I honestly don’t know much about Muslims, Islam, or Arabia except that Saudi Arabia is in the Middle East. So reading Chapter 9 about this part of the world was most illuminating. I found Islam to be contradictory. What Muhammad professed his messages to be from Allah and what ultimately happened after his death seem to be in conflict. At times, Islam is very caring and tolerant towards others per Muhammad and then centuries later it is screaming for jihad and death to non-believers - at least that’s the sense I get from Strayer. That’s contrary to Surahs on tolerance on page 446. It’s as if parts of Islam had been hijacked and bastardized to something uncaring and mean spirited and doesn’t appear to be what Muhammad was directed by Allah.
What I also found fascinating about Muhammad’s revelations from Allah was the similarity with Christianity. Muhammad was born after Jesus Christ and I can’t tell how much he knew about Jesus and his teachings prior to his revelations from Allah. Muhammad was informed about Mary and Jesus Christ and treating each other with love and respect and tolerance during his meditations.
For me, where Islam goes off track is in how women should be treated. Jesus treated both women and men equally. Even the bible at times goes off track from Jesus’s teachings on how to love one another as we love ourselves. Seems it’s the male influence desiring to control women. I was astounded to read that under Islam, it was ok for husbands to beat their wives ‘lightly’ to keep them in line. Hmmm. Frankly such verbiage makes me angry. We should never sanction such abusive treatment towards anyone. I wonder what Muhammad would think of Islam today and the changes that have been made to it. Without a doubt, religions can be confusing.
In Chapter 11, I was amazed by the Mongols’ brutality led by Chinggis Khan and his heirs. He was 10 when his father was killed. I wondered as I read through all his accomplished conquering if it had anything to do with the death of his father and retribution. But then as I read more about the Mongols, it seemed part of their culture. Conquering others would keep the Mongols safe and be a quick way to gain goods and wealth. Certainly Europe did not want to be attacked by them, and I liked their proactive way of taking steps to protect themselves from a Mongol attack. Luckily they were spared.
I was, however, impressed by the Mongol women and the foresight of the men in allowing the women to be all they could be. They offered and brought a lot of talent to the Mongol clans. It wasn’t surprising though to see Christian, Confucian, or Muslim men disapprove of the Mongol women’s accomplishments. From where I’m sitting, it always comes across as so narrowed minded and reflects on patriarchy operating at its worst. No matter if we’re male or female, we should equally be able to develop our gifts and talents. It satisfies something innate within each of us.
My other thought about the Mongols is why they didn’t just try to set up trade agreements with the various countries who had food and items they would like to trade, barter or purchase? Why all the murdering and plundering? Once China realized they couldn’t conquer Korea, they set up a mutual tribute agreement with them. It seems more honorable and respectful of life. Of course, I’m being too logical.
As I read about all the conquests and murder and plundering and abuse of human beings in past eras, I have more of an appreciation for the time period or era that I am living in even though it has its challenges such as Sept. 11, 2001. That in itself made me feel very insecure for many years and was heartbreaking. Still, even today there are mass killings all around the world.
The plague was a terrible experience. I wonder if today we have any idea what it was that killed so many. And it did change the course of history and commerce. If I were living then, I would have felt that life was coming to an end, too.
I was very impressed by the photo on page 517 of my book of the gold necklace created by the Scythians of the 4th century BC. The detail and scale were exquisite. How did they do it? Outstanding craftsmanship and they are to be applauded! (Chapter 11).
Hooray for Christine de Pizan for her writings about women not being as horrible as men were making them out to be. Today, I feel men aren’t always being treated fairly either. There are good and bad among us no matter the sex or ethnic group.
In Chapter 12, there was much going on in the fifteenth century with development of various regions of the globe. I get a better understanding on how we got here now and what was developed as far as various societies and cultures. In some ways we haven’t changed much if at all. Just more advanced technology and still the human foibles.
Once again, I was blown away by the Aztec’s and their sacrificing of captured ‘slaves’ as described by Diego Duran. I can’t imagine having my heart ripped out of my chest. Also sounded like they feasted on the bodies afterward. Nothing like grossing me out. Unfortunately Galileo wasn’t around yet to save them from themselves and human sacrificing.
I also have a somewhat better understanding of Islam and the Sunni and Shia discord. Roman Catholic Church and Christianity also don’t agree.
Even though the Incas also invaded other countries, they did it in non-violent ways. They did punish people though, even cut their heads off. I guess if we meted out such stern punishments today, we wouldn’t need prisons and crime would be down - but then there is no guarantee that would be the case.
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