I found reading about Africa neat because I didn't know much about it. Their culture was fascinating. It was cool how they weren't one big kingdom, but smaller social organizations. The men would practice polygamy which is marrying more than one woman. This made families very large and complex. i wouldn't like that. I would be very mad and would try to outdo the other woman. Which is a lot like Rachel and Leah. They believed that there was one big god who created everything and then lots of smaller gods and spirits of ancestors.This was kind of like China. Sacrifices were made so the gods would ward off illness and increase corp yields. Sometimes, human sacrifices were made. Trade was a big part of African culture. They traded gold, salt, ivory, and animal skins.
Something that struck me this week was how God uses people for His glory and purpose in the most unpredictable ways. The story of Frumentius, ""Apostle to the Abyssinians" was so amazing in its comparison to Joseph's life. Both were sold into slavery and rose to high positions in foreign lands, staying humble and devoted to God through every trial. It also reminded me of Maewyn Succat (St. Patrick) because he too went to a foreign land to preach Christianity. Sometimes when I think of Africa, I immediately think words like "poor" or "impoverished." But after reading this section in the textbook, I gained valuable insight into the other parts of Africa and it really changed my perspective on that country. God loves all His children, and it was so awesome to see how he worked through Africa and Frumentius.
I found it interesting how trade revolved around the African people's lives. Trade profited Africa because it was their basis of wealth, but in the end trade weakened Africa. The people in interior Africa provided the goods of the eastern city-states. Then the eastern city-states sold them to the Arabs and Persians. Then trade drastically changed. The Europeans began sailing into the ports so the camel cavern trade became useless. Many people lost their livelihood. Even more drastic, was the beginning of an evil trade- the slave trade. The slave trade sadly became the popular trade. This is an example how our sin makes a beneficial thing turn to evil.
One thing I found interesting this week was the themes of suicide we've been reading about. "If the king fell seriously ill or became infirm with age, he was expected to commit suicide or be smothered to death. This reminded me of how the samurai would commit hara kiri in order to defend their honor. Strange how the reasons for taking ones life have changed so drastically in our current society.
Although Africa is seen to the world as a continent of meager resources, Africa’s coast has a magnificent history in trade. Along ancient Africa’s eastern coast lay several central-trading ports, and each was an independent city-state. These city-states flourished as outlets for gold, ivory, iron, and animal skins to the Persians and Arabs. As a result of the profitable trade, the “seaside city-states” grew wealthy and cultured. (p. 172) Another wealthy trading center in Africa’s history was the city of Timbuktu, during the reign of Mansa Musa. Timbuktu was not only rich in gold, but also in learning. Books were of equal value, and learning was thought to be one of the highest achievements. Despite the fact that Africa’s wealth is scattered across both the history of the continent, and the actual geographic destinations, Africa cannot be called an altogether “poor” continent.
Something I found interesting in this weeks reading was the way God was (and still is) working in Africa. Even though the continent was plagued by many false religions, God used the unlikely missionary, Frumentius to minister to the people of Africa. Stolen by Pirates while traveling abroad with relatives, Frumentius underwent a fate similar to that of Joseph in the Bible. He was sold as a slave. But God had big plans for for Frumentius and helped him to rise to a position of influence (again like Joseph) in the province of Aksum. The missionary promoted his Christian faith and brought about Gods plan of spreading his word throughout Africa.
I find it interesting how similar Frumentius was to Joseph. They were both sold as slaves in a foreign land and ended up becoming favored by the king. Neither of them was looking for power or wealth, but because of their love for him, God gave it to them anyway. He blessed them beyond anything they could ever ask or imagine, simply because they trusted in him. ‘”Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”’
In this weeks readings about Africa I found their culture very unique. Instead of focusing a lot on kingdoms and empires Africans focused more on smaller social organizations like their villages. The majority of people in Africa were held to traditional tribal religion. In general these religions taught them that there was high god who created the universe below him were lesser gods and the sprits of dead ancestors.They would offer prayers and sacrifices to these gods. Most Africans relied on farming or herding to support themselves and families. However trade was the main thing of African kingdoms. Perhaps the most valued products were gold, salt, ivory, and animal skins. I think it's a very unique way on how the African's culture was.
Oops! I didn't see that the blog had gone up! Here's my post!
I became increasingly curious as to why people never settled in Africa when it was so close by. But they would settlers where in India and china. Was it because of the water surrounding africa making it the biggest peninsula ever known to man? It could have been very easy to sail from Sicily to Africa if they had known it was there. But it wasn't until the egyptians settled and later were overthrown in 700 B.C. that africa was encountered by civilians.
I always thought it interesting that large empires such as the Roman Empire were never founded in the African world. I think the reason why a huge empire never developed and why Africa is still to this day full of poverty is rooted in sin. Except for short glimmers of light, such as Frumentius, Africa did not see much of God. Islam took over considerable amounts of the continent and many still held on to their traditional tribal religions. Africa fell into darkness not only by their choices but by the choices of others. For hundreds of years, Africa was punished by the cruelty of the slave trade. Slave traders from America, Europe and the Middle East consumed Africa in search of slaves. Because of the consequences of sin, “most Africans…remained in spiritual darkness, apart from the light of the saving truth of God’s Word.” (pg. 174)
@Caitlyn, I used the map in the Study Guide. It worked for me, the only problem is, it is really small and hard to get precise locations. Otherwise it was great.
There were three kingdoms of Ancient Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. These kingdoms rose up one after the other, each taking the former's place. The longest-lived kingdom was Ghana. This one was attacked by warring Muslims, but not defeated. Islam spread through the territory, and that is when Mali sprang up. Its rule lasted from 1200-1500 AD. One of the rulers during that time who made a large impact was named Mansa Musa. He encouraged learning. Books were considered as valuable as gold. The last kingdom didn't last very long. Ending in 1591, Songhai was attacked by Moroccans and defeated. Learning about these three kingdoms reminded me of how short life really is. Each one of these empires worked so hard to make their country the greatest, wealthiest, and most powerful than any other. Yet in the end, they pass out of memory. Like a mist or vapor.
Mr. Parker, could you please send an invitation to our blog to reneerupple@gmail.com? My username and login in this blog is my mother's, and I can't change it to my name unless I access this blog under my gmail account.
I thought it was remarkable to see the bravery of women throughout the history of Rome. Imagine being in the place of one of the abducted maidens on page 17; the way the girls endured that terrifying situation took an immense dose of courage. And on page 19, Romulus’ wife Hersilia implored her husband to pardon the enraged parents of the kidnapped maidens, and he answered her plea by not making war. On page 21 we see again a tale of peacemaking women who ran into the fray of battle, beseeching the men to cease their angry tirade. And then the story of Cloelia, a hostage, escaping and swimming her way to freedom amidst a shower of missiles to restore her fellow hostages to their respective relatives. Each of these brave and courageous acts reminds me of Ruth, Rahab and Esther in the bible. They too, like the Romans, were fearless for the sake of someone else.
Numas Pompilius was an interesting man to read about. He was a skilled leader to Rome, yet his greatness seems to be built on deception. In the beginning of his reign, he was an honest emperor. Seeking to change his nation so as to be less aggressive and war-like, he allowed the temple of Janus to be open only in times of war. This sofened the soldiers heart to ward their gods, which was important. He made peace treaties with the other civilizations around Rome. Worrying that his subjects would become lazy from the absence of enemies, he tried to instill the fear of the gods. This is where he went wrong, though it turned out to be all right, ignoring the fact that he deceived his people. He told them that he had had meetings with a nymph named Egeria only at night. He passed many laws supposedly under her authority. Why? He thought that passing laws under his authority would not be as effective if a messenger to the gods did. These laws made Rome a more organized nation. He (or Egeria) divided our year into 12 months, working it out so that the moon would be predictable during any time of the year. He also elected priests and priestesses.
Numa Pompilius was an interesting man to read about, not only how he made Rome a more organized civilization, but how, even though he strove to instill a fear of the gods in his people, he himself had no fear, although perhaps a little. If you know there was a god who will judge you one day for all the sins you've commited, you may not go about lying to a whole nation, just to pass laws that would radically change their way of life.
On page 18 Romulus come to settle strife about the maidens being abducted and he tells the maiden's relitaves "Anger is futile without strength." This quote really caught my attention but in a different way then Livy was probably expecting. I believe Romulus meant that anger is not enough to win a battle. Strategy, careful planning, training, equipment and proper attire are necessary for victory. But the way I see it is, without the Lord we won't win the battle against evil. And no matter how much determination or perseverance we have we will never have enough to win on our own. To Romulus "Anger is futile without strength" to me "Victory is futile without the Lord."
One thing that stood out to me from Livy's History of Rome was the appalling way the first Romans found wives. Even if the other city-states did not approve of inter-marriage between the Romans, to abduct innocent maidens coming from far city-states with their families to watch games is a disturbing decision. I think the Romans could have found another, more civilized, way. Secondly, I feel for these poor girls who were literally grabbed from their families by Roman men. Then, out of fear and grief, these families fled from Rome. The girls were probably scared out of their minds after being abandoned and forced into a marriage.
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22 comments:
I found reading about Africa neat because I didn't know much about it. Their culture was fascinating. It was cool how they weren't one big kingdom, but smaller social organizations. The men would practice polygamy which is marrying more than one woman. This made families very large and complex. i wouldn't like that. I would be very mad and would try to outdo the other woman. Which is a lot like Rachel and Leah. They believed that there was one big god who created everything and then lots of smaller gods and spirits of ancestors.This was kind of like China. Sacrifices were made so the gods would ward off illness and increase corp yields. Sometimes, human sacrifices were made. Trade was a big part of African culture. They traded gold, salt, ivory, and animal skins.
Something that struck me this week was how God uses people for His glory and purpose in the most unpredictable ways. The story of Frumentius, ""Apostle to the Abyssinians" was so amazing in its comparison to Joseph's life. Both were sold into slavery and rose to high positions in foreign lands, staying humble and devoted to God through every trial. It also reminded me of Maewyn Succat (St. Patrick) because he too went to a foreign land to preach Christianity. Sometimes when I think of Africa, I immediately think words like "poor" or "impoverished." But after reading this section in the textbook, I gained valuable insight into the other parts of Africa and it really changed my perspective on that country. God loves all His children, and it was so awesome to see how he worked through Africa and Frumentius.
I found it interesting how trade revolved around the African people's lives. Trade profited Africa because it was their basis of wealth, but in the end trade weakened Africa. The people in interior Africa provided the goods of the eastern city-states. Then the eastern city-states sold them to the Arabs and Persians. Then trade drastically changed. The Europeans began sailing into the ports so the camel cavern trade became useless. Many people lost their livelihood. Even more drastic, was the beginning of an evil trade- the slave trade. The slave trade sadly became the popular trade. This is an example how our sin makes a beneficial thing turn to evil.
One thing I found interesting this week was the themes of suicide we've been reading about.
"If the king fell seriously ill or became infirm with age, he was expected to commit suicide or be smothered to death.
This reminded me of how the samurai would commit hara kiri in order to defend their honor.
Strange how the reasons for taking ones life have changed so drastically in our current society.
Although Africa is seen to the world as a continent of meager resources, Africa’s coast has a magnificent history in trade. Along ancient Africa’s eastern coast lay several central-trading ports, and each was an independent city-state. These city-states flourished as outlets for gold, ivory, iron, and animal skins to the Persians and Arabs. As a result of the profitable trade, the “seaside city-states” grew wealthy and cultured. (p. 172)
Another wealthy trading center in Africa’s history was the city of Timbuktu, during the reign of Mansa Musa. Timbuktu was not only rich in gold, but also in learning. Books were of equal value, and learning was thought to be one of the highest achievements. Despite the fact that Africa’s wealth is scattered across both the history of the continent, and the actual geographic destinations, Africa cannot be called an altogether “poor” continent.
Something I found interesting in this weeks reading was the way God was (and still is) working in Africa.
Even though the continent was plagued by many false religions, God used the unlikely missionary, Frumentius to minister to the people of Africa.
Stolen by Pirates while traveling abroad with relatives, Frumentius underwent a fate similar to that of Joseph in the Bible. He was sold as a slave. But God had big plans for for Frumentius and helped him to rise to a position of influence (again like Joseph) in the province of Aksum. The missionary promoted his Christian faith and brought about Gods plan of spreading his word throughout Africa.
I find it interesting how similar Frumentius was to Joseph. They were both sold as slaves in a foreign land and ended up becoming favored by the king. Neither of them was looking for power or wealth, but because of their love for him, God gave it to them anyway. He blessed them beyond anything they could ever ask or imagine, simply because they trusted in him.
‘”Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”’
In this weeks readings about Africa I found their culture very unique. Instead of focusing a lot on kingdoms and empires Africans focused more on smaller social organizations like their villages. The majority of people in Africa were held to traditional tribal religion. In general these religions taught them that there was high god who created the universe below him were lesser gods and the sprits of dead ancestors.They would offer prayers and sacrifices to these gods. Most Africans relied on farming or herding to support themselves and families. However trade was the main thing of African kingdoms. Perhaps the most valued products were gold, salt, ivory, and animal skins. I think it's a very unique way on how the African's culture was.
Oops! I didn't see that the blog had gone up! Here's my post!
I became increasingly curious as to why people never settled in Africa when it was so close by. But they would settlers where in India and china. Was it because of the water surrounding africa making it the biggest peninsula ever known to man? It could have been very easy to sail from Sicily to Africa if they had known it was there. But it wasn't until the egyptians settled and later were overthrown in 700 B.C. that africa was encountered by civilians.
Hello Mr. Parker,
Which map should we use to label the locations in the Chapter Review?
Thank you!
~Caitlyn
I always thought it interesting that large empires such as the Roman Empire were never founded in the African world. I think the reason why a huge empire never developed and why Africa is still to this day full of poverty is rooted in sin. Except for short glimmers of light, such as Frumentius, Africa did not see much of God. Islam took over considerable amounts of the continent and many still held on to their traditional tribal religions. Africa fell into darkness not only by their choices but by the choices of others. For hundreds of years, Africa was punished by the cruelty of the slave trade. Slave traders from America, Europe and the Middle East consumed Africa in search of slaves. Because of the consequences of sin, “most Africans…remained in spiritual darkness, apart from the light of the saving truth of God’s Word.” (pg. 174)
@Caitlyn, I used the map in the Study Guide. It worked for me, the only problem is, it is really small and hard to get precise locations. Otherwise it was great.
what and where in the study guide?
oh sorry just realized i know what and where it is.:)
There were three kingdoms of Ancient Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. These kingdoms rose up one after the other, each taking the former's place. The longest-lived kingdom was Ghana. This one was attacked by warring Muslims, but not defeated. Islam spread through the territory, and that is when Mali sprang up. Its rule lasted from 1200-1500 AD. One of the rulers during that time who made a large impact was named Mansa Musa. He encouraged learning. Books were considered as valuable as gold. The last kingdom didn't last very long. Ending in 1591, Songhai was attacked by Moroccans and defeated.
Learning about these three kingdoms reminded me of how short life really is. Each one of these empires worked so hard to make their country the greatest, wealthiest, and most powerful than any other. Yet in the end, they pass out of memory. Like a mist or vapor.
Mr. Parker, could you please send an invitation to our blog to reneerupple@gmail.com? My username and login in this blog is my mother's, and I can't change it to my name unless I access this blog under my gmail account.
Have a good week.
Renée
Hey Mr. Parker I have to leave for the weekend tonight (I won't be back til Sunday evening), so should I just post my comment for this week on this?
This is a great idea Betsy!
My comment for week 17:
I thought it was remarkable to see the bravery of women throughout the history of Rome. Imagine being in the place of one of the abducted maidens on page 17; the way the girls endured that terrifying situation took an immense dose of courage. And on page 19, Romulus’ wife Hersilia implored her husband to pardon the enraged parents of the kidnapped maidens, and he answered her plea by not making war. On page 21 we see again a tale of peacemaking women who ran into the fray of battle, beseeching the men to cease their angry tirade. And then the story of Cloelia, a hostage, escaping and swimming her way to freedom amidst a shower of missiles to restore her fellow hostages to their respective relatives. Each of these brave and courageous acts reminds me of Ruth, Rahab and Esther in the bible. They too, like the Romans, were fearless for the sake of someone else.
My comment for week 17:
Numas Pompilius was an interesting man to read about. He was a skilled leader to Rome, yet his greatness seems to be built on deception. In the beginning of his reign, he was an honest emperor. Seeking to change his nation so as to be less aggressive and war-like, he allowed the temple of Janus to be open only in times of war. This sofened the soldiers heart to ward their gods, which was important. He made peace treaties with the other civilizations around Rome. Worrying that his subjects would become lazy from the absence of enemies, he tried to instill the fear of the gods. This is where he went wrong, though it turned out to be all right, ignoring the fact that he deceived his people. He told them that he had had meetings with a nymph named Egeria only at night. He passed many laws supposedly under her authority. Why? He thought that passing laws under his authority would not be as effective if a messenger to the gods did. These laws made Rome a more organized nation. He (or Egeria) divided our year into 12 months, working it out so that the moon would be predictable during any time of the year. He also elected priests and priestesses.
Numa Pompilius was an interesting man to read about, not only how he made Rome a more organized civilization, but how, even though he strove to instill a fear of the gods in his people, he himself had no fear, although perhaps a little. If you know there was a god who will judge you one day for all the sins you've commited, you may not go about lying to a whole nation, just to pass laws that would radically change their way of life.
For week 17:
On page 18 Romulus come to settle strife about the maidens being abducted and he tells the maiden's relitaves "Anger is futile without strength." This quote really caught my attention but in a different way then Livy was probably expecting. I believe Romulus meant that anger is not enough to win a battle. Strategy, careful planning, training, equipment and proper attire are necessary for victory. But the way I see it is, without the Lord we won't win the battle against evil. And no matter how much determination or perseverance we have we will never have enough to win on our own. To Romulus "Anger is futile without strength" to me "Victory is futile without the Lord."
My week 17 comment:
One thing that stood out to me from Livy's History of Rome was the appalling way the first Romans found wives. Even if the other city-states did not approve of inter-marriage between the Romans, to abduct innocent maidens coming from far city-states with their families to watch games is a disturbing decision. I think the Romans could have found another, more civilized, way. Secondly, I feel for these poor girls who were literally grabbed from their families by Roman men. Then, out of fear and grief, these families fled from Rome. The girls were probably scared out of their minds after being abandoned and forced into a marriage.
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