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Harper Young-Whitman

Professor Kimberly Lark

World History

13 August 2017

Portfolio Reflection

As a historian of the ancient world, I would apply to current societies from those of my

ancestors to respect and contribute to the betterment of their society. A major concept is the

religion, morals and traditions of a community. Analyzing many civilizations from different

aspects, I believe this concept plays the largest role in respecting, and building a strong

development. Throughout the course of this paper, I will examine as a historian the common

theme throughout three well understood societies. The societies I believe that best demonstrate

this concept are The Bantu Society, The Etruscans Society, and The Roman Society under

Augustus. It is always of key importance as a historian to learn from our ancient ancestors in

hopes not to repeat corrupt history, and continue with the concepts that allowed their societies to

succeed.

The Bantu Africans were very invested in their community as seen in Module 10. A

person from this civilization puts their religion and leaders above all in their life. Religion was a

way of connecting the community, and unifying them under a similar belief. Rules and morals

are set for the community in the church, and all choose to follow to show respect.

In Module 8, the Etruscans were a community like many others, but in their time, gave

women a significant more amount of rights than Athens women. An individual in this

civilization is very thankful for their rights and role within their community. Religious events are
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usually what people would go out to and attend. The traditions of the Etruscans are deeply rooted

in their morals and continue to shape the kind of community they live in.

As seen in Module 9, the Roman Empire under Augustus was a time of peace for the

empire. A person from this civilization worships religion as their leader does the same. The fate

of this empire is based largely in their faith. This civilization involved religion, had a supreme

religious leader which made a unification of the people. It taught them that being involved and

making decisions based on beliefs would lead them in a positive direction.

It is extremely important each person knows who they are as a person, one must have an

identity. It is through their identity where they decide their impact and role within their

community. Having historical knowledge about other civilizations can impact how one views

their own society that they live in. Knowledge of the past allows one to critically think about the

world around them, have they learned about past decisions and roles. Looking at these

civilizations, one can learn how much traditions and religion plays in the development as well as

wellness of their community. This concept sets morals and beliefs that all people can unify under

as one. When all peoples of a community can agree on a moral system, society runs smoothly

throughout.

The theme that I have found throughout all the successful civilizations in this World

History class was traditions and religion. I believe this concepts lays the foundation of

understanding in ones community. When a person has knowledge of history and how they

should be involved in their society, their sense of responsibility and contributing role is

determined. With the right morals and beliefs, these goals of contributing and respecting are

aimed in the positive direction, so that you are only bettering society, instead of trying to

sabotage it. Something I believe we all can learn from these civilizations was that they did a lot
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more with a lot less. We have so many resources in our world today, especially in our

communities that allow us to help and contribute the place we live in. I believe this both helps

and complicates, but you must think communication is prospering now. One must use their voice

and action to be involved in their community and the betterment of it.

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Works Cited

Ancient Civilizations in Africa, 3500 B.C.-500 B.C. DISCovering World History. Detroit :

Gale, 2003. Student Resources in Context. Web.

Augustus. The Roman Empire: in the first century, Public Broadcasting Service, 2006.

Cartwright, Mark. Etruscan Civilization. Ancient History Encyclopedia. N.p., 24 Feb. 2017.

Web.

Egypt and North Africa. Macrohistory and World Time. Frank E. Smitha, 2015. Web.

McNeill, William. American Historical Association. Why Study History? N.p., 1985. Web.