Guernica

So after talking about fascism and the people it inspired (Spain's Franco) it rang the art bell in my head. It's the same Franco that had German and Italian war planes bomb Guernica and inspired this painting entitled Guernica painted by Pablo Picasso, in 1937. The same year Guernica was bombed. It is a huge 11ft x 25ft wide, black, grey and white oil on canvas which can be found at the Museo Reina Sofia, in Madrid. It was painted to bring light the tragedies of war. It is said the San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art gave this painting its first public appearance.

7 "New" wonders of the world.

To go along with the ancient wonders I went found the "New" wonders. Compiled by votes, from millions of people around the world.

Great Pyramid, Egypt

Petra, Jordan

Great Wall of China

Colosseum, Rome

Chicken Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Taj Mahal, India

Machu Pichu, Peru

7 Ancient Wonders.

So studying for this quiz made me think of the seven ancient wonders of the world, and how many of them are actually still around. Sadly turns out just one, the Great Pyramid of Egypt. It's just interesting to look at and think about considering we've touched on almost all the places these wonderful attractions once existed. It is believed that the seven ancient wonders of the world was compiled, almost as a guide by a man known as Philon of Byzantium.

Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Lighthouse of Alexandria

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Colossus of Rhodes

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

if you like art...

The San Francisco Asian Art Museum has a great permanent collection.

It's really cheap, thursdays after 5p.m its $5 any other day its $7 with your college id.

Chapters 11, 12 & 13

So chapter 11 is pretty much a retelling of the birth and growth of Islamic culture and religion. It gives you the basics: Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, The Quran, Five Pillars of Islam. Then it goes into how Islamic beliefs had spread beyond its Empire. It is a beautiful thing to see a culture, language and religion bring so many different people together.

Chapter 12, all about pastoral and nomadic peoples of Eurasia and Africa, and the rise of the Mongol empire. The Mongols, life was the most interesting to me. I like that women were treated as equals with some of the same responsibilities as the men in the tribe. The Masai of East Africa are also very interesting and how they believe to be more superior then farmers.

Mongols came to power with the help of a disciplined army. Another important part if it was that the leaders were humble and would share his people hardships. As for religions, the Mongol people were very open to all types, as long as they did not interfere with politics. When the Mongols took over china, they seemed to adapt and take on many Chinese traditions. However, at the same time the Mongols were very discriminating towards the Chinese. When the Mongols conquered Persia it had some ups on the economy. Alcohol and silk production wen t up. Unlike the Arabs in chapter 11, the Mongols did not force or spread there religion and culture on others. They did the opposite forbidding people to learn scriptures and even inter-racial marriages. When they conquered Russia the Mongols had expanded from Asia to the western Europe. However they did not occupy Russia, they went in a destroyed the place, selling people to slavery and looting. The Black death was most likely originated in Central Asia and spread by trade routes

Chapter 13 covers the civilizations of the 15 century, comparing Europe, Asia, the Islamic worlds and the Americas. It's interesting to see how each world was evolving in such different ways at the same time. Traveling, expanding and rebuilding their States.