HIST 1001 : Midterm HIsto 1001 Stories
The Simile of the cave
- Plato
o One of the most important philosophers in antiquity
o Critic of democracy
o Supporter of aristocracy
- Standard for rational control over passions leading to happiness
- Not being able to truly see until one learns to see in the dark
- Defends view that justice consist in harmony of soul
- Two States of mind: Belief and Illusion
- Moral and Intellectual opinions often bear as little relation to truth
- Dialogue between Socrates and Plato’s brother
- Describes prisoners being chained to wall with the shadows being the closest thing to reality
- Persuade people that there is a more real world
Roman Decline
- Sallust
o Wrote about fractional struggles
o Ally of Julius Caesar
o Opposed to senatorial aristocracy
- View of moral collapse of Rome
- Discusses how people led to the decline of Rome
- Talks about how when government changed it became harsh and unendurable
- Avarice, becoming obsessed with money
Alexander Reaches His Limites
- Arrian
o Achieved High Office but devoted time to writing
- Debate between Alexander the Great and his army in India. His army refused to move by
Alexander was still determined in a quest for control
- Conversation between Alexander and his army, Alexander is attempting to convince the army to
invade India, but the army refuses
The Bravery of Mucius Scaevola
- Livy
o Wrote uncritical histories of Rome
o Relied on myth and word of mouth
- Story of Mucius Scaevola from the period of Rome’s wars with the Etruscans
- Example of Roman Bravery and self-sacrifice in the service of the state
- View doesn’t favor certain people
- Allows to a more realistic historical view
A Greek Analyzes the Roman Constitution
- Polybius
o Great historian of Rome’s rise to world power
o Had excellent connects and was able to travel and meet people
o Did careful research and criticized his sources
- Criticizing the Roman constitution and the reasons for its strength
- Determining whether the constitution shows democracy, monarchy, or aristocracy
- Describes how political power is divided between the three
- The can either help or harm each other
- It would be hard to find a better constitution
- If there is an external threat they can work together
Document Summary
Plato: one of the most important philosophers in antiquity, critic of democracy, supporter of aristocracy. Standard for rational control over passions leading to happiness. Not being able to truly see until one learns to see in the dark. Defends view that justice consist in harmony of soul. Two states of mind: belief and illusion. Moral and intellectual opinions often bear as little relation to truth. Describes prisoners being chained to wall with the shadows being the closest thing to reality. Persuade people that there is a more real world. Sallust: wrote about fractional struggles, ally of julius caesar, opposed to senatorial aristocracy. Discusses how people led to the decline of rome. Talks about how when government changed it became harsh and unendurable. Arrian: achieved high office but devoted time to writing. Debate between alexander the great and his army in india. Alexander was still determined in a quest for control.
