The Roman Games

The Roman Games

The first king to promote the Roman Games was Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. He outlined the Circus Maximus which was an arena for chariot and foot races. Later, many more gruesome and dangerous games were held.
There were two different times the games in Rome were held. Morning games consisted of animal “hunts”, fights against animals and gladiators. Sometimes animals devoured defenseless criminals in these games. Afternoon games consisted of gladiator fights. There were 25 types of gladiators, but 4 were used the most in these afternoon games. The gladiators most frequently used were Samnite, Thracian, Retiarius, and Murmillo. The gladiators, who were mostly slaves or criminals, were forced to fight. They usually fought to the death, but if they fought well they could appeal to the emperor for mercy.
These Roman games were a very dangerous form of entertainment. Much blood was shed and many lives were taken just for entertainment. The games eventually corrupted all sense of propriety in Rome.

Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days
By Jules Verne

Around the World in 80 Days, by Jules Verne, is about an English man named Phileas Fogg who made a bet that he could make it around the world in 80 days. The majority of the book is about Fogg’s adventures, and if he wins his bet. Fogg takes his French servant Passepartout with him on his trip. During their journey, the pair are being followed by a detective named Fix, who suspects Fogg of committing a crime.
Mr. Phileas Fogg, while playing whilst with his buddies, made a bet that he could travel around the world in only 80 days. Fogg left his friends and told his French servant, Passepartout, about his bet when he arrived home. Passepartout was in shock by his master’s comment and rushed to pack their bags. They soon left for their journey around the world.
While the pair was traveling, a detective named Fix was on the lookout for who had robbed the Bank of London. Fix noticed how rich Phileas Fogg was and became suspicious about the man. The detective decided he would follow the two on their travels, and become better acquainted with Fogg’s servant. Fix believed he could get some information about Fogg from his faithful servant. As their trip went on, Passepartout became friends with the detective, or so he believed.
During their long journey, Fogg and Passepartout had many difficulties. While in India, the pair had to travel by elephant because the train tracks were broken. While traveling, Fogg and Passepartout saved a young Indian woman who was to be sacrificed to the gods. After the men saved the woman, she joined them on their journey. Their new companion, Aouda, grew closer to Fogg during their journey and he grew closer to her. Many times, on the road, Passepartout caused trouble, such as trespassing in a sacred temple, which Fogg later had to pay for.
When Fogg arrived in London, Fix arrested him for the bank robbery. While Fogg was in jail, Fix saw a report that the bank robber was arrested 2 days ago. Fix apologized for the trouble and let Fogg go. Fogg arrived in London later than 80 days, or so he believed. Aouda helped Fogg through his depression over losing the bet, and later Fogg asked Aouda to marry him. Fogg called for Passepartout to go meet Reverend Samuel Wilson and set a marriage ceremony for the next day. Passepartout met the clergyman, who told Passepartout they weren’t open on Sundays. Passepartout then realized his master had miscalculated his time. After telling Fogg about the miscalculation, he rushed to meet his whilst buddies and everyone realized Fogg had really made it around the world in 80 days, winning the bet.
I enjoyed reading Around the World in 80 Days because it was an entertaining book. The book started out slow, but picked up later in the story. The book had too many boring details, but was an enjoyable story. I would recommend this book to all ages and to those who enjoy action and adventure.

Romulus and Lucius

Romulus and Lucius

Two brothers, Romulus and Remus, fought over who would be the king of their new city. Romulus won the battle and he founded Rome on the Palatine Hill. While building his new city, he organized many laws and created order for Rome. Romulus organized 12 “lictors” as his bodyguards and law enforcers. Rome began to grow in population, and they conquered the Fidenae and the Veientes. Rome’s military strength grew stronger and stronger. When Romulus died in 717 BC, there were two different reports of his death. The Nobles believed that he had been killed by those close to him. Many of the citizens believed Romulus was a god, and as a result, they believed he was taken to the heavens by a cloud to join the gods.
Lucius Tarquinius Priscus was from the region of Tarquinii. Lucius learned Roman customs and was known as a good and just man. In 616 BC he was elected by the people and the Senate to become king of Rome. He added another 100 senators to the Senate. Lucius developed Rome’s entertainment, by establishing the Circus Maximus. These games led to different sports in later years. The sons of Ancus Martius, the previous king, killed Lucius in 579 BC, so they could become the next king of Rome.
Romulus and Lucius were great kings for Rome. Romulus is remembered as the founder of Rome and the first to organize law and order for Rome. Most citizens loved Lucius and he is remembered as the developer of Rome’s entertainment.

Osiris

Osiris

There once was man named Osiris, who was born to his mother Anabel. The boy’s father, Hypritus, was not there at his birth as he was fighting the three headed dragon known as, Aristogwa. When Osiris was 5 years old, the news of his father’s death spread through the little village. The boy was sad to have never seen his father, but his mother told many stories about him. As the boy was growing, many spoke of Aristogwa and who would slay this dreadful beast. When Osiris was 19 years old he heard one of the conversations about the three headed dragon, and he volunteered to slay this monster who had taken his father. Osiris knew he would need training. He sought out the strongest man known as Hercules to train him.
The news of Osiris went through the village, and his mother did not want him to slay Aristogwa. She told him she did not want him to die like his father, but Osiris was determined to battle against this powerful dragon. Many weeks of training made Osiris stronger and stronger. The night before Osiris left to fight Aristogwa, Hercules called for Osiris to come to his little hut. Hercules told Osiris everything he needed to know about Aristogwa. He told him about the dragon’s ability to breathe fire and spit acid out of its eyes. Osiris thanked Hercules and returned home to get some rest.
In the morning, Osiris went on his journey to battle against Aristogwa. After many months he arrived at the mountain where the dragon lived. Aristogwa spotted Osiris and without hesitation, charged right at him. The beast sliced Osiris’s back with its claws, and he bled fiercely. Osiris swung at Aristogwa and cut his right head off. The three headed beast roared with anger and pain, and shot acid right at Osiris’s face. The acid burned half of his face and most of his right arm. Osiris was in so much pain; he ran and hid in some bushes. While hiding, a huge puddle of red formed around him, and he did not notice the track of blood which led Aristogwa right to him. Osiris, with his sword, cut the dragons left head off. While the dragon was yelling with pain, Osiris shot Aristogwa’s two eyes out with his bow and arrow. Aristogwa was now blind; he swung at Osiris with his claws and cut off his right arm. Osiris bravely swung his sword and sliced the dragon’s middle head off. This final blow killed Aristogwa. Osiris ran to the cave where the beast lived. In the cave, he found a lot of loot and one body with a note. The note said, “My child Osiris, if you are reading this note, you have successfully slayed this monster.” “I know I will never see you, but know I always loved you. My dear son, take care of your mother for me.” The note was signed by Hypritus. Osiris returned home and gave the note to his mother. After reading it, tears ran down her cheeks.
Osiris married a princess named Amithis and had two sons. Osiris was killed by his son, Osiris the 2nd. Osiris was always remembered as the man who defeated Aristogwa.

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC, and was the son of Philip the 2nd. At age 10 Alexander showed his intelligence and courage in public by finding a way to mount the horse his father had gotten him. Aristotle taught Alexander at age 13 to 16, and most of the students in his class became generals in his empire. Alexander was a very intelligent young man. In 336, when his father was assassinated, Alexander became king at the age 20.
Alexander first went to conquer Greece, and once under his control, he attacked Asia. The battle in Halicarnassus was his first successful siege battle. The kingdoms Alexander conquered were looted, which helped gain wealth for Macedon. Alexander spared Jerusalem due to a prophecy, but he conquered Egypt and was welcomed as their liberator. Alexander’s empire was later conquered by Rome.
In 323 BC Alexander died at age 32, many are not sure what caused his death, but most suspect that he was assassinated. He was best known for his large empire, and never losing a single battle.

The Corinthian War

The Corinthian War

The Corinthian War started in 395 BC and ended in 387 BC. This war was fought between Sparta and many other city-states. The war started because Sparta had gotten all the spoil and credit for conquering Athens, which upset Sparta’s allies. Corinth and Thebes were very unhappy.
The Spartans were in a war against Elis and Lydia, but Corinth and Thebes did not help the Spartans. The Persians began sending gold to the Greeks so they would rebel against Sparta. Sparta first fought against the rebels in Thebes. The Spartan king Lysander died at the end of the battle. Thebes gathered allies from Corinth, Argos, and Athens, and again attacked the Spartans. After the battles of Nemea, Cnidus, and Coronea, Sparta became weak. After some time, Thebes and Athens had regained their power. Many battles were fought for many months; finally the Persians joined the war. The Persians demanded Athens to make peace, or they would join Sparta. The Athenians knew they could not defeat Sparta and Persia so they made peace. The peace treaty was called the King’s Peace.
Because of the wars benefits, Persia resumed control over Ionian Greeks and eastern Aegean islands. Sparta broke up all alliances by taking advantage of the autonomy clause. Athens regained some of its power and started the Second Athenian Empire, but it was nothing compared to Athens’s Golden Age.

Vegetables

Vegetables

Vegetables are very healthy and are great four our bodies. They contain antioxidants and many other disease fighting compounds that cannot be consumed from anything else. Vegetables have plant chemicals called phytochemicals that reduce inflammation and destroy carcinogens while cells reproduce. Vegetables can lower the chance of strokes, cancers, and many other diseases.
Many do not know that vegetables are better for our bodies than fruits. Fruits are a source of fructose, which is a type of sugar that is harmful to our health. Healthy people can eat some fruit without any problems, but those who have insulin resistance should only have a limited amount of fruit. Many do not know if they have insulin resistance. If a person has diabetes, high blood pressure, are overweight, have high cholesterol or cancer, they most likely have insulin resistance. Those with insulin resistance should limit their grams of fructose from fruit to below 15 grams per day.
Those who are into carbs should juice their vegetables. Those who are into proteins should only juice celery, spinach, asparagus, string beans, and cauliflower. Protein types should blend a source of raw fat with their juice, such as raw eggs, avocado, or raw cream.