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.

The Geography and Climate of the Italian penensula

Explain in detail how the geography and climate of the Italian peninsula affected the development of ancient Rome. 

Rome grew and was built into a great city by its victories over apposing tribes. It spread from South to East. Rome also pushed toward the Alps in the North. The geography of where Rome is set it great because of how close it is to the sea, but also towards the center of the Italian peninsula, both these actions provided great trading opportunities also it faces towards the alps giving it good protection against attacks.  After being taken over by Carthage Rome began to build strong sea forces and soon controlled most of the Mediterranean area by them. Also Rome was on an area that used to be volcanic meaning that rocks for building were easy to come by. 

The Founding Of Rome

Describe the two legends that have to do with the founding of Rome. Then describe how and when Rome was actually founded. 

Romulus and Remus:

Two brothers were abandoned by the King, they were  placed in a basket and sent down the river to be discovered by a shepherded and his wife. The shepherded soon told the twins of their orgins so the brothers set out during 753 B.C.E to build a city. The two did well together until they began fighting. In the end Romulus attacked Remus and killed him. 

Aeneas: 

The legend of Aeneas was is a much older tale, that was more popular around the time of Ancient Rome, as Romulus and Remus is more popular today. Aeneas was said to be a Hero who was the son of Venus. During this time Aeneas was fighting in the Trojan war, he escaped to Rome where he married the kings daughter, and expanded and built the empire Rome.  

True Story of the Founding of Rome: 

 At around 1000 B.C.E the Latins began settling in the area where Rome was yet to be. They didn't start building their great civilization right away though, it was merly a settlement where pigs and cows were hearded, just a simple area of settlement. Soon different tribes began invading after all the area was a perfect place it way a few miles from the sea as well as in the central area of the Italian peninsula meaning there was great trade routes, it was guarded by the Alps and sea giving little room for invasion you could say...the location was perfect. So they joined together and began defending themselves against invaders and soon a simple place for livestock, and herding was turned into the great city of Rome!!

"The Founding." The Roman Empire. 15 Dec. 2007. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.roman-empire.net/founding/found-index.html>.