Please view attached DOCX (it's basically the same information below)

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Chapter 6 – Edicts of Ashoka – ASSIGNMENT A – Type: HISTORY

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Edicts of Ashoka

Begin by going to the PBS website on India — this link. will take you to #6, Edicts of Ashoka. Click on "Explore the Topic" and in the drop-down window, do just that! Explore the topic by reading the paragraphs and clicking on the links spread throughout the text.

The story of Ashoka and his personal transformation is compelling, and is often used to hold Ashoka up as an example of moral leadership in government.

Here is the topic to be addressed in essay form and posted in this discussion forum:

Using the information provided above and material found in your textbook, create a 300-400 word essay addressing the following question:

Talk about the Edicts of Ashoka — specifically, which category of the inscriptions do you think were most significant in consolidating Ashoka's rule over his vast empire? What impact did Ashoka and his edicts have on the development of Buddhism? Note that the popularity of Buddhism declined in India after Ashoka’s death — does that say anything to you about the types of inscriptions that were most effective?

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Chapter 7 – Roman Military & Engineering – ASSIGNMENT B – Type: HISTORY : Part 1

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Roman Military & Engineering

In many instances, the Romans appear to have lacked the interest or creativity to create a culture of their own. Much of their culture is borrowed—for example, their architecture, their gods, and the concepts of navy and naval ships. However, one can argue that, although they did borrow many ideas and technology, they then improved upon them, making them their own. Consider Rome’s accomplishments in the realms of warfare and expansion; clearly they applied what they borrowed brilliantly.

This link. takes you to a page laying out the "5 Greatest Feats of Roman Engineering." It's a good introduction to Roman skill. As you look at these, consider why they might have been an important factor in Rome's military success.

Now – watch this episode of Engineering an Empire: Carthage:

In

In contrast to Rome, Carthage was an economic empire. Carthage pre-dated the dominance of Rome and boasted significant achievements, as you'll see in this video.

Here is the topic to be addressed in essay form and posted in this discussion forum:

Using the materials provided above and in Chapter 7 of your text, create a 300-400 word post in response to the following:

What was the importance of Roman engineering in expanding its empire, using the conflict with Carthage as your focal point. Also consider why Rome felt the need to wipe out Carthage. Was it justified?

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Chapter 7 – Roman-Chinese Trade – ASSIGNMENT C – Type: HISTORY – Part 2

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Roman-Chinese Trade

Consider this assignment to be an introduction to the topic of your essay paper, which is due November 18. Two large and extensive empires, Han China and the Roman Empire were at either end of an active set of trade routes collectively known as the Silk Road.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a good resource to explore the link between art and history. Read this brief article on Trade Routes between Europe and Asia During Antiquity Within this article are a number of links: Silk and Spice Routes, Palmyra, Gandhara, etc. Each link will take you to an article with works of art that provide supporting evidence for the subject of the article. You don't have to explore all of these links or works of art, but follow your interest and most importantly, find the contributions of the pieces of art in understanding the ancient world.

Here is the topic to be addressed in essay form and posted in this discussion forum:

Consider this evidence and draft a 300-400 word post discussing the role of trade routes in creating new ideas and blended cultural styles in the ancient world. Be sure to use specific examples to support your point of view.

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Chapter 8 – Universal Religions – ASSIGNMENT D – Type: HISTORY

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Universal Religions

Universalizing Religions are organized religions that appeal to diverse, widespread populations and challenge the power of secular rulers and thinkers. Chapters 8 and 9 focus on Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam as powerful universalizing religions that united populations with differing languages, traditions, and historical backgrounds.

The Silk Road was an ancient trade network that from China to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and even North Africa. The route was a major role in the exchange of ideas as well as goods: from Europe, wool, gold, silver, and more moved east while silk, spices, and a variety of luxury items headed west. It was a long route, and along the Silk Road traders — and ultimately missionaries and travelers — stopped at caravanserai to rest, refuel, and trade with other merchants. These hubs ultimately became major cities, where the exchange of goods formed a foundation for cultural exchange.

Think of it: these travelers and merchants needed to communicate, for business and for pleasure, and in the process of communicating they shared stories, customs, even religious beliefs. Universalizing religions traveled well along merchant routes, because these types of religions welcomed people from different cultures. They would just need to adhere to the tenets of the religion to be welcomed into it.

Take a look at this trailer previewing a documentary called The Music of Strangers:

While incomplete, this trailer does provide insight to how cultures meet and share and ultimately find a common humanity that results in new cultural experiences and customs.

The spread of Islam in its first centuries tended to be militaristic, but Arab merchants carried this new religion along established trade routes as well. Along the eastern coast of Africa, for example, the traditional language and cultural practices often blended with Islam to give it an added appeal.

The Silk Road was not one road, but many intersecting trails, and it was instrumental in spreading cultural and religious ideas. Using the experience of Yo-Yo Ma and his fellow musicians, your text, and your supplemental assigned reading, create a 300-400 word post discussing the rise of universal religions. Specifically, how was this rise linked to the Silk Road, and how did these religions keep civilization alive even as empires fell?

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Chapter 9 – The Irish & Civilization – ASSIGNMENT E – Type: HISTORY

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Did the Irish Save Civilization?

Ireland and the libraries of the Muslim world were the main repositories of learning during the period of western European political reordering. Irish monks traveled back and forth to the Holy Land. As they went, they collected Greek and Roman texts. They continued to copy manuscripts and communicate with Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land. Two missionaries succeeded Saint Patrick and continued the Christian movement in Ireland, carrying it on to Scotland, England, Gaul, and Italy: Columban (543–615) and Columba (531–597). As the Celtic Christian movement grew, it produced more and more teachers, pilgrims and scholars, keeping Ireland at the center of European classical scholarship until the arrival of the Vikings in 875. During this time almost 150 monasteries were founded in Ireland, with scholars and monks arriving from across the Christian world.

Go to this article. discussing Irish Monastic Art, exploring the links there to view various pieces of Irish religious art.

Using this article, your text, and your own grey cells (in your brain), draft a 300-400 word post describing the lasting impact of the Irish Christian movement on the Christian world. How did this Christian effort save the repository of learning of the ancient world?

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Chapter 10 – The Crusades – ASSIGNMENT F – Type: HISTORY

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The Crusades

In the 21st century, the Crusades tend to be a subject of farce (think Monty Python), or of legend, drama, and even political invective. But the Crusades were a multi-century phenomena that impacted Europeans at all levels, challenged people crossing paths with the invaders, and shaped the later Age of European Exploration. If we don't understand the Crusades, we don't really understand the modern world.

Visit this website about the Crusades and read at least the first several sections. You should begin to get a feel for the motivations for the Crusades and its impact on both European and Islamic peoples.

Here is the topic to be addressed in essay form and posted in this discussion forum:

What were the Crusades ultimately about — were they purely religious? or was there a more complex motivation? In a 300-400 word post, discuss at least one example of a cultural effect of the Crusades that supports your position.

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Chapter 11 – Maritime Exploration – ASSIGNMENT F – Type: HISTORY

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Maritime Exploration

Maritime exploration was not the monopoly of European navigators. Even as the Portuguese were developing the tools and technology that would make them a leading navigational force, the Chinese had built and launched an impressive navy. Compare the websites for Prince Henry the Navigator. and for ancient Chinese navigators.

Here is the topic to be addressed in essay form and posted in this discussion forum:

In a 300-400 word post, discuss the reasons for exploration by Portugal and China. What distinction do you see that led the Portuguese and later other Europeans to push forward with exploration, while the Chinese ended their naval exploration? You might consider religious and philosophical differences between the cultures.

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END OF ASSIGNMENTS

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THANK YOU!