Adele+K

**Unit 4 Primary Source**

 * Marie Antoinette Fashion**

Marie Antoinette- the Archduchess of Austria who was married into French royalty and soon found herself as queen of a country experiencing change. She was the epitome of style, culture, and poise during her time. But this also caused her to be a huge problem for France’s economy due to her massive deficit spending on luxurious goods. She charmed the country at first, for when she entered France, she was the symbol of European beauty. Not long after she was given the title “Madame Deficit” and eventually sentenced to death by the guillotine.

Antoinette threw lavish parties with extravagant clothes, food, and entertainment, exciting the nobility and disappointing the rest of the population. Pictured below is one of Antoinette’s many gorgeous gowns. Without any political power Antoinette believed that none of her decisions were valuable, thus the queen delved herself into her new lavish lifestyle, becoming a fashion icon. Her new look, the “pouf”, was a three-foot tall wig of powdered hair that was embellished with plumes and veils. In many accounts it is stated that she wore nothing twice. Little did she know, this would add more and more to France’s debt. Her looks, such as the one pictured here, were custom made by Rose Bertin- a couturiere in Paris.

Antoinette spent approximately 258,000 French livres a year; this converts to 426,000 US dollars driving France into debt and furthering the desire for a change in government by the French people.

Her final display of fashion to the public was a newly made white chemise, a white fichu, and her signature “pouf”.

This is a really interesting source, I forgot how something as simple as fashion signified power back then. Nice analysis. SM

Hi Adele! Cool topic. Before Marie Antoinette's "pouf," what was the popular hair style? Also, did the wigs became any more extravagant for men because of her or did she only provide a model for women's wigs? Nice job on this! -ED

**Unit 3 Primary Source**

 * Brunelleschi's Dome (1418-1461)**



The Renaissance was a time of forward thinking, a rebirth of the various aspects of culture: music, art, and architecture. Humans produced their finest works now that humanist ideals were introduced. Brunelleschi was one of the great achievers during the Renaissance. His accomplishments are found in the famous dome under his namesake found in Florence. While he is most famous for his architectural feat- Brunelleschi paved a path of greatness for other Renaissance artists by heightening their importance.

Just emerging into the Renaissance, Florentines began the construction of a magnificent cathedral to prove to the world that Florence was the new center of commerce and culture; their only drawback was they did not have a dome to top it off. With their Middle Aged ideas still influencing some of their thoughts, many believed that God would eventually find a way to construct a dome on top of their cathedral. For now, they allowed the cathedral to be unfinished. It was an enormous hole, making what would have been a beautiful architectural piece for worship and grandeur into an atrocious eyesore. A few decades later, the wish of the Florentines was answered when Filippo Brunelleschi announced to Italy that he would be the one to complete the cathedral and restore people’s faith in Florence.

Brunelleschi had no official training in architecture for he was a goldsmith. Therefore people believed that he was not capable of accomplishing such a challenging task. While Brunelleschi had no official training, he did however have skills in drawing, woodcarving, sculpting, and stone setting, all which allowed him to be able to construct the dome. He was self studied- spending time in Rome studying ancient monuments and skillsets for building tools.

Along with various masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, and other craftsmen, Brunelleschi finished his dome. Brunelleschi’s dome became the prominent brick cap of the Cathedral of Florence and the largest masonry dome ever built, measuring 45 meters wide.

After his death, Brunelleschi was buried with high honors, which was very rare for architects. Brunelleschi was buried amongst saints in a crypt of the cathedral. Not only did this honorable burial pay tribute to his great accomplishment, but it also heightened the importance of architects and other artists during the Renaissance. The Renaissance was now in full swing for an artist was now equated to religious figures- something that would never have been done during the Middle Ages. While his dome may be his greatest visual accomplishment, Brunelleschi achieved even more with his advancement of the Renaissance and humanist values.

Wow! The architecture is amazing. Who chose Florentines to start the construction of the cathedral? -SG
This is so cool- I wonder if the dome carried any religious significance by itself. Could that be why it was so crucial to completion? Or is it just because it wasn't aesthetically appealing.... -DL

//Democritus of Abdera//
The Greek philosopher Democritus was one of few who chose to look past philosophy and delve into the field of science. Democritus theorized the existence of atoms while many speculated ethical concepts. He was often known as the laughing philosopher for his value for cheerfulness and belief that life should be enjoyable and that people should embrace their faults and laugh at their mistakes. The Renaissance was a time of the rebirth of Greek and Roman ideals, thus Greek philosophers and scholars, such as Democritus, were studied and admired to a new extent. As the Renaissance progressed, so did technology, humanism, and science. Those who lived in the Renaissance then had the capability to question religion, with little judgment, and turn to scientific theories already discovered by the Greeks to gain answers about the universe.

//Josquin des Prez//
Artists, philosophers, and scientists are all pictured in Raphael’s School of Athens. Since culture flourished during the Renaissance, it is foolish to disregard another form of art that was present during this time period, music. Josquin des Prez was acknowledged as one of the greatest composers of his time period, being highly sought after. Basing his compositions off of the standard Renaissance polyphonic style, des Prez added his own individuality. Since the music of the Renaissance advanced melodically and expressively from the dull Gregorian chants of the medieval ages with the help of des Prez, he should be recognized for achievements by being painted in the School of Athens. I agree, wonderful suggestion! -SW

**Primary Source:** **“Thoughts on a Still Night” by Li Bai**
Translation: Before my bed, the moon is shining bright, I think that it is frost upon the ground. I raise my head and look at the bright moon, I lower my head and think of home.

Li Bai, otherwise known as Li Bo, was a Chinese poet during the Tang Dynasty in China. Li Bai constantly longed to be a member of the Imperial Family, oftentimes claiming that he was related to nobility. After a period of wandering and travels, Li Bai arrived in Chang’an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, asking to be a member of their court. Although there were no posts available and he never took the civil service exam, a place in a group of distinguished court poets was made for Li Bai. As the years progressed, Li was made an unofficial poet laureate to Prince Lin of the Tang Dynasty.

Founded by Li Huang, the Tang Dynasty's culture flourished. Setting their military focus aside, the people of the Tang Dynasty placed arts and culture as their number one priority. As a result of the Grand Canal made in the previous dynasty, trade exploded and the Tang Dynasty became a golden age of foreign relations with other countries while an artistic renaissance occurred. Not only was poetry expanding, but new styles of art and music arose as well. With the perfection of the imperial examination system and rising scholar gentry class during this Golden Age, scholars were required to master the writing of poetry for their civil service examinations.

At the age of 24 Li Bai left his home to wander and write poetry, resulting in many of his writings centering on the topics of travel and separation from home. His trademark nostalgic feel is present in the poem, “Thoughts on a Still Night”, above. He captures the feelings of loneliness in his travels, but also the sense of beauty that emanates from far off lands. In “Thoughts on a Still Night”, Li is recognized for using his simplistic imagery to depict the frost, moonlight, and homesickness in less than twenty Chinese characters. School children in China today are often required to learn this poem. Historians claim that this poem is widely “memorized by school children and quoted by adults”.

During his second time of wandering, Li became a Daoist in the mountains of Shandong, continuing to write poems. A famous myth claims the Li Bai drowned after attempting to embrace the reflection of the moon from his boat.

Do you think being an "unofficial poet" to the Prince is worse than being an official poet? It sounds to me like he was well known and liked even as an unofficial poet. Also I was wondering- would lower class artist selling their art be considered as merchants? You said that in the Tang Dynasty arts and culture were number one but what about the lower artists trying to make a living? Would they be condemned as the hated merchants? Li Bai is lonely a lot, I noticed. :( Very interesting poem and response! -Grace Lane

Oh no, Li Bo's death is so sad! I think the Chinese poetry style is very interesting. The modern, western view point is that a "good poem" must be a long, intricate, with a lot if imagery and descriptions. Li Bo's poetry would most likely not be as highly acclaimed in western culture. However, it takes a great skill to capture a single moment in time, like "Thoughts on a Still Night" does so perfectly. I wonder why, in western culture, we don't appreciate that skill as much. -ER

Li Bo's death is, indeed, sad. So he never had a wife or children? Maybe that's why he was kind of lonely. SG

While I was reading this poem, it sounded eerily familiar, and I realized I actually memorized it as a child along with my parents and the rest of my family, and that even to this day I can remember the meaning (just like those historians said). I never considered the poetic impact he, along with others, may have had on the dynasty. I wonder if back then it was as much a oral tradition as it is today, rather than writing for solely the elite upper class? -DL

=**Unit 1**= =**Primary Source: Ancient Shopping List**=

What looks like a mystic document from ancient times is actually an everyday shopping list. A man named Heraclides wrote the list, scripted on papyrus. The writing contains instructions for Heraclide’s brother, Petechois, to purchase items to bring back from the local market. The items, with the prices listed alongside them, include poultry, bread, lupines, chickpeas, kidney beans, and fenugreek (a white flowered plant whose seeds are used for flavoring). Written in Greek during the early 3rd century, A.D., this document was found in ancient Roman Egypt. The combination between Roman Egypt and the use of Greek language is what makes this document noteworthy and //more// than just a shopping list. Although written long after Alexander the Great’s Hellenization of his conquered territory, this document is a prime example of the continuation of his Hellenization.

Emperor Augustus established Roman Egypt around 30 BC. Many Greeks lived in or eventually moved to Egypt and were considered by the Roman government, much to their dislike, Egyptian. Alexandria and Antinoopolis are two examples of Greek or Hellenistic cities found in Roman Egypt. Before being considered part of the Roman Empire, Greek influences in Egypt were common. For example, the Ptolemaic Kingdom was a Greek Kingdom located in Egypt. So it is suggested that Egyptians were not unfamiliar with Grecian lifestyles.

While Latin and Greek were the predominant languages of the Roman Empire, the majority of the Egyptian population decided to stick with their own language. But soon, Coptic– an Egyptian language using the Greek alphabet- came around and demonstrated a linguistic Hellenization in Egypt. Not only does this shopping list show the Hellenization of Egyptian language, it also provides evidence of the ancient literacy level, shows the blending of cultures, and lets us take a glimpse at ancient Roman life, which in many ways is so similar to our own.

This is very interesting, was this very common for the time period? If it wasn't why do they think it was written?-HB

I absolutely love the fact that they had shopping lists back then (it makes me feel like I'm not the only forgetful one). I have two questions: Do you know how many people moved to Egypt from Greece, and why they moved there? I also have a confusing question: Why do you think the Greeks didn't just follow the saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," and whatnot? Why do you think the cultures blended and made new, Hellenistic things, instead of Greeks just submitting to the Egyptian way of life? ~ Marisa G.M.

This is such a fun idea! How did you come across this? The way you interpreted this into the Hellenization of the language really surprised me. Isn't it interesting how the little things that seem so irrelevant in our lives today have such thought-provoking ideas when they are done in the past? Also, what //tangible// evidence (if any) is available that might show that the Egyptians were influenced by the Greeks? Diana Lu

=**The Dalai Lama**= //"My religion is kindness."// - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama has a history dating back many centuries. Starting in 1391, the Dalai Lama has been the head monk of what is called the “Yellow Hat Sect” of Tibetan Buddhists who focused on academics and monastic life. The Dalai Lama is known to be a reincarnated form of the bodhisattva of compassion, otherwise known as Avalokitesvara. Bodhisattvas are in essence a being who reaches a state of personal nirvana and decides not to continue on to rebirth in order to perform more duties for humanity.



__**Tibetan Buddhism Key Words**__
 * Tolerance
 * Spiritual awareness
 * Compassion
 * Clarity of mind
 * Reincarnation
 * Patience


 * __Dalai Lamas__**
 * 1) Gedun Drupa: 1391-1474 (founder of monasteries, academics)
 * 2) Gedun Gyatso: 1475-1542 (academics)
 * 3) Sonam Gyatso: 1543-1588 (first to hole Dalai Lama title)
 * 4) Yonten Gyatso: 1589-1617 (typical monastic life)
 * 5) Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, "The Great Fifth": 1617-1682 (appointed political leader of Tibetan population by Gushi Khan, the conqueror of Tibet)
 * 6) Tsangyang Gyatso: 1682-1706 (left monastic life to write and travel)
 * 7) Kelsang Gyatso: 1708-1757 (political leader)
 * 8) Jamphel Gyatso: 1758-1804 (built summer living quarters)
 * 9) Lungtok Gyatso: 1805-1815 (built winter living quarters)
 * 10) Tsultrim Gyatso: 1816-1837 (heavily studied Buddhist philosophy)
 * 11) Khedrup Gyatso: 1838-1856 (youngest at death)
 * 12) Trinley Gyatso: 1856-1875 (spiritual and political leader)
 * 13) Thupten Gyatso: 1876-1933 (strengthened overall life of Tibetan people)
 * 14) Tenzin Gyatso: 1935- Present Day (promoting Tibetan welfare under Chinese rule)


 * Note:** The title ‘Dalai Lama’ was not fully adapted until the third reincarnation. The name ‘Dalai Lama’ is translated to Ocean of Wisdom.

__**Searching for a Dalai Lama**__ As stated before, each Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of the past Dalai Lama starting from Gedun Drupa. A committee of High Lamas is chosen to seek his reincarnation. To begin, the committee searches for a boy that was born near the time of the previous Dalai Lamas death. They locate this boy through many ways. A committee member may have a dream that points out to the location of the boy. Another way to locate him is to follow the direction of the previous Dalai Lama's smoke from his cremation. The third and final way is to visit the holy Oracle Lake and patiently wait for a sign. From there, the young boy is presented with a mix of objects, some belonging to the previous Dalai Lama, and others being random. If the boy chooses the items from the previous Dalai Lama, he is officially chosen as the reincarnation.



__**What does a Dalai Lama do?**__ From the fifth Dalai Lama up until Chinese control of Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama frequently served for the Tibetan government and worked for the unification of their country serving as a state ruler and religious leader. Many of the previous Dalai Lamas spent time delving deeper in to Buddhist teachings and philosophies, developing monasteries, and serving as head of the Gelug School of Buddhism where monks were educated. The current Dalai Lama typically spends his days praying, meditating, studying Buddhists texts, and internationally promoting his ideas of compassion and respect. From the fifth Dalai Lama until the exile of the fourteenth, they spent their winters at the Potala Palace and summers at the Norbulingka palace both located in Lhasa, Tibet.



The three main commitments of the Dalai Lama in his lifetime are to promote human values (compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment,self discipline), promote religious harmony and understanding, and to preserve the Buddhist culture of Tibet, which is based off of harmony and non-violence.

Dalai Lama Video

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