Ancient Maya Locations, Architecture, Language

Ancient Maya Locations, Architecture, Language The Maya lived in subtropical Mesomerica in parts of the countries that are now Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, Honduras, and the Yucatan peninsula area of Mexico. Major sites of the Maya are located at: PalenqueCopanBonampakTikalChichà ©n ItzYakchilanPiedras NegrasCalakmul. When Were the Ancient Maya? The recognizable culture of the Maya developed between 2500 B.C. and A.D. 250. The peak period of Maya civilization was in the Classic period, which began in A.D. 250. The Maya lasted for about another 700 years before suddenly disappearing as a major force; however, the Maya did not die out then and havent to this day. What We Mean by the Ancient Maya The ancient Maya were united by a shared religious system and language, although there are actually many Mayan languages. While the political system was also shared among the Maya, each chiefdom had its own ruler. Battles between cities and protective alliances were frequent. Sacrifice and Ball Games Human sacrifice is a part of many cultures, including the Maya, and is usually associated with religion in that people are sacrificed to the gods. The Maya creation myth involved a sacrifice made by the gods that had to be re-enacted by humans from time to time. One of the occasions of human sacrifice was the ball game. It is not known how often sacrifice of the loser ended the game, but the game itself was often deadly. The Architecture of the Maya The Maya built pyramids, like the people of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Maya pyramids were usually 9-step pyramids with flat tops on which were perched temples to the gods accessible by stairs. The steps corresponded with the 9 layers of the Underworld. Maya created corbeled arches. Their communities had sweat baths, a ball game area, and a central ceremonial area that may have also served as a market in the cities of the Maya. The Maya at the city of Uxmal used concrete in their buildings. Commoners had homes made of thatch and either adobe or sticks. Some residents had fruit trees. Canals afforded an opportunity for mollusks and fish. The Language of the Maya The Maya spoke various Maya family languages some of which were phonetically transcribed via hieroglyphs. The Maya painted their words on bark paper that has disintegrated but also wrote on more enduring substances [see epigraphy]. Two dialects dominate the inscriptions and are presumed to be the more prestigious forms of the Maya language. One is from the southern area of the Maya and the other from the Yucatan peninsula. With the advent of the Spanish, the prestige language became Spanish.

Summary For The Myths of American Exceptionalism Essay Example

Summary For The Myths of American Exceptionalism Essay Example Summary For The Myths of American Exceptionalism Paper Summary For The Myths of American Exceptionalism Paper The author begins with famous quote lines as a clear example of American exceptionalness and the idealistic descriptions of the united States, especially over the last two centuries. As the author notes how American exceptionalness is similar to other nations that claimed exceptionalness as well. He clears out there are no differences between them when it comes to their self-assertion conduct, many which resulted in a righteous attitude that leads them to think they are positive role models to the world. A believe that makes the Americans with their privileges and unique qualities to think they are superior than others, when In fact they are no less different. In the first myth, many examples laid on surface of the superior belief, starting from the British than the French, than ending with Portugal and the Soviet Union. They all rewarded their virtues and qualities with uniqueness, it is the same belief that made Americans point out their exceptionalness. They are a reflection of the past great powers that did the same, which makes it a common thing more than special, to point out what you believe is exceptional. Tied States places their virtues and morals forward to the world, giving a clear righteous image of them, especially as a country that claims to know more right than wrong. Conducting more claims that America has a respectful behavior, far better than other countries or nations, but the high statistics of civilians death caused by the United States, and the many wars that h ad been involved with over the years, which resulted in more damage, only to conclude that the united States are far from perfect when It comes to behavior. In myth 3, The united States magnifies their special genius to the world, t is undeniable their great many success over the years, and the position it earned due to its capability to being creative, Which also again led America to think their exceptional for that special genius, But that genius was not the only factor that helped America gain its global position, Its also due to the fact that America had many fortune opportunities and natural resources, that all contributed to Americas success as well. As much as the united States would like to believe of their positive global position In the world, but In reality It contradicts many false political actions that America had made. The forth myth clears how blinded Americans are to those actions. One giving statement or speech from the government washes the reality off the minds of many Americans. So whatever knowledge or ideals they think they have about America will usually end up being false, And the constant Justifications of those false actions and weak spots of America, Keeps some of those Americans blind from the truth, and that truth Is America Is not responsible for most of the good In the world, That exact truth had been proven when united States invaded Iraq, and The US troops who expected greetings, got more than what they expected. The last myth the author analysis the delusional divine plan for America, and how their destiny is affected by god with a given mission. An over confident country is the only one that will go In such ways of thinking divinity, and with such confidence it Is dangerous. America might presume those beliefs to think no deceivers or mistakes can fall Into Americas Lovely Nilsson, Leaving America to De no Deterrent Trot toner great powers that claimed virtuousness and divinity. Finally the author gives Americans a chance to view the whole American Exceptionalness with much more open eyes.

Circles in a Circle by Vasily Kandinsky Term Paper

Circles in a Circle by Vasily Kandinsky - Term Paper Example The essay "Circles in a Circle by Vasily Kandinsky" explores the work of art Circles in a Circle by Vasily Kandinsky. The paper also considers how Circles is not an offbeat experimental work within Kandinsky’s broad oeuvres. He developed a unique style, whereby, he tried to reign in his artistic imagination within the structure of geometry. The work has several features that were deemed novel upon their introduction. One of the prominent features is the usage of perfect geometric forms. Conventional aesthetic sense had it that mellifluous and obtuse curves comprised the grammar of the art. But what Kandinsky’s art achieved was to open up a new idea of aesthetic. Under this new sensibility, the precision of mathematics is shown to have a place in visual arts. When we search for socio-cultural analogies, there are parallels to the compositional technique of Johann Sebastian Bach. Experts widely accede to the mathematical element behind the composer’s technique. One could read Circles within a Circle as a tribute to the musical genius from the Baroque era. At once, it is also an experiment to test if an idea could be transposed across art forms. Given the rich legacy of appreciation that Kandinsky’s Circles has drawn over the centuries, it is fair to claim that the experimentation has been a success. The great Italian polymath set forth an intellectual tradition wherein science and art were closely connected. Circles is also strikingly representative of Nicholas Copernicus’ illustrations of the order of the Universe.