Got Roots?

Marcus Garvey put it best when he said “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/history). Like Garvey states, a knowledge of history gives us strength in the future, and a study of the civilizations throughout this semester have given me strength for my future as an officer in the Fleet. A few of these examples come from Athens and her Democracy, the inspirational teachings of Sun Tzu’s Art of War, and the conflict between the Christians and Muslims during the Crusades.

During the study of the Athenian Democracy and its comparison the modern American government, I recognized the pros and cons of each and how they applied to leading in the Fleet. One of the biggest benefits of the Athenian-run model was that everyone had a voice. Similarly as an officer I can foster a kind of environment where those I lead will feel welcome to voice their opinions. However an advantage that the current American model contains is the filter it provides by excluding non-relevant or radical ideas. This filter is necessary to the efficiency of the whole system and in the Fleet would be the officer.

While many of Sun Tzu’s teachings are applicable to leading in the Fleet, his emphasis on preparation before battle stands above the rest. In his book The Art of War he says “Victory belongs to the side that scores the most in the temple calculations before the battle” (The Art of War 3-8). While not everyone from the Academy will be directly involved in combat, there is a “battle” that each must face in order to achieve victory. For example a navigation team’s “temple calculations before the battle” could be anticipating weather conditions as they plot a ship’s route to ensure the safety of everyone on board. While seemingly insignificant, such decisions could be the difference between life and death.

Perhaps the most impactful takeaway comes from the study and role play of the crusade. A general misunderstanding of religion has led to some of the bloodiest battles in history, all in the name of God. The same issues that were fought over then are prevalent today, as the fight over the Holy Land continues. As a future officer in the Fleet, I need to recognize that people will be coming from different backgrounds and will have general stereotypes for or against their fellow sailors or marines. This allows me to prepare to be a mediator and educator in order to resolve conflicts and keep us working as a cohesive unit.

Overall this class has revealed examples from history to be learned from, and not repeated. Through an application of these lessons, I will grow the roots of my tree, strengthening me to handle the future. This provides me to not only become a better leader in the Fleet, but even after my time in the Fleet has ended.

WC: 489

Christianity and Islam: Do they really know each other?

Having been exposed to many different branches of Christianity in my life, the opportunity to learn about the Islamic faith has been enlightening. Interestingly enough, I found more similarities than stereotypical Christian views would care to admit. Quoting from the Quran in Sura 26:188,191,193,210: “188. My Lord knows what you do… 191. And most surely your Lord is Mighty, the Merciful… 193. The Faithful Spirit has descended with it… 210. And the devils will not have brought this down upon the unbelievers” A slight deviation between the two beliefs come in verse 210, where it appears that Islam believes in more than one devil whereas Christianity believes it to be a single being. While reading these passages I recognized that a few of the ways they refer to Allah, are the same used to refer to Jesus in the Bible, as well as possibly referring to a similar Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible. In Isaiah 30:29 Jesus is referred to as “the Mighty One of Israel,” and “the Lord of lords,” in 1 Timothy 6:15. Continuing on in the Quran, Sura 26:214 reveals an exact similarity with Christianity, it reads: “And warn your nearest relations.” While this verse may not seem like much, it carries the same meaning as Jesus’ declaration to his apostles in Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Commonly known as the Great Commission by Christians, it shows that Allah giving a similar command to his disciples, to share and invite others to learn. Lastly, and the most surprising to me, came from Sura 36:77, 79 as it reads: “77. Does not man see that We have created him from the small seed? Yet his is openly contentious…79. Say ‘He who first brought them into being will give them life again. He comprehends all creation.” Assuming that I am interpreting this correctly, it appears that Allah will bring those who have died, back to life. This is very similar to the Christian belief of Resurrection, as it reads in John 11:25-26: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

I do not believe that the intent of the two religions was to be mutually exclusive, personal interpretations have brought people of both faiths to extreme acts of violence in the name of their God. Sayyid Mawdudi, an Islamic commentator says in his book, The Meaning of the Quran: “One cannot understand fully many of the topics discussed in the Quran unless one is acquainted with the background of their revelation.” This statement is equally true for the revelations of the Bible, as verses from both books when taken out of context can appear contradictory. All in all, if there was an increase of neutral exposure to both faiths about the other, than I believe that there would be an increase in peace. Not to say that there would not be extremists on both sides, but that understanding in general will help these faiths live in harmony.

WC: 539

The Art of USNA

If there was a word to describe Sun Tzu, solely from his writings in The Art of War, it is tactician. Meaning “a person who uses a carefully planned strategy to achieve a specific end” (www.dictionary.com). This philosophy is evident as he preaches hand to hand combat as a last resort, maintaining that “ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting (The Art of War 15). This is an extremely effective way to overcome an enemy for when done correctly, is done without any loss of life. Using The Art of War as a template for what a commander should strive for, there are many similarities that the Naval Academy employs, and a few differences.

Keeping with the overarching theme of winning a battle before fighting, Tzu proclaims that “War is… a matter to be pondered carefully” and that “Victory belongs to the side that scores the most in the temple calculations before the battle” (The Art of War 3-8). Every midshipmen at the Academy forgoes a leadership curriculum designed to stimulate thought on the right vs. wrong in war, and highlights the qualities of a great leader. The course also includes extensive personal reflection of past experiences to promote self-improvement, which aligns perfectly with the teachings of Sun Tzu as he writes: “The general is the prop of the nation. When the prop is solid, the nation is strong. When the prop is flawed, the nation is weak” (The Art of War 17).

Lastly, Sun Tzu proclaims that before attacking in hand-to-hand combat, a commander should attack his enemy’s alliances. In keeping with this statement he states: “Without knowing the plans of the feudal lords, you cannot form alliances” (The Art of War 41). For this very reason, that each midshipmen is educated in the ways of their own government, as well as the history of other nations’ governments. This provides insight to the modern day conflicts that the United States is involved in, and allows more informed decision-making to be made.

If Sun Tzu were here today he would not agree with the praised stories of the Naval Academy. Sun Tzu taught: “In war, with forces ten to the enemy’s one, surround him; with five, attack him; with two, split in half. If equally matched, fight it out; if fewer in number, lie low; if weaker, escape” (The Art of War 16). This conflicts with the celebrated stories of the Naval Academy, The Battle of Thermopylae being one example. The story of a few thousand soldiers rising to fight an army numbering in the hundreds of thousands does not comply with the teachings of The Art of War. Especially when the author teaches that physical conflict is a last resort. The story of the Greeks standing up to the Persians is revered in the Academy however, even residing on the Superintendent’s books-to-read list. All in all The Art of War remains one of the most studied books in history, not only for military purposes, and is followed by many great institutions like the Naval Academy. Its doctrine of skillfully overcoming an enemy has saved many lives.

Blog Post #3

Christianity and Rome’s Impending Doom

-Pepe Tanuvasa

Seeing through the eyes of the Roman Empire, the spreading of a foreign religion would understandably raise suspicion and cause a close eye to be put on its followers. As individuals we each identify with unique things that divide our loyalty, religion being an essential aspect of this loyalty. When introduced to any new religion, it is easy to question how that will change the loyalty of those people, especially when such horrific tales about this religion were passed.

A main difference between the Roman theology and this new Christian religion was the singularity of the Christian God and how He was viewed. Unlike Romans, who believed that their gods and goddesses expressed human qualities and were subject to making mistakes, Christians believed in one God who was Almighty and perfect. The difference in the way that they view deity causes a lack of understanding, as the Romans were unable to comprehend one omnipotent being, who confusingly is also three different beings. In a debate at Mongke’s court regarding the number and supremacy of God or gods, William of Rubruck argued “’It is not God who created evil. Everything that exists is good.’ All the tuins were amazed at this statement and recorded it in writing as something erroneous and impossible…” (The Mongols and Their Successors 307). Seeing how this council reacted, it is easy to see the parallel to the reactions in Rome.

Along with this new religion came their practices, which when misconstrued, sound devious. In the words of a Roman governor Pliny the Younger to Emperor Trajan, “They had met regularly before dawn on a fixed day to chant verses alternately among themselves in honor of Christ, as if to a god” (Rome and Christianity 147).” Hearing of this news along with regards to what Christians referred to as ‘communion,’ where bread and wine was turned into the flesh and blood of their God, paints Christians as an inhumane cult. If those rumors weren’t enough to make a person wary, then hearing of a Christian baptism, where they died and then were reborn, would do just that.

All in all, the Roman public was understandably concerned with the rumors that surpassed the Christians, and were validated in its persecution of those followers. They were righto fear this foreign religion and their hostility towards its people is admissible, as it was for the good of their Empire.

Word Count: 409

Blog Post #2

Given James Madison’s differentiation between the ancient and modern democracies in The Federalist, the current model of democracy is a better way to govern. This is true because the modern model of democracy retains many of the great things mentioned in Pericles’ Funeral Oration, while also making improvements in its overall effectiveness.

In his Funeral Oration Pericles describes what makes democracy great, “still although we have equality at law for everyone… we do not let our system of rotating public offices undermine our judgments of a candidate’s virtue” (Pericles’ Funeral Oration 40). Pericles’ statement that the best men are given power in democracy based on merit remains true today, with the inclusion of women. Similarly, the modern model of democracy follows the same mindset in preparing for war. “We leave our city open to all; and we have never expelled strangers in order to prevent them from learning or seeing things that… might give an advantage to the enemy… our enemies train to be men from early youth… we live a more relaxed life and still take on the dangers as great as they do” (Pericles’ Funeral Oration 41). Our modern immigration policy has never turned away any of those seeking shelter, even if we were at odds with their country. And unlike the Spartans, our current military is made up of volunteers who have lived relatively relaxed lifestyles versus those countries where service is mandatory, and we still remain the victor.

Some would argue that today there is little to no representation in areas where selected representatives fail in completing policies promised while they were running for office. To this I would agree, but I would argue that it is the exception rather than the rule. Though this comes at a sacrifice to some, the system of elected representatives allows for organized discussion, versus the unorderly mess that sometimes was Athenian assemblies. In an excerpt from The Old Oligarch, it argues that it is better for assemblies to allow the worst, least credible people to speak, because it will fall on deaf ears due to their unreliability. This is no longer the case today, with the world of social media and the rapid expansion of the nation, one’s credibility cannot be solidified by the majority of people. Baseless accusations are taken seriously in the same way that serious credibility issues are lost in the confusion. Overall the advantages of the ancient government reside in the modern model, containing only changes that “[are] managed not for a few people, but for the majority” (Pericles’ Funeral Oration 40).

Blog Post #1

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest surviving pieces of literature to date, and has been the basis of many literary sources in modern times. It has been written in many contexts, including fictional and nonfictional works, however caution must be applied by the reader as historical facts can be stretched and other information added that is not accurate. The Enchantress: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel is a fictional series written by Michael Scott, following a set of twins foretold to either save or destroy the world. This conquest is guided by an immortal human named Nicholas Flamel who seeks other immortal beings to empower the twins with knowledge in the different elements of magic. This process of learning magic is referred to as being ‘Awakened’ and is incredibly dangerous, often times resulting in death. Along the twins’ journey one of these ancient beings they encounter is Gilgamesh, who is introduced as the first and oldest immortal human, having been alive since the beginning of time.

The author describes him as a filthy, scrawny, old man who due to his long life struggles to retain or recall any memories. But due to his extensive knowledge of magic, he is sought after to educate the twins as a final resort. Comparing Scott’s description in The Enchantress to the man portrayed in the beginning of the Epic of Gilgamesh, they appear to be complete opposites. In the Epic he is portrayed as a great king, “this is the shepherd of the city, wise, comely, and resolute… A goddess made him, strong as a savage bull, none can withstand his arms.” This description of Gilgamesh clashes greatly with how he is portrayed in The Enchantress. However later in the Epic, after the death of his best friend he becomes a shadow of himself, so afraid of death that he spends the rest of his days in search of eternal life.

These characteristics can appear to describe two different people, however both are Gilgamesh. The latter is the person that is portrayed in The Enchantress. Aside from memory loss and potential lunacy, the character comparison of The Enchantress is very similar to the Epic. I believe Scott chose to portray Gilgamesh in this light because it included another variable of unknown to the plot. Being that the process of learning the magic could possibly mean death, suspense was only added as the person administering the ‘Awakening’ was a deranged old king. As a young reader having The Enchantress be my first exposure to Gilgamesh, I naively did not question the author’s portrayal. Sadly it would be years later until I would finally be introduced to the error of my view. While the description of Gilgamesh in The Enchantress does a fantastic job of catching the reader’s attention, it errs on the side of exaggeration and is not the way history should be written because of its lack of accuracy.