Daily 5- week 4b

Was Alexander the Great a "good leader"? Compare/Contrast with Pericles.


Compared to Pericles, I think Alexander was equal to him for different reasons. I feel as if Pericles was more about the people and the citizens, but he didn't take the time to build up an army to keep out Persia, so he let his people down. On the other hand, Alexander only cared about becoming a legend and showing Persia whose REALLY in charge. I think that a leader needs to be about the people and for the people, not only caring about making history books. I also think a leader needs to know his true strengths and weaknesses in order to keep his civilization a civilization. If Alexander and Pericles could have combined they probably would have been the best leader of all time. 

Daily 4- Week 4b

Could a force like Alexander the Great exist today? Why or why not?


I believe that a force like Alexander the Great could not exist today. The way the world works and the way that countries communicate with one another doesn't allow much room for a ruler like Alexander the Great. It's much easier to communicate, transport, and work together today than it was back in ancient Greek times, therefore, a ruler like Alexander the Great wouldn't even have time to establish an army of such strength without United Nations or some other type of resource stepping in and not allowing this to happen. There have been many people, I believe, that have tried to live out their lives like Alexander the Great, such as Hitler, that tried to control what kind of people lived in certain places, what they looked like, and what religion they practiced, but they were put to a stop before they had a chance to conquer everyone.

Daily 3- Week 4b

Describe relations between Egypt and Persia before Alexander came on the scene.


Even before Alexander had decided to enter Egypt and ask for Egyptian help in conquering Persia, the Egyptians had always hated the Persians and the Persians had always hated the Egyptians. Alexander didn't just walk right into Egypt and demand that all Egyptians must hate the Persians. There was already a long-going hate relationship between Egypt and Persia that just worked for Alexander's advantage. 

Daily 2-Week 4b

Do you think Alexander honestly felt like he was avenging Persian wrongs? Or was that just propaganda to mask his goal of conquest?


I feel like Alexander was doing both. The Greeks never forgot what Persia did to them, and they had wanted revenge for years. Before Alexander's father was murdered, he said he wanted to avenge Persian wrongs. Maybe this inspired Alexander to conquer Persia. He could have wanted to fulfill his father's dream of conquering Persia once and for all. He could have also seen this as an opportunity to not only fulfill his father's dream, but fulfill his own dream of conquest. He practically killed two birds with one stone. 

Daily 1- Week 4b

What compels someone to lead others?


I believe people lead others for many reasons. Throughout history people have become leaders for power, fame, and - believe it or not- to make sure their country is run properly. Today, the U.S. leaders come to power to make sure that our country stays in tact and that the citizens of the U.S. are safe. But, in ancient Greek times, men came to power not always for that exact reason. For example: Alexander the Great came to power to show the world how strong and powerful he is. Sure, he might have also came to power after his father died to make sure the citizens would be okay, but mostly it was to become famous. He wanted his name to be remembered, by everyone. This is still going on today. Foreign countries in the Middle East have leaders that aren't truly in it for the people of their country. They're just in it for the fame and glory. That is what I believe compels someone to lead others.

Weekly 4

SCRIPT

Setting: Events occurring at the same time as the Peloponnesian War

Characters:

Delia- Narrator

Pericles- Leader of Athens

Cyanae & Elpis- Caretakers of plague people

Drakon, Jonas, & Barnabas- Townsmen

Heracles- Athenian soldier

Zenon- Spartan soldier

PROLOGUE-

Delia- Athens, at one time, had proven to be the central power of the world. Nobody had a clue of how amazing and powerful Athens would become, but they also didn’t have a clue as to how quickly this ancient Greek empire would fall. Throughout this story, you’ll realize the hardships and pain Athens went through.

ACT 1-

Drakon, Jonas, & Barnabas- Well, good morning, Ms. Delia!

Delia- Good morning, gentlemen! How’re you on this fine morning?

Drakon- Not too well, Ms. Delia. You see, Pericles has caught the plague that has recently hit Athens! Our leader can’t defend us in battle, so the Spartans might defeat us!

Delia- No! This can’t be so!

Jonas- But, yes ma’am it is. But, hopefully, the Gods will pull through again for us, and defeat the Spartans!

Delia- Hopefully. Barnabas, why haven’t you said much?

Barnabas- I’m sorry, Ms. Delia, but I just finished talking to Heracles before we came here, and he said there is no way Athens will defeat the Spartans.

Delia- I’m going to go have a fine talk with that man!

(Delia walks into to town to find Heracles, the Athenian soldier)

Delia- Heracles! Oh, Heracles! Do I have a word to pick with you!

Heracles- I’m sorry, Delia, but it seems as if there’s a huge problem down near the water and I must get too it!

Delia- No, Heracles, you stay right here! You can’t go around telling innocent, naïve Athenian people that we aren’t going to win this hard, cold war against the Spartans!

Heracles- But, it seems as if we have already been defeated. The people of Athens didn’t know that Pericles has been down the plague for 6 months now, and he took his last breath this morning. I’m sorry, but now I must go!

(Heracles walks away)

Delia- Oh my goodness, how could we let this happen to us? Athens was once so strong and noble, and now we’re falling apart, bit by bit. I must go see Elpis, I know she had to have been taking care of poor Pericles.

(Delia runs to the house of Pericles)

ACT 2-

Delia- Cyanae, dear dear, Cyanae! Have you seen my close friend, Elpis?

Cyanae- Oh, yes ma’am. I was just at Pericles household with her. We were both taking care of him. I’ll take you straight over there!

Delia- Thank you dear!

(Spartan soldier stops them on the way to Pericles house)

Zenon- Now where do you think you two are going?

Delia- We’re going to the house of our leader, Pericles!

Zenon- That’s where you THINK you’re going, you can turn around and walk all the way home. There are no rights for you Athenian people ever since your leader died.

Delia- I beg your pardon!

Zenon- You heard me lady, now go.

(Delia and Cyanae turn around)

Cyanae- It’s okay, that stupid Spartan soldier has been guarding this road for days. I know a back way to get into Pericles house!

Delia- Oh, thank you! Bless the Gods&Goddess for helping me make it to Pericles’s house!

(Delia and Cyanae enter the house of Pericles and see him dead in bed)

Elpis- Cyanae! Cyanae! Where have you been?! I’ve been looking all over for you! What are we going to tell the people of Athens?! How can we let the Spartans control us without a fight?! How can we let this happen! Our leader is dead!

(Elpis is in tears)

Delia- Now, Elpis, don’t you worry. This isn’t your fault; you kept Pericles alive longer than anyone could. We’ll make it through these hard times. We will! Now, Cyanae, grab Elpis some water, please?

Cyanae- Yes ma’am!

Delia- Now, we’ll hold a town meeting explaining what has happened to poor Pericles.

Elpis- Delia, you know we can’t do that. The Spartans won’t allow it.

Delia- We’ll ignore those stupid Spartans! This is between the Athenian people!

(Delia leaves to go get Heracles)

Delia- Heracles, I apologize for the way I acted towards you earlier. But, I need to ask a favor of you.

Heracles- It’s okay, Ms. Delia, I understand completely. Now, what is that favor?

Delia- Could you risk holding a town meeting to inform the Athenian people that our leader, Pericles, died of the plague?

Heracles- Oh, I don’t know, Delia, that’s a huge risk. I could be killed by the Spartans.

Delia- Please, Heracles! I’m begging you!

Heracles- Fine, fine.

Delia- Thank you so much Heracles! You don’t know how much this means to our people!

(Two days later Heracles holds a secret town meeting with the Athenian people in one of the theaters)

Heracles- PEOPLE, PEOPLE! PLEASE LISTEN UP. WE NEED TO MAKE THIS AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT THE SPARTANS WON’T GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO KILL US!!!

Delia- Heracles! My God! Don’t say that!

Heracles- Sorry, Ms. Delia, I’m just a little nervous….

Heracles- People of Athens! I’ve called this meeting today to inform you that our dear leader, Pericles, has died of the plague that has taken over Athens.

(Athenian people are distraught and upset)

Heracles- Calm down, everything will be fi-…Oh, no..

Delia- What is it Heracles?

Heracles- It seems as if the Spartans have found us.

Delia- What?!

Zenon- You idiots! You didn’t think the SPARTANS would find YOU?! Please! You all better get out of here before I condemn you all to death!

Heracles- Zenon, don’t you dare talk to the people of Athens that way! They had a right to know the information I was sharing with them!

Zenon- Please, like anyone cares about your failure of a leader, Pericles! He’s dead, people! And you’re all under Spartan rule!

(Heracles tackles Zenon to the ground)

Heracles- Don’t you ever talk to my people that way, I’ll kill you right here right now with my bare hands!

Delia- HERACLES! ZENON! STOP!

(Delia pulls Heracles off of Zenon)

Zenon- How dare you! You don’t know what you’ve just begun, Heracles.

Heracles- I’m sure I do, now if you don’t mind I’ll be getting back to my ATHENIAN duty.

(Zenon pulls out his sword and tries to stab Heracles)

Delia- HERACLES, LOOK OUT!

(Heracles dodges the sword, and whips out his own sword)

Heracles- Two can play that game, but only one can win!

(Heracles stabs Zenon, and Zenon drops to the ground)

Zenon- You just made the biggest (Zenon starts to die) mis..ta…ke..of…y…yo…your..life.

(Zenon dies, and the rest of the Spartan soldiers show up)

Heracles- Quick, Delia! We have to hide before they see us!

(Heracles and Delia run away, but Heracles wasn’t fast enough)

Delia- HERACLES! HERACLES NO!!!!!

(Heracles is captured and killed by the Spartans in front of Delia’s own eyes)

EPILOUGE:

Delia- After Heracles was killed, the Athenian people had no hope in regaining Athens back. Many people died, starved, or were killed by the Spartans. But, Heracles died a hero. He died as a man of the people of Athens, and made sure that the Athenian people had their rights as much as possible.

THE END

Daily 4- Week 4

 Explain how the origins of theatre in Athens are tied to both religion and politics


The origins of theatre in Athens are tied to both religion and politics for many different reasons and many different ways. Theatre in Athens was a way for the Athenian people to enjoy themselves, and have a good time. What's a better way then to have a good time then to make fun of the past government leaders or ways? Also, it drew attention from the Athenian people when the characters weaved in the Gods along with politics, showing how the Gods always give answers, but people can interpret them in many ways. The people of Athens loved to see tragedy, so they used politics and religion to make tragedies happen. That is why the origins of theatre in Athens are tied to both religion and politics.