Below are the 3 most recent journal entries recorded in MEG-HAN's Blurty:

Thursday, May 25th, 2006
12:48 pm	Works Cited -- www.knightcite.com Grant, Neil. Everyday Life of the Vikings. North Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media, 2006. Donovan, Frank R. The Vikings. New York: American Heritage Publishing Co.,Inc, 1964. Graham, James. The Viking World. Frances Lincoln Publishers Limited, 1980. Wingate, Philippa . The Viking World. Tulsa: EDC Publishing, n.d. The Vikings were known in the Dark Ages as quick criminals who pillaged and then disappeared (Donovan 7), while that may be true and widely discussed, their tactics and astounding ship maneuvering remains unspoken of. Scientists and archeologists have discovered well conserved ships in burial mounds and five ships were excavated in Denmark (Wingate 3). This discovery helped researchers in visually rebuilding the structures of the ships and opening up a whole new light to the Viking invasions and warfare. While these dedicated and fierce Pagans could easily plunder whatever village set before them, they would be half the warriors without their ships and use of the sea. It is said that the Vikings were the men who discovered America, conquered most of Western Europe (800-1100), and founded the first royal house of Russia (Donovan 7). When the “Viking Era” began, the men were thought of as primitive with a pagan vivacity, with extraordinary native ships and a hunger for the riches (Donovan 7). Afterwards they became virtuous Christians as well as law-abiding Europeans, though their spirit was known as “a willingness to fight lustily without fear of death (Donovan 7). A favored tactic of the Vikings was to “feign a disorganized retreat in order to draw opponents out of formation, then rapidly regroup and turn on their pursuers” (Donovan 23). (Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006
10:52 am	Cleopatra Study Guide Cleopatra Study Guide 1) Who’s website is this? It was organized by the British Museum in Collaboration with the Fondazione Memmo, Rome. 2) Write a short description of Cleopatra’s Life. Cleopatra lived from 69-30 B.C.E. She was Macedonian Greek and came from a family of rulers starting with Ptolemy 1, a man who was once a general serving for Alexander the Great. Cleopatra took the throne as queen of Egypt when she was 18, despite the fact that she had no Egyptian background. During much of her reign the Roman Empire threatened to invade. Due to Cleopatra’s connections with Marc Antony and Julius Caesar, she was able to keep Egypt independent for 20 years. At the Battle of Actium, Cleopatra and Marc Antony were defeated by Julius Caesar’s heir, Octavian. With this, Cleopatra gave in to a self-inflicted demise, and ended her reign. Check your Cleopatra Knowledge 1) Was she beautiful? Cleopatra’s self portrait was displayed on a coin, in today’s society her image may not have been seen as beautiful, but many artists, playwrights, and others have portrayed her in a more appealing way. Although she may have truly been a beautiful woman, her attractiveness may have been enhanced by her power and allure. 2) Was she buried in a pyramid? The age of pyramids 2650-1700 B.C.E. were long before the time of Cleopatra, 69-30 B.C.E. It is not known where Cleopatra is buried, but it is said that she rests in Egypt with her Roman husband, Mark Antony. 3) Was she a goddess? Cleopatra was technically just a pharaoh, the last of Egypt, and pharaoh’s were thought to be gods and goddesses. Cleopatra took advantage of the fact that her people thought her to be a goddess, and increased her power and control over them. She said that she was Isis, the mother goddess of Ancient Egypt. When she went to seduce Marc Antony, she claimed to be Aphrodite, the goddess of love. 4) Where did she live? For much of the time that she reigned, Cleopatra lived in Alexandria, her home city on the Meditteranean that was famous for its culture and learning. It was home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, a lighthouse and library. However, for two years Cleopatra lived in Rome with her lover, Julius Caesar, this was in part to take more control over Egypt and to increase it’s independence. 5) What language did she speak? Although Cleopatra knew many different languages, her first language was Greek. She also spoke Egyptian, being the queen of Egypt, and was said to be the first in her family to do so. 6) Was she related to King Tut? Cleopatra was not related to King Tut but they were both pharaoh’s of Egypt, though at very different times; King Tut died thirteen centuries before Cleopatra’s time. 7) Was she rich? Cleopatra was very wealthy, as she owned all of Egypt, it’s people, land, and material goods. She received much of the crops that were grown, as well as products and trades. Anything she wanted to have built, could be built. When Egypt was conquered, all of the riches were brought back to Italy. Cleopatra was so wealthy that retrieved fortune caused Rome’s interest rate to go from 12 to 4. 8) Did she really die from the bite of a snake? Myth has it that she asked for a snake to be brought to her a in basket of figs. The snake bit and killed her, as well as two of her maids. However, since snakebite is a painful way to go, many believe that she poisoned herself, as Egyptians were skilled at makings potions and concoctions. 9) Was she a seductress? (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, April 3rd, 2006
2:40 pm	literature on trial final essay information LITERATURE ON TRIAL—FINAL ESSAY(S) Respond thoughtfully and completely to BOTH prompts. The films Class Action and Music Box illuminate father/daughter relationships by considering them in the context of significant trials. Assess the relationships between the fathers and daughters—and within their families—as touched by trials both legal and personal. Are the characters in each case ultimately hurt or helped by the critical experience? Analyze and explain fully. (For added credit, analyze any other fictional father/daughter relationship changed by a legal battle.) The film A Civil Action has its basis in fact as does the Capote work In Cold Blood. Both works deal with real tragedy and sacrifice. Describe the tragedy or tragedies at the heart of each story. Then analyze the sacrifices key to pursuing justice in each case. Are the efforts of the key investigators or attorneys admirable or foolhardy? Are their efforts and aims noble (or selfish)? Are they appreciated? What drives the lead figures in each case? Is justice truly served? Analyze and explain. [Also/instead, using the same literature, examine the features that distinguish criminal cases and civil action. Identify and evaluate differences in structure and purpose. Consider fully the violations and evaluate differences in structure and purpose. Consider fully the violations addressed, the consequences posed, and the proof required in each forum. Consider, too, the way criminal and civil actions serve individuals and society. (Comment on this)