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Corey Dziadzio

Kimberly Lark

History 134

04/22/2018

Portfolio Reflection:

As a historian of the ancient world there are so many lessons that I've learned from my

ancestors. Although some can prove to be more valuable than others, every aspect of my

ancestors' lives could be pinpointed down to each detail for me and the work to model in my own

life for the betterment of the culture and society I surround myself with all thanks to them. One

of the themes that I found inspiring in this semester and throughout history is the inspiration and

endeavors of those who partook in the formation and spreading of religion, tradition and morals.

I believe that these qualities played a monumental role in the shaping of character of my direct

ancestors. With morals being taught from grandparents to parents and so on from the parents

down to their children, living responsibly and hopefully playing huge roles as contributors with

their own culture and societies they lived amongst.

One of the most influential civilizations that I have discovered throughout this course is

the classical Greece civilization (learned in Module 5). The Greek religion was always close in

the thoughts of the ancient Greeks. The morals presented through the religion were incorporated

into the structure and function of the government and the society. Individuals of this culture

believed that many Gods existed and they all represented something different that was related

directly to the individual lives that were led1. The Greeks believed that these Gods could

influence their affairs in both a positive and negative way. The way that they worked to keep
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their affairs positive was by providing praise to the Gods through various acts of piety and

worship (“Greek Religion”).

The main example that I believed that drove the people to act responsibly for the

betterment of their society was the tough focus on personal religion and the constant search for

approval and help from the Gods through signs (“Greek Religion”). I have learned from the high

standards set by the ancient Greeks that everyone has the duty to live the most successful life that

they can for not only themselves, but for others. Sometimes in the form of a God, or in a more

general case, for the society and world we live in.

In addition to the ancient Greek civilization, the King of Israel, more specifically the

Hebrew, was also a civilization that used religion as a basis for the way they acted and supported

their society as individuals. Under religious beliefs, a Hebrew named Moses helped his people

out of slavery in Egypt and into the promised land of Canaan (“Israel”). Through this act I can

learn from the past in two ways; one, from the failed attempts of courageous leaders who were

seeking a positive life for their people. Secondly, for the successful attempts of these leaders.

The successful attempts of people who strived for a better society can be interpreted and applied

to problems that my society and culture is facing today (“Why Study History?”). Through the

examples of my ancestors I can learn how to make a difference; in the case of the Hebrew the

difference was following religion.

Under the new capital of Jerusalem ruled by King David, the city was culturally

structured under the fear of God (“Israel”). It was this fear that the people bounded themselves to

guide them in the paths to make responsible decisions for the hope of a brighter future. Ideas

have always been shared between people (“Why Study History?”). The fear bestowed by the

religion was common among everyone's thoughts. It did not take long for the ideas they shared to
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spread among thousands of other people in the past, and even today. My people and I are some

of these people affected by the faith in Christianity and the pressures to live a good life that

would be accepted by my feared and loved God. We are considered a group a people that act

because of shared ideas and beliefs that were once present in the past. We learned from the trust

we have in the past like many others.

Finally, the civilization of Imperial India: the Mauryan Empire (learned in module 7).

This civilization too was one greatly affected by their religious beliefs and morals. Under the

Mauryan Empire the religion most heavily respected and practiced was Buddhism. This religion

sparked from the acts of a single man who viewed the world’s sufferings and set out to find a

peaceful solution3. Buddha alone is an excellent example of an individual directly affected by a

religion as he worked for the betterment of his society and the future of others. His teachings

included the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. All of which were guides on how to live

life responsibly for the peacefulness of others. It is remarkable the impact the Buddhist religion

had on Imperial India. Under the reign of Asoka, the population experienced an extensive time of

peace. This time encouraged prosperity in the government through agriculture and trade

(“Civilization: The Mauryan Empire of Ancient India”). Though this amazing event I can learn

that it is possible for societies to come together as a whole to achieve what they want, in this case

peace, through the powerful tool of religion and strong morals spread.

Through studying different religions, one can become educated and find their own

personal inspirations and beliefs. Through this powerful method of religion, real changes can be

made in the world. For example, the impact these traditions had on the civilizations of ancient

Greece, the Kingdom of Israel, and Imperial India. “Institutions that govern a great deal of our

everyday behavior took shape hundreds or even thousands of years ago,” (“Why Study
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History?). I believe the primary institution that has achieved this for the present culture and

society that I participate in today is derived from the different religions of the past. They all

contained a similar message in living a good life through good works and responsible decision

making for the betterment of society. Many people, including myself, have studied the past and

the way that individuals lived and affected the structures of their government and culture through

religion and strong morals. These people who have studied the successes and failures of the past

are able to apply the experiences in the past to situations today to better themselves and the

situations around them (“Why Study History?”).

I believe most people are inspired through religion from the past whether they realize it

or not. The morals that families follow and believe in most likely all stemmed from a religious

ideal somewhere in time. Applying all I know about religion and the past makes me a qualified

person to be considered responsible and a citizen who lives for the betterment of the society and

future of others.

Works Cited
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Cartwright, Mark. “Ancient Greek Religion.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient

History Encyclopedia, 13 Mar. 2018, www.ancient.eu/Greek_Religion/.

“The Mauryan Empire of Ancient India.” TimeMaps,

www.timemaps.com/civilizations/the-mauryan-empire/.

Mark, Joshua J. “Israel.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia,

31 July 2010, www.ancient.eu/israel/.

McNeill, William H. “Why Study History?” American Historical Association. American

Historical Association, 1985. Web.