Chapter 1: The Need For Water In Ancient Societies

The world has many natural resources, but none are more important and crucial than water.  It's a simple resource, but at the same time it is as rich as gold.  Ancient Societies depended a lot on this natural resource, societies like the ancient Mesopotamia which was located next to two river valleys: the Tigris, and Euphrates.  Water was needed in order to grow crops.In Mesopotamia the farmers used several types of irrigation (which was a way of supplying dry land with water through the use of ditches, etc.).  For instance farmers leveled land and built dikes which would allow fresh water and soil to come through, that is called basin irrigation.  It is very useful when it comes to growing crops.  Without the growth of crops then there would be no food, and if there is no food then people starve and if people starve, then they die.  Technology has been highly influenced since the use of water, the technology has evolved and it is still used today.  The Egyptians even built water ways and water-lifting machines for perennial irrigation.  Water can even be used to make a profit.  Take the Chinese and the Yellow River for instance, they built canals so they can transport goods to other nations and get some goods from other nations.  At the same time, the competing armies even used water as a weapon by flooding the land of rivals by building or destroying dikes.  The Romans to me were the ones who created the best technology for the use of water.  They build the aqueducts which is similar to modern day pipes, except the aqueducts were much more bigger than the pipes.  The aqueducts would bring clean water form nearby pristine lakes and rivers.  The very 1st one that they built was around 150 feet high and it was built around 150 c.e.  Did I mention that it was 30 miles?  It's like I said before, water is a natural resource, but it is as rich as gold.  Technology for water systems have evolved over the years all due to the creations from the Ancient Societies.  Pipe systems and purification machines, we have come a long way.  It is safe to say that water is a crucial need for the world when you think about it.  Without water no crops can be grown and crops are eaten by humans, meaning we would starve.  Not to mention that animals eat crops as well and without the proper water, the crops would never grow meaning that the animals would die as well; as a result we lose another source of food.  Not to mention that water is used to clean our selves from bacteria and to keep us hydrated.  Life would be hard without water.

Chapter 5: Eurasion Cultural Traditions

Every culture has it's own traditions that differs from other cultures.  These beliefs and values have been around for thousands of years and are still around today.  In China there was the teachings of Kong Fuzi (Confucius) and Laozi which brought up the ideas of Confucianism and Daoism.  While in India there was the teachings of Hinduism which had many Gods and Godesses.  Later Buddishm, which included peace and spirtual quests, would be introduced by a guy named Siddhartha Gautama.  Then there is the Middle East where a Persain named Zarathustra taught monotheistic religious traditions which would eventually be recognized as Zoroastrianism.  The Greeks were more focused on traditional forms of writings like: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, etc.  It is very evident that these cultures had different ideas and beliefs, yet some are very similar.  Take cultures like China and Greece, they focused more on the world affairs like writings and social sturcture.  While cultures like India and Persia focused more on Religion.  Even though some traditions have died out, some are still used til this day.

The Superior Man

XV. 20: The Master said, "The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions."

This quote is significant to me because it is similar to "actions speak louder than words."  There are people in the world who say that they are going to do something like win a game or out due another person at doing pull ups, but most of the time they can't back up their claim.  To me if a person says that they are going to do something then they better back up their claim.  It is better to be the person who does not want attention and just does something without bragging about it or showing off to people.  That is how a person should be. 

Chapter 4: Eurasian Empires 5oo B.C.E- 500 C.E.

The following chapter discusses the rise of empires mostly revovling around the Greeks and Persians.  Going to detail about their similarities and differences and eventually the collision between the 2 empires in the Greco-Persian wars.  Not to mention the rise of Alexander the Great and his dominant rule during the time.  It the fast forwards about the Roman and Chinese Empires and how they are both similar and different.  Both empires were very protective about their empires by building walls and organizing their army.  In time the empires would collapse mainly because of constant fighting over power two empires are united eventually one of them is going to want to be number one.  In the End empires prove to be bad mainly because of the constat struggle for power.

Chapter 3 First Civilizations Cities, States, and Unequal Societies

As a kid I remembered when my uncle told me about the story of Teotihuacan and the origins of our homeland of Mexico.  The Aztecs were told by the Gods to keep walking until they find a small little island with a rock and on the rock a cactus is on top with an eagle perched devouring a snake.   That famous site not only became the symbol of the Mexican flag, but where the 1st civilization of Teotihuacan originated and is now modern day Mexico city.  The point is that all modern day Countries like China, India, and Latin America for instance had started with just one civilization and as time progressed the civilization in each country evolved into civilizations.  Except that life back then was way more different than it is now.  In some places today there are still hierarchies, but back then it was a normal thing.  You had your Rulers, artists/writers, servants, farmers, etc.  You could tell who was in a certain class by looking at the cloths that were worn.  There were certain restrictions for certain classes, for instance a farmer can't marry a servant it has to be farmer and farmer or servant and servant.  One can only image the problems that hierarchies caused with all the hate and distrust between all the classes which will only ensue chaos.  This still happens today, in order to be a stable civilization, everyone needs to be together and have equality.

DGP Chapter 2 Writing And Power: Defining World-Views

Do you know what I am doing right now at this exact moment, I am writing.  No one seems to realize how much of big deal writing really is.  The chapter talks about the impact writing has had in the human race and how it was highly praised during ancient times.  Back in those times any person who knew how to read or write were considered more important than others since they made the laws and interpret them.  Early humans used cave drawings as a form of writing it was around six thousand years ago when more complex forms of writing were being created.  There are two systems that writings can be divided in: ideographic which comes form pictures that represent thoughts, and Phonetic which uses signs of the Roman alphabet.  According to historians it is believed that Sumerians from Mesopotamia  was where civilization began and developed the worlds first writing system.  Since then writing has evolved and become extremely useful in our society.  With out writing, laws would never have been created, meaning there would be no order in society and if there are no rules then there will be chaos.  When religion eventually came into play, writing was used to tell a story and give faith to the world, all through writing.  Writing is what we use to express ourselves into fine art, we are telling a story for future and past generations to hear. 

Chapter 13: The Worlds Of The Fifteenth Century

Chapter 13 revolves around societies of the fifteenth century which consisted of city-centered and also state-based.  Which meant that the societies were way more populated, but at the same time people became separated according to gender and ranks in society.  Take the Chinese for instance, which during this time the Ming dynasty came into play and became a very large and powerful dynasty.  Their whole trading system grew due to one of their biggest and expensive expeditions on sea.  Lead by Zheng He, the Chinese were exposed to new things like: spices, plants, and animals.  During the fifteenth century, the plague was introduced to Europe, which decimated the population.  The disease was spread due to rats who came from other nations and boarded on trade ships that were going to Europe.  The good people were dieing which made people at the time look at life differently, and eventually the renaissance came into play.  The Renaissance brought back seminal ideas like: music, poetry, art, etc.  It began in Italy around 1350 and 1500