Jesse+S

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 * Primary Source Unit 4: Liberty Cap**

The liberty cap was a red felt cap used by Greeks, Romans, and French, and as the name implies, it was a symbol of liberation for revolutionaries during the French Revolution. It gains most of its importance from its use in ancient Rome. When a slave was freed (in Rome) they were given a liberty cap to symbolize their freedom/liberty. When the French Revolutionaries stormed the Bastille in July of 1789, many of those who fought wore the caps to show their devotion to liberty and their firm opposition of despotism.


 * Primary Source Unit 3: The Cathedral of the Annunciation**

The Cathedral of the Annunciation was started in 1484 and completed in 1489. It was built by Ivan III (the great) as part of his plan to renovate the Moscow Kremlin. It was built near Ivan the great’s palace, and consequentially he used it as his personal chapel and even built a staircase that led from the church to his chambers. When Ivan IV (the terrible) became tsar the cathedral became even more important. Since his coronation it was used by members of the royal family for worship as well as many marriages and baptisms. Ivan the terrible also restored the church after it was damaged in a fire in 1547, adding two additional domes as well as four chapels on the sides, each with another dome. The once 3-domed cathedral now has 9 domes thanks to Ivan IV. Even after the movement of Russia’s capital to St. Petersburg, the Cathedral of the Annunciation remained one of the most important churches in Russia.

I chose Plato because he is often seen as a symbol of learning and knowledge. He is one of the most important figures in philosophy the world has ever seen. His dialogues have been used to teach many different subjects relating to math and philosophy. If he were to have lived during the renaissance, Plato would have been the perfect citizen. He is very intelligent and he practically represents knowledge itself, which is what the renaissance was all about. I believe Homer would have been a perfect addition to the School of Athens. While he may not have been a philosopher, he was a very smart man and could be considered the best epic poet ever because of the Iliad and Odyssey. He is another great example of a true renaissance man. His extensive knowledge and creative thinking would have gained him a lot of recognition if he were to live during the time of the renaissance. good reasoning. -SW

El Castillo (also known as Temple of Kukulkan) is a large step-pyramid built by the Mayans in the center of Chichen Itza (modern day Yucatan). It was built between the 9th and 12th centuries CE as a temple to a Mayan serpent god named Kukulkan. On each equinox, the afternoon sun hits the northwest corner of the temple and creates an array of shadows that look like a serpent crawling down the side of the temple. There are 91 steps on each side plus one large “step” at the top (the platform) making a total of 365 steps; equal to the number of days in the Haab’ (Mayan calendar system) year. Not much is known about the mythology of Kukulkan, however, his cult was the first Mesoamerican religion to go beyond the linguistic and ethnic divisions of the classic period. It brought about peaceful relations between people of different ethnic groups. This cult started in Chichen Itza (where the temple is located) and spread all the way to the Guatemalan Highlands.
 * Primary Source Unit 2: El Castillo**

I like how you mentioned the importance of Kukulkan bringing unity to Mayans. Could you by any chance give anymore information on what it is though? I understand that there isn't much info on it, but I'm still not sure what he did in the myth. Good job! - Kevin Littrell


 * Primary Source Unit 1: Baths of Trajan**

The Baths of Trajan were a large Roman leisure complex, or thermae. The baths were built in 104 C.E., during the rule of Emperor Trajan, to replace the palace of an earlier emperor, Nero, who committed suicide in 68 C.E. They were constructed on Oppian Hill, located on the outskirts of the main city area. Both men and women went to the baths, using them mostly as a social and recreational area. These baths were used up until the 5th century, but were eventually deserted and turned into a cemetery up until the 7th century, when they were completely abandoned.

Along with the bathing areas, these baths also had a few gyms and even a library. While there were other baths built before the Trajans, they were nowhere near as impressive as these. ‍And in fact, the Trajan Baths inspired some of the later baths, such as the Caracalla and Diocletian Baths.‍




 * The Dalai Lama**

The Dalai Lama is a high Buddhist leader, considered head of political and religious affairs in Tibet. The position began in the late 13th century CE. Before he died in 1283, Karma Pakshi, the second leader of the Kagyupa (a major school of Tibetan Buddhism), wrote a will to protect the interests of his religious sect. In it he told his disciples to search for a boy to inherit his throne. He believed that the Buddha would send a reincarnation to carry on his legacy. So the disciples searched for this reincarnation. And in 1391, Gendun Drup was found, thus beginning the long line of Dalai Lamas. Karma Pakshi

Tenzin Gyatso, born in 1935, is the 14th Dalai Lama. He is currently living in exile in Dharamshala, Inda, because of a Tibetan uprising in 1959. While every past Dalai Lama has been found within the boundaries of Tibet, Tenzin believes that may not be true for his successor. He has said that the next Lama may be found outside Tibet and could possibly even be female. He also believes that the institution of the Dalai Lama could be eliminated in the future. Either way, it is obvious that the role of Dalai Lama will begin to see drastic change in the future. Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

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