User:Atcovi/HIS 111-A26: World Civilization Pre-1500 CE (SP23)/Ch 8

7/7 questions

1. Why do you think women’s roles changed as universal religions became stronger?

'''I believe a few female figures accomplishing great skills or completing great tasks is what set off more women to take on more important roles in a religious context. For example, Vibia Perpetua - a married writer - was martyred in 203 CE by wild animals. It showed that women being martyrs was impactful and was recieved passionately by fellow Christians. Also, in order for the religion to be spread & accepted by the masses, more roles for women were necessary to appeal to the female population. Christianity is very open to transitions and innovations, so this was used strategically - I assume. '''

6. What kinds of items were traded along the Silk Road?

Items were traded along the Silk Road were silk, cotton, food, etc. Ideas and religious teachings were also spread along the Silk Road, including the universalization of Buddhism and Christianity.

8. What lessons can students learn by comparing social and political structures like empires and tribal communities?

'''I believe it is essential that our upcoming generation learns about how old empires and communities functioned. They can learn about the motives behind these societies (religion, for example) and the warfare that most of these nations engaged in. Also, studying the downfall of these communities is essential for us to not repeat the same mistakes (in whatever societies we may participate in, including college clubs). Learning how religion plays a role in government and the social structure of these societies is also interesting and allows us to understand how powerful religion is as a force in our daily lives.'''

10. Compare Maya belief systems to Hinduism and Bud- dhism. Why do you think they evolved differently?

'''Botth Mayan and Hinduism were polythiestic religions. Hinduism believes in an enormous number of gods, while the Mayans had similar beliefs. They believed that there was a god for each entity (rain, crop, sun). They also focused their worship on their kings, as opposed to Hinduism (they did not worship their kings - they worshipped Gods which were physically embellished in the form of idols). Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion, so its hard to compare the two - but it is a form of Hinduism, so idol worshipping is something all three faiths revolve around. I believe that these 3 faiths both developed differently because the Mayan culture did not spread past the Yucatan peninsula, while Buddhism and Hinduism evolved past their founding lands.'''

11. Why do you think blood ritual was so important to the Mayas?

Blood rituals were an important element of Mayan culture as the Mayans believed that shedding blood honoured their ancestors and solidified the divine lineage of a ruler.

12. What are the features of universalizing religions? What accounts for their wide-ranging development in some areas, but not in others?

'''A major feature of universalizing religions is the spreading of their religious scripture. When it comes to both Buddhism and especially Christianity, a lot of emphasis was put on reproducing their respective scriptures. I would say that the government, culture and literacy rates play a role in which areas a certain religion develops/does not develop in. For example, Christianity would not develop [at this time[ in India as idol worshipping was the norm there for centuries.'''

19. In what ways does the concept of the Sanskrit cosmopolis help to explain the nature of cultural unity in South Asia in this period?

'''Sanskrit was used commonly. Example being that the elites, poets and politicians used the Sanskrit language. The Code of Manu is an easy example as to how the Brahmans were able to spread their beliefs around the South Asian region. The elites practicing and implementing Hindu beliefs further spread Hinduistic beliefs and traditions throughout Southern Asia.'''