Chapters 3, 4, 5 & 6

In reading chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6, it came across to me that not much has changed in how humankind interacts with one another since the formalization of civilizations many centuries ago. 

• women still subordinate in many countries
• economic inequalities still exist
• countries still go to war brought about mostly by male rulers
• slavery still exists, with sex trafficking being the worst offender
• severe punishments still used to control human behavior
• trained military forces still needed

The pursuit of land and conquering other countries, however, isn’t as high as it once was on the list of today’s rulers like it was with Alexander the Great.  He was an amazing warrior.  After his death, however, the land was divided up among Macedonia generals. In time what he conquered reverted back to independent nations once again.  Was the bloodshed worth it?

I appreciated the concept of the code of law written by the new republic of Romans for the benefit of the plebeians.  It made me think of our U.S. legislative branch.  These elected officials are supposed to represent us, the new age plebeians. Today it seems they represent more the elite and themselves and less the needs and interests of the average U.S. citizen.  Then there is our U.S. Supreme Court who these days need a reality check.  How can I trust these esteemed lawyers who can’t even have a unanimous vote on important issues that impact our nation and the average citizen.  Hmmm. 

I have been impressed with the Romans, Chinese, and Greeks on what they contributed to society.  The Romans' engineering fetes are to be marveled at.  China also matched Romans in building roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, and protective walls.  China also contributed a number of other things such as uniform weights and measures, currency, standardizing the length of cart axles, gun powder, and written Chinese language, etc.  The Greeks were intellectuals with their philosophy and educational system. In fact, Romans sent their sons to Athens for a Greek education in literature, philosophy, and art. I would have loved to sit in, but I'm the wrong gender.

The countries we are reading about, however great they were, would collapse as things started to turn bad for their countries.  They could pick themselves up and go forward, but not always to return to their great influence.  The Roman Empire became too large and expensive to maintain and never returned to its once great Empire.  Even though China ran into similar problems, it was in a better position to pick themselves up due to its homogenous population, productive agriculture, and metal works industry.  

I wonder about the U.S. and all its problems, especially with the banking issues that just about destroyed the world as we know it.  Will we still have the influence we once did?  Do we want that kind of influence?  Will China surpass us?  Will we be able to avoid World War III with China and other countries who want very much to knock us off our perch?  I for one don’t want to see that happen.  I want us to find ways to get along.  What history is telling us is that it’s better to find that middle ground and find ways to support one another.  We are all in this together and need to learn to play nice lest we destroy humankind for a very long time if not forever.

So Christianity and other religions or beliefs started spreading throughout the world.  Isn’t it interesting, however, that popes feel women shouldn’t have a main role in church services.  I find this fascinating that some men have such a hard time with women in positions of authority.  What are they afraid of?  Have men ever looked at their track record in running the planet and felt very positive with the results?  How many thousands of innocent men, women and children have they killed through war?  How satisfied are they with their track record on polluting land, air, and water through industrialization?  Not all men are guilty and not all women are innocent in how we treat our planet.  I know many men who support the strides women and their daughters have made.  But why can't all men be more interested in what all of us have to offer to the world than what the gender is of the one doing their best to improve and contribute to humankind.  After all, the odds are they wouldn't be here without their mother.