Ancient Rome: History, Art, and Architecture
Historic References of Ancient Rome
In the eighth century BC, the Italian peninsula was inhabited by various peoples: the Ligurians, the Umbrians, the Etruscans, the Samnites, the Sabines, and the Latins. The latter founded Rome in 753 BC, which became the capital of the empire. Its creation is attributed to the brothers Romulus and Remus.
The empire is divided into three major periods:
- 753 BC – Monarchy: A stage governed by kings. The Etruscans inhabited the area corresponding to present-day Tuscany
US Anti-War Movement & Vietnam War’s End
The Peace Movement in the USA
The US needed the support of the American public, but maintaining it was increasingly difficult. Public opinion in the US was turning against the war even before the Tet Offensive. Many Americans felt uncomfortable with what was happening in Vietnam.
The Vietnam War was a media war. Television, radio, and newspaper reporters, along with a vast army of photographers, sent back to the US and Europe pictures of the fighting. They showed:
- Prisoners being tortured or executed.
Nautanki: A Vibrant Folk Theatre of South Asia
Nautanki is one of the most popular folk performance forms of South Asia, particularly in northern India. Before the advent of Bollywood (the Hindi film industry), Nautanki was the biggest entertainment medium in the villages and towns of northern India. Nautanki’s rich musical compositions and humorous, entertaining storylines hold a strong influence over rural people’s imagination. Even after the spread of mass media (such as television, DVDs, and online streaming), a crowd of 10,000 to 15,000
Read More19th Century Europe: Napoleonic Era, Congress of Vienna, and Nationalism
The Napoleonic Empire: Napoleon declared himself emperor in 1804. His military victories against Austria and Prussia gave him control of Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and much of Germany. He invaded Spain, placing his brother Joseph I on the throne, and in 1812 attempted to conquer Russia, but was forced to retreat. His greatest enemy was Great Britain. Napoleon’s Continental Blockade, which forbade any ship from arriving at a European port, ultimately failed. Domestically, Napoleon was a skilled
Read MoreDoctrinaire Liberalism and the Revolutions of 1830
Doctrinaire Liberalism
After the French Revolution and throughout the nineteenth century, liberalism, the heir to the ideas of the Enlightenment, the French Physiocrats, and Adam Smith, evolved into more moderate positions. The revolutionary experience, the economic crisis, and growing popular discontent scared liberals. The latter had to agree with the traditionally powerful social groups to stabilize the new political regimes. Thus arose doctrinaire liberalism, an ideology that sought a middle
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