Angela Dorothea Merkel is the first female chanclellor of Germany. She studied in physical chemistry but that is not the career she chose to follow. She entered politics during the revolution of 1989 where she was briefely surving as the deputy spokesperson for Lothar De Maiziere. Later on in 1990 she was elected to represent the state of Mecklengbur-Borpommern. Over several years she as served as a Federal minister for Women and youth, as a federal minister for the enviromment, the Nature conservation and nuclear safety. She was also the secretary of the CDU , was elected at a chairperson in 2000. Angela Dorthea is a great role model from women and she has certainly proved that women can do just as well in politics as men. 

Byzantine Art: Mosaic

For my mosaic I made a white dove. The white dove often carrying an olive branch is a very famous symobol still today in the Christian Church. The white dove is used as a peace symbol in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
The dove was used in a Christian story about a great flood over the entire world, in which Noah had to build a huge ark and bring with him a male and female of every kind of animal and wait for a sign of the flood to be over. Each day Noah sends out a white dove to search for land and one day it comes back carrying an olive branch (also another peace symbol.) This dove bringing back the olive branch not only showed that the world was free of the flood but it was ready to welcome back man kind.
Building a huge mosaic in a church 1500 years ago is something I can hardley imagine. Building something that in centuries to come people would look at, admire, and interprit (if the mosaic survived). I think it would also be a very spiritual feeling being the creater of something so holy on such hold ground. Also having such skill as to build a giant mosaic without the electrical and bennificial equitment we have today would take such skill, presition and time. I think its a mirical that the Higha Sofia was only built in only 5 years 10 moths and 4 days. 

Orthodox Saint and Empress: Theodora I

Theodora I was empress of the Byzantine Empire from 527 - 548. She was a strong feminest and also a great side ruler to Justinian. Theodora died of cancer at age 48 shortly followed by Justinians death. Theodora I became a sait of the Eastern Orthodox Church to be commemorated on November 14. She had a seperate religion from her husband, Justinian, she was a Monophysite and Justinian was a Calcadonian. Theodora was a great coepress of the Byzantine empire and at many times it was her ruling that saved it.

The Fall of Rome

Why did Rome Fall? I think that there were several reasons combined that began the fall of the Roman Empire. Starting with Geography. One of the main reasons Rome found it so hard to defend themselves one the empire began is due to the way the empire was built. Most invaders were coming from the western boarders which was the weaker side of Romes defenses. Also defending this side of Rome drew soldiers away from other areas. Secondly while all of this was going on there was an economic and work decline. Due to the growth of Romes government and military Rome was importing many luxurious trading items from areas outside of the empire. However dude to the rise of taxes and prices with the decrease in wages the economy couldn't afford to supports these arrangements. Also due to the inflation of pricing and taxes Romans were not earning enough to live by thus there was a high death rate and decrease in number of slaves thus lowering the amount of work. This is when the current emperor, Diocletian demanded a new law be put to use, every Roman citizen had to work, including children.  

I think the most influential reason for the fall of Rome was the economic decline because many of the smaller reasons such as loss of jobs and death toll increase were due to the economic decline or crisis.

Jesus Christ Superstar Movie Review

Jesus Christ Superstar, you either love it….or hate it. Enjoy biblical rock operas with a modern twist? Well, this is the movie for you! If not, then I think that you are definitely not going to enjoy this movie. Half a story, ‘interesting’ songs, and modern inscriptions I introduce you to ‘Jesus Christ Super Star.

Jesus Christ Superstar, is the first part of the story that leads up to the crucifixion of Christ. Turned into a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and directed by Tim Rice is a pain staking movie about the last three years of Jesus’s life up until his crucifixion. Staring Ted Neeley as Jesus Christ, Carl Anderson as Judas, Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene. I present to you, a Rock Opera story with actors in 70’s clothing as well as all they’re singing and performing done in 70’s disco style. With catchy yet repetitive songs as well as some not so gifted singers.

So what really happens in the movie? ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ starts off with Jesus and his followers in a cave hiding just outside of Jerusalem. They are asking him “what’s the buzz, tell me what’s happening”, or what’s their plan of action? Then throughout the movie we have Judah ‘battling’ with his thoughts about whether Jesus is the long awaited messiah. But as the story goes Judah decides he isn’t and begins to think that Jesus has taken it a little too far. You can see Mary Magdalene coming to sorts with her feeling for Jesus when she sings her song rather dramatically (and sounding a bit droning) “I don’t know how to love him.” While all of this is happening, the Leaders of the Jewish church are beginning to think that the man they call Hosanna isn’t going to just blow over if they leave him be. Soon they mark him a criminal and a liar and they want him dead. So eventually Judas comes to an end with his debate and turns Jesus in to the leaders. This is when the last supper comes into the movie. God tells them how Peter with deny him 3 times, and how Judas has already betrayed him. Eventually captured and whipped Jesus is standing in front of Caiaphas, but Caiaphas doesn’t want this in his hands so he sends him to Pilot, who as well wants nothing with him then he is sent back to Caiaphas who eventually leaves it up to the people.

I think that the last supper is probably the most important scene in the movie because it is fine singing, the acting makes sense for the time period and it properly fits the story. I also liked how they posed in the positions of the painting ‘The Last Supper’.

Why didn’t I like this movie? Well let’s start with the songs, “what’s the buzz”, “I don’t know how to love him”, “Hosanna”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Jesus must die”, are the main songs throughout the movie. Though catchy, some of the songs are too repetitive. “What’s the buzz” this specific songs recurs multiple times during the movie and it rather annoying once you’ve heard it the first time. Also, Mary Magdeline in her solo has a very droning voice. Second, there is a visual suicide, whipping of a person, and prostitutes dancing, how is this a G rated movie? Then as I have mentioned several times before, not the full story. And lastly, though I can see how they were trying to relate the machine guns to the war in Iraq, I don’t think that it worked at all. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, usually two very successful directors, have composed a horrible telling of Jesus’s ‘last’ 3 years. But not ending with the Resurrection. I think that they should be telling you the full story. However the Christian religion isn’t about interpreting whether Jesus was raised from the dead or not. Nor is it about whether he was who he said he was, you need to tell the full story from crucifixion to resurrection. I would recommend this movie to those who have bad taste in movies or to those who enjoy religious rock opera’s with a pinch of modernism. If you are not one of these people, I definetly would not recommend Jesus Christ Superstar as a movie for you to enjoyably watching in your excess time. 

Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar

 Augustus Caesar: "I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble." These were the words that Augustus Caesar muttered on his deathbed. Historians have several idea to what he was referring to when he said this. Was it the richness and how powerful he had made the Roman Empire? Or was he referring to the way that he had added to Rome's great, famous, and powerful architecture?  For after all many of Rome's famous and great architecture (some of which is still standing today) was built under the reign of Augustus. Such as, the Ara Pacis (alter of peace), the triple arch of Augustus, temples (one dedicated to Julius Caesar after he was declared a god by the senate), and lastly Romes aqueducts. Of course almost all of Augustus's building projects had a deeper meaning take for example, The Ara Pacis shows peace and prosperity. The 3 arches represent that his military strengths are three times as great as those before. And lastly the temple honoring Caesar showed his families ruling among divine right! 

 

Augustus Caesar

Julius Caesar: Julius Caesar was always greatly admired by the people. He was well known for his great military leadership and strategy. He gave many jobs to aid the poor as well as ending the rule of corrupt leaders in the senate. For this reason he however lost the trust and liking from the senate! He also expanded the amount of citizens in Rome by lowering the rules for being declared citizenship. He also gave government positions from some people from lands that he had conquored Caesar was indeed a  great reformer. 

Julius Caeser Reformer or Dictator?

Throughout his life, Julius Caesar was liked and admired by many, as well as loathed and feared by others.  Many thought that he didn't act in Rome's best interest, he was to self absorbed and eager for fame.
I personally think that  Caesar was a reformer. He ended the corrupt nature among the leaders in the senate by replacing them with trused others. He restored the cities destroyed by the republic. As well as, strengthen and expanded Rome's empire. He also did not treat defeated enimies with as much cruelty as some.

I think that maybe Caesar did want power but, he went about it in a good way  and not just for him.