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제가 3일동아 하루에 10시간씩 쓴 essay...
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| 작성자 : 간지마스터 2008-09-02 |
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1. Interaction between humans and the environment
Throughout the history of the mankind, we, as humans, rely on the environment. Not only we adapt to the environment, but we also use them and live with them. As we use the environment throughout the time, we were able to build and assemble things are beneficial. Not only we built the shelter, but also transportation and weapons. As the time passes, we rely more on our creations, rather than the god’s. As the civilization began, however, things have changed. Water had a critical role in the civilization. Water is the daily product that is necessary for all creatures, including our own. The Roman Empire, like any other nations, turned to the Mediterranean Sea. Others also “turn[ed] to the center of their world, they turn[ed] their back on all that lies behind them” (pg. 12). Ireland; however, was not part of the world from the Roman’s point of view because it was “an island off the Atlantic coast” (pg.67). Ireland, a barbaric island, was far away from the Roman world.
Romans were neat and clean, and their “details […] is designed with the form and movement of the body in mind” (pg. 15). Irish, however, was the exact opposite. They were simply barbarians, nothing more, nothing less. Men were “naked [and] they were howling” and “seemed possessed by demons” (pg. 82). Romans were living with their own creations, using their recourses and environment, but Irish were not able to advance further. Ireland was completely isolated from the outer world, but it was soon to be changed.
Patricius, or known as Saint Patrick nowadays, went to Ireland to convert them to Christianity. Ireland, the “timeless island”, was not changing at all although the rest of the world changed (pg.82). Patricius was kidnapped and brought to Ireland when he was only sixteen, and work as a shepherd-slave. While captured at Ireland for six years, he came to know the Christian god and became holy. Following god’s words, he was able to return home in Britain. However, Ireland constantly asked him to comeback, and finally decided to return. Learning god’s words and teachings from Patrick, Ireland was able to construct their own civilization. Patrick, “the first Irish Christians also became the first Irish literates” (pg. 151). Irish made Green Martyrdom, and started “behind the comforts… of ordinary human society, [retreat] to the woods” (pg. 151). Since the woods were forbidden to be used for foods and shelters, they deserted it and started monasticism. This became the monastic establishments. These establishments grew “rapidly into the first population centers, [full of] prosperity, art, and learning” (pg.155).
Irish, looked down the Romans, had shown their potential. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the books and teachings from all around the world came to Ireland and was copied, saving many classical literatures, and knowledge from the history’s famous writers, artists, and philosophers. Without the work of the Irish, the books and teachings of the greatest educated men would have been lost in the history of the mankind. As time passed, Ireland was becoming more advanced. Irish accepted people, including noblemen and commoners, to let them study in Ireland. People built libraries, roads, and schools for a better life. Like Irish, people around the world have overcome their limits of knowledge. We can build and create things that were unimaginable not even twenty or thirty years ago. We are becoming more advanced, but also more sophisticated. We cry out to save the world every day; nevertheless, we do not act strong enough to make it happen. For human pleasure, we take what is good, but we are making the world worse. Slowly the world is changing; not for a better future, but for a future catastrophe. We need to be advanced not only by the mankind, but also for the better world.
2. Development and interaction of cultures
People in this world are different. They world have different point of view, different way of thinking, and different characteristics. As we live in this world, we develop different traditions, culture, language and everything that has to do with daily job. We are living in the global village, and clashing with another’s culture. We always argue which one is correct and which one is wrong. However, there is no right-or-wrong answer. One might be more advanced, but that does not always mean that it is better. Ireland and the Roman Empire are two countries that are very different, despite the distance between two.
The Roman, more advanced than the Irish, looked down at them. Even the Romans at the Britain looked down at them, even though they shared a common background: Celtics. British viewed the Irish as “wild, reckless, indolent, uncertain [and a] superstitious race” (pg.6). Romans, however, was viewed very differently. They were noticed as civilized and “[were] spiffy” (pg.15). People saw two different worlds, with different way of thinking. One was barbaric, and one was modern. Ireland was uncivilized, but Rome was the exact opposite. This, however, was about to change, as the Roman Empire slowly lost its power.
When Augustine determined that “that all the world should be taxed,” people were trying to avoid paying taxes by simply becoming the senator (pg.24). The great Roman Empire was falling apart, as “Alaric, king of the Visigoths, and all his forces” were destroying the Roman Empire (pg.30). Romans tried to compromise, but miserably failed. Anything that had its value was taken away, and the only thing Romans kept was “[their] lives” (pg.31). As the great empire fell, the island next to the Britain island was very peaceful.
The fall of Rome did not affect Ireland at all. Patricius, a shepherd-slave, live in an isolated area for over six years. During these years he met a Christian god and his life was changed forever. He became a holy man, and was able to hear the voice of the god. He followed god’s words, walked and trekked “some two hundred miles, through territory he had never covered before” and found a ship that will take him home (pg.103). After he returned to his home, he realized he was far behind the roman education, and returned to Ireland for his new life.
When he came back to Ireland, he taught and spread god’s words and works, enlighting barbaric Irish. He was known “as Saint Patrick, apostle to the Irish nation” (pg.106). As the Christianity was converting throughout Ireland, barbaric and chaotic lifestyle faded out. It became a peaceful place, where “slavery, [warfare,] and human sacrifice became unthinkable,” (pg. 148). Ireland soon began to be the place for education. Students from all over the world, both noblemen and commoners, came to learn in Ireland. Books from the European land were copied by the monks and students. Because they were copying many books as they could, they prevent the books from getting lost.
After the Irish brought the books out to the continental Europe, Europe could start a new life. The barbaric European world, after the fall of the Rome, was able to be once again civilized. As the books were spreading out throughout Europe, Christianity and monasticism were also spreading out. If the Irish did not bring the books back out, then the European history and literature would have been lost and the world we live today might have been a different world. The history, literature, knowledge, and wisdom came back as the Irish brought back its copied works. It true was the Irish saved the civilization.
3. State-building, expansion and conflict
When people settle down and make their own places and civilizations many years ago, there are different people all around the world. There are too many people in this world and too little land for everyone. What if two different groups expended their border and face each other? They can make a peaceful agreement that can be beneficial for both of them or one group and conquer the other. Throughout the history of mankind, if there were two different groups wanting to have the same land, they do not solve it peacefully, but by the force.
The Roman Empire had conquered many nations throughout Europe, from the Britain to Eastern Europe, and from Gaul to Egypt. The border of the empire literally “hug[ged] the Mediterranean” (pg.12). Many wanted to be part of the Roman world, due to the power of the empire, but also the protection and the citizenship that they will receive. Many of the Roman Christians were “fairly superficial people” (pg.125). Since the relationship between the Roman citizen and Christianity was close, people believed that “Christianity could […] serve as a shortcut to Romanization” (pg. 124).
Romanized people were enjoying their life, mostly because they were just Romans “[T]he peace and predictability of Roman civilization”, which helped to make the Empire greater. During Pax Romana, Roman’s technology, art, and literature were at the peak. However, the Roman Empire was falling down, “[destroyed] before the destructiveness of private greed” (pg.35). Not only this, wealthy landowners was not following “the emperor’s decrees” (pg.35). The safety and the protection were now slowly fading away. Children were “snatched away [and] raised brutally as shepherd-slaves” (pg.36). The terror and fear covered the atmosphere of the Roman Empire.
Ireland, however, was not experiencing anything that the Romans were having. Ireland was not affected by anything that was happening at Rome. Even though the Irish were part of the group “called the Celts”, who “invaded the Greek world, advancing as far south” and “siblings of the Gaulish Celts [invaded] Britain” (pg. 78 - 79). Despite the fact Celts were all over the Europe, Ireland was the only nation that was not affected by fall of the Rome.
Ireland was changed when Patricius had returned to Ireland. Once the shepherd-slave, he got to know the Christian god, and later became holy. Patricius taught and spread Christianity to Ireland. He was expanding the teachings and the words of the Christian god, which will later bring conflicts. The bishops of the Monastic communities were not pleasant about the teachings of the Irish because bishops were “employing the old Roman episcopal pattern of living” (pg.188).
The Irish monks traveled many miles to deliver the words and the teachings of the Christian god. They were doing this simply because of the love of god. They shared the great works of the ancient philosophers and writers as they “brought their love of learning” (pg.196). Even when Vikings invaded Ireland, monk never seized their work. Monks were delighted when they are doing their work. What matters the most when people do something is the desire of the work. Monks were never tired, never gave up, and never surrendered what they were doing. Because of that, the history, knowledge and the literature of Europe survived.
4. Creation, expansion and interaction of economic systems
The economy of the country determines the country’s wealth. The stronger the economy, the wealthier the country is. If the country is wealthy, then people’s business is most likely successful. If the country is wealthy, country can have better education, better lifestyle, and better technology. It was most likely to have projects, funding, and other developments.
The Roman Empire was the one with a very powerful economy. The city itself was gorgeous; filled with magnificent buildings and status. Romans invested money to make that happen. They spent “a large portion of public and private wealth…to the specious demands of charity and devotion” (pg. 14). However because “all the world [are] taxed”, everyone wanted to be senators, since they do not require to pay taxes (pg. 24). The strong Roman economy was slowly collapsing. As the Rome continued to decline, Alaric, king of the Visigoths, came with his men. He and his men “sweep[ed] through the city, taking all gold, all silver, and everything of value that could be moved”, and the only thing that was kept was “[Romans’] lives” (pg. 31). Things that Romans built over hundreds of years were now all gone.
Not much things were happening at Ireland, while the Roman Empire was rapidly becoming chaotic. Unlike the Roman Empire, where it is one single great nation, Ireland did not even have a one single city. There were “one hundred and thirty kings” and divided into many different nations. It was still a developing nation. There was no unification, no public funding, thus no central government. Compare to Roman, Ireland was uncivilized and unorganized.
The Romans started to rebel against the emperor. Despite the fact that the emperor had the power to give instructions and have absolute control over everything, most of “the large landowners […] ignored the emperor’s decrees” (pg. 35). Instead of following rules of the emperors, land owners created their own rules. Everything fell apart as the orders were ignored. The once great empire was now beginning “crumble [because of] the destructive private greed” (pg. 35). Many things were destroyed, lost, and forgotten as the empire reached its final year. The teachings of the great authors and philosophers were about to be forgotten in the history of the mankind.
As the Irish learned Christianity and how to write, they were unifying as one. Becoming more advanced and literate, the barbaric Ireland was gone and modernized Ireland came. Because of the Patrick’s work and Christianity, the “slave trade came to a halt, and […] murder and intertribal warfare, decreased” (pg. 110). The Roman Empire, however, were getting worse. Continuous barbarian attacks were ruining roman soils and glory. The Roman Empire was becoming more of ancient Ireland, and Ireland was becoming more like the Roman Empire during the Pax Romana. Ireland was calm and peaceful, where monks and students all over the Europe came to learn and study.
Irish missionaries traveled back to the European continent and brought the knowledge and literature to its ancient place. Bringing the lost literature was not the only thing that Irish have completed. They have made a codex, and it was “used […] to distinguish a book…from its ancestor, the scroll” (pg. 168). The Irish created their own book, which is modern day’s book. From the ancient barbaric place, the literature came back, and it was more advanced. The literature had a full cycle, from mainland Europe, to the barbaric Ireland, then back again. It was the new beginning.
5. Development and transformation of social structures
As the societies develop and expand, laws and social orders are created. People view the others differently and treat them differently because of their social status. There are always people at the top and people at the bottom. From high school to global business, there are always the social structures. In high school, freshmen are known as the bottom class and the seniors as the top class. Seniors dictate the school, while freshmen have to serve under that. Even in ancient time, the Roman and Irish faced the social differences.
The Romans had sophisticated social orders; from emperors through land owners to middle classmen. Emperors were ruling everyone and everything under his commands and rules. However, this order was to be changed when Augustus Caesar taxed all people in the Roman Empire.
Not wishing to pay the taxes, people were trying to be senators, as if they were not required to pay. The person who collected the tax is not pleasant as it seems. He “was far more miserable than the lives of those who suffered his exactions” (pg.25). As the taxes continually being collected, the rich became even richer. The great landowners ate up the little one”, and there was chaos (pg. 27). The rich pillage taxes from the poor, who continuously lost their wealth and fell lower. Not only they lost the wealth, but also hope. Instead of a well organized social order, there were a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Once the stabilized and well organized society was now turned upside down, becoming chaotic and muddled. The Roman roads “solidly paved… and for centuries the symbol of safe and unmolested travel” was now damaged and destroyed. From the outside, barbarians’ raids were frequent. They “enslave whomever they could lay their hands on” (pg. 37). One of the barbarians was the Irish. They were able to kidnap children and be on their way back to Ireland before anyone finds out. However, one of the victim, Patricius, an enslaved teenager, changed this barbaric island by the power of the Christian god.
Patricius, the shepherd-slave, became a holy man. He was kidnapped when he was sixteen, and was enslaved for 6 years. The only things that Patricius had were the “hunger and nakedness” (pg.101-102). As he lived in Ireland, he got closer to Christian god, and later changed Ireland. When he was in Ireland still had slavery at that time. After he grew up, he was making for changes. As Patrick became “the first missionary to barbarians” and introduced the Christianity to the Irish, it changed into a new world – civilized and organized (pg.108). Ireland evolved to a very peaceful place, unified as a one nation, and intertribal warfare decreased. Patrick was “the first human being in the history [that is] against slavery” (pg. 114). Patrick might not be alive today, but his spiritual minds still pass on today.
While the Roman Empire collapsed, it was less accepting people who could be Roman, the Irish accepted all students who wanted to study and learn in Ireland. Monks continued their works in Ireland, and later all around Europe. It made an easier for students and others to learn the ancient history, culture, language, philosophy, and technology. Irish also allowed women to take actions in the society. By getting along with other groups, such as English Christianity, the Irish could build a new society, where all people are welcome, despite their race or gender. If the world today follow what Irish had done many years ago, then there would be less violence, and more accepting of everyone. No matter what is the difference, people will be able to go along with each other, and that is what we need to work on.
그리고
Chapter 1
1) The Book starts with the decline of the Roman Empire. Barbarians, uncivilized Germans, continued to migrate southward, towards the Roman Empire. This migration enrolled some parts of decline of the Rome, but what really matters began from the inside. There were “Twelve eagles, each representing a century” (Pg.12), was thought to be the lifetime of the empire; total of twelve centuries, and the Rome only had “seventy years remaining” (Pg.12). On the inside, rich landowners seek for the way to become wealthier, and government eagerly waiting for the tax to be collected. Landowners were clever enough not to pay the taxes, which made the government to collect the taxes from poor civilians. Some, however, blame Christianity was the cause of the decline. A quoted from Gibbon, the author of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, says“‘…the happiness of a future life is the object of religion’” (pg. 13). After all, taxes were used in the religion maintenance, as it was announced to be the nation’s religion. From Gibbon’s statement, he believes Rome fell because of the inner conflicts, whether the spread of Christianity, or greedy landowners, and because of the outer conflicts, which is barbarian raids and migration of the German. Those two conflicts’ timing was somehow miraculous. When Alaric, King of Visigoths, marched towards the Rome to destroy the eleven-hundred-year long empire, Rome sent negotiators to settle in peace. However, the responds of Alaric was “[my] men would sweep through the city, taking all the gold, all silver, and everything of value that could be moved” (pg. 31) and only thing Romans can keep is “[their] lives” (pg. 31). One thing clear about the fall of the Roman Empire is that whatever triggered the decline, it delivered a severe impact, it fell gradually, and it was unstoppable.
2)#1 on pg. 12: The Roman Empire surrounds Mediterranean Sea, which was the major source for trade and military strength.
#2 on pg. 15: Romans are known as a civilized people; however, Germans, or Barbarians, are not civilized as Romans are.
#3 on pg. 11: Rhine River froze, which made a perfect road for barbarians to migrate to Roman territory.
#4 on pg. 24-25: Augustus Caesar started taxing
#4 on pg. 25-26: Landowners, mostly senators, did not have to pay taxes.
#4 on pg. 31: everything was taken away by Alaric and his crew.
3)I believe the fall of Rome was due to its size and strength of the empire. The greatest strength is also the greatest weakness. The enormous size of the empire couldn’t be guarded properly. During Pax Romana, which lasted about 200 years, people were all fear-freed. Since it was very peaceful, the security and everything became slack, which partially triggered the decline of the Rome. It is quite surprising that the first republican nation turned into a very powerful and far-reaching empire of Europe, but the most surprising part is the decline of the empire. It took about a decade for the Rome to fall apart completely and it took a very long time to establish the Roman Empire. Even though nothing lost forever, it is somehow ironic that a once great empire, it is now the legend.
Chapter 2
1) The Romans literally lost everything as the empire fell. As the Romans experience the Pax Romana, the Romans slowly realize something bad is going to happen. Since they were off-guard, they were unprotected from any threats from outsiders. “The straight Roman road,” which was “the symbol of safe and unmolested travel” is now damaged severely (Pg.35). Barbarians, “various armies of Goths, then Huns”, were frequently attacking the Roman borders (pg.36). Their strengths were gone forever. “Public buildings crumble” due to estates’ greed and selfishness (pg.35). The size of the empire decreased and the strength of the military decayed. Outsiders, which are barbarians, enslaved anyone that was in their path, and the most fearful one was the Irish. They would go in band of small warriors, “grab some sleeping children” and enslave them once they arrive at the Ireland (pg.37). By looking at Augustine Hippo, who is “the last great classical man – and very nearly the first medieval man”, we can see what was lost when the Rome fell and how critical it was (pg.39). Augustine was a Romanized African, who is the author of Confessions, is the first author who used the first person perspective. He mentions everything he feels and thinks, from his jealousies to his relationship to others. Even though he was a very well educated man, he disliked mostly everything that was related to literature except Latin. What captured him to fall in love with Latin was the book Aeneid of Virgil, which was
“the literary masterpiece of the roman world” (pg.43). Augustine also admired Cicero, “the great teacher of argument”, and Plato, the father of the philosophy (pg.46). He loved to read and became attracted to philosophy along with the teachings of Cicero and Virgil. However, when he began to read letters to Paul, his admiration of Plato faded away when he found out that “if we mud-splattered human beings are ever to ascend to Truth, we can do it only because God… calls us upward. We will never make it under our own steam” (pg. 56). More he read about letters to Paul, more connected he is to Christianity. Through Augustine, we learned about things that would’ve been lost – Virgil, Cicero, Homer, Greek philosophy, and history of the greatest empire of the ancient time. Christianity survived the collapse of the greatest empire partially because of the work of Augustine. There were many obstacles and struggles by many people from the church. As he got older, he was” arguing without regard to fairness or truth, arguing to win” (pg. 66). He later became “type of evil cleric, full of mercy for those who fear him, full of seething contempt for those who dare oppose him” and it is visible even today (pg. 67).
2)
#5 on pg. 35: large landowners ignored rules and created their own rules that are beneficial.
#3 on pg. 36: Children were kidnapped, then enslaved.
#4 on pg. 36: Size of the Empire decreased.
#2 on pg. 40-41: Augustine wrote first autobiography.
#2 on pg. 55: Augustine followed Plato’s teachings.
#2 on pg. 57-58: Augustine turned to the Christian God after reading the letters to Paul.
#3 on pg. 60-61: Roman culture died out.
3) This chapter was the most confusing chapter of the book. There were too many things to put in one chapter. As I read the chapter, I was once more realized that nothing last forever. It is hard to imagine the greatest empire of the ancient time was all of the sudden collapsed even though the empire experienced Pax Romana. Through Augustine I discover what would’ve been lost if it wasn’t him. There was a good connection between the decline of the empire and the continuous life of the religion. From Homer’s mythology to the letters to Paul, it was very descriptive and smooth. It is somehow sad that Augustine was having a hard time throughout the lifetime.
Chapter 3
1) Ireland was a very different place compare to Rome. It was un-romanized. Ireland was isolated from the roman world. It was seeing a different time period. Irish were using primitive buildings, whereas Romans’ structure was magnificent (pg.71). Also Irish world was “rough, strange…full of barbaric splendor” (pg.76). Irish were more open to sexuality than Romans. In this uncivilized culture, “both men and women openly admire one another’s physical endowments and invite one another to bed without formality” (p. 76). Women in the Irish society, Medb and Macha, have fascinating and interesting characteristics. Even though they lived in un-romanized world, they were a very bold and brave tribe. Irish were part of the Celts, who are spread out throughout the entire Europe. Even though they lived in the same continent with the Romans, they were still barbaric. They were “[stripping] before battle and rushed their enemy naked, carrying sword and shield but wearing only sandals and torc” (p. 82). The Romans considered them as “demons” and thought they were “outrageous” (pg.82). However, the Irish contained three virtues that stood out to them; “generous, handsome, brave”, but also an unnamed virtues, “loyalty” and “faithfulness” (p. 94). Even though they were barbaric, they were mentally advanced. They learned that “fleeting life” is and how “pointless” it is (pg.94). To Romans, they were uncivilized, however; their way of thinking was ahead of the Romans.
2)#2 on pg.71: explains about building structure.
#4 on pg.79: explains about their goods. Very descriptive.
#5 on pg.76: explains about sexuality.
#3 on pg.79: Celtics explore the Europe, invades some places.
#1 on pg.82: Ireland is isolated from other nations of Europe.
3) This chapter was easy for me to understand, however; there were few things I was shocked. There was a huge gap separating the Roman world and Irish. Rome was civilized, while Ireland was barbaric. Mostly everything between Roman and Irish were opposite. Their culture was very much opposite of each other. The culture of the Irish was somehow interesting to me. The way they lived and place where they lived was shocking. It clearly showed me what kind of place the Ireland was at the ancient time.
Chapter 4
1) Patricius, who later becomes Saint Patrick, is “a boy who had spent his first sixteen years amid the comfort and predictability of a roman civitas (pg.101)”. He was a shepherd-slave, and his life was miserable. He was filled with “two constant companions, hunger and nakedness” (pg.101-102). Patricius was “isolated, months at a time spent alone” (pg.101). In this horrifying period of time, he turned to Christianity, which later gave him courage and confidence. Patricius was not interested in any religious matters; however, he did not have anyone else except “the God of his parents” (pg.102). Six years after this period of time, what Patricius became was a holy man, completely changed from a slapdash boy. One night when he was asleep, he heard “a mysterious voice said to him: ‘Your hungers are rewarded: you are going home’” (pg.102). Unable to figure out where he was heading, he “walked some two hundred miles, through territory he had never covered before”, and finally arrived at “a southeastern inlet, probably near Wexford, where he saw his ship” (p. 103). The ship took him to the mainland; however, they encountered a fierce desert, which will take two weeks to cross. Unable to hold the starvation, captain asked Patricius to ask to “pray for [them]” (pg.104). “From the bottom of [the] heart”, Patricius prayed, and soon enough god delivers “a herd of pigs, down the road in their direction” (pg. 104-105). After many years and many struggles, he reached Britian, and he was ‘“welcomed as a son’ by his parents” (pg.105). Parents, wishing Patricius to stay with them, were against the will of Patrius. He was “hardened physically and psychologically by unsharable experiences” (pg.105). Patricius, formal enslaved teenager, was now called by people who enslaved him. He came back to Ireland and virtually became “the first missionary bishop in history” (pg.107). While Patricius was at Ireland, many things have changed. He the slave trade was forbidden, murder and warfare have been decreased. The British viewing Patricius was not pleasant. The British do not understand the reason he went to Ireland. Even the British king did not recognize the Irish Christianity because they were not “romans”. However, we know Patricius rolled an important part of the Irish history and culture.
2)
#5 on pg.101: number of kings in Ireland
#2 on pg.102: Patricius followed god’s teaching, and became a holy man.
#1 on pg.104: German devastated throughout Gaul.
#2 on pg.108: Patricius became the first missionary bishop.
#3 on pg.110: British invaded northern part of Ireland
#5 on pg.114: Patricius was the first one that was against slavery.
#2 on pg.115: Patricius spread out Christianity throughout the whole island.
3) This chapter was the most interesting chapter of all. I have learned many things that I did not recognize. The most shocking thing I have learned was that Saint Patrick, who is Patricius, was a shepherd slave. This chapter explained well between Saint Patrick and the God. Being religious to myself, I was amazed by the power of the god once more. Thanks to this chapter, now I know who really Saint Patrick is.
Chapter 5
1) Patrick spent his thirty years raising warrior children, whom Patrick thought they will ‘“seize the everlasting kingdoms’ with all the energy and intensity they had lately devoted to killing and enslaving one another” (pg. 123). Some believed that these warrior children have “a better shot at seizing heaven than the contained, the calculating, and those of whom this world approves” (pg.123). While the Roman Empire was quickly changing from peace to chaos, the “Ireland was rushing even more rapidly from chaos to peace” (p. 124). Patrick, with his courage and confidence, worked hard to revolutionize this island. Many converted to Christianity simply because they wanted to be part of roman society. Many also wanted to raise their politically and socially. Patrick, wanting to convert Irish from barbaric religion to Christianity, needed a way to connect them religiously, instead of using status of people’s rank. Irish gods were cruel and unforgiving, unlike Christian god. They would “give a child nightmares and an adult the willies” (pg.126). However, Christian god made “the promises of heaven” to all people, and made sure people did not have to be “afraid of any [other] things” (pg.128). Patrick told people that the “good God, loves human beings and wishes [our] success” (pg.131). He assured people “that all suffering […] would come to its conclusion and would show itself to have been worthwhile” (pg.131). Most ancient religions required the human sacrifices; however, Patrick was against it. He strictly forbade the sacrifice, telling them “put away [your] knives and abandon [our] altars” (pg.141). Patrick gave hope to everyone, informing that the world is a “magical world, […] full of adventure and surprise”. He also informed that his god “not hate us; he loves us” (p. 141).
2)
#3 on pg.123-124: the Roman Empire becomes chaotic, while Ireland becomes peaceful.
#2 on pg.124-125: people who turned to Christian raised their status politically/sosically.
#2 on pg.126: the author describes the Irish gods.
#2 on pg. 131: Patrick explains about magic of the god.
#2 on pg. 135: describes the human sacrifice.
#2 on pg. 140: Patrick forbade the human sacrifice.
3)This chapter contained lots of information about the religions of the Irish. Especially the Druid religion was most interesting. The whole sacrifice of the human beings was very interesting. I only thought of sacrificing human beings were happening at Ancient Greece and Egypt, not at Ireland. It was also little bit scary. It was very fascinating when he turned the Irish from the barbaric religion to Christianity. However, what really bought my attention was things that were happening to Rome and Ireland at the same time. I was surprised by the thriving Ireland, while declining Rome. Many miles away, two different nations were experiencing a very different lifestyle.
Chapter 6
1) Irish environment, which is very different than the Roman, surprisingly helped Patrick to change the Ireland. Once “the badly educated shepherd boy” was speaking the god’s words (pg.147). The Irish gave him more than what he wanted; they gave him the purpose to be in Ireland. When Rome accepted Christianity, things changed little bit, not much; however, accepting Christianity for Irish was a big thing. Ireland was the place of “slavery and human sacrifice [...] and warfare” (pg. 148). By the Christianity, battle of the Tain was not possible to be seen until the eleventh century. The evil gods “shrank in stature and become much less troublesome” and the beliefs about Christianity became stronger as time passed (pg.149). Patrick realized that the Irish Christianity will not survive without Roman literature, became “the first Irish literates” (pg.151). When Christianity arrived at Ireland, there was neither martyr nor bloodshed. However, we cannot conclude that barbarism was completely disappeared. There were still crimes, warfare, and “madmen remained as abundant as ever” (pg. 156). People from Europe decided to come to Ireland to study “the grace of sacred learning” (pg.158). Not only high classed noblemen, but also commoners came to Ireland to study. They read and learned about Cicero, old Greek, and Latin, as well as the bible and the gospels. Once the illiterate nation was now becoming the only literate nation in the European area. The Ireland’s “lonely darkness had been turned into light” and loneliness “transformed into hope” (pg. 163 – 164). The Irish minuscule later became one of the most common writing in the Middle Ages. The Irish books had a far-reaching result; ending up all across the European continent, from the west to east. By the middle of the century, “Roman provinces [were] gone”, and “Roman political organization has vanished” (pg. 180). It was time of “Gothic illiterates ruling over Gothic illiterates” (pg.180). By the time where the Roman Empire fell, most of “the great continental libraries had vanished; even memory of them had been erased from the minds” of the common people (pg. 181). We do not know much about Irish history; however, there are many things that are passed to us – from the bible to the literature of the ancient Greece and Rome. Without the Irish help, the ancient “literature would almost surely have been lost” and we are certainly not sure what kind of world we would live (pg. 93). The Irish “reestablished literacy and breathed new life into the exhausted literacy culture of the Europe. And that is how the Irish saved the civilization” (pg.196).
2)
#2 on pg.148: Patrick became the first non-Roman Christian
#2 on pg.149: Ireland did not radically change like Rome did.
#3 on pg.151: Christianity did no cause any conflicts in Ireland.
#5 on pg.158: Commoners were welcomed to learn if they desired.
#2 on pg.160: Irish copied Greek and Latin literature.
#2 on pg.193: Irish saved the Latin literature.
#4 on pg.196: Irish saved the civilization by bringing out the books to all over the Europe.
3) This chapter was the longest chapter of the book, but did not contain much information as pervious chapters. The role of the Irish in the European world was somehow critical. As I was reading the book, my view of Ireland changed. It is bit strange that even though Irish had a critical role in the European society, we never learned specific about Ireland, who literally saved the civilization. This book really brought me to think of the European history again.
Chapter 7
1) The world is revolutionizing. The Celtics were pushed westward by tribes “the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes” (pg.199). However, when German invaded Britain, Roman Christianity headed northward, colliding with the Irish Christianity. They argued over several things, such as the correct date of the Easter. After many arguments, Roman Christianity was thought to be the correct religion. At that period of time, Europe was in a dark time, where the “world [was] not [full] of thoughts, but of images” (pg. 204).Missionaries built abbeys all over the Europe, and places like “Frisia, Saxony, Thuringia, Bavaria, and part of Denmark had received the Gospel” (pg. 206). John Scotus Eriugena, “the first philosopher of the Middle Ages [and] the first truly Christian philosopher”, believed that “all God’s creatures are theophanies of God himself” (pg.208 – 209). Some of his books were to be burned by the pope, but few escaped. Conflicts were also taking place at Ireland, where Vikings were “lamentably destroy[ing] God’s church” and “monks were stripped and tortured” (pg. 221). Books were also being ripped, but The Book of Kells survived because it was “sent inland to someplace [where] it is more secure” (pg.221). There were still more conflicts to come. Normans invaded Ireland, but soon were “adopted Irish customs far more eagerly than the English” (pg. 213). However, what was most devastating was the famine of the nineteenth century; the Great Hunger. “[O]ne million Irish people died from hunger, and another million and a half emigrated, [which] reduced Ireland’s population by a third” (p. 213). People moved away from Ireland – to France, Holland, Italy, and other countries in the world. However, “we cannot leave the Irish beaten into the clay because the Irish kept the candle of hope burning” even at their lowest point. (p. 215). In this present day, America is acting like the Roman Empire – strong and rich. Americans were only five percent of the world population, but consumes world’s finest and luxury resources, when “more than a billion people in our world today survive on less than $370 a year” (pg. 217). In order to survive we need to be the catholics, who are “universalists, instinctively believ[ing] that all humanity makes one family” (pg.218). If we are going to be saved, we are certain that we will be save “not by Romans, but by saints”. (pg.218)
2)
#3 on pg.199: Germans invaded Britain.
#2 on pg.200: Roman and Irish Christianity collided.
#5 on pg.202: Roman and Irish Christianity settled.
#3 on pg.210: Vikings destroyed Christian books.
#1 on pg.213: the Great Hunger killed more than 1million people.
#1 on pg. 213: 1.5 million people died while emigrating to other places.
#4 on pg.216: author view the Americans as Romans.
#4 on pg.217: over 1 million people live with $370 a year.
#2 on pg.218: we will most likely be saved by saints, not by Romans.
3) It was very interesting to read this book. I have learned many things that I did not from before, especially about Ireland, and its role. I knew Black Death killed millions of people in Europe long ago, but never knew that the Great Hunger killed over one million people in Ireland. It was both shocking and questioning. I never heard about the Great Hunger before, but the impact was severe to Ireland. When the author implied that we will not be saved by Romans, but by saints, it was also surprising. He mentioned that America is like the Roman Empire. He said everything was lost when the Roman Empire fell, and so will the America. Rome was invincible, but fell, and the same thing will happen to America, the greatest nation in the world today. It was Ireland, who saved the civilization long time ago, and they were one of the unknown and miserable country. The country that we do not know may save the modern civilization. World is changing, and so does the civilization. We have to wait for the saints to save us, not for Romans.
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