Topics for Second Essay
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Topics for Essay #2
400 to 700 words long
5 – 7 paragraphs
Due Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Coming of Laws (Repeat from last time)
As society became more complex, more complex government and laws were necessary. In looking at the laws of Hammurabi, what can we infer about strengths and problems of Mesopotamian society? Which laws were essential and which were extraneous? Where did the laws help guard against injustice. Where might the laws themselves have been unjust?
A Peaceful Life
A modern word that might be used for the Ancient Egyptian civilization is “isolationist”. Although they had an empire for awhile, through much of their existence they were largely self satisfied and self sufficient. They were also optimistic and prosperous. They were rarely invaded. First discuss the factors that contributed to this state of affairs, then discuss whether this contributed to or detracted from their greatness.
The World’s Greatest Builders
The Egyptians constructed the most magnificent edifices that the world had ever seen. In particular, the Great Pyramid was the tallest man made structure in the world for more than a thousand years. There was no economic advantage to building these huge temples, monuments and tombs. For these to be built, much of the population had to work very hard. Discuss Egyptian architectural achievements and then consider what might be the good and bad effects of a society working together and devoting so much labor and expense to such huge projects.
The Story of the Two Brothers
What does this story of Isis and Osiris reveal about Egyptian civilization and culture? What does it show about their attitude towards good and evil? If you like, you can compare this tale with Gilgamesh.
Herodotus, World Traveler
Herodotus was a Greek who was unfamiliar with Egyptian history and culture. What did he find in Egypt to admire and what did he find amusing or puzzling? What did this show about Egypt and what did it reveal about him?