous rock and other variety of stones). Stonehenge is a site of concentric rings of stones that are situated on a hinge, an area enclosed by a bank and ditch. There are four stone alignments—two are circles and two others are horseshoe-shaped patterns. The outer circle is about 100 feet in diameter and originally consisted of 30 upright stones (17 still stand), Pairs of standing stones are topped by a series of lintels\". It was said that all of the stones had grooves cut out of them so that the lintels and the vertical stones fit together better. \"The second ring consists of bluestones, a smaller-sized stone. Within that circle are five lintel pairs of Sarsen stones in a horseshoe shape. Another horseshoe, consisting of blue-stones, is at the center. A single standing stone, called the Heel Stone, is positioned in the center of the avenue just outside the outer circular ditch\" (Falk).\n\n       Some say that Stonehenge is connected to the Celtic culture and their \"priestly caste among them called the Druids, who were believed to have supervised construction of Stonehenge and other stone circles in the region. Druids were keepers of lore and leaders of ceremonial rites among Celts. They have been associated with magic powers, human sacrifice, and various mystical rites\" (Columbia).When the Druids were in charge, Stonehenge was a sacred ceremonial site. The famous Slaughter Stone at Stonehenge was believed to have been an altar where Druids performed human sacrifices. According to Gordon Melton, Stonehenge was also included in certain rituals by Christian missionaries that would hold ceremonies in which a single stone was attacked to symbolize and show \"the victory of the Christian church over the devil\" ( Columbia). It was also said by another scholar that medieval Britons thought that only the magic Merlin could have assemble the stones of Stonehenge.\n\n\"Archeologist announced, may of 2003, that they might have found the grave of three men who appear to have grown up in Wales and buried near Stonehenge around the same time it was built\" (Steiger) but we still don’t know if the men found were the men who built Stonehenge.  So already, between a total of four peoples thoughts on why the Stonehenge was built, we have that it was built for religious purposes, that it was built for the use of slaughtering people or that astronomers built to correlate with the stars, the sun, and the moon but nobody really knows exact why it was built.\n\n       The long standing stones are very unique and unusual for its time because it leaves modern civilization wondering how they put these stones in the order they are in today and why. Some of the many myths say that it was done by magic and nobody really knows why they were built, everything said about the stones are theories that have been created from what is observed.\n\n          All of the stones were brought far distances to Salisbury Plain, using only muscle and ancient tools, like ropes and wooden levers. \"The Sarcen stones are believed to have been brought from Marlborough Downs, 30 kilometers to the north of Stonehenge\" (Burl). But even more intriguing than this is the mystery of the bluestones. \"They are believed to have come from the Preseli Mountains in southwest Wales, nearly 385 kilometers away\"(Burl). Nobody knows how the stones, each being four tons, got to Salisbury Plain. No matter how it got to the location of Stonehenge it is obvious how much work it would have been since its time was before the invention of the wheel. This alone shows the importance of this particular structure.\n\nA structure comparative to the Stonehenge is the Temple at Tarxien, Malta. They are both built with gigantic boulders made of white stone, they both have the same set up where there are two rocks standing vertically then another sitting on top of both laying horizontally, also known as the lintels. Another comparison is that when looking down on the structures there is the circle or oval shape to it which is very common in most Neolithic buildings or architectures. I find this very interesting because circle structures don’t seem as uniform as the types of structures we have now, which are mainly rectangular shaped. Although, I have a feeling they did most of their building that way for a reason, given their extreme intelligence.\n\nI haven\'t found any information about what the civilizations thought about Stonehenge but I can assume that it wasn\'t as big of a deal as it is today. People back in the Neolithic age built their houses the same way as the Stonehenge was built. According to Eroin Groger, 90 structures that looked like houses, dated back to the Neolithic age, were found and \" there was a considerable variations in size and form two principle types are disconcernable, the large rectangular buildings of the early Neolithic and the circular or oval structures that have a wider chronological span\" (Groger). This information suggest that people of this era didn\'t know any better (that how they built the buildings were amazing and very skillful) and that\'s all they knew how to do things. They used the supplies that they had and hard work was normal to them.\n\nThe reason why it\'s such big deal today is because we don\'t know how or why it was built and it is astonishing to know that the people that built Stonehenge didn\'t have machines and had to do everything by hand. I argue the fact that this was preserved for apparent reasons. One of those reasons being that the stones were entirely too large (weighing tons) for just a couple of people to life and build Stonehenge. This architecture is very important because, I think, it shows the intelligence and knowledge that the \"architects\" put into this structure. I also think that this structure is very important and should be preserved for future generations because there is so much to learn from it and how or why it\'s still standing. The fact that people don\'t know very much about how or why it was built makes it even more interesting and more plausible to keep it and study it more to find out the facts about Stonehenge. The unknown has always need to be preserved so that assumptions can be replaced with facts and increase knowledge amongst society.\n\nMy personal reaction to Stonehenge is that I am very inspired by the way the builders of this structure were able to use what they had to construct such an enormous monument of rocks to use whatever they intended to use it for. I find that the way the stones are positioned within one another is very meaningful. We may not know why they a positioned the way they are but there has to be a reason why there are four layers of circles then a single stone in the middle. Also, like I said earlier, the construction of Stonehenge was before the invention of the wheel which makes Stonehenge even more exhilarating.\n\nWorks Cited\n\nBurl, Aubrey. \"STONEHENGE.\" History Today 51.3 (2001): 19. Academic Search\n\nComplete. EBSCO. Web. 1 Feb. 2011.\n\nFalk, Dan. \"Did ancient astronomers build Stonehenge?.\" Astronomy 36.7\n\n(2008): 52-57. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 31 Jan. 2011.\n\nGrogan, Eoin. \"Neolithic houses in Ireland: a broader perspective.\" Antiquity\n\n76.292 (2002): 517. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 16 Feb. 2011.  \"Stonehenge.\" Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2010): 1. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 1 Feb. 2011.\n\nStonehenge.\" The Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained. Ed. Brad\n\nSteiger and Sherry Hanson Steiger. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 272-275. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 2 Feb. 2011.','TCP #1 Stonehenge','','inherit','open','open','','402-revision','','','2011-02-21 14:38:08','2011-02-21 20:38:08','',402,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=407',0,'revision','',0),(410,17,'2011-02-21 14:47:28','2011-02-21 20:47:28','The Pantheon is a Roman temple built in 27 B.C.E. It is a rectangular temple with a huge concrete dome and portico. <!--more-->\r\n\r\nLocated in Rome, it was saved from sacking and burning during the crusades by its conversion into a Catholic church.  The Greeks worshipped many gods and the Pantheon, meaning “All the Gods”, was meant as a place where they could all be worshipped at once.  It is the world’s second largest unreinforced dome to this day (Macdonald).  A building with this much history and revolutionary architectural features must be preserved.\r\n\r\nThe Pantheon is typical of its era in that it was meant as a place of worship for the gods.  Just as churches are common in Texas, temples were easy to find in ancient Rome.  The dome had been in existence for a while before the Pantheon was built, small domed structures were common.  The roman people worshipped many gods and temples were pretty common back then.  The materials and style of the pantheon are also typical of this time period.  The building materials, bricks and limestone, were plentiful in that area and most buildings were made of the same materials.  The pillars are designed in the Corinthian style.  Characterized by various features including a capital resembling leavesand entasis, a widening of the pillar near the middle, to counter the look of concavity that straight pillars have.  This is another aspect of Corinthian style, which makes the columns appear straight.\r\n\r\nThe Pantheon is innovative in its size and some of the technology used to allow for such a large dome.  These innovations include the use of adytons and coffers and empty spaces in the walls helped to reduce the weight of the drum easing stress on the foundation.  A new kind of concrete was used in the upper parts of the dome, mixed with pumice it was lighter.  The pantheon is innovative in its size and some of the technology used to allow for such a large dome.  These innovations include the use of adytons and coffers and empty spaces in the walls helped to reduce the weight of the drum easing stress on the foundation.  A new kind of concrete was used in the upper parts of the dome.  It was mixed with pumice, which lightened the load on the structure and kept the dome from collapsing.  This allowed it to be built higher and wider than any preceding dome. The fact that the Pantheon still exists is another unique aspect about it.  Rome has suffered through fires and pillaging which destroyed many of its buildings.  The Pantheon has burned down before, but was rebuilt.  While many of the materials used in the Pantheon were readily available in the area, those used to build the pillars were not.  They were quarried in Egypt where they waited until spring for the Nile river to flood its banks so they could by floated to the Mediterranean.  Once there they were loaded onto ships and had to be pulled up 40 miles or river before they were then dragged on land to their final resting place.  Normally lengths this great wouldn’t be taken to build a temple but the Pantheon’s grand size meant it received the best materials.  Marcus Agrippas wanted Romans to be able to worship straight to the heavens while they were in the Pantheon.  This is why there is a hole, or oculus, in the ceiling.  Like Cowboys stadium, it was unique in this aspect.  When it would only cost a little more to keep out the elements few roman buildings featured a hole in the ceiling and roof.\r\n\r\nThe Pantheon was well received in its time because nearly everyone believed in the polytheistic religion it was built for.  Also, it was thought that the gods would be pleased with such a structure built in their honor.  Nationalism was another reason to have pride in such a large structure.  It flaunted the wealth and might of the Roman Empire.  A lot of money collected in taxes funded the project which may have upset some who didn’t see the need for such excessive displays of wealth, but when foreigners came to Rome they visited its greatest monuments and the Pantheon was undoubtedly one of them.   Another reason the Pantheon would have been more impressive at the time is because its ceilings were once entirely covered in Bronze.  The precious metal was eventually removed for use in the altar of St. Peter’s and several other works.  As I mentioned earlier, the concept of the dome was not at all new, but this one was just so much bigger than any before it that people were awe struck when they saw it for the first time.  It was a fitting shrine to the gods they worshipped.\r\n\r\nTo this day people are still amazed by the Pantheon.  It is the best preserved roman monument in the world “thanks to its conversion to a church in 609 when the Byzantine emperor Pholas presented it to Pope Boniface VI as a gift” (“Sights”). Like the Egyptian pyramids; it’s fantastic to think that humans created the building without the aid of machinery.  The advances in technology at the time which allowed for the dome to tower to such a height are now commonplace and knowing that the dome was one of the first structures to implement these technologies make it that much more fascinating to us today.  Nowadays we are used to huge buildings being completed in about a year but the great lengths the Romans went to in order to construct this gigantic structure would be  considered excessive nowadays.  For example, the pillars on the portico took many months to transfer from Egypt.  We wouldn’t stand for a wait this long for pillars in the present.  In today’s world, where we can build a structure comparable to the Pantheon in just a few months, we don’t value buildings like the romans did.  For this reason, as much as people are impressed by the Pantheon, I don’t think they admire it anywhere as much as ancient Romans would have upon its completion.  Despite this, the Pantheon has accumulated an interesting history over its nearly 2000 years of existence.  For example, it is the first temple in Rome to be Christianised.  In 609 A.D. the Byzantine emperor Pholas gave it to Pope Boniface VI who then converted it into a church.  According to legend, he had 28 wagonloads of martyrs bones transferred from the Roman catacombs and had them buried beneath the altar.  “The Pantheon has inspired more works of architecture than any other monument in Greco-Roman history. It awed and delighted such eminent late eighteenth-century Neoclassicists as Thomas Jefferson, who used it as the model for many architectural designs, including that of his country estate at Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Rotunda of the University of Virginia” (Fiero, p. B1.155).\r\n\r\nI’ve seen the pantheon first hand and I was more than impressed.  Knowing how old the building is and that it was built almost entirely by hand are just a couple of reasons to be impressed by it.  It’s huge even by today’s standards and the style is completely different from that of today’s buildings.  For example, there is no glass.  A lack of metal and windows on the exterior of the building help to distinguish it from modern day architecture.  It doesn’t look anything like what we often perceive as a normal structure.  Today’s buildings are typically square or rectangular, with right angles where walls meet.  The pantheon is round so the dome can sit atop the walls.  When I visited the pantheon, we came approached it from the rear so it appeared as just a huge circular wall. (We were too close to see the massive dome sitting on top) Upon entering, the only light coming in when I visited came through the small opening in the top of the dome and some unobtrusive lighting that was installed within the last twenty or thirty years.  The combination of a huge ceiling, a small amount of natural lighting, and the lack of carpet or other materials which might deaden echoes combined to make the Pantheon seem even larger and older, unlike any building I’ve entered in the states.\r\n\r\nDuring my trip to Europe I was able to visit many famous buildings that were older than anything still in existence here in the United States.  There were a few roman buildings that hadn’t been destroyed during the crusades but they were all fairly small.  The Pantheon is similar to many buildings of its time because it is made of the same materials and shares various decorative features.   Take the Parthenon for example.  A large publicly funded build, it shares pillars built in the Corinthian style.  However, it does not have a dome, and it was built to honor only one god, Athena Parthenos.    Large buildings existed almost exclusively in this time to serve the roman government in some way.  Private businesses that could fund such works didn’t exist like they do today and it’s a guarantee that any large buildings still in existence were government owned.  The Parthenon and Pantheon are no exception.\r\n\r\nI think that what future generations should know about the Pantheon is the effect it gives when one is inside.  We are used to buildings which are flooded with light thanks to windows and electricity.   The opportunity to step into a naturally lit building as old as the Pantheon will come less and less often to future generations as old buildings fall apart and disappear.  Another aspect of the Pantheon we don’t experience often is the effect of huge arched ceilings.  Today’s buildings almost always implement the kind of space in the dome of the pantheon for more floors but the dome is open in the Pantheon.  The average American ceiling is probably around 12 feet tall and not worth looking at.  However the Pantheon draws attention to its cavernous ceiling with coffers sunk into the curved ceiling of the massive dome.  It’s a new experience that you can only get from visiting old buildings.  Future generations should also be aware of the history of the Pantheon because it has been a focal point of attention for almost two thousand years.  It has stood as a symbol of power and religion during this time so naturally people have wanted it in order to celebrate their religion within its walls.  It’s an old building that offers a new experience and a rich history.  As we get older, these monuments do too and they also become rarer.  It’s important that future generations get to experience them firsthand but if we must choose, the Pantheon is the best option.\r\n\r\nDutemple, Lesley. <em>The Pantheon</em>. 1st. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Group, 2003. Print.\r\n\r\nFiero, Gloria. <em>The Humanistic Tradition. </em>The McGraw Hill Companies, 2002.\r\n\r\nSchulman, Bruce. \"Classical Orders of Architecture.\"\r\n\r\nhttp://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, 011310. Web. 13 Feb 2011. &lt;http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html&gt;.\r\n\r\nMacDonald, William. <em>The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny</em>. 2nd. Cambridge: Harvard University\r\n\r\nPress, 1976. Print.\r\n\r\nSemes, Steven. \"Pantheon Inside.\" Architecture Week February 2004: n. pag. Web. 13 Feb 2011.                 &lt;http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/0831/culture_1-1.html&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Sights.\" Pantheon. 4th. New York: Random House, 2010. Print.\r\n\r\nSteven W. Semes. “Pantheon Inside” ArchitectureWeek No. 254, 2005.0831, pC1.1.<!--more-->','The Pantheon','','publish','open','open','','the-pantheon-2','','','2011-02-21 14:47:28','2011-02-21 20:47:28','',0,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=410',0,'post','',5),(411,10,'2011-02-21 14:46:25','2011-02-21 20:46:25','<em>Homer\'s Iliad</em> is an epic poem written in the classical antiquity time period, approximately 850-800 B.C. It is typically credited to a blind poet named Homer. The time of Homer\'s existence is still disputed today. Herodotus suggested that Homer lived about 400 years prior to his time, which was around 400 B.C, placing Homer around the 9th century B.C. Other scholars date Homer much closer to the actual events of the Trojan War, around 11oo B.C. This ancient work of literature should be preserved in the time capsule because it is one of the most important texts in Greek history and gives us insight on the theological and social views of the Hellenistic time period. Much of our information about the Trojan War and mythological tales of the gods are preserved in the text of <em>Homer\'s Iliad.</em>\n\n<em><!--more--></em>\n\nThe Iliad chronicles a short period of time in the ten-year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. The poem focuses on Homer’s epic hero, swift-footed Achilles. The poem starts off nine years into the war, describing the Greeks sacking a Trojan village, where Achilles takes Briseis as his prize, and Agamemnon, commander of the Achaean army, takes Chrysies. Chryses pleads with Agamemnon to return his daughter, but is only refused. With no luck, Chryses prays to the god Apollo for help, who brings plague upon the Greeks. Achilles then summons the aid of a soothsayer, Calchas, to reveal the cause of the plague. When they find that it was sent by Chryses and Apollo, Agamemnon becomes enraged, saying that he will only return Chrysies if he gets Briseis as his prize. This creates conflict between Agamemnon and one of his greatest warriors, swift-footed Achilles.\n\nThe Iliad concerns itself with the rage of mortals and the intervention of the gods with the mortals during war. The gods associate themselves with mortal affairs in two ways. In one way, they act as external forces on the events of man, like when Apollo sends the plague upon the Achaean army. In the second way, they interact internally with the mortals, such as when Athena prevents Achilles from abandoning reason, and persuades him to use words against Agamemnon, instead of violence. While the gods play a vital role in the clockwork and life, death and war, they also provide another function, sort of a satirical comic relief.  The conflicts and squabbles between the gods often seem humorously petty and ridiculous in comparison to the serious death and destruction that is occurring below.\n\nThe epic was a masterpiece of its time, concerning the moral values and ethics of the Hellenistic people of ancient Greece.  In this time, mythological gods and heroes dominated the religious sector of Greek society. Along with art and music of the Hellenistic and Homeric period, literature often incorporated mythological figures, like Zeus and Athena, who regarded as supreme gods of the Greek realm, and were celebrated as such through sculptures, paintings and epic poems. Before the Iliad, no epic poem had concerned itself so much with divine intervention and the dealings and interactions of mortals and the gods. The work itself seems to celebrate war. In that, it presents its characters as worthy or cowardice as a degree depending on their competence and bravery in battle.  With its constant gory battles and mortal death, it sets up a mood of intensity with a touch of taking things way too seriously.\n\nThe poem is written in dactylic hexameter, a style often attributed to Homer. During his time, epics were performed orally, often aided by a lyre or some other kind of instrument. An epic poem contains guidelines to be followed carefully in order to write a proper epic. First, the poem’s theme or purpose must be stated. Invocation of a muse follows, praising her and asking for aid in writing the poem. Muses were the daughters of Zeus, Calliope being the music of epic poetry. Once the muse is invoked, one must begin the poem <em>in medias res, </em>or “in the middle of things.” Epic poems always begin the tale of whatever is going on after it has been going on for quite some time. Earlier events of the story are then told in flashbacks. The past events then provide a layout of the events occurring in the poem. The poem must center itself around a heroic figure, often personifying the ideals and moral ethics of the culture of his society.  The hero often utilizes the aid of the divine and supernatural, associating himself with the quarrels of the gods. It is typical of epics to present war and the theme of death and mortality. In this time period, humanism and realism were topics of interest among the intellectuals and scholars. The theories of life, death and purpose were discussed in treatises and teachings as well as art and poetry throughout the ages of early Greek civilization.\n\nThe Iliad is considered the most war-glorifying epic poem to date. Homer spares no horrific or graphic details in describing the tragedies and realities of warfare. It shows the harsh ironies of war. The destructive enterprise is in fact an intriguing and intensely creative activity. The careful practice of combat arts and the creative design of weaponry from great artistic skill, are all for the slaughter of man. Homer shows that war is all at the same time gory, horrific, tragic, realistic, intense and beautiful. He provides both aspects of war and takes no sides on attempting to moralize the activity.\n\nThe Iliad was extremely influential on Greek culture. It was the closest thing they had to a holy text.  It helped to create a sense of virtue as a constant struggle to exert peak human excellence in all forms. These traditional virtues became very important in the writings of thinkers like Aristotle. The Iliad also had a profound influence on Greek and Roman writers, such as Virgil and Ovid, and inspiration to the arts for generations. Paintings and sculptures were modeled after people and events described by Homer. It possibly made the Trojan War the single most important event in Greek literature and tradition.\n\nIn modern times, the work is taken as a mythological tale of heroism that serves as nothing more than a fictional story of epic proportions to convey a theme of mortality, divine virtue and human excellence. Compared to cotemporary religions, the polytheistic pagan views of the ancient Greeks as outlined by Homer are outdated and serve as a foundation to later religions. According to modern scholars, the stories of the epic had to have been passed down orally many times before being written down. Each orator added his own touch and detail to the story over generations, creating a lengthy and detailed story before being written down and credited to a still uncertain author.\n\nThe Iliad is no unlike the Odyssey, another epic poem by Homer. It centralizes around a single heroic character on a mission. Unlike the Iliad, however, <em>the Odyssey </em>focuses more on motives such as love of family and homeland. The journey of Odysseus is his attempt to regain those things dearest to him, and to return home safely. The underlying themes of the Iliad are war and death, along with the constant competitive struggle of the epic hero. The underlying themes of the Odyssey are that of cunning and wit, not strength and endurance. The Odyssey is a compliment to the Iliad, which is the story of Odysseus’ long, arduous travels home. He encounters many obstacles and setbacks, using his cunning and wit to fool even the toughest of foes. Although supposedly written by the same blind bard, the two epics differ in mood and tone entirely. Some historians go as far as saying that the Odyssey was written by a different poet completely, merely to compliment the Iliad with a surreal tale of heroic travels. It is said that the Odyssey was written in Homer’s later years, when he was less concerned with the dealings of death and mortality in the form of brutal war, and more interested in hospitality and the natural beauty of the landscape he so adamantly describes.\n\nFuture generations can learn a lot from the text of the <em>Iliad. </em>Homer\'s unbiased dedication to the brutality of war can say a lot about the wars we have today. The heroic endeavors of Achilles encompass an ideal ethical portrayal of the motives and ancient society, not unlike those of today. Pagan religion, such as Zeus and all the gods of the Pantheon can be said to be a basis of religions we have today, although very disconnected and primitive. It is very interesting to read about the thoughts, motives and morals of society who lived thousands and thousands of years before our time. It is truly something to learn from and think about in our modern','','','inherit','open','open','','396-revision','','','2011-02-21 14:46:25','2011-02-21 20:46:25','',396,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=411',0,'revision','',0),(412,17,'2011-02-21 14:46:13','2011-02-21 20:46:13','The Pantheon is a Roman temple built in 27 B.C.E. It is a rectangular temple with a huge concrete dome and portico. <!--more-->\n\nLocated in Rome, it was saved from sacking and burning during the crusades by its conversion into a Catholic church.  The Greeks worshipped many gods and the Pantheon, meaning “All the Gods”, was meant as a place where they could all be worshipped at once.  It is the world’s second largest unreinforced dome to this day (Macdonald).  A building with this much history and revolutionary architectural features must be preserved.\n\nThe Pantheon is typical of its era in that it was meant as a place of worship for the gods.  Just as churches are common in Texas, temples were easy to find in ancient Rome.  The dome had been in existence for a while before the Pantheon was built, small domed structures were common.  The roman people worshipped many gods and temples were pretty common back then.  The materials and style of the pantheon are also typical of this time period.  The building materials, bricks and limestone, were plentiful in that area and most buildings were made of the same materials.  The pillars are designed in the Corinthian style.  Characterized by various features including a capital resembling leavesand entasis, a widening of the pillar near the middle, to counter the look of concavity that straight pillars have.  This is another aspect of Corinthian style, which makes the columns appear straight.\n\nThe Pantheon is innovative in its size and some of the technology used to allow for such a large dome.  These innovations include the use of adytons and coffers and empty spaces in the walls helped to reduce the weight of the drum easing stress on the foundation.  A new kind of concrete was used in the upper parts of the dome, mixed with pumice it was lighter.  The pantheon is innovative in its size and some of the technology used to allow for such a large dome.  These innovations include the use of adytons and coffers and empty spaces in the walls helped to reduce the weight of the drum easing stress on the foundation.  A new kind of concrete was used in the upper parts of the dome.  It was mixed with pumice, which lightened the load on the structure and kept the dome from collapsing.  This allowed it to be built higher and wider than any preceding dome. The fact that the Pantheon still exists is another unique aspect about it.  Rome has suffered through fires and pillaging which destroyed many of its buildings.  The Pantheon has burned down before, but was rebuilt.  While many of the materials used in the Pantheon were readily available in the area, those used to build the pillars were not.  They were quarried in Egypt where they waited until spring for the Nile river to flood its banks so they could by floated to the Mediterranean.  Once there they were loaded onto ships and had to be pulled up 40 miles or river before they were then dragged on land to their final resting place.  Normally lengths this great wouldn’t be taken to build a temple but the Pantheon’s grand size meant it received the best materials.  Marcus Agrippas wanted Romans to be able to worship straight to the heavens while they were in the Pantheon.  This is why there is a hole, or oculus, in the ceiling.  Like Cowboys stadium, it was unique in this aspect.  When it would only cost a little more to keep out the elements few roman buildings featured a hole in the ceiling and roof.\n\nThe Pantheon was well received in its time because nearly everyone believed in the polytheistic religion it was built for.  Also, it was thought that the gods would be pleased with such a structure built in their honor.  Nationalism was another reason to have pride in such a large structure.  It flaunted the wealth and might of the Roman Empire.  A lot of money collected in taxes funded the project which may have upset some who didn’t see the need for such excessive displays of wealth, but when foreigners came to Rome they visited its greatest monuments and the Pantheon was undoubtedly one of them.   Another reason the Pantheon would have been more impressive at the time is because its ceilings were once entirely covered in Bronze.  The precious metal was eventually removed for use in the altar of St. Peter’s and several other works.  As I mentioned earlier, the concept of the dome was not at all new, but this one was just so much bigger than any before it that people were awe struck when they saw it for the first time.  It was a fitting shrine to the gods they worshipped.\n\nTo this day people are still amazed by the Pantheon.  It is the best preserved roman monument in the world “thanks to its conversion to a church in 609 when the Byzantine emperor Pholas presented it to Pope Boniface VI as a gift” (“Sights”). Like the Egyptian pyramids; it’s fantastic to think that humans created the building without the aid of machinery.  The advances in technology at the time which allowed for the dome to tower to such a height are now commonplace and knowing that the dome was one of the first structures to implement these technologies make it that much more fascinating to us today.  Nowadays we are used to huge buildings being completed in about a year but the great lengths the Romans went to in order to construct this gigantic structure would be  considered excessive nowadays.  For example, the pillars on the portico took many months to transfer from Egypt.  We wouldn’t stand for a wait this long for pillars in the present.  In today’s world, where we can build a structure comparable to the Pantheon in just a few months, we don’t value buildings like the romans did.  For this reason, as much as people are impressed by the Pantheon, I don’t think they admire it anywhere as much as ancient Romans would have upon its completion.  Despite this, the Pantheon has accumulated an interesting history over its nearly 2000 years of existence.  For example, it is the first temple in Rome to be Christianised.  In 609 A.D. the Byzantine emperor Pholas gave it to Pope Boniface VI who then converted it into a church.  According to legend, he had 28 wagonloads of martyrs bones transferred from the Roman catacombs and had them buried beneath the altar.  “The Pantheon has inspired more works of architecture than any other monument in Greco-Roman history. It awed and delighted such eminent late eighteenth-century Neoclassicists as Thomas Jefferson, who used it as the model for many architectural designs, including that of his country estate at Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Rotunda of the University of Virginia” (Fiero, p. B1.155).\n\nI’ve seen the pantheon first hand and I was more than impressed.  Knowing how old the building is and that it was built almost entirely by hand are just a couple of reasons to be impressed by it.  It’s huge even by today’s standards and the style is completely different from that of today’s buildings.  For example, there is no glass.  A lack of metal and windows on the exterior of the building help to distinguish it from modern day architecture.  It doesn’t look anything like what we often perceive as a normal structure.  Today’s buildings are typically square or rectangular, with right angles where walls meet.  The pantheon is round so the dome can sit atop the walls.  When I visited the pantheon, we came approached it from the rear so it appeared as just a huge circular wall. (We were too close to see the massive dome sitting on top) Upon entering, the only light coming in when I visited came through the small opening in the top of the dome and some unobtrusive lighting that was installed within the last twenty or thirty years.  The combination of a huge ceiling, a small amount of natural lighting, and the lack of carpet or other materials which might deaden echoes combined to make the Pantheon seem even larger and older, unlike any building I’ve entered in the states.\n\nDuring my trip to Europe I was able to visit many famous buildings that were older than anything still in existence here in the United States.  There were a few roman buildings that hadn’t been destroyed during the crusades but they were all fairly small.  The Pantheon is similar to many buildings of its time because it is made of the same materials and shares various decorative features.   Take the Parthenon for example.  A large publicly funded build, it shares pillars built in the Corinthian style.  However, it does not have a dome, and it was built to honor only one god, Athena Parthenos.    Large buildings existed almost exclusively in this time to serve the roman government in some way.  Private businesses that could fund such works didn’t exist like they do today and it’s a guarantee that any large buildings still in existence were government owned.  The Parthenon and Pantheon are no exception.\n\nI think that what future generations should know about the Pantheon is the effect it gives when one is inside.  We are used to buildings which are flooded with light thanks to windows and electricity.   The opportunity to step into a naturally lit building as old as the Pantheon will come less and less often to future generations as old buildings fall apart and disappear.  Another aspect of the Pantheon we don’t experience often is the effect of huge arched ceilings.  Today’s buildings almost always implement the kind of space in the dome of the pantheon for more floors but the dome is open in the Pantheon.  The average American ceiling is probably around 12 feet tall and not worth looking at.  However the Pantheon draws attention to its cavernous ceiling with coffers sunk into the curved ceiling of the massive dome.  It’s a new experience that you can only get from visiting old buildings.  Future generations should also be aware of the history of the Pantheon because it has been a focal point of attention for almost two thousand years.  It has stood as a symbol of power and religion during this time so naturally people have wanted it in order to celebrate their religion within its walls.  It’s an old building that offers a new experience and a rich history.  As we get older, these monuments do too and they also become rarer.  It’s important that future generations get to experience them firsthand but if we must choose, the Pantheon is the best option.\n\nDutemple, Lesley. <em>The Pantheon</em>. 1st. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Group, 2003. Print.\n\nFiero, Gloria. <em>The Humanistic Tradition. </em>The McGraw Hill Companies, 2002.\n\nSchulman, Bruce. \"Classical Orders of Architecture.\"\n\nhttp://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, 011310. Web. 13 Feb 2011. &lt;http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html&gt;.\n\nMacDonald, William. <em>The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny</em>. 2nd. Cambridge: Harvard University\n\nPress, 1976. Print.\n\nSemes, Steven. \"Pantheon Inside.\" Architecture Week February 2004: n. pag. Web. 13 Feb 2011.                 &lt;http://www.architectureweek.com/2005/0831/culture_1-1.html&gt;.\n\n\"Sights.\" Pantheon. 4th. New York: Random House, 2010. Print.\n\nSteven W. Semes. “Pantheon Inside” ArchitectureWeek No. 254, 2005.0831, pC1.1.<!--more-->','The Pantheon','','inherit','open','open','','410-revision','','','2011-02-21 14:46:13','2011-02-21 20:46:13','',410,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=412',0,'revision','',0),(413,10,'2011-02-21 14:47:08','2011-02-21 20:47:08','<em>Homer\'s Iliad</em> is an epic poem written in the classical antiquity time period, approximately 850-800 B.C. It is typically credited to a blind poet named Homer. The time of Homer\'s existence is still disputed today. Herodotus suggested that Homer lived about 400 years prior to his time, which was around 400 B.C, placing Homer around the 9th century B.C. Other scholars date Homer much closer to the actual events of the Trojan War, around 11oo B.C. This ancient work of literature should be preserved in the time capsule because it is one of the most important texts in Greek history and gives us insight on the theological and social views of the Hellenistic time period. Much of our information about the Trojan War and mythological tales of the gods are preserved in the text of <em>Homer\'s Iliad.</em>\r\n\r\n<em><!--more--></em>\r\n\r\nThe Iliad chronicles a short period of time in the ten-year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. The poem focuses on Homer’s epic hero, swift-footed Achilles. The poem starts off nine years into the war, describing the Greeks sacking a Trojan village, where Achilles takes Briseis as his prize, and Agamemnon, commander of the Achaean army, takes Chrysies. Chryses pleads with Agamemnon to return his daughter, but is only refused. With no luck, Chryses prays to the god Apollo for help, who brings plague upon the Greeks. Achilles then summons the aid of a soothsayer, Calchas, to reveal the cause of the plague. When they find that it was sent by Chryses and Apollo, Agamemnon becomes enraged, saying that he will only return Chrysies if he gets Briseis as his prize. This creates conflict between Agamemnon and one of his greatest warriors, swift-footed Achilles.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad concerns itself with the rage of mortals and the intervention of the gods with the mortals during war. The gods associate themselves with mortal affairs in two ways. In one way, they act as external forces on the events of man, like when Apollo sends the plague upon the Achaean army. In the second way, they interact internally with the mortals, such as when Athena prevents Achilles from abandoning reason, and persuades him to use words against Agamemnon, instead of violence. While the gods play a vital role in the clockwork and life, death and war, they also provide another function, sort of a satirical comic relief.  The conflicts and squabbles between the gods often seem humorously petty and ridiculous in comparison to the serious death and destruction that is occurring below.\r\n\r\nThe epic was a masterpiece of its time, concerning the moral values and ethics of the Hellenistic people of ancient Greece.  In this time, mythological gods and heroes dominated the religious sector of Greek society. Along with art and music of the Hellenistic and Homeric period, literature often incorporated mythological figures, like Zeus and Athena, who regarded as supreme gods of the Greek realm, and were celebrated as such through sculptures, paintings and epic poems. Before the Iliad, no epic poem had concerned itself so much with divine intervention and the dealings and interactions of mortals and the gods. The work itself seems to celebrate war. In that, it presents its characters as worthy or cowardice as a degree depending on their competence and bravery in battle.  With its constant gory battles and mortal death, it sets up a mood of intensity with a touch of taking things way too seriously.\r\n\r\nThe poem is written in dactylic hexameter, a style often attributed to Homer. During his time, epics were performed orally, often aided by a lyre or some other kind of instrument. An epic poem contains guidelines to be followed carefully in order to write a proper epic. First, the poem’s theme or purpose must be stated. Invocation of a muse follows, praising her and asking for aid in writing the poem. Muses were the daughters of Zeus, Calliope being the music of epic poetry. Once the muse is invoked, one must begin the poem <em>in medias res, </em>or “in the middle of things.” Epic poems always begin the tale of whatever is going on after it has been going on for quite some time. Earlier events of the story are then told in flashbacks. The past events then provide a layout of the events occurring in the poem. The poem must center itself around a heroic figure, often personifying the ideals and moral ethics of the culture of his society.  The hero often utilizes the aid of the divine and supernatural, associating himself with the quarrels of the gods. It is typical of epics to present war and the theme of death and mortality. In this time period, humanism and realism were topics of interest among the intellectuals and scholars. The theories of life, death and purpose were discussed in treatises and teachings as well as art and poetry throughout the ages of early Greek civilization.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad is considered the most war-glorifying epic poem to date. Homer spares no horrific or graphic details in describing the tragedies and realities of warfare. It shows the harsh ironies of war. The destructive enterprise is in fact an intriguing and intensely creative activity. The careful practice of combat arts and the creative design of weaponry from great artistic skill, are all for the slaughter of man. Homer shows that war is all at the same time gory, horrific, tragic, realistic, intense and beautiful. He provides both aspects of war and takes no sides on attempting to moralize the activity.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad was extremely influential on Greek culture. It was the closest thing they had to a holy text.  It helped to create a sense of virtue as a constant struggle to exert peak human excellence in all forms. These traditional virtues became very important in the writings of thinkers like Aristotle. The Iliad also had a profound influence on Greek and Roman writers, such as Virgil and Ovid, and inspiration to the arts for generations. Paintings and sculptures were modeled after people and events described by Homer. It possibly made the Trojan War the single most important event in Greek literature and tradition.\r\n\r\nIn modern times, the work is taken as a mythological tale of heroism that serves as nothing more than a fictional story of epic proportions to convey a theme of mortality, divine virtue and human excellence. Compared to cotemporary religions, the polytheistic pagan views of the ancient Greeks as outlined by Homer are outdated and serve as a foundation to later religions. According to modern scholars, the stories of the epic had to have been passed down orally many times before being written down. Each orator added his own touch and detail to the story over generations, creating a lengthy and detailed story before being written down and credited to a still uncertain author.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad is no unlike the Odyssey, another epic poem by Homer. It centralizes around a single heroic character on a mission. Unlike the Iliad, however, <em>the Odyssey </em>focuses more on motives such as love of family and homeland. The journey of Odysseus is his attempt to regain those things dearest to him, and to return home safely. The underlying themes of the Iliad are war and death, along with the constant competitive struggle of the epic hero. The underlying themes of the Odyssey are that of cunning and wit, not strength and endurance. The Odyssey is a compliment to the Iliad, which is the story of Odysseus’ long, arduous travels home. He encounters many obstacles and setbacks, using his cunning and wit to fool even the toughest of foes. Although supposedly written by the same blind bard, the two epics differ in mood and tone entirely. Some historians go as far as saying that the Odyssey was written by a different poet completely, merely to compliment the Iliad with a surreal tale of heroic travels. It is said that the Odyssey was written in Homer’s later years, when he was less concerned with the dealings of death and mortality in the form of brutal war, and more interested in hospitality and the natural beauty of the landscape he so adamantly describes.\r\n\r\nFuture generations can learn a lot from the text of the <em>Iliad. </em>Homer\'s unbiased dedication to the brutality of war can say a lot about the wars we have today. The heroic endeavors of Achilles encompass an ideal ethical portrayal of the motives and ancient society, not unlike those of today. Pagan religion, such as Zeus and all the gods of the Pantheon can be said to be a basis of religions we have today, although very disconnected and primitive. It is very interesting to read about the thoughts, motives and morals of society who lived thousands and thousands of years before our time. It is truly something to learn from and think about in our modern society.\r\n\r\nJohnston, Ian. \"The Iliad (abridged).\" <em>Www.naxosaudiobooks.com</em>. Naxos. Web. 19 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/445812.htm&gt;.\r\n\r\nTherese. \"Iliad vs the Odyssey.\" <em>Inklings</em>. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://sesquipadalianmusings.blogspot.com/2007/10/iliad-vs-odyssey.html&gt;.\r\n\r\nHomer, and I. A. Richards. <em>The Wrath of Achilles: the Iliad of Homer</em>. London: Routledge &amp; K. Paul, 1951. Print.\r\n\r\nBloom, Harold. <em>Homer\'s The Iliad</em>. New York: Chelsea House, 1987. Print.\r\n\r\nJohnston, Ian C. <em>The Ironies of War: an Introduction to Homer\'s Iliad</em>. Lanham, MD: University of America, 1988. Print.\r\n\r\n\"SparkNotes: The Iliad: Context.\" <em>SparkNotes: Today\'s Most Popular Study Guides</em>. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/iliad/context.html&gt;.','','','inherit','open','open','','396-revision-2','','','2011-02-21 14:47:08','2011-02-21 20:47:08','',396,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=413',0,'revision','',0),(417,12,'2011-02-14 14:23:44','2011-02-14 20:23:44','I R TEST<!--more-->\r\n\r\nblah blah blah blah blah','Test bloggage','Excerpt test','inherit','open','open','','70-revision-4','','','2011-02-14 14:23:44','2011-02-14 20:23:44','',70,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=417',0,'revision','',0),(418,12,'2011-02-21 15:21:31','2011-02-21 21:21:31','<p style=\"text-align: center\">Temple of Athena Nike</p>\r\nDaughter of Pallas (titan god of war craft) and Styx (Goddess of the underworld river), Athena Nike is the most valuable goddess you will ever have on your side.\r\n\r\n<!--more--> Unlike her siblings: Zelos (Rivalry), Bia (Force) and Kratos (Strength), Athena Nike stands for victory, and is the only element truly desired. Yes you need a rival in which to play games and fight, yes you need to be able to display your strength and intimidate your opponent with force, but what is the purpose of contests, games, and battles without victory? Victory is the most important aspect of any trial we will ever encounter, and its symbol needs to be preserved.\r\n\r\nAthens has been occupied since 3,000 B.C., but really began to flourish once the Mycenaean rule hit its peak from 1,400 B.C to 1,200 B.C. It was then that the solid walls and foundations of the Acropolis were laid; a plot of land that towers 300 ft. over Athens, Greece. “With its many shallow caves, the abundant percolating water springs and steep slopes, the Acropolis was a prime location for habitation and worship location for Neolithic man (Acropolis History).”And that is exactly what they did.\r\n\r\nBuilding after building eventually began to rise on the Acropolis: the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum, the Chalcothece<strong>, </strong>the Pandroseion<strong>, </strong>and many more magnificent works of architectural art. Some of the buildings were so magnificent that Athens even gained fame for their architecture. People from all countries would come visit just to see what marvels the Acropolis had to offer, as they still do to this day.  Although, it wasn’t always peaceful for Athens, Many wars and city-state quarrels often left the buildings in ruins. Most if not all of the temples had to be rebuilt time and time again, resulting in a variety of styles and cultures mixed together.\r\n\r\nWhile certain buildings were constructed as temples in order to better worship certain gods in hopes of desired blessings, one was fashioned for a more meaningful purpose. Around 424 B.C., amidst the 28 year war with Sparta, civilians were termoiled with the thought of losing the long battle against one of the fiercest empires ever to exist in their era. As an expression of Athens\' ambitions to defeat Sparta and become a world power, and bring confidence back to their cause, the Temple of Athena Nike was built (Nosotro, Rit).\r\n\r\nDesigned by Killikrates (who also helped to design the world renowned Parthenon), it stands 23 feet tall, 18 1/2 feet wide, and 27 feet long,  upon the southwest corner of the Acropolis, facing east. Even though it is considerably smaller than its neighbors—being a 7:1 column ratio instead if the usual 9:1—its  importance is of the greatest for it is a symbol of Athens’ political and military prowess, and is the first thing anyone sees when entering from the Propylaia—a monumental gateway into the Acropolis (Temple of Athena Nike).\r\n\r\nThe temple was built mostly of Pentelic marble (Fiero, Gloria K), and is the very first structure in the Acropolis that was designed with Ionic architecture. This was extremely unique due to the fact all the other temples were Doric (Schulman, Bruce). Another unique attraction is that it was built with tetra style columns, meaning it has 4 columns on both the east and west sides that also created shallow porches. Other temples on the Acropolis had plethras of columns that were only presented at the front entrance. In order to keep people from falling off the sides of the cliff while trying to circle the temple, a guardrail called a parapet was later built. Since the parapet was also one of the first things visitors saw while going up the ramp towards Propylaia, it was decorated with depictions of Nike in various fighting poses (Temple of Athena Nike).\r\n\r\nBecause the structure isn’t very large it only had one room, and in the center of that room was a cult statue of Athena Nike herself. Made of wood, she holds a helmet in her left hand and a pomegranate in her right. Statues of Athena Nike around the world all have her gifted with wings, except this statue does not. Now known as Nike Apteros—meaning wing-less victory, it is speculated that Athena Nike meant so much to their culture that the statue was deprived of her wings so that she could never leave the city (Temple of Athena Nike - Athens, Greece).\r\n\r\nThroughout history the Temple of Athena Nike has been sought after time and time again. It isn’t so much the building itself that brings its precise value, it’s the symbol it represents: Victory. Reconstructed from 1835 to 1838 and from 1935 to 1940, we still hold onto this iconic structure even though millennia’s have past (Mallouchou-Tufano, Fani). Every being from every culture will have challenges where victory is needed. Some people draw their courage from friends or family, others from various forms of faith, the Greeks, however, got their courage from Athena Nike; Therefor, I believe the tradition of keeping this classic temple alive should not cease.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\"Acropolis History.\" <em>Ancient Greece</em>. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.ancient-greece.org/history/acropolis.html&gt;.\r\n\r\nFiero, Gloria K. \"Ch.5 The Classical Style Ca. 700–30 B.C.E.\" <em>The Humanistic Tradition</em>. 6th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2011. B1.123+. Print.\r\n\r\nMallouchou-Tufano, Fani. \"The Restoration of the Athenian Acropolis.\" <em>Http://www.lsa.umich.edu</em>. LSA, 18 Jan. 2006. Web. 19 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.lsa.umich.edu/UMICH/modgreek/Home/_TOPNAV_WTGC/Lectures%20at%20U-M/MallouchouLectureJan18-06.pdf&gt;.\r\n\r\nNosotro, Rit. \"Athens and Sparta.\" <em>HyperHistory.net</em>. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw4athensspartap2dz.htm&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Temple of Athena Nike.\" <em>Ancient Greece</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.ancient-greece.org/architecture/athena-nike.html&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Temple of Athena Nike - Athens, Greece.\" <em>Sacred Sites at Sacred Destinations - Explore Sacred Sites, Religious Sites, Sacred Places</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/athens-temple-of-athena-nike&gt;.','Test bloggage','','inherit','open','open','','70-revision-5','','','2011-02-21 15:21:31','2011-02-21 21:21:31','',70,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=418',0,'revision','',0),(419,22,'2011-02-21 22:42:42','2011-02-22 04:42:42','<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/aristotle111.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/aristotle111-249x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"249\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">http://mrsvesseymathematicians.wikispaces.com/Aristotle</p>\r\nWritten by a philosopher and scientics who was not born 20 years after the death of Sophocles and Euripides, is an unlikely candidate for founder of european dramatic theory. inb fact, it has no rival offering the earlies view of the origins and form of greek tragedy as well as theoretical base of all subsequent serious drama. the work of aritotles have no comparison to any  other poet. because his work is original, he aimed the best poetry by comparing the good , the bad, the natural, the human, and more important the unrevealed. <!--more-->Moreover in the modern era the word \"tragedy\" is often use to describe a terrrible act or fate that befalls an unwitting individual\r\nwith regard to drama, however, the word (and the forn it describes) has a very different meaning. [as literary gender tragedy deals not to much with catastrophic events as how these events work to affect individuals in shaping their character and in determinating their fate. the protagonist becomes a tragic hero not because of what befalls but rather as a result of the manner in which he comfronts his destiny. in the poetics of the world first treatise on literary criticism, the greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 b.c.a)describe tragedy as an imitation of action involving incidents that arose pity and fear. Tragic action, he argues, should involve an error in judgment made by an individual who is “better than the ordinary man” but with whom the audience may sympathize..]\r\n\r\nMany people admired the work of Aristotle’s because of the mystery inside his poetry or the tragedy and drama he presented as in unusual ways. Aristotle’s way of presenting poetic’s was the main difference between him and the rest of the poets at his time.  Aristotle’s is been recognized in the books of history for his outrageous work and unusual way of thinking,besides his critical point of view about life and huamanity gave him a sense of confidence over his peers.\r\nNow the life of aritotles as a philosopher started in Plato\'s academy he was a  young macedonian whose ultimately contributins to philosophy rivaled those of this teacher After a period of travel in the eastern Mediterranean and a brief career as tutor. Aristotle returned to Athens and founded a school known as the Lyceum. Aristotle\'s habit of walking up and down as he lectured in the peripatos (“covered walkway”) of the school gave him the nickname the “peripatetic philosopher.” His teachings, which exist only in the form of lecture notes compiled by his students, the notes cover a wider and more practical range of subjects than those of Plato which it basiclly means that aristotles was more acured on the performance of his work it explaned in more detail.\r\n\r\nin addiction,Aristotle did not accept Plato\'s Theory of Forms. For him, the real was not a reflection of ideal Forms, but existed in the objects of the material world. He equated form (or essence) with the true nature of a thing, and held that its full possession was achieved by the proper performance of its function. Questioning Plato\'s theory of an eternal psyche, he theorized that the portion of the soul identified with reason (and with the impersonal force he called the Unmoved Mover) might be immortal.\r\nAs far as i can judge Aristotles poetics were one of its kind not only because he aimed the real, the true and the unreveal, but more importantly because he saw and deeply understood how life was. his passion for humanity was an examination of values. values that he called \"the good life\" [ . Is not happiness the one goal to which all human beings aspire? If so, then how does one achieve it? The answer, says Aristotle, lies in recognizing one\'s defining essence, and functioning to fulfill i\r\nfunction of the eye is to see; the function of the racehorse is to run fast; the function of a knife is to cut, and so on. How well a thing performs is synonymous with its excellence or virtue (in Greek, the word arete denotes both): the excellence of the eye, then, lies in seeing well; the excellence of a racehorse lies in how fast it runs; the excellence of a knife depends on how well it cuts, and so on. The unique function of the human being, concludes Aristotle, is the ability to reason; hence, the excellence of any human creature lies in the exercise of reason.]\r\nbased on my understanding aristotles has been one of the most famous philosophers not just for his poetry but because the way he describe it and feel about it. Moreover he aimed the true, the good and the bad about man kind, therefore i strongly believe that future generations should have the opportunity to learn and remember the principles and moral that all human kind should have.\r\n\r\nREFERENCES:\r\n\r\nAristotle, Metaphysics, Joe Sachs (trans.), Green Lion Press, 1999\r\n\r\nCopyright statement: The Internet Classics Archive by Daniel C. Stevenson, Web Atomics. World Wide Web presentation is copyright (C) 1994-2000, Daniel C. Stevenson, Web Atomics. Direct permission requests to classics@classics.mit.edu\r\n\r\nClassical Quarterly; 2005, Vol. 55 Issue 2, p435-446, 12p\r\n\r\nThe humanities tradition  vol. 1 Fierro 6e. Chap 5 pg. b1. 99\r\n\r\nAristotle. (1977). Politics (trans. H. Raham). Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.\r\n\r\nAristotle. (1990). Nicomachean ethics (trans. H. Rackham). Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.','ARISTOTLES POETICS ','','publish','open','open','','aristotles-poetics','','','2011-04-03 19:51:46','2011-04-04 01:51:46','',0,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=419',0,'post','',13),(420,12,'2011-02-21 15:22:08','2011-02-21 21:22:08','<p style=\"text-align: center\">Temple of Athena Nike</p>\r\nDaughter of Pallas (titan god of war craft) and Styx (Goddess of the underworld river), Athena Nike is the most valuable goddess you will ever have on your side.\r\n\r\n<!--more--> Unlike her siblings: Zelos (Rivalry), Bia (Force) and Kratos (Strength), Athena Nike stands for victory, and is the only element truly desired. Yes you need a rival in which to play games and fight, yes you need to be able to display your strength and intimidate your opponent with force, but what is the purpose of contests, games, and battles without victory? Victory is the most important aspect of any trial we will ever encounter, and its symbol needs to be preserved.\r\n\r\nAthens has been occupied since 3,000 B.C., but really began to flourish once the Mycenaean rule hit its peak from 1,400 B.C to 1,200 B.C. It was then that the solid walls and foundations of the Acropolis were laid; a plot of land that towers 300 ft. over Athens, Greece. “With its many shallow caves, the abundant percolating water springs and steep slopes, the Acropolis was a prime location for habitation and worship location for Neolithic man (Acropolis History).”And that is exactly what they did.\r\n\r\nBuilding after building eventually began to rise on the Acropolis: the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum, the Chalcothece<strong>, </strong>the Pandroseion<strong>, </strong>and many more magnificent works of architectural art. Some of the buildings were so magnificent that Athens even gained fame for their architecture. People from all countries would come visit just to see what marvels the Acropolis had to offer, as they still do to this day.  Although, it wasn’t always peaceful for Athens, Many wars and city-state quarrels often left the buildings in ruins. Most if not all of the temples had to be rebuilt time and time again, resulting in a variety of styles and cultures mixed together.\r\n\r\nWhile certain buildings were constructed as temples in order to better worship certain gods in hopes of desired blessings, one was fashioned for a more meaningful purpose. Around 424 B.C., amidst the 28 year war with Sparta, civilians were termoiled with the thought of losing the long battle against one of the fiercest empires ever to exist in their era. As an expression of Athens\' ambitions to defeat Sparta and become a world power, and bring confidence back to their cause, the Temple of Athena Nike was built (Nosotro, Rit).\r\n\r\nDesigned by Killikrates (who also helped to design the world renowned Parthenon), it stands 23 feet tall, 18 1/2 feet wide, and 27 feet long,  upon the southwest corner of the Acropolis, facing east. Even though it is considerably smaller than its neighbors—being a 7:1 column ratio instead if the usual 9:1—its  importance is of the greatest for it is a symbol of Athens’ political and military prowess, and is the first thing anyone sees when entering from the Propylaia—a monumental gateway into the Acropolis (Temple of Athena Nike).\r\n\r\nThe temple was built mostly of Pentelic marble (Fiero, Gloria K), and is the very first structure in the Acropolis that was designed with Ionic architecture. This was extremely unique due to the fact all the other temples were Doric (Schulman, Bruce). Another unique attraction is that it was built with tetra style columns, meaning it has 4 columns on both the east and west sides that also created shallow porches. Other temples on the Acropolis had plethras of columns that were only presented at the front entrance. In order to keep people from falling off the sides of the cliff while trying to circle the temple, a guardrail called a parapet was later built. Since the parapet was also one of the first things visitors saw while going up the ramp towards Propylaia, it was decorated with depictions of Nike in various fighting poses (Temple of Athena Nike).\r\n\r\nBecause the structure isn’t very large it only had one room, and in the center of that room was a cult statue of Athena Nike herself. Made of wood, she holds a helmet in her left hand and a pomegranate in her right. Statues of Athena Nike around the world all have her gifted with wings, except this statue does not. Now known as Nike Apteros—meaning wing-less victory, it is speculated that Athena Nike meant so much to their culture that the statue was deprived of her wings so that she could never leave the city (Temple of Athena Nike - Athens, Greece).\r\n\r\nThroughout history the Temple of Athena Nike has been sought after time and time again. It isn’t so much the building itself that brings its precise value, it’s the symbol it represents: Victory. Reconstructed from 1835 to 1838 and from 1935 to 1940, we still hold onto this iconic structure even though millennia’s have past (Mallouchou-Tufano, Fani). Every being from every culture will have challenges where victory is needed. Some people draw their courage from friends or family, others from various forms of faith, the Greeks, however, got their courage from Athena Nike; Therefor, I believe the tradition of keeping this classic temple alive should not cease.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited</p>\r\n\"Acropolis History.\" <em>Ancient Greece</em>. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.ancient-greece.org/history/acropolis.html&gt;.\r\n\r\nFiero, Gloria K. \"Ch.5 The Classical Style Ca. 700–30 B.C.E.\" <em>The Humanistic Tradition</em>. 6th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2011. B1.123+. Print.\r\n\r\nMallouchou-Tufano, Fani. \"The Restoration of the Athenian Acropolis.\" <em>Http://www.lsa.umich.edu</em>. LSA, 18 Jan. 2006. Web. 19 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.lsa.umich.edu/UMICH/modgreek/Home/_TOPNAV_WTGC/Lectures%20at%20U-M/MallouchouLectureJan18-06.pdf&gt;.\r\n\r\nNosotro, Rit. \"Athens and Sparta.\" <em>HyperHistory.net</em>. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw4athensspartap2dz.htm&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Temple of Athena Nike.\" <em>Ancient Greece</em>. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.ancient-greece.org/architecture/athena-nike.html&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Temple of Athena Nike - Athens, Greece.\" <em>Sacred Sites at Sacred Destinations - Explore Sacred Sites, Religious Sites, Sacred Places</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/athens-temple-of-athena-nike&gt;.','Temple of Athena Nike','','inherit','open','open','','70-revision-6','','','2011-02-21 15:22:08','2011-02-21 21:22:08','',70,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=420',0,'revision','',0),(421,22,'2011-02-21 15:23:05','2011-02-21 21:23:05','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','419-revision','','','2011-02-21 15:23:05','2011-02-21 21:23:05','',419,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=421',0,'revision','',0),(422,22,'2011-02-21 15:26:39','2011-02-21 21:26:39','','ARISTOTLES POETICS ','','inherit','open','open','','419-revision-2','','','2011-02-21 15:26:39','2011-02-21 21:26:39','',419,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=422',0,'revision','',0),(424,16,'2011-02-21 15:52:48','2011-02-21 21:52:48','<div>\r\n<div>\r\n<p>Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality.<!--more--></p>\r\n<div>The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time (“The Epic”).</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing (“The Epic”). The Enuma Elish is another work created in about the same time period that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects the culture and beliefs of the ancient people of Mesopotamia as one of many things that defined them as a people.</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. Even after the fall of Sumer, the Babylonians still preserved Sumerian legends, myths, and language (Westwood). There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region hence the many versions and fragments of the epic “from Hittite Anatolia, Syria, and Egypt. The 7th-century tablets were found at Nineveh in the library of Ashurbanipal, King of Assyria” (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh. Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today (“Gilgamesh”).</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh (Pettinato). Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. The epic portrays life as something temporary and changes over time, relaying that people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div>\r\n<p><BR><BR></p>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. 	Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual 	Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<p><BR>s</p>\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3448400012&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. 	McGraw-Hill, 2011.</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. 	Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual 	Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3424501172&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara 	Pendergast and Tom 	Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 	2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3408400836&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et 	al. Vol. 5: Primary Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual 	Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3448400105&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. 	Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-	334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3407200121&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div>\r\n<p><BR></p>\r\n<div>\"Gilgamesh in Popular Culture.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia 	Foundation, Inc. 22 July 2004. Web. 10 Aug. 2004. 	&lt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgamesh_in_popular_culture&gt;</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','publish','open','open','','the-epic-of-gilgamesh','','','2011-02-21 21:59:30','2011-02-22 03:59:30','',0,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=424',0,'post','',10),(425,16,'2011-02-21 15:51:52','2011-02-21 21:51:52','<div>\n<div></div>\n<div>Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div>\n<div></div>\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh. Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div>Works Cited:</div>\n<div></div>\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. <span> </span>2011.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill,</div>\n<div>2011.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit:</div>\n<div>Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom <span> </span>Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual <span> </span>Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011</div>\n<div></div>\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\n<div></div>\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. <span> </span>Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. <span> </span>Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision','','','2011-02-21 15:51:52','2011-02-21 21:51:52','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=425',0,'revision','',0),(429,16,'2011-02-21 16:00:05','2011-02-21 22:00:05','<div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh. Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\"></div>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. <span> </span>2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill,  2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom <span> </span>Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual <span> </span>Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. <span> </span>Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. <span> </span>Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-4','','','2011-02-21 16:00:05','2011-02-21 22:00:05','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=429',0,'revision','',0),(426,16,'2011-02-21 20:29:52','2011-02-22 02:29:52','<div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nAlthough there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality.<!--more-->\r\n<div>The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div><BR>\r\n<div>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div><BR>\r\n<div>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time (“The Epic”).</div><BR>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing (“The Epic”). The Enuma Elish is another work created in about the same time period that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects the culture and beliefs of the ancient people of Mesopotamia as one of many things that defined them as a people.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. Even after the fall of Sumer, the Babylonians still preserved Sumerian legends, myths, and language (Westwood). There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region hence the many versions and fragments of the epic “from Hittite Anatolia, Syria, and Egypt. The 7th-century tablets were found at Nineveh in the library of Ashurbanipal, King of Assyria” (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh. Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today (“Gilgamesh”).</div><BR>\r\n<div>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh (Pettinato). Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. The epic portrays life as something temporary and changes over time, relaying that people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div><BR>\r\n<div>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div><BR>\r\n<div>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div><BR><BR>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"></p>\r\n\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. 	Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual 	Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>s\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3448400012&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div><BR>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. 	McGraw-Hill, 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. 	Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual 	Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3424501172&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div><BR>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara 	Pendergast and Tom 	Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 	2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3408400836&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div><BR>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et 	al. Vol. 5: Primary Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual 	Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3448400105&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div><BR>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. 	Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-	334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>&lt;http://go.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/ps/i.do?&amp;id=GALE%7CCX3407200121&amp;v=2.1&amp;u=txshracd2487&amp;it=r&amp;p=GVRL&amp;sw=w&gt;</div><BR>\r\n<div>\"Gilgamesh in Popular Culture.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia 	Foundation, Inc. 22 July 2004. Web. 10 Aug. 2004. 	&lt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgamesh_in_popular_culture&gt;</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-autosave','','','2011-02-21 20:29:52','2011-02-22 02:29:52','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=426',0,'revision','',0),(430,16,'2011-02-21 16:05:14','2011-02-21 22:05:14','<div>\r\n<div><!--more--></div>\r\n<div>Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh. Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.</div>\r\n<div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\"></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\"></div>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. <span> </span>2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill,  2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom <span> </span>Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual <span> </span>Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. <span> </span>Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. <span> </span>Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-5','','','2011-02-21 16:05:14','2011-02-21 22:05:14','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=430',0,'revision','',0),(427,16,'2011-02-21 15:52:48','2011-02-21 21:52:48','<div>\r\n<div><!--more--></div>\r\n<div>Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh. Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\"></div>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. <span> </span>2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill,</div>\r\n<div>2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit:</div>\r\n<div>Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom <span> </span>Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual <span> </span>Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. <span> </span>Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. <span> </span>Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-2','','','2011-02-21 15:52:48','2011-02-21 21:52:48','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=427',0,'revision','',0),(428,16,'2011-02-21 15:54:47','2011-02-21 21:54:47','<div>\r\n<div><!--more--></div>\r\n<div>Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh. Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.</div>\r\n<div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. <span> </span>2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom <span> </span>Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual <span> </span>Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. <span> </span>Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. <span> </span>Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-3','','','2011-02-21 15:54:47','2011-02-21 21:54:47','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=428',0,'revision','',0),(441,1,'2011-02-21 16:40:53','2011-02-21 22:40:53','<div>\r\n<div><!--more-->Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.<BR></div><bR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.<BR> <BR></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<BR><BR>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div><BR>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-14','','','2011-02-21 16:40:53','2011-02-21 22:40:53','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=441',0,'revision','',0),(433,16,'2011-02-21 16:30:42','2011-02-21 22:30:42','<div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\"></div>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. <span> </span>2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill,</div>\r\n<div>2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit:</div>\r\n<div>Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom <span> </span>Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual <span> </span>Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. <span> </span>Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. <span> </span>Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-7','','','2011-02-21 16:30:42','2011-02-21 22:30:42','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=433',0,'revision','',0),(432,29,'2011-02-21 16:33:29','2011-02-21 22:33:29','La Maison Carrée (the square house) is a Roman temple built in Nîmes, France in 19 B.C.E. The Roman shrine was built by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Caesar Augustus. Agrippa who was the “right hand man” and son-in-law to Augustus and the patron of the Pantheon in Rome (Hayes, 1). La Maison Carrée was built in hopes to impress the citizens of Nîmes, keeping with the Roman style architecture to honor the new emperor Augustus. The temple was built in dedication to Augustus’s two adopted sons to promote the new imperial control. The building has a bronze inscription that reads “To Gaus Caesar, son of Augutus, consul: to Lucius Caesar, son of Augustus, Consul designate; to the princes of youth” (Hayes, 1). The temple stands on a 12 ft high podium like a Greek shrine with a stairway that leads up to a colonnaded portico (porch) and then to a single entrance. The Corinthian Order, or the laws of symmetry and proportions, is used in the portico and ornate columns that cover the exterior walls. The building door leads to a large, single room which houses a collection of Roman sculptures (once filled with sculptures of Augustus, his family and the Gods) and other classical fragments (Britannica, 1). The building  is 82 ft long by 40 ft wide. La Maison Carrée served as a spiritual center for the Romans and is an example of classical refinement (Fiero, 6.13). The temple is one of the best preserved  in the world. “It Is one of the most beautiful monuments built in Gaul by the Romans” (Norton, 913). Since it was built the temple has been a town hall, stable, apartment, church, and today serves as a museum.\n\n<!--more-->\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"392\" caption=\"La Maison Carrée\"]<a href=\"http://www.geraldbrimacombe.com/France/France%20-%20Nimes%20-%20Maison%20Carree.jpg\"><img src=\"http://www.geraldbrimacombe.com/France/France%20-%20Nimes%20-%20Maison%20Carree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"576\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nhttp://www.geraldbrimacombe.com/France/France%20-%20Nimes%20-%20Maison%20Carree.jpg\n\nAfter the assassination of Julius Caesar and the struggle for  power between Marc Anthony and Octavian (later known as Augustus) ensued, the power fell into the hands of Octavian. The senate renamed Octavian, Augustus (“the Revered one”) and he held joint power with the senate, but had the power to veto (Fiero, 6.3).  Augustus’s rein began an era of stability and peace, a time called the “Pax Romana”, during this time literature and art flourished. Augustus was a large supporter of the arts, and commissioned many  projects involving art, literature and architecture. Augustus stated that when he came to power he would make a city of brick into a city of marble (Fiero, B1.12). The Maison Carrée was one of the projects commissioned by Augustus. The shrine was dedicate to his sons, and was used as a symbol of his new power and the new era of peace he brought with him.\n\nLa Maison Carrée is typical for its time, because it was built in a classical Roman/Greek style encompassing the rules of the Corinthian Order. Other architecture built under the reign of Augustus were similar in design. La Maison Carrée  was inspired by the Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae Arcadia and the Temple of Mars Ultor in Rome, all of which were built according to the Corinthian Order. The Corinthian order was a “set of structural and decorative parts that stand in fixed relation to each other” (Fiero, 5.18). During this time period, the design of a building depended on the function of the building. The Maison Carrée differed from buildings like the Parthenon in Rome, because of its ornate details, where the ladder is built according to the Doric order whose design is “simple and severe” (Fiero, 5.20). Even though the Parthenon differs in its architectural detail, both it and the Maison Carrée hold similarities as to why they were built.  The Maison Carrée was built to honor the Gods and the new emperor Augustus. Most architecture around 19 B.C.E. was built for the same reasons, for example: the Pantheon was built to honor the “7 Planetary dieties” (Fiero B1.155) and the Parthenon was built to honor Athena. The Maison Carrée shares similarities with the Pantheon, built in the early second century B.C.E., because it was also built according to the Corinthian Order, covered with marble and bronze (La Maison Carrée is made of limestone, but appears to be marble), and has a large portico at the entrance. After the Roman rise to power, many buildings displayed the beauty and symmetry of Roman architecture, but only a few of them still stand today.\n\nLa Maison Carrée is unusual for its time, because it is a Roman temple in the middle of France. The Roman’s brought over a new style of architecture along with their power of the Nîmes area, and it seemed to stand out against the other buildings. Although Nîmes was a provincial city, it was a priority to build a temple there just as nice as any in Rome. Augustus wanted the temple built by the best architect available (Hanser, 147). The style of the building is specifically Roman and the fineness of the construction shows the architect was familiar with the architectual style fashionable in the capital of Rome. The scrolls on the molding of the building are almost identical to the Altar of Peace in Rome which was also dedicated to Augustus. The Romans combined the style of the Etruscans (Italian society that ruled Rome for about a century) using the rectangular form on a podium with columns, a portico and stairs. The architecture also has Greek details; Corinthian order and the organization of the columns, moldings and proportion of the building. Although the Maison Carrée resembles a Greek temple, its architecture is not exactly the same. Most Greek temples have freestanding columns all around the building, making the front and back identical. However, the Maison Carrée has a distinct front and back, and a set of stairs only to the front entrance, where usual Greek temples have stairs all around the building. Romans admired the architecture of Greeks and portrayed it in temples like The Maison Carrée, but were more concerned with ornate details and magnificent architecture to portray Roman power. \"There was nothing provincial about The Maison Carrée when it was built\" (Hanser 146). Even though The Maison Carrée waws a peculiar architectural style in France, In Rome this style was very popular.\n\nThe temple was built to impress the citizens of Nîmes, but at the same time it was used to enforce the rules of the new regime in power. It was used to show public authority, and became the economic heart of Nîmes. The temple is completely  in- tact and is so well preserved, which proves that it was somewhat well received. It still stands tall today, looking almost brand new. Citizens of France still cherish it today. Augustus was a hard, but fair leader. He wanted little to do with personal luxuries, and simply built these monuments, like The Maison Carrée to show his power, but they were not built for him specifically. The new regime that built The Maison Carrée was not a fearsome one, Augustus brought with him a period of peace and organization. The Roman Empire held values of easy communication and trade that flourished (Britannica, 1).  Augustus was a cultured man, he had every right to lead, and he lead well. Taking over Nîmes was not easy, and the citizens understood this, therefore the architecture he set up was untouched. The architecture was accepted and was frequently used by the citizens of France. Many people were not allowed in the temple, due to the belief in Rome that only priests and their people were allowed inside the Cella (the home of God). Many ceremonies and sacrifices were held outside the temple in front of the stairs of the. The temple survived the fall of the Western Roman Empire, after many others were burned down or destroyed, and has been used by many architects as a model of Roman techniques (Hanser, 147-148).\n\nToday, The  Maison Carrée is frequently visited and is used as a museum and tourist attraction in France.  It now lies next to a modern art museum, and library, The Carre D’Art. The government of France took a long time in picking an architect to build the new museum, because of the difficult task of finding a design worthy of standing next to The Maison Carrée. In 1984, twelve architects went to France to consider the architecture and history of the site, and design a building that would not compete with the original beauty of The Maison Carrée. The government had a budget of 24 million pounds to revamp the square that The Maison Carrée, lies in. The British architect Norman Foster recently renovated the square to a modern cultural district. They  updated the area, while still respecting the background and history of the architecture already there. (Hanser, 149). The French contracts and building regulations made it difficult, but today the square is finished and remains a hot-spot for tourists and residents of Nîmes. There are many hotels around the area of the temple, such as the Jardin Secrets or the Hotel Majestic for tourists to stay close to the square of La Maison Carrée Since the temple is the best preserved of its kind, it will forever be a main attraction in Nîmes, to visit it almost takes a person back in time. In its day, the Maison Carrée was built to display the power of a new regime, but today it is a symbol of the colorful history of France. To revel in the buildings beauty, and imagine the hard work and immense effort it took to build the massive structure.\n\nLa Maison Carrée represents the beautiful history of France, the structure represents the classical beauty of Roman architecture, and the fact that it is so well preserved is astounding. Although it has been reconstructed a few times, its original beauty shines. It is obvious it is important to the French government, and the people that live in Nîmes today. The square has been renovated and now holds a modern art museum and library and makes the area even more inviting to visit. I like the fact that the square makes modern style work with the old, classical architecture of The Maison Carrée. When looking at a picture of the temple, it seems as if it were picked up in Rome and placed in the middle of the square it sits in. It seems a little out of place beside the buildings around it, which makes it unique. The architecture is simple, but stunning. I love the columns and the way they wrap all the way around the building. I think it is rather interesting how many different identities the building has had. It started out as a temple or church, then a town hall, stable, etc and is now a museum. I would love to visit and see with my own eyes the beauty and integrity of the building. It would be amazing to walk up the steep set of stairs and think of how many came before me. When I visit France someday soon, I will for definitely make a stop at La Maison Carrée and give praise to those that designed and built the beautiful temple.\n\nThomas Jefferson first saw The Maison Carrée during his long stay as ambassador to France and instantly fell in love. He stated that it was \"the most perfect and precious remains of antiquity\" (Whiffen 1996, 103, Hanser 148). After returning to the states he was approached by his directors about an idea for a design for the new state capitol, shortly after he contacted the French architect C.L. Clérisseau. Jefferson asked Clérisseau to send him measured drawings of The Maison Carrée so he could use it as a model for the Virginia capitol. Final drawings of the design were sent to Richmond in 1786. Jefferson decided to change the Corinthian Order (characterized by the detailed acanthus leaves) of the original temple to the more simple Ionic order, because he did not feel there were many craftsman in the United States trained well enough to translate the ornate details. Construction of the Virginia capitol was completed in 1788. Like The Maison Carrée, there are pilasters (flat strips, like half columns) around the exterior of the building and a large porch encompassed by columns on the front of the structure.\n\nBoth of the buildings were built in appreciation for someone in charge. Although Augustus was an emperor, he was much a like a president. The capitol in America is built for a ruler (the president) in honor of his power. The Maison Carrée was used more for a secular device, but like the capitol was visited by many important people. The capitol, can be visited by tourists and people not in power, but is used more by the people in power. The Maison Carrée is the center of the square it resides in, there are many buildings around it, but it is the main attraction. The Virginia capitol building modeled after the temple is also the main building in its area. The capitol houses many statues inside of George Washington and other presidents born in Virginia, like The Maison Carrée, who houses statues of Augustus, his family, the Gods, and other important figures. Both of these pieces of architecture represent an appreciation for other cultures. Thomas Jefferson went to France and awed at The Maison Carrée and its classical beauty and decided to model his capitol in America after it (there is even a statue inside of the French- volunteer who fought for The United States during the American Revolution (Viriginia, 1)). He embraced the French and was interested in their vast culture. Augustus borrowed the architectural ideas for The Maison Carrée from the Romans, the Greeks and the Etruscans. Each of these buildings are an example of the collaboration of culture, art and architecture. Unlike The Maison Carrée, the Virigina capitol has always been used as the capitol. The buildings have been restored, changed and added on to, but has never changed its identity. The Maison Carrée however has has many different identities: a church, a private house, stable, town hall and museum. Both buildings, although similar in design are very different (one was built by Americas, attempting to copy the Roman design, the other built by the originals- the Romans) The Maison Carrée has a much longer history than the Virginia capitol, but both are very meaningful to the citizens who live around them and display a history to the county they were built in.\n\nFor future generations, it is important to understand the significance of La Maison Carrée. It is not only a beautiful piece of architecture, it is a representation of the struggle for power during its time. It represents the hard work men put into building the structure. It is historical evidence of the Roman Empire, and represents the power Augustus had during his reign in France and other European regions. Due to the fact that is the best preserved temple from its time period, future generations can visit it and view the original beauty and artistic intelligence it took to build it. It is important for future generations to realize the building was made by real men with their bare hands. Blood, sweat and tears went into building The Maison Carrée, unlike many buildings today. Architecture today lacks structural beauty, and many people do not think of proportions and symmetry the way these men used to. The Maison Carrée is a prime example of the Corinthian Order, and would be important for anyone to visit in order to understand the rules of the order. The Maison Carrée is not just a beautiful building, it is a representation of the people that lived in Nîmes, worked there and ruled there. It is an example of the Roman reign and the colorful history of France.\n\nWorks Cited\n\nChavalas, Mark W. \"Agrippa Marcus Vispanius.\"  The Ancient World. Vol 2. Print\n\nFiero, Gloria K. The Humanistic Tradition: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.\n\nHanser, David A. \"Reference Guide to National Architecture: Architecture of France.\" Greenwood Press,\n\n2006. Print\n\nHayes, Holly. \"Maison Carrée,  Nîmes.\" Sacred Destinations. 2005-2011.\n\n&lt;http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/nimes-maison-carree&gt;  Web. 12 Feb 2011.\n\nNorton, Peter B. \"The Maison Carrée.\" Britannica Encylopedia. Vol 7.1995. Print.\n\nVirginia Capitol Foundation. \"About the Capitol.\" Commonwealth of Virginia, 2006-2010.\n\nWeb. &lt; http://www.virginiacapitol.gov/&gt; 13 Feb 2011.','La Maison Carrée','','inherit','open','open','','199-autosave','','','2011-02-21 16:33:29','2011-02-21 22:33:29','',199,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=432',0,'revision','',0),(431,16,'2011-02-21 16:25:25','2011-02-21 22:25:25','\r\n<div><!--more-->\r\nAlthough there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”). </div>\r\n<br>\r\nThe main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\r\n<br>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.</div>\r\n<br>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.</div>\r\n<bR>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh. Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.</div>\r\n<br>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\r\n\r\n<BR>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\r\n<bR> It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div>\r\n<bR> <BR>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<bR>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<br>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill,  2011.</div>\r\n<br>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<br>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom <span> </span>Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<br>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<br>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. <span> </span>Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. <span> </span>Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-6','','','2011-02-21 16:25:25','2011-02-21 22:25:25','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=431',0,'revision','',0),(434,16,'2011-02-21 16:34:18','2011-02-21 22:34:18','<div>\r\n<div><!--more-->Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).<BR></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.<BR></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.<BR></div>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.<BR></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.<BR></div>\r\n<div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.<BR></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.<BR></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.<BR></div>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.<BR> <BR></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:<BR></div>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.<BR></div>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill,\r\n2011.<BR></div>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.<BR></div>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011 <BR></div>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-8','','','2011-02-21 16:34:18','2011-02-21 22:34:18','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=434',0,'revision','',0),(442,1,'2011-02-21 14:47:41','2011-02-21 20:47:41','<em>Homer\'s Iliad</em> is an epic poem written in the classical antiquity time period, approximately 850-800 B.C. It is typically credited to a blind poet named Homer. The time of Homer\'s existence is still disputed today. Herodotus suggested that Homer lived about 400 years prior to his time, which was around 400 B.C, placing Homer around the 9th century B.C. Other scholars date Homer much closer to the actual events of the Trojan War, around 11oo B.C. This ancient work of literature should be preserved in the time capsule because it is one of the most important texts in Greek history and gives us insight on the theological and social views of the Hellenistic time period. Much of our information about the Trojan War and mythological tales of the gods are preserved in the text of <em>Homer\'s Iliad.</em>\r\n\r\n<em><!--more--></em>\r\n\r\nThe Iliad chronicles a short period of time in the ten-year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. The poem focuses on Homer’s epic hero, swift-footed Achilles. The poem starts off nine years into the war, describing the Greeks sacking a Trojan village, where Achilles takes Briseis as his prize, and Agamemnon, commander of the Achaean army, takes Chrysies. Chryses pleads with Agamemnon to return his daughter, but is only refused. With no luck, Chryses prays to the god Apollo for help, who brings plague upon the Greeks. Achilles then summons the aid of a soothsayer, Calchas, to reveal the cause of the plague. When they find that it was sent by Chryses and Apollo, Agamemnon becomes enraged, saying that he will only return Chrysies if he gets Briseis as his prize. This creates conflict between Agamemnon and one of his greatest warriors, swift-footed Achilles.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad concerns itself with the rage of mortals and the intervention of the gods with the mortals during war. The gods associate themselves with mortal affairs in two ways. In one way, they act as external forces on the events of man, like when Apollo sends the plague upon the Achaean army. In the second way, they interact internally with the mortals, such as when Athena prevents Achilles from abandoning reason, and persuades him to use words against Agamemnon, instead of violence. While the gods play a vital role in the clockwork and life, death and war, they also provide another function, sort of a satirical comic relief.  The conflicts and squabbles between the gods often seem humorously petty and ridiculous in comparison to the serious death and destruction that is occurring below.\r\n\r\nThe epic was a masterpiece of its time, concerning the moral values and ethics of the Hellenistic people of ancient Greece.  In this time, mythological gods and heroes dominated the religious sector of Greek society. Along with art and music of the Hellenistic and Homeric period, literature often incorporated mythological figures, like Zeus and Athena, who regarded as supreme gods of the Greek realm, and were celebrated as such through sculptures, paintings and epic poems. Before the Iliad, no epic poem had concerned itself so much with divine intervention and the dealings and interactions of mortals and the gods. The work itself seems to celebrate war. In that, it presents its characters as worthy or cowardice as a degree depending on their competence and bravery in battle.  With its constant gory battles and mortal death, it sets up a mood of intensity with a touch of taking things way too seriously.\r\n\r\nThe poem is written in dactylic hexameter, a style often attributed to Homer. During his time, epics were performed orally, often aided by a lyre or some other kind of instrument. An epic poem contains guidelines to be followed carefully in order to write a proper epic. First, the poem’s theme or purpose must be stated. Invocation of a muse follows, praising her and asking for aid in writing the poem. Muses were the daughters of Zeus, Calliope being the music of epic poetry. Once the muse is invoked, one must begin the poem <em>in medias res, </em>or “in the middle of things.” Epic poems always begin the tale of whatever is going on after it has been going on for quite some time. Earlier events of the story are then told in flashbacks. The past events then provide a layout of the events occurring in the poem. The poem must center itself around a heroic figure, often personifying the ideals and moral ethics of the culture of his society.  The hero often utilizes the aid of the divine and supernatural, associating himself with the quarrels of the gods. It is typical of epics to present war and the theme of death and mortality. In this time period, humanism and realism were topics of interest among the intellectuals and scholars. The theories of life, death and purpose were discussed in treatises and teachings as well as art and poetry throughout the ages of early Greek civilization.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad is considered the most war-glorifying epic poem to date. Homer spares no horrific or graphic details in describing the tragedies and realities of warfare. It shows the harsh ironies of war. The destructive enterprise is in fact an intriguing and intensely creative activity. The careful practice of combat arts and the creative design of weaponry from great artistic skill, are all for the slaughter of man. Homer shows that war is all at the same time gory, horrific, tragic, realistic, intense and beautiful. He provides both aspects of war and takes no sides on attempting to moralize the activity.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad was extremely influential on Greek culture. It was the closest thing they had to a holy text.  It helped to create a sense of virtue as a constant struggle to exert peak human excellence in all forms. These traditional virtues became very important in the writings of thinkers like Aristotle. The Iliad also had a profound influence on Greek and Roman writers, such as Virgil and Ovid, and inspiration to the arts for generations. Paintings and sculptures were modeled after people and events described by Homer. It possibly made the Trojan War the single most important event in Greek literature and tradition.\r\n\r\nIn modern times, the work is taken as a mythological tale of heroism that serves as nothing more than a fictional story of epic proportions to convey a theme of mortality, divine virtue and human excellence. Compared to cotemporary religions, the polytheistic pagan views of the ancient Greeks as outlined by Homer are outdated and serve as a foundation to later religions. According to modern scholars, the stories of the epic had to have been passed down orally many times before being written down. Each orator added his own touch and detail to the story over generations, creating a lengthy and detailed story before being written down and credited to a still uncertain author.\r\n\r\nThe Iliad is no unlike the Odyssey, another epic poem by Homer. It centralizes around a single heroic character on a mission. Unlike the Iliad, however, <em>the Odyssey </em>focuses more on motives such as love of family and homeland. The journey of Odysseus is his attempt to regain those things dearest to him, and to return home safely. The underlying themes of the Iliad are war and death, along with the constant competitive struggle of the epic hero. The underlying themes of the Odyssey are that of cunning and wit, not strength and endurance. The Odyssey is a compliment to the Iliad, which is the story of Odysseus’ long, arduous travels home. He encounters many obstacles and setbacks, using his cunning and wit to fool even the toughest of foes. Although supposedly written by the same blind bard, the two epics differ in mood and tone entirely. Some historians go as far as saying that the Odyssey was written by a different poet completely, merely to compliment the Iliad with a surreal tale of heroic travels. It is said that the Odyssey was written in Homer’s later years, when he was less concerned with the dealings of death and mortality in the form of brutal war, and more interested in hospitality and the natural beauty of the landscape he so adamantly describes.\r\n\r\nFuture generations can learn a lot from the text of the <em>Iliad. </em>Homer\'s unbiased dedication to the brutality of war can say a lot about the wars we have today. The heroic endeavors of Achilles encompass an ideal ethical portrayal of the motives and ancient society, not unlike those of today. Pagan religion, such as Zeus and all the gods of the Pantheon can be said to be a basis of religions we have today, although very disconnected and primitive. It is very interesting to read about the thoughts, motives and morals of society who lived thousands and thousands of years before our time. It is truly something to learn from and think about in our modern society.\r\n\r\nJohnston, Ian. \"The Iliad (abridged).\" <em>Www.naxosaudiobooks.com</em>. Naxos. Web. 19 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/445812.htm&gt;.\r\n\r\nTherese. \"Iliad vs the Odyssey.\" <em>Inklings</em>. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://sesquipadalianmusings.blogspot.com/2007/10/iliad-vs-odyssey.html&gt;.\r\n\r\nHomer, and I. A. Richards. <em>The Wrath of Achilles: the Iliad of Homer</em>. London: Routledge &amp; K. Paul, 1951. Print.\r\n\r\nBloom, Harold. <em>Homer\'s The Iliad</em>. New York: Chelsea House, 1987. Print.\r\n\r\nJohnston, Ian C. <em>The Ironies of War: an Introduction to Homer\'s Iliad</em>. Lanham, MD: University of America, 1988. Print.\r\n\r\n\"SparkNotes: The Iliad: Context.\" <em>SparkNotes: Today\'s Most Popular Study Guides</em>. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/iliad/context.html&gt;.','Homer\'s Iliad: TCP 1','','inherit','open','open','','396-revision-3','','','2011-02-21 14:47:41','2011-02-21 20:47:41','',396,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=442',0,'revision','',0),(435,16,'2011-02-21 16:37:31','2011-02-21 22:37:31','<div>\r\n<div><!--more-->Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).<BR><BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.<BR></div><bR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.<BR> <BR></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011 <BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-9','','','2011-02-21 16:37:31','2011-02-21 22:37:31','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=435',0,'revision','',0),(437,16,'2011-02-21 16:38:47','2011-02-21 22:38:47','<div>\r\n<div><!--more-->Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).<BR><BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.<BR></div><bR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.<BR> <BR></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<br>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-11','','','2011-02-21 16:38:47','2011-02-21 22:38:47','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=437',0,'revision','',0),(436,16,'2011-02-21 16:37:56','2011-02-21 22:37:56','<div>\r\n<div><!--more-->Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).<BR><BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.<BR></div><bR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.<BR> <BR></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011 <BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n<br>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-10','','','2011-02-21 16:37:56','2011-02-21 22:37:56','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=436',0,'revision','',0),(438,16,'2011-02-21 16:39:45','2011-02-21 22:39:45','<div>\r\n<div><!--more-->Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.<BR></div><bR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.<BR> <BR></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div><BR>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<br>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-12','','','2011-02-21 16:39:45','2011-02-21 22:39:45','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=438',0,'revision','',0),(439,16,'2011-02-21 16:40:25','2011-02-21 22:40:25','<div>\r\n<div><!--more-->Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.<BR></div><bR>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.<BR></div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.<BR></div>\r\n<BR><div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.<BR> <BR></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div><BR>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2011.<BR></div><BR>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <BR></div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-13','','','2011-02-21 16:40:25','2011-02-21 22:40:25','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=439',0,'revision','',0),(440,1,'2011-02-20 23:19:03','2011-02-21 05:19:03','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-367\" src=\"http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hebrew_bible1.jpg1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198\">http://bible-hebrew.net/?p=198</a>\r\n\r\nThe Hebrew Bible is not one book, but rather an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years ago.  With at least 40 different writers, the actual author of the bible is Jehovah God.  The bible provides the history of God\'s dealings with a variety of people in a variety of situations, giving us insight as to who God is, how he reacts and interacts with us. More importantly, it provides the account of human creation and our purpose on earth, which certainly needs to continue being passed on to generations.\r\n\r\nAlthough the bible has sold more copies than any other publication, many feel that the work of the bible is outdated and does not apply to our day and time.  That is untrue.  There are several biblical prophecies that apply to our day and age.  As taken from Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  Clearly this scripture forewarned of disasters throughout our day and time, the most recent, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, and many wars in the Middle East to name a few.\r\n\r\nAccording to Richard Joseph Krejcir, the bible “has been more influential than the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta or any philosophical or political idea. The Bible is so important it has influenced much that we take for granted in the world from science, technology, and even our political system!”  If we consider the US Constitution, it has been amended over 27 times.  Texas’ Constitution has been amended over 350 times.  Yes, the Bible has been translated from its original languages, but it has not been changed, interpreted or interpolated along the way.  Today\'s Bibles are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations, they go right back to the ancient source manuscripts. The primary differences between today\'s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original language (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).\r\n\r\nAccording to the Hebrew Scriptures in Malachi 3:6, God told the nation of Israel: “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.” Some 500 years later, the Bible writer James wrote of God in James 1:17, “With him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow.” Why, then, does it seem to some that the God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures is different from the God of the Christian Greek Scriptures?  The answer is that different aspects of God’s personality are revealed in different parts of the Bible. In the book of Genesis alone, God is described as feeling “hurt at his heart,” as the “Producer of heaven and earth,” and as “the Judge of all the earth.” Do these differing descriptions refer to the same God? They certainly do.  To illustrate: A local judge may be best known by those who have faced him in court as a firm enforcer of the law. His children, on the other hand, may view him as the loving, generous father that he is. His close friends may find that he is an approachable man with a good sense of humor. The judge, the father, and the friend are all the same person. It is just that various aspects of his personality become apparent under different circumstances.\r\n\r\nDevotion to the Word of God continued to live in the hearts of many pilgrims who sailed to colonize North America. In early America, \"reading and religion were inextricably intertwined, defining a culture based entirely on familiarity with the Bible,\" says the book A History of Private Life—Passions of the Renaissance.  The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is familiar with all our ways. He knows more about our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs than even we do. Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them. Happy is the man whose \"delight is in the law of Jehovah,\" says the psalmist, \"Everything he does will succeed.\" as taken from Psalm 1:1-3.  Such a prospect surely merits our close examination.\r\n\r\nWORKS CITED\r\n\r\n<em>\"Why Study The Bible?\" Into Thy Word Ministries. 2004. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. </em> &lt;http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53487&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>Jehovah\'s Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.      &lt;http://www.watchtower.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n<em>New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Rendered from the Original Languages</em>. Brooklyn, <em>NY:</em> Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.\r\n\r\n<em>Church Leadership</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. &lt;http://www.churchleadership.org/&gt;.\r\n\r\n\"Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible.\" <em>Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible Software</em>. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.                                                             &lt;http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Hebrew_Index.htm&gt;.','The Oldest Book In History Still Beneficial','','inherit','open','open','','356-revision-14','','','2011-02-20 23:19:03','2011-02-21 05:19:03','',356,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=440',0,'revision','',0),(443,16,'2011-02-21 16:43:13','2011-02-21 22:43:13','<div>\r\n<div><!--more-->Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality. The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\r\n<div><span> </span>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.</div>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.</div>\r\n<div><span> </span>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.</div>\r\n<div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.</div>\r\n<div><span> </span>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\r\n<div><span> </span>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\r\n<div><span> </span>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.\r\n\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2011.</div>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-15','','','2011-02-21 16:43:13','2011-02-21 22:43:13','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=443',0,'revision','',0),(445,16,'2011-02-21 16:47:59','2011-02-21 22:47:59','<div>\r\n<div>Although there were many ancient epic poems throughout history, The Epic of Gilgamesh is by far the oldest known epic poem and is one of the oldest surviving text in the world. The surviving version of the epic is written in Akkadian, but was originally told orally in the ancient Sumerian language (“Ancient Religions”). It is a mythical account and symbolic account of an actual Sumerian king, Gilgamesh, in search for immortality.</div>\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<div>The epic embodies the values and ideals of the predominate culture at the time. The Epic also takes place in the same time period as the Great Flood similar to the story of Noah in the Genesis (“Ancient Religions”).</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>The main theme of the poem centers around death and the value of life. The main character, Gilgamesh, was a Sumerian king that lived around 2700 BCE in the area known today as modern Iraq (“Ancient Religions”). In the epic, he is depicted as an arrogant, ruthless, and powerful king who is of divine birth. His mother was a goddess and his father was a human, which makes him a demigod. Gilgamesh fell disfavor with the gods who decided to punish him. They sent Enkidu, a wild man the gods had created to kill Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter each other and fight furiously until Gilgamesh finally wins. Enkidu submits. The two become good friends as they journey together through dangerous quests. Later on, Enkidu dies after the gods decided to inflict his death. Distressed by the death of his close friend, Gilgamesh begins a quest in search of immortality. He finds the immortal man who survived the Great Flood, Utnapishtim, who tests Gilgamesh to prove to him his irreversible fate of human mortality. Gilgamesh fails. Utapishtim’s wife, witnessing Gilgamesh’s disappointment, convinces her husband to be merciful. Utnapishtim then tells Gilgamesh of a plant that can restore youth. Gilgamesh obtains the plant and plans to share it with all the old men. A snake then steals and eats the plant. Gilgamesh comes back empty-handed and finally reconciled with his fate of morality. When he finally returns, he contributes great achievements to his people.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>The epic was written by Shin-eqi-unninni around 2750 to 2500 BCE (“The Epic”). The is preserved on twelve clay tablets and had been transcribed from the ancient Sumerian language to Akkadian in a form of writing called cuneiform, which was developed around the 3000 BCE (“The Epic”). The writing system first contain symbolic pictographs, which then became more abstract until the Sumerians began to partially rely on an alphabet system. Cuneiform documents were written on wet clay with a stylus made out of bone or reed material to engrave characters or ideographs (“The Epic”). Many ancient sacred texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, were transcribed over hundreds of years in cuneiform script, a writing style which was refined over time.</div>\r\n<div>The Epic of Gilgamesh was typical for it’s time in that it included supernatural aspects and religion to explain events and ideas. Much of the history of Mesopotamia was heavily infused with religion such as the Babylonian Creation myth, otherwise called the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh is a long epic poem important to Mesopotamian culture and is considered as sacred writing. History and legends were recorded in cuneiform such as the Enuma Elish (“The Epic”), otherwise known as “the Babylonian Creation myth”, which another work that was also as important and similar to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both works tell of historical people or events that happened in a mythological context. Both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish are sacred texts that also tell of historical events and a very symbolic and religious manner (Fiero). The Babylonian Creation Myth, for example, portrays the creation of the world, in which the young god, Marduk, slays the mother dragon, Taimat, depicting the transition from a Matriarchy to Patriarchy (Fiero). They also portray the polytheistic nature of Mesopotamian religions, which were the oldest known religions, giving us insight to the way the ancient people saw the world. Compared to today, the people of Mesopotamia had little entertainment. Listening to ancient lore was one of the few entertainments the people had back then. The Epic of Gilgamesh was appreciated in that it was not only a source of entertainment, but also a sacred work of literature that’ reflects their culture and beliefs. It was one of the many things that defined them as a people.</div>\r\n<BR><div>Although The Epic of Gilgamesh was written many millennia ago, it is still enjoyed, studied, and passed on throughout the generations. The fact that it was written and translated from Sumerian to Akkadian (“World Religions”), one can infer that it was well received by the people of Mesopotamia. There were also many versions of the epic it scattered throughout the region (Sanders). The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays heroic exploits of that time, philosophical teachings, and world views about life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is still widely received today as it is still being translated and interpreted as a classic with many themes pertaining to friendship, life and death, eternal life, and “the process by which human beings become mature, moving from innocent and reckless adolescence to the awareness of values that are more real, though less apparent” (Pettinato) . It is being studied in high schools and colleges as part of literary education. It is currently still being printed in textbooks and encyclopedias. Many students of literature write essays about the Epic of Gilgamesh.</div><BR>\r\n<div>Although the epic is still widely known today, the reception is not the same as it was back in it’s time due to cultural context and translation. The Sumerian language, which is the language the Epic of Gilgamesh is told, is almost obsolete if not extinct in this modern age. Yet, the character of Gilgamesh remains legendary, an inspirational figure that is often referenced in many modern works and popular culture today.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>I found the Epic of Gilgamesh to be meditative and meaningful in that it tackles a concept that is still relevant in our civilization today. Despite all the scientific discoveries and technological advances in medicine and other life-prolonging sciences, all human beings face death, which many today have trouble coming to terms with. The epic addresses growth and decay. For example, a relevant situation in today’s world can been seen in the brotherly relationship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Although both grow very close, not even friendship can overcome death, illustrating the temporal quality of many things in life. Things like love, friendship are all temporary. Things change over time, and people and places tend to disappear and one must learn to come to terms with it.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>What is most significant about this work is the cultural similarities and differences between ancient Mesopotamia and today’s culture. Throughout all cultures and time, all people had to cope with the idea of death, which is still something relevant today although today’s knowledge, technology, and science allows us to understand the world around us and also to bypass things that were once really dire back then. Yet still, all things are temporary and one cannot completely alter the laws of nature.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>It portrays values that were important at the time compared to the values we hold today. Such as how in the end of the epic, Gilgamesh dies. Although he is dead, he is still remembered as a great king who’s lasting achievements are valued and are significant in contribution to humanity for generations, which the epic implies is closest thing to immortality that human beings can achieve. Contributing to humanity in a positive manner is the one thing that future generations should aspire to.</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<BR><BR>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">Works Cited:</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>\"Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, <span> </span>et al. Vol. 1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 37-67. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>Fiero, Gloria. “The Gods of Mesopotamia.” The Humanistic Tradition, book 1.  6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>Pettinato, Giovanni. \"Gilgamesh.\" Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 3486-3489. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>Sandars, N.K. \"Epic of Gilgamesh.\" Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. 3rd ed. Vol. 2: Works. Detroit: St. James Press, 2003. 1246-1247. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>\"The Epic of Gilgamesh.\" World Religions Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, et al. Vol. 5: Primary <span> </span>Sources. Detroit: UXL, 2007. 61-72. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n<BR>\r\n<div>Westwood, Jennifer. \"Gilgamesh.\" Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Ed. Robert Kastenbaum. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 331-334. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.</div>\r\n</div>','The Epic of Gilgamesh','','inherit','open','open','','424-revision-17','','','2011-02-21 16:47:59','2011-02-21 22:47:59','',424,'http://jeanatacc.com/2011/?p=445',0,'revision','',0);
