Impressively, Roman government had three peaceful but sometimes chaotic stages that evolved throughout history. First, there were six kings who ruled after Romulus. The Roman Republic was the next phase, in which the two consuls has most of the power. Working with the consuls was the Senate, and it was comprised of prominent citizens. In approximately 50 BC, Julius Caesar became a consul. Because the people loved him like a god and since he was a great general who won lots of battles, he was then elected dictator for life. Jealous for power, the Senate savagely surrounded Julius and ended his life. Eventually, Julius’ great-nephew and adopted son Octavian emerged as emperor and started this third stage of government. His title was Augustus, which means “revered” or “exalted.” Roman government’s three stages – kings, a republic, and emperors – was an important part of history and Western civilization.
Did you know that one of the most famous wars in Greek history was the Second Persian War? It all started when the ruthless Persian king Xerxes was resolved to finish the work of his father Darius, who had unsuccessfully tried to conquer Greece in the First Persian War. Xerxes and a colossal force of resolute troops set out for the Greek city-state of Athens. It is difficult to validate, but some historians claim that the army was roughly two million men. Because the Greeks heard the Persians were coming, all the city-states united so they could fend them off. The city-state of Sparta sent 300 men to partake in the war. The Spartans were bold warriors with sure, sharp, and shiny swords. They fought with thousands of other Greek soldiers to block the passageway to Athens called Thermopylae. The courageous Greeks held the Persians off for three bloody, death-ridden days, which gave the people of Athens time to flee. Eventually, they were beaten because a traitor told the Persians of a secret mountain path. Even though there was nobody inside the city, the enemy still burnt Athens to the ground. But that wasn’t the end. A brilliant Greek leader lured the lilting Persian ships into a trap. He pretended to be a traitor and gave Xerxes fatal advice. The cunning Greek navy totally demolished the attacking ships, so the Greeks emerged victorious. “You haven’t seen the last of me!” bellowed the irate Xerxes. Although they lost Thermopylae and the mighty brave 300 Spartans, Greece was triumphant during the historic Second Persian War.
Moses and more than one million Israelites were leaving Egypt where they had been slaves. The radiant desert sun battered down on them, but they were joyous because they were free from 400 years of bondage. The people loudly sang and danced, and the sound of tambourines could heard from miles away. Even though the journey was arduous, the Hebrews gleefully celebrated since they were headed to the promised land, which would be their new home.
Just then the Israelites heard horses’ hooves trampling and they shockingly realized pharaoh’s ruthless army was behind them. They were petrified! The weary travelers gazed ahead and there lay the Red Sea. The people chided Moses and exclaimed, “Did you take us here to die?!” But Moses stated, “Fear not. Stand still and be stunned by the salvation of the Lord, which He shall show you today.” He lifted up his rod because he knew God was with him. The waters parted and Moses told them to walk through open-up path of humongous waves. “Are you sure we should do this?” one man asked. Another person shrieked, “We’re all going to drown if we listen to your bad advice, Moses!” However, Israelites obeyed him, and they cautiously continued on foot, carefully making it to the other side.
Pharaoh and his men, who were irate, tried to quickly go across, but Moses wiggled his rod. He vibrated it, the waves zoomed down, and the salty sea swept away the Egyptians. The Israelites thankfully bowed down to God because they were saved.