Greeks Interaction with other Nations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Greeks Interaction with other Nations - Essay Example He did not have enough written document to assist him in his investigations of the Greek aspects of the War. In ancient Greece history was transmitted orally. He was therefore reduced to gather oral testimony from survivors and descendants of survivors of an era. He was too young to have experienced, but Herodotus had overcome those difficulties." He weighed and carefully sifted the oral accounts of his witnesses, making clear to his audience which among them contained evidence that was probable, Possible".(A. Robertson) The history of the Persian Wars was written with purpose of passion. To him men are only puppets in an all powerful fate. He thus tried to find out the universal truth through human beings. Although he was an Ionian Greek, Herodotus yet believed that Athenian vigor, liberty and democracy. He explained Athens's instrumental role in the defeat of the Persians. "The Athenians were saviors of Greece" and later justified her domination of Greek affairs through her Empire. The Persian Wars lasted for nearly five years (500BC- 479 BC) Herodotus provides information among many other things of the rise of the Persian Empire under Cyrus, the humiliating defeat of proud Croesus and two invasions of Greece by the Persians, the first under Darius turned back at Marathon (490B.C.) With the destruction of the Persian fleet at Salamis, Greece was saved from destruction. Her golden age began. He wanted to preserve the moral lesson embodied in what he saw the victory of Greek liberation from the clutches of Persian autocracy. The Persian Wars provided him the golden opportunity to construct this epic. Herodotus was the first historian to understand the need for a purpose in historical study. He was a true researcher who truly laid his hands on discovering the truth for example, the causes of the Persian War. He tried his best in putting together a long involved historical narrative in which the main theme never been lost. His comparative and constructive study of Greeks and Barbarians led a few scholars to consider him as a friend of the Barbarians. In the opinion of H.E. Barnes, "the frame of Herodotus will endure as the first constructive artist in the field of historical writing as the author of the earliest comprehensive historical work, as the first to imply that the task of the historian is to reconstruct the whole past life of man ... in the entire course of historical writing. He won for history a distinct place in the arts and sciences of mankind for all times." Aeschylus (525-456BC), Greek dramatist born in Eleusis, near Athens, he was the earliest of city's tragic poets. As the predecessor of Sophocles and Euripi dies, he is the founder of Greek Tragedy. "The Persians", presented in 472 BC, is a historical tragedy about the Battle of Salamis, the scene being set in Persia at the court of the mother of King Xerxes I. In the Play it is written that the Greek prevented an invasion by the superior forces of the Persians. More precisely, the play focus is the Persian reaction to their defeat. The Greek's belief on ghost can be seen when Darius appears, and blames his son Oxeyes arrogant pride which had

Saudi Arabia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example As Prophet Mohammad was responsible for converting members of all communities into Islamic faith, the constitution of Saudi Arabia has been the Holy Koran. The Islamic law, called Shari’a guides the country. The King is bound by such laws, along with the advice of Ulema, the religious scholars. The status of women has improved, as compared to the same that was prevalent during the pre-Islamic period, in Arabian region. However, the same needs lot of further reforms, as the present laws are definitely against females. Incidentally, Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world, where women are not allowed to drive. The oil boom, starting from 1950-60 has brought prosperity and huge economic development to the nation, which is evident everywhere in the country, currently. Pre-Islamic history of Saudi Arabia Before the dawn of Islam and arrival of Prophet Mohammad, as messenger from God; the whole Arabian Peninsula was fragmented into different tribes, with no cohesion or authori ty. As there was total lack of any political organization or activity, in \the whole region; the moral authority of tribal chiefs ruled the day, which was decided by their personality and character. However, Yemen was an exception, as it had some sort of a political government. Due to lack of any government in the Arabia, the Justice was delivered, barely as per the wishes of injured victim, which most often resulted in harsh cruelty. Since no judges, police or other law enforcing agencies prevailed, the rule of justice was based on the feelings of revenge. Hence, the confederation of tribes played an important part to protect people from enemies, seeking such revenge. (Arabia Before Islam) No political authority The life in Arabia, during late sixth and early seventh century, A.D, just before the arrival of Prophet Mohammad, revolved mainly around war and other feuds among various tribes. As it is, the region is mostly covered by the Arabian Desert, which could not support life, as progressively, as is being done now. Therefore, war was seen as an instrument to reduce the population, while people enjoyed participating in such battles. They took it as an activity to kill their time, while war gave them the opportunity to show case their skills with bows, arrows, horsemanship and so on. The victory of the people in war would bring honor to the whole tribe. There were mainly two groups of Arabian population, at that time, called Hejaz and Bedouins. While people belonging to Hejaz section were settlers along the towns, Bedouins were nomadic tribes, which used to wander around, looking for their own prey. The sedentary population of Hejaz group always feared the nomads, as Bedouins were deemed to be the pirates of the desert, following their own anarchic traditions. The lack of any political authority, until the rise of Islam in the region was responsible for arrogance of the people. The command of any tribal leader and obedience to the same was mainly based on th e sharing of booty, during any battle. The obedience would vanish, once the sharing gets over, as the members would freely change their loyalty. Religions followed in pre-Islamic Arabia Various tribes followed different religious faiths. Most of the population was idol worshippers, as Kabba in Makkah had around 360 idols made from stone and wood. The tradition says that it