The most important thing I have learned this year is how the Romans influenced us through their forms of both architecture and religion. They played a major role in the devolvement of the different types of architecture we see even to this day as they introduced many new styles and approaches of classical art whose architectural difficulty still amazes us presently. They also helped Early Christianity it its beginning stages in order for it to flourish and continue is a testament to the great importance it held. The Roman people as a whole generally accepted it because it differed from their original foundation religion- the Roman Pantheon.
The many styles of Roman architecture that is still being imitated in today’s building techniques include domes, arches, vaulted ceilings, as well as columns, the three primary ones being Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. This is important because without these many influences, we would not have the many magnificent buildings in existence today. Some of these structures include the Pantheon, Colosseum, and several amphitheatres that display this marvel of engineering and these public buildings also connect to the importance of religion because many of them were used to hold religious events. The large open dome of the Pantheon was designed to fit the requirements for sacred services and they are among the most impressive remains of the Roman Empire, with many still being used to accommodate these purposes in modern times.
This then leads to the importance of the dome, public baths, and the arch. The dome was used in constructing vaulted ceilings, which provided large covered areas that were ideal for numerous people to gather. It was this key factor that made public baths popular and it was these two components that made the Baths of Dioclecian as well as the Baths of Caracalla significant. This then lead the Romans to take advantage of the sculpting of the arch. This was a symbol of power on earth, which transformed architecture and was first utilized with the Christian basilicas. This symbol of power on earth transformed the Roman Empire when it was in its worst times and on the verge of collapse. The arch was usually set before an altar, to represent the triumph Christ had over death through his resurrection.
This directly relates to the importance of religion, but specifically Christianity, and the profound influence it had on the Roman Empire. Although it took a while for the Roman people to fully accept the basic principles of this new religion, as portrayed through much persecution, they eventually put their trust in it, having it displayed throughout many aspects of everyday life. These areas include creating religious festivals and ceremonies, as well as putting leaders with Christian values in authority. The Roman's eventual adherence to Christianity displays that the people realized it had a political nature, seeing that it had inseparable ties to the state, having a tremendous opportunity to dramatically reform Rome for the better.
A great opportunity was greatly taken advantage of with the role of Christian emperors and many of them took it to the point were it became such a focal point that Christianity became the official religion of Rome. When looking back at this period in history, it is evident that some of the best leadership was experienced during this age, and under the Christian influence. Even back then they displayed today’s motto of “one nation under God" and when truly trusting in this statement, the God-ordained institutions within government work much more efficiently. This is due to the fact that they followed the original design God laid out for how a government was intended to function.
As you can see, these two areas of the Roman Empire were very crucial in both its development and legacy. It was of great importance to me to learn this because it has major implications even in the world today. When looking around at the prominent buildings, there are usually many references to architecture that originated in Ancient Rome and still enjoyed today throughout modern society. We are imitating a great achievement met in that time, and reproducing it bringing its life into our modern world. The second vital influence was that of Christianity. Without it overcoming a period of intense persecution, it would have never brought the guiding light that both the people of Rome, and Rome itself desperately needed. Christianity brought about much needed change and revival within the Roman Empire and was probably the most important factor of that time for that region.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Swine Flu Outbreak
Swine influenza, more commonly known as the swine flu, is a respiratory disease from pigs that causes a strain of influenza virus. As with all other common flu viruses, the swine flu viruses are constantly changing. When flu viruses from the various species of pigs infect them, the strains have the capacity to trade genes, causing new viruses to result. These outcomes can include a mixture of both swine and human viruses that emerge to form different cases. The most recently reported viruses, known as H1N1, is very contagious, and is spreading from human to human as we speak.
This newly discovered virus is not only affecting people within the United States, but around the world. These countries include Mexico, the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Germany, and sixteen others. A total of 778 people have been infected with this flu worldwide, and 226 of them in the United States alone. It came into the United States through people from Mexico crossing the boarder, entering in, and therefore introducing this virus or people traveling to Mexico and returning.
A key question that many people are asking is where did this virus come from? This concern has provided a light, turning us to look at where the new found virus came from within the period from which it evolved. Its relative strain is what flu scientists refer to as "quadruple reassorant", which were three viruses that made up the genes from the common seasonal flu of the H3N2 family, which are the North American bird virus and a common swine flu. Scientists say that this flu "swap" was what gave rise to the swine flu outbreak today. It was the "quadruple reassorant" that extended throughout several swine in North America, Mexico, and Europe, but was not yet able to affect people. It was these factors that combined and it was in the current year, 2009 that the first case arose in Mexico.
This question then leads to why it is called the swine flu. This is because many of the laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this influenza are very similar to the ones that normally occur in pigs in North America. However, extensive studies have shown that this strain differs from what normally circulates. It only contains two of the genes from flu viruses that circulate in the countries stated above. It is these countries that are reporting several people sick with this new virus, and is spreading in such a way as the common seasonal flu does.
When seeing that many people have come down with the virus, it leads to how severe this virus must really be. It is not completely clear yet as to how detrimental the flu will effect the general population, as some people may be more prone to infection, hospitalization, and a more serious reaction to it. To get an idea as to what the outcome will be, the normal seasonal flu is an excellent example. It is within this that certain people are at more risk that others, which include people 65 years and older, children under five years old, and pregnant women. At its current standings, the swine flu is affecting mostly younger children, teenagers, and young adults. The main cause of its spreading is though people coughing, sneezing, as well as touching objects.
The swine flu is rapidly spreading throughout the United States and other countries, after having its origin in Mexico. Many people have been affected, and the numbers are growing each day, on the verge of a worldwide pandemic. While its increasing numbers are frightening many people, there is no need for any serious alarm. By abiding by regular flu standards, such as washing your hands frequently, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, as well as others will help in the efforts to avoid acquiring the virus. Despite the two virus related deaths in the United States, the general population who get sick will be able to overcome the strain of this influenza, and make a full recovery.
Although within the past week the initial response of panic has calmed to one relative ease and many questions still remain the most essential weeks and months ahead. Some poignant questions remain such as will it continue to grow within countries detrimentally affecting impoverished countries? Will it fade only to return in the fall in a more virulent form? Will an effective vaccine be available by summer’s end? Some important questions remain unanswered at this time and it is still not clear if this new swine flu strain will run a relatively quite course or break into a storm as it gains strength. Only time will tell but until then it is wise not to panic and manage this flu outbreak as you would any other by taking obvious known precautions.
This newly discovered virus is not only affecting people within the United States, but around the world. These countries include Mexico, the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Germany, and sixteen others. A total of 778 people have been infected with this flu worldwide, and 226 of them in the United States alone. It came into the United States through people from Mexico crossing the boarder, entering in, and therefore introducing this virus or people traveling to Mexico and returning.
A key question that many people are asking is where did this virus come from? This concern has provided a light, turning us to look at where the new found virus came from within the period from which it evolved. Its relative strain is what flu scientists refer to as "quadruple reassorant", which were three viruses that made up the genes from the common seasonal flu of the H3N2 family, which are the North American bird virus and a common swine flu. Scientists say that this flu "swap" was what gave rise to the swine flu outbreak today. It was the "quadruple reassorant" that extended throughout several swine in North America, Mexico, and Europe, but was not yet able to affect people. It was these factors that combined and it was in the current year, 2009 that the first case arose in Mexico.
This question then leads to why it is called the swine flu. This is because many of the laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this influenza are very similar to the ones that normally occur in pigs in North America. However, extensive studies have shown that this strain differs from what normally circulates. It only contains two of the genes from flu viruses that circulate in the countries stated above. It is these countries that are reporting several people sick with this new virus, and is spreading in such a way as the common seasonal flu does.
When seeing that many people have come down with the virus, it leads to how severe this virus must really be. It is not completely clear yet as to how detrimental the flu will effect the general population, as some people may be more prone to infection, hospitalization, and a more serious reaction to it. To get an idea as to what the outcome will be, the normal seasonal flu is an excellent example. It is within this that certain people are at more risk that others, which include people 65 years and older, children under five years old, and pregnant women. At its current standings, the swine flu is affecting mostly younger children, teenagers, and young adults. The main cause of its spreading is though people coughing, sneezing, as well as touching objects.
The swine flu is rapidly spreading throughout the United States and other countries, after having its origin in Mexico. Many people have been affected, and the numbers are growing each day, on the verge of a worldwide pandemic. While its increasing numbers are frightening many people, there is no need for any serious alarm. By abiding by regular flu standards, such as washing your hands frequently, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, as well as others will help in the efforts to avoid acquiring the virus. Despite the two virus related deaths in the United States, the general population who get sick will be able to overcome the strain of this influenza, and make a full recovery.
Although within the past week the initial response of panic has calmed to one relative ease and many questions still remain the most essential weeks and months ahead. Some poignant questions remain such as will it continue to grow within countries detrimentally affecting impoverished countries? Will it fade only to return in the fall in a more virulent form? Will an effective vaccine be available by summer’s end? Some important questions remain unanswered at this time and it is still not clear if this new swine flu strain will run a relatively quite course or break into a storm as it gains strength. Only time will tell but until then it is wise not to panic and manage this flu outbreak as you would any other by taking obvious known precautions.
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