The Single-Minded League

Peasant Rebels of Feudal Japan

When we think of medieval Japan, we usually think about the samurai. Most of us don't think about the “ikki” or peasant leagues, because most of us have never heard of them, but the historical truth is that the peasant armies of the “ikki” thrashed samurai forces on many occasions, and even drove them completely out of one province before their eventual defeat.

So, what were the “ikki”? Initially, they were fiercely egalitarian peasant revolutionary movements based on two principles- the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism, and hatred of the feudal system. “Ikki” movements banded together (usually with the help of substantial numbers of disaffected “country samurai” who lived lives very close to those of the peasants) and tried to drive the warring samurai overlords away.

 

Most of the ikki leagues were just localized peasant rebellions, but the Ikko-Ikki or “single-minded league” was able to drive out its feudal lord and claim an entire province for itself, before building a massive fortified cathedral- unfortunately losing a lot of the egalitarianism in the process.

 

Soldiers of the Ikko-Ikki considered themselves to be warrior priests, and they advanced into battle bearing flags with the slogans of militant Buddhism. The particular brand of Buddhism taught by the Ikko-Ikki was intolerant, fundamentalist and violent, so even though the league had liberated the peasants from samurai rule they were still widely hated.

 

When the warlord Oda Nobunaga turned his attentions on their cathedral city, it took him a long time to defeat the peasants, but he eventually did. Every remnant of the peasant rebellion was systematically annihilated.

 

Restoring Pompeii

The city of Pompeii, buried beneath the ashes of Mount Vesuvius for nearly 1700 years, is one of the most well-preserved examples of a Roman-era city in the world.  In 79 CE the fateful event occurred that would bury Pompeii and it was not until the 18th century that it would be rediscovered, excavated and restored.  But the condition of this archaeological marvel is becoming the cause of much concern from historians and conservationists everywhere.

In November of 2010, a particularly nasty wet season inundated Pompeii

and caused damage to some of the structures there.  The Schola Armaturarum (Gladiator’s House) collapsed, as did one of the walls of the House of the Moralist.  Though the cause of this damage was obviously the heavy rains, people are grumbling and steaming about the way the Italian government is failing to keep the site properly
restored and protected against such acts of nature.  This debate has gotten so heated that the previous Italian culture minister even resigned because of it.

Luckily, UNESCO is stepping in to make sure that this historical treasure is not threatened.  They will be offering up experts who will guide and direct the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage

and Activities in their restoration and maintenance of the site.  Despite tight economic times, Italy will be footing the bill for all the repairs and improvements that need to be made.

This cooperative will be working together for the next 9 months on the project, which should hopefully be enough time to get things back in order.  UNESCO’s experts will also be providing a plan for the Italian agency that it might better maintain the site for future generations.

Ancient Egyptians

The Basics

The world consists of many cultures, societies, religions and eras gone by, but none has fascinated the people like the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Among the pyramids and sands remain countless stories to be discovered and told. The sands hold information and secrets that have yet to be revealed, leaving humanity to continuously search for answers.

The Origin of Gods and Goddesses

Early Egyptians believed that gods and goddesses controlled every aspect of their lives from the birth of children to the growing seasons for crops. Each deity had its place in the circle of life and how it was to unfold.  Egyptians believed that making them angry brought about plagues, drought, and famine and when the gods were pleased, the earth was fertile, alive, and without strife.

Egyptians further believed that the world was created from the dark waters of chaos.  Mythology states that one day from the dark waters issued forth a mound that formed a hill and on this hill stood Atum; the first god. Atum then created the god of air, Shu, and the goddess of moisture, Tefnut, who in turn birthed offspring that ruled the earth, Geb, and the sky, Nut. Geb and Nut gave birth to the king, Osiris, and queen, Isis, of the world. The good king's brother, Seth, was jealous and desired to rule the world himself and killed the good king. Osiris went to the underworld but before his death the good king fathered a son, Horus. Horus then battled to regain the throne successfully, making himself king of the world and his father king of the underworld.

Each god and goddess created offspring to rule all creatures that walked the earth, both man and beast. These lesser gods and goddesses were also charged with maintaining the balances of nature.

Life and Living

Early Egyptian life was not all that different from how we live today just more primitive in the methods and ways results were achieved. Egyptians farmed along the river banks of the Nile using the fertile soil for plentiful crops. They traded for items that they could not produce themselves; the precursors to capitalism.

They built homes from mud bricks. Homes became communities, which became cities. As society evolved, so did class structures defining the wealthy, the poverty stricken and the middle class. Hierarchies developed bringing forth kings and queens along with conquests and submissions.

Religion was born and cultivated as a way of understanding the frightening and explaining the unexplainable. Religion also generated political control granting those in power a method to rule by when character was not enough. Egyptians built a society that worked for them. Their lives and survival were affected by many of the same problems that afflict modern-day societies.

American Revolutionary: Peter Francisco

The Virginia Hercules

Peter Francisco is the American Revolutionary hero everyone should know about but doesn't. Even George Washington credited the courage and combative prowess of the “Virginia Hercules” with turning the tide of two major battles and possibly preventing defeat in the entire war.

Francisco was a six-foot-four, two hundred and sixty pound illiterate blacksmith who went into battle armed with a gigantic custom-made broadsword long enough to be used with two-hands, although he used it with one. He was said to have killed eleven redcoats with this fearsome weapon in a single battle. He is also credited with single-handedly carrying rebel artillery off the battlefield on his massive back in order to save it from the advancing British.

 

Francisco's exploits are more like those of a mythical hero than a historical figure, but he really lived and they really happened. The main reason he isn't better remembered is simple class prejudice- as an illiterate private soldier, he just isn't seen as an important figure compared to men like Washington and Jefferson, with their plantations and their wealth.

 

Without common soldiers like Peter Francisco, we would never have won our independence. Nor would we have won it without the uncommon strength and courage he so often displayed.

 

Americans are not generally known for their love of swordsmanship, but Francisco's demonstrated prowess with his enormous broadsword would make a thrilling Hollywood blockbuster, don't you think?

 

It would really be the least he deserved for the services he performed- services Washington himself described as indispensable.

 

More Less Than Brilliant Moments in Congressional History

Here we sit in our living rooms and offices watching as our current Congress continue to make a mockery of our Constitution and our system of checks and balances. We watch as they decide that they can’t decide. We watch as they look for more destructive ways to cover their own backsides while making sure that the people who are in need carry the burden.

We also miss the more entertaining parts of their discussions on who to screw first and how. Well, history provides us with some insight as to how these conversations are handled and to what degree a Congressional member will go to prove his or her point.

For example; did you know that the Honorable Representative from Kentucky, William J. Graves, and the Honorable Representative from Virginia, Henry Wise, were notified of a “breach of privileges” when Representative Graves killed the honorable Representative of Maine, Jonathan Cilley. Representative Graves and Representative Cilley held strong opposing positions during a debate which resulted in a duel. The result of the duel was not beneficial to Representative Cilley. Representative Wise also received the notification for performing as Representative Graves’ “second” during the duel. (February 24, 1838)

Did you also know that the Honorable Representative of California, Philemon Herbert was arrested for manslaughter on May 8, 1856? Representative Herbert maintained his position while sitting in prison before being acquitted in July, 1856.

Further, in 1866 the Honorable Representative of Kentucky, Lovell H. Rousseau, was decreed “disorderly of conduct” by the House after assaulting the Honorable Representative of Iowa, Josiah Grinnell with a cane. The assault of Representative Grinnell took place outside of the Capitol resulting from an insult spoken during a debate on the floor. The incident happened on June 14, 1866.

When one considers the long standing history of our country and how we elect to handle opposing viewpoints, is it any wonder nothing manages to be accomplished?

Roman Temple Getting New Old-Home

For nearly 50 years, the remains of a Roman Temple of Mithras have sat in Walbrook Square in London, though not exactly in the same spot it was built in.  When archaeologist and director of the Museum of London W.F. Grimes found it by accident in 1952, the whole thing was dismantled and placed in storage.  The more mobile artifacts were placed in the Museum of London and the temple was eventually reconstructed a short ways away from where it had originally stood around the 3rd century.

The site that the temple was placed at in 1962 was a little more than 250 feet away and about 30 feet higher than the original site.  It was also mounted in cement mortar, a slight difference from the original foundations of the building.

So now, once again, the temple is set to be dismantled and moved.  Not to make way for progress or development, but to be put back in its original, historical location.  It will also be mounted in a way that is more appropriate to the way it would

have been nearly 2000 years ago.

So why all the moving around?  It turns out that financial data giant Bloomberg LP has bought up the spot where the temple originally was and wishes to return it home.  It’s not all charity, of course, as the temple will be rebuilt inside of Bloomberg’s new building.  People may come and visit it in a specially built observation area, all at the behest of the temple’s new sponsor.

Bloomberg may just be seeking to look like a patron of culture and history, or those in charge of the company may have a genuine historical interest.  They are, after all, footing an enormous bill to hire all the experts that will be needed to both remove and reconstruct the temple.  Whatever their reasons, I say kudos to them.  It’s not often that people see big companies putting in money and effort to preserve these important pieces of the past so that future generations will have the chance to experience and learn from them.

"I Am Spartacus!"

Gladiator And Rebel

These days, a lot of people have at least a vague idea of who Spartacus was because of the TV show, or possibly the old movie. (“I am Spartacus!”) The TV show, however, is shot in the style of 300 and highly fantasized, with lots of slow-motion action and strange colors and textures. It doesn't look anything like reality, so I'm not sure a lot of the viewers connect this fictional treatment with a real man who suffered and fought against real injustices.

 

Spartacus was a Thracian gladiator who was one of the leaders of a slave rebellion now known as the “Third Servile War.” Because many of the slaves were escaped gladiators, Spartacus led an army of experts at hand-to-hand combat, easily capable of thrashing the professional Roman army- which they did on several occasions.

There's no reason to assume that Spartacus was a political revolutionary in the modern sense. The movements of his gladiator army were not focused on victory, but escape from Italy. Spartacus and the other Thracian, Gaulish and German gladiators were just fighting to get home.

 

They never made it. After the Roman legions finally defeated Spartacus in battle, the gladiators were crucified along the road in a gruesome display that stretched for miles and miles. As for Spartacus himself, his body was never found, perhaps because his loyal followers were unwilling to identify him. He either fell in battle or perished on the cross, a symbol of heroic resistance from that day on.

 

Mes Aynak Versus the Almighty Dollar

Just south of the city of Kabul, in Afghanistan, a discovery was made of an ancient Buddhist temple complex that has the potential to change our historical understanding of the origins and purposes of the Silk Road.  The site of Mes Aynak is a treasure trove of artifacts and information.  So far excavations have yielded manuscripts, multiple carved Buddhas and several structures.  Archaeologists believe that, if given time to fully excavate the site, they might find evidence of occupation dating back as far as the 3rd century BCE.

Unfortunately, the economic realities of the situation may spell the end of

this historical marvel.  The site is inconveniently located on top of what is believed to be the 2nd largest untapped source of copper in the world.  Currently, Afghanistan has a deal with China to begin mining the area, which means that the Mes Aynak site would be destroyed in the process.

Normally one might think that the cultural value of such a find is worth more than a mining contract, but the country of Afghanistan is not in any position to deny the potentially tens of billions of dollars that China will bring to their country, not to mention the thousands of jobs that will be created.  The Chinese mining project is the biggest foreign investment in Afghanistan’s history.  With international assistance drying up, those in charge are being forced to make some tough decisions.

So archeologists are scrambling to learn as much as they can from the site

before it goes away.  Investors from all over have been pouring money into the project, with more than $50 million collected so far.  Artifacts are being removed and placed in a newly constructed nearby museum for display and study.  Already assumptions regarding the history of the Silk Road have been challenged and new questions raised.

Thankfully, China has granted some extra time to explore Mes Aynak, though that time is quickly running out and the mining project must begin soon.  It is a shame that such history and culture will be destroyed in the name of profit and unfortunate that the needs of the moment must drown out our curiosity for the past.  With any luck, the most important pieces of Mes Aynak may survive via the museum so that future generations of Afghanis may know the history of their land.

Secession of the Plebs

The Occupation of Ancient Rome!

Continuing on with my theme of the great Occupations of history, we have the Secession of the Plebs, an event that actually occurred several times in the early history of Republican Rome. The plebs or "plebeians" were the free citizens of ancient Rome, as distinct from the patricians or aristocratic class.

 

The social structure of the ancient world was highly stratified, so the plebs weren't actually the lowest class, since the slaves were below them. However, they were the 99% of ancient Rome, the ordinary common people without aristocratic privileges. At first, they had no political rights and no representation in the Senate, and the patricians used every tactic within their power to prevent them from gaining any.

The tactic the plebs developed to resist the patricians was to leave the city and occupy a nearby hill known as the Sacred Mountain, announcing that if their demands were not met they would simply found a new city on the hill and leave the patricians to fend for themselves. Every shop in the city was closed. The Roman Army, which was composed of plebs, deserted in large numbers and joined the occupation. With the city of Rome completely empty, the patricians were left with no one to produce the wealth on which their power depended. The result was that they were ultimately forced to offer concessions, including the creation of a new political position, the tribune of the plebs. Tribunes had the right to veto any legislation inimical to the interests of the common people. Perhaps an old idea whose time has come again?

Rewriting History for Fun and Profit

The records of history have always been a distorted thing.  History is, and always has been, written by the victors as they say.  Therefore, what comes to us in the form of documents and other literary records is colored by the perspective of the cultural trends of the time, the viewpoint of the writer and even the political ramifications that writing about a subject could carry.  Many things could not be written simply because they might displease those in power and bring punishment down upon the head of the scholar who chose his words poorly.

Nowadays, we like to pride ourselves on the improved accuracy of what we record.  The perspective of many different types of people, from various social, political and economic backgrounds, can be put into print and distributed on a mass scale.  This does not completely prevent non-facts from leaking into the literature, but it does give more information that future generations can use to make comparisons and find out a reasonable model of the truth.

Unfortunately, even though the ability to create accurate representations of history has progressed, new technologies give new loopholes which people can exploit, knowingly or unknowingly, to create false facts.  I am speaking about the internet, of course.

There is a growing trend on the internet for people to outsource their web content, hiring others to do research and create databases of factual articles that others may reference in order to gain knowledge on a particular subject.  I know from personal experience (I work for more than one of these companies) that the integrity of these fact-finding writers is not always top-notch.  A tendency to think of maximizing cash-flow over doing good research is a huge problem within the content-building industry.  Check the internet for a subject, any subject, and look through a dozen of the first sites you see.  Chances are that half of them have been farmed out to content-building sites and chances are also that you’ll find conflicting information across the spread of articles you view.

While this may seem superficial, only a few lies among tens-of-thousands of words, it still begs the question of whether this will eventually cause a distortion of truth.  Misinformation has always been present in television and other media, as people seek to hide the truth or spin it to fit their needs.  This misinformation is now being conducted on a massive scale and by thousands of average citizens. 

The ultimate question is: Will the abundance of information on the internet lead to enlightenment or ignorance?

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