Intellectual Developments/ Technology

Gold Mines
Ghana had numerous gold mines. As a matter of fact, Ghana had such a large amount of gold, that miners had the privilege of keeping any gold dust they found while mining! The king only kept the gold nuggets. As Ghana had such an abundance in gold, it was used to make almost everything. Statues, jewellery, paintings, and even cutlery were made of pure gold in the Ghana Empire.


Gold for Salt
Although Ghana was rich in many things, it did not have salt. As salt is an important spice, which is used for day-to-day life, it was very critical for Ghana to have enough and more quantities of salt. They began to trade with Northern kingdoms, which lacked gold. Ghana had very clear regulations, as far as trade was concerned, and therefore all the Northern traders were fair with the trade-they were even ounce-for-ounce.

Silent Barter System
The silent barter system was a system started by Ghana, which did not involve any communication between the two trading kingdoms. Instead of meeting and arguing a price, gold would be left at a special place, and the traders would simply come and take it from that secret place. If the desired goods were not left in the same place, in return, then the trade would immediately be stopped. The trading kingdoms often could not speak the same language; therefore the “silent barter system”, was a very effective and useful way of trading. Most traders were afraid to leave too little in return of the gold Ghana provided them with, for they knew that if they did, Ghana would stop the trade. Afraid that the trade between Ghana and their kingdom would stop, many rulers would always leave a bit more than required, in return.

(ancient africa) 

Demographics (Ghana)

In traditional society, women had considerable economic and political powers which derived in part from their ability to control their own income and property without male oversight. Among the matrilineal Akan they also regularly assumed high statuses within the lineage and the kingdom, even though their authority was often confined to women's affairs. Colonialism and modernization has changed women's position in complex ways. Women have retained and expanded their trading opportunities and can sometimes acquire great wealth through their businesses. Men have received wider educational opportunities, however, and are better represented in government and formal sector employment. A modest women's movement has developed to address gender differences and advance women's causes.

( http://www.everyculture.com)

Politics (Ghana)

The formal incorporation of (Gold Coast) Ghana into the British Empire occurred after the 1902 battle in which the Asante Empire was thorougly defeated and its royalty banished into exile first in Sierra Leone and later to teh Sechyelles. However, even prior to this defeat, there were diverse social and political movements that agitated for some sort of social, economic and political rights. Among these were the association of states which came to be known as the Fante Confederacy and the Aborrigines Rights Protection Society. Real struggles for political freedome started in the late 1940s when the United Coast Convention (UGCC) formed by some of the established educated elite. The Secretary-General of the party, Kwame Nkrumah, who had horned his political skills in the United Kingdom during the 1945 Pan African Congress in Machester formed a more radical socialist oriented party called the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
As a result of this formation, an inchoate two-party system developed in Ghanaian politics which is still apparent in Ghanain politics. Several referenda were held in which the CPP under Nkrumah’s leadership consistently won. Finally, in 1951 the country was granted self rule under which the CPP administration could rule with the exception of the Finance, Defence and Foreign Ministries. Further agitation led to the declaration of independence on 6 March 1957 with Kwame Nkrumah as Prime Minister and the Queen of England as the ceremonial Head of State.

(ghana nation) 

Social Developments (Ghana)

Art (Ghana)

In the seventeenth century, the region of West Africa known as the Gold Coast (modern Ghana) was dotted with several small-scale principalities populated by peoples belonging to the Akan cultural group. Linked by trade routes, a shared language, and similar belief systems, these states nonetheless remained separate entities until the early eighteenth century, when Asante, an inland kingdom ruled by a chief named Osei Tutu, embarked on a process of territorial expansion that united them as one kingdom. By 1750, Asante had become a large empire whose borders were roughly congruent with those of Ghana today. Developing an inclusive model of leadership that emphasized points of similarity and adopted traditions from throughout the territory for courtly use, Osei Tutu promoted unity among the peoples over whom he ruled and cultivated a strong national identity that has remained to the present day.

The kingdom's active role in the gold, cloth, and slave trades brought vast wealth that fostered especially rich artistic traditions. The king himself was perceived as a creative force whose dynamic patronage of the arts, along with his health and appearance, were considered an important metaphor for his kingdom's strength and stability. The art of Asante, like that of all Akan peoples, wove together the verbal and the visual by illustrating spoken proverbs that communicated accepted truths and practical advice. In courtly art, verbal motifs relating to the cohesion and 

prosperity of the kingdom were used extensively.

(Met Museum)

Religion (Ghana)

Ghana didn't have a religion like the common religion today. The emperor whom they worshipped, was called the Ghana. They also worshipped the Buddha's sea of the Niger. Ghana allowed Muslims to live in their empire and help them with government and the advice on legal matters, but every few converted to Islam.

Geography Ghanian Empire

Ghana, first of the great medieval trading empires of western Africa (7th-13th century)It was situated between the Sahara and the headwaters of the Senegal and Niger rivers, in an area that now comprises southeastern Mauritania and part of Mali.

Introduction

Ni hao! (: My name is Empress Dowager Cixi born in China on November 29^th 1835. Fortunately, I was not a favorite of my parents during my childhood and was treated unfairly compared to my siblings. It worked in my benefit as I became older though, which is the reasoning to why my childhood inspired me to rise above my peers and head towards my dream of prowess. As a result at the age of sixteen I was chosen to be one of the concubines to Emperor Xianfeng, and on turning eighteen, I completed the ritual preparations necessary to become a royal concubine. Although many of Emperor Xianfeng had many wives and concubines, I was the only one who gave birth to a son by the name of Tongzihi. Because of my son I quickly advanced from third level concubine to a secondary consort, one of the emperor’s wives. When Xianfeng died in 1861, my son at the time 5 became emperor. Many believe because of greed I took the throne, but in my opinion because of my concern I did. During my years in power, the Western nations gained great influence in China. Many people thought that the best way to stop the outsiders from taking over completely was to strengthen China with modern inventions like trains and telegraphs. However, I did not agree one bit nor did advisors we remained conservative and resisted these changes. Some would say I took more than I gave from China, but what can I say? I like the finer things in life, especially my jade cup and golden chopsticks. On accident, I unfortunately caused the decline of the Qing Dynasty because I was “greedy” for power and would use unscrupulous means to seize it. In 1898, I staged another coup against Guangxu and imprisoned him when I found out he was introducing reforms without my approval.  Tisk Tisk! I soon began to rule the country behind the curtain. Sadly I passed away at the age of 78 on November 15, 1908.

Citations

http://www.mariamilani.com/ancient_rome/ancient_roman_technology.htm
http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/
http://www.unrv.com/government.php
http://www.roman-empire.net/society/society.html
http://www.mariamilani.com/ancient_rome/ancient_roman_technology.htm

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/roman-art.htm

Intellectual Developments/ Technology

Roman Technology for common use

• great sewage system (cloaca maxima), 
• ancient Roman baths complete with under-floor heating systems (hypocausts) 
• public toilets ("Vespasians")
•  urban water distribution even into households/famous roman villas/houses and gardens 
•  Letters and private notes written on wax covered wooden tablets could be delivered across the empire by post by postmen using Roman road maps
• Cosmetics were abundant in type and variety  
• signs at the garden gate "Beware of the Dog!" (cave canem) 

Military Technology in ancient Rome

Military technology, together with civil engineering and building technology was the area the Roman empire was best known for. Roman military success was as much as success of their engineering and technology as it was of their training and courage in battle. Ancient Roman weapons, armor and Roman siege engines, war machinery, road building, bridges and forts were a constant source of amasement. Bridges might even be built around pre-fabricated wood and clay structures.

Ancient Roman Construction Technology

• Ropes
• Pulleys 
• Winches 

Demography

During the Republican period of Rome, adult male citizens of Rome could be taxed and called into the army and were also given the right to vote. To keep track of this section of the population (and their taxable assets), the Roman state conducted periodic censuses.

Roman Politics

The Romans established a form of government a republic that was copied by countries for centuries In fact, the government of the United States is based partly on Rome's model.

It all began when the Romans overthrew their Etruscan conquerors in 509 B.C.E. Centered north of Rome, the Etruscans had ruled over the Romans for hundreds of years.

Once free, the Romans established a republic, a government in which citizens elected representatives to rule on their behalf.

Social Developments

http://www.mariamilani.com/colosseum/rome_gladiator_christians.htm


Although the Colosseum was built in 75 bce it was a major social development during the ancient Roman Empire and still to this day it is centerpiece of Rome. In 249 b.c.e the Amphitheater better known as the Colosseum was the place where Christians were executed. 

Roman Art

Roman and Greek Exhibit at Metropolitan Museum

Over the years as Rome continued to expand their empire they fell under the influence of Greek art.  The art included many of the pieces in the Hellenistic Era such as statues, paintings and jewelry. This was the start of Roman art. Mainly, the reason why Greek had such an major influence on Rome was not only because the Romans had taken over the civilization but because many Roman artists were of Greek origins or Greek colonies. Also many of the Roman Emperors were inspired by the Greek art forms commissioned sculptures to be made of themselves.

Painting

Roman paintings were probably one of the most versatile art forms that the Romans had adapted. Due to the many culture and regional differences it allowed a vast range of techniques and styles. The Romans used paintings mainly as decorations and backdrops, they were used to decorate tombs and palaces, as well painting the walls of their rooms with images of heroes or of the historical culture of the province was popular. Today the largest painting still surviving of the Romans is from Pompeii. 

Sculpture 

Roman sculptures were typically made in bronze or marble and replicated from the Greeks or unfortunately stolen from them. The sculptures were usually based off a emperor or god and  as time went past many romans began making the sculptures their own, adding more of a powerful glorifying look to them. 

British Museum for the Art's





Architecture 

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/roman-art.htm#history

http://www.collectiveartisan.com/art-history/roman-art/

Religion of Rome

 Religion to the Romans was very important they believed highly in gods and during this era cults were heavily practiced under the Roman rule. The Romans religion was based heavily off of a array of taboos, rituals, superstitions and traditions they had learned over the years. The religion was not spiritual based but instead more of the belief of being able to control people's existence and well-being. The Romans believed that their gods were all related and typically people told stories or myths about them. The most important gods to the Romans were the Greek gods from Mount Olympus. The Greek gods were given Roman names, for example, Zeus became Jupiter. Eventually Christianity took over the Roman Empire and became the foundation of their government along with the basis of many of the architecture today. Christianity first started in Rome as another foreign religion. Christians were sometimes persecuted because they refused to worship Jupiter, and because of the rumor that they ate "human flesh." As time went by the first emperor Constantine The Great converted the empire to Christianity.

Geography of Rome

The Roman Empire during 200 B.C.E through 200 C.E was one of the most powerful empires throughout history. Rome is located in the central part of Italy; but the empire during this time period stretched from Italy to the Mediterranean basin taking over civilizations such as, the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Etruscans, and the well known Greeks. Since the empire stretched throughout many parts of the world the environments varied depending on location.