Axis Age/ Golden Age in Greece

It is November 1st, 430 BC, and I will now conduct an interview with Pericles, a prominent figure hailing from Athens, Greece.

Q: Hello, and thank you for your time.  Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself to begin the questionaire?

A: I would be delighted.  My name is  Pericles, I was born in 495 BC; and Athens has been under my control since around 461 BC.  I am a statesman as well as an Athenian general, and have had many great accomplishments in my time so far.  I am also a firm enforcer of direct democracy among the people, as I believe it is the form of government that will bring us the most success.  I am well known for my brilliant military strategies in the recent Persian War, as well as the Parthenon, a temple I recently ordered the building of in order to honor our victory over Persia.  Many people also consider the period of my rule to be the period of Golden Age of Greece.  I will go into more details on this later in the interview.

Q: When did the Golden Age of Greece begin?

A: I believe this "Golden Age" you speak of began when we (the Greeks) triumphed over Persia in the final Persian Wars around 448 BC.  At this time, life began to settle down, and since our people were no longer constantly worrying about battle, the arts and culture began to prosper.




Q: Why was this time considered the Golden Age?

A: This wonderful time in our Grecian history was considered the Golden Age because when men began to have extra time on their hands, great advances were mad in art, science, literature, architecture, technology, and philosophy. Large advancements were also made in currency, and the creation of a Treasury.  Many temples and other extravagant buildings were rebuilt after being destroyed in wars of the past.  The arts of ceramics and sculpting also began to emerge during this time.  Play writing and theater also grew, as well as philosophy and mathematics with people such as Plato and Socrates.

Q: What brought about the end of the Golden Age?

A: The Golden Age is said to have come to an end very, very recently, as a war has broken out between my state of Athens and Sparta, a growing superpower.  The Spartans are very opposed to the Delian Leagues being supremely ruled by Athenians, and are willing to fight for power.  Once this war, now known as the Peloponnesian War, began, our prime Golden Age of Greece began to decline.

Q: On a side note, who did the Greeks contribute to the Axis Age and how?

A: The axis age, a period of advancement in science and philosophy around the world, began many years ago, and we have contributed many great beings to this era over time.  Our contributions began with the great Athenian philosopher by the name of Socrates, who then trained Plato, who went on to teach Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers of all time.

 Thank you so much for your time and knowledge Pericles!

Alexander the Great

It is February 3rd, 325 BC, and I am delighted to have Alexander the Great here with me to conduct an interview about himself!

Q: How did you come into power over Greece?

A: I came into power when my father, Philip II, the current king of Macedonia, was assasinated.   A young Persian murdered my dear father, after he was supposedly offended by Philip's father-in-law, Attalus.  I obviously was the heir to the throne, and began my reign over Greece in 336 BC.



Q: Were there any noteworthy events in your young life?

A: In my years before becoming King of Greece, when my father was still an important figure in my life, I was tutored by the great philosopher Aristotle.  He taught me science, math, and also some of his philosophical beliefs.  These tutoring sessions contributed to my military intelligence later on in my reign.  My father also gave me a few small military opportunities in my teen years.



Q: Explain your military conquests in places such as Persia.

A: Of course!  When I first came into power, I was very nervous that another assassination or rebellion might ensue, and I quickly executed any rebels or opposing parties that came across my path.  One of my first, and probably most memorable conquests was that of Persia.  In 334 BC, I took thousands of my Macedonian soldiers to fight the great Persians, under the rule of King Darius III.  We easily crushed their army, losing just over 100 men only.  A few years later a few other battles ensued, and eventually brought about the end of the Persian empire.



Q: What happened when you entered Egypt?

A: In 331 BC, my armies and I traveled into Egypt, and were welcomed very warmly.  A city, now known as Alexandria, was created in my honor, and I was crowned Pharaoh of Egypt.



Q: How has Hellenism played a role in your career?

A: As I have ruled Greece over the years, the world has become more and more Hellenistic.  Hellenism is the spreading of Greek culture and religious beliefs throughout the world.  I also recently built many new Hellenistic European cities.

Thank you for your time!

Julius Caesar/ Fall of the Roman Republic

Today I will conduct an interview with Julius Caesar dealing with the Fall of the Roman Republic.  The date is 45 BC.


Q: It is a pleasure to meet you.  Explain your rise to power and early years.

A: Surely.  I am Gaius Julius Caesar, and I was born in 100 BC and lived all of my early years in Rome.  In my late teens, my father died, and I was suddenly in charge of my family.  I quickly became interested in politics and military, and gained popularity after the current dictator, Sulla, died.  I joined the army, and from then on, my political and military career just grew greater and greater.



Q: What happened at Gaul?  What other important military events have occurred in your recent career?

A: I consider myself a commander of great strength, and amazing military skill.  I have no fears.  In 58 BC, I led my army to Gaul to take control of even more people and land.  My army was led by my trusted general, Mark Antony.  With brilliant military tactics and help from the Roman cavalry, we defeated the Gauls and my power became more apparent.  At this time, a man named Pompey also shared political power in Rome, and he began to become very jealous.  He tried to get me to disband my army, but that made me even angrier.  In 49 BC, I famously led my armies across the Rubicon River into Italy and defeated Pompey.  This left me as the sole ruler of Rome, and soon established myself as the dictator.



Q: Relating to the last question, how was the Roman Republic different from an Empire?

A: The Roman Republic was much more of a democratic form of government than anything else, with the highest officials being the two consuls (formerly Pompey and myself).  A republic also can call for a dictator if necessary.  In an Empire, there is a clear king, and power is taken through heredity.



Q: What were the rising problems with the Roman Republic?

A: This Republic has had many, many issues in the recent years.  These problems began when Rome fought Carthage in the Punic Wars, and have continued for many years.  We are constantly engaged in civil war, fighting over whether power should be given to the senate or elected leaders.  Many slave uprisings have also occurred recently.



Q:  Explain your accomplishments in your late years of rule.

A: Once  I took over, I created many reforms to try to repair the Roman Republic, but few were successful.  I also invented the Julian Calender, appointed Cleopatra as ruler of Egypt, and wrote many wonderful books.



Thank you so much Julius!




Caesar was killed in 44 BC, and this led to even more turmoil in Rome.  Mark Antony, his general and Octavian, his grandnephew, tried to find the killers, but soon ended up in a war themselves.  In 31 BC, Octavian defeated Mark Antony along with his partner in crime, Cleopatra.  Octavian then became the leader of Rome, and this event mainly led to the Fall of the Roman Republic.  Octavian was later renamed Augustus, and acted as close to a King as he could.  This brought about the beginning of the Roman Empire, and Augustus was the first King.

Constantine the Great

I am extremely honored to be here with Constantine the Great for an exclusive interview.  The date is 330 AD.


Q: It is wonderful to have you with us today.  Let's begin the interview by discussing your childhood in brief.

A: Of course.  I was born under the name of Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus in 274 AD in Naissus.  At the time of my birth, the east and west were divided under the Roman emperor, Diocletian.  My father, Constantinus, ruled over Western Europe under Diocletian, and I frequently assisted him.  When he died in 306, I was named the heir, and this became the beginning of my Roman reign.



Q: What important actions did you take once you came into power?

A: I myself take great pride in the beliefs of Christianity, and once I came into power I strove to convert all of Europe to Christianity.  At this time, the power of the Roman Empire was divided among four emperors, myself being one of them.  In 312 I fought a fierce battle with Maxentius, one of the other co-emperors.  This battle, known as the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, ended in my favor, and after this victory, this system of power division began to decline.  I became the sole role ruler of Rome, and this victory also inspired my great conversion of Europe to Christianity.  I hoped to united Europe under religion in times of war.  I am also the first Christian Roman Emperor in history. Also during my reign, I issued the Edict of Milan, which we will discuss later.



Q: What city did you establish based on your own name? Explain.

A: During the early years of my reign, the Byzantine Empire was on the rise.  I moved the capital of Byzantium to Constantinople, and this city became a wonderful, worldly-known city very soon.  Constantinople is now one of the most prosperous, wealthy cities in the world, with beautiful architecture, religion, and a steady economy.



Q:  What is the Edict of Milan?

A: The Edict of Milan is a letter created by myself and Emperor Licinius of Eastern Rome in 313 AD.  This document grants all people of Europe freedom of religion, and therefore the right to practice any religion of their choosing at no persecution.



Thank you so much for your time Constantine!

 

Rome sacked/falls to Barbarians

I am here this afternoon for a first person account of the Sack of Rome with Alaric.  It is 410 AD.


Q: Hello, my name is Julia Wilkins.  Would you please start by telling us a little bit about your early years?

Certainly.  My name is Alaric and I was born in 370 AD on an island near the Danube River into the Gothic culture.  My parents were fairly well off, and I was destined for a bright career.  At this time, Theodosius was the Emperor of Rome, and in 394 AD I worked as a general in the tribal German troops, known as the foederati.  This was the beginning of my military career.



Q: Who are the Visigoths?

A: The Visigoths are members of a branch of Goths in Rome who have been involved with many wars and conquests in their attempt to conquer Rome.  Around 378, we fought in a series of wars known as the Gothic Wars against the Roman Empire.  We Visigoths are also considered Barbarians.  After serving in the foederati and following the death of Theodosius, I became King of the Visigoths in 394 AD.



Q: What was the reasoning behind the Siege of Rome in 410 AD?

A: Prior to our fantastical attack, the Huns, led by the powerful general Attitla, had been causing us trouble for many years.  They were constantly trying to create trouble, and in the years prior to 410, had began to surround us.  Our only escape and next option of conquest would be to turn into the Roman Empire, and that is what we did.  We first entered Italy, and waited outside the gates of Rome, demanding money from Honorius, who was inside.  After refusing to pay for practically two years, we finally managed to get in.  On August 24, 410 AD, my Barbarian Visigoth troops besieged the city of Rome and looted it for all it had.



Q: How did this impact the Roman Empire?

A: After looting Rome as well as raping and murdering many of its innocent residents, we had control of the Roman Empire.  This brought about the fall of the Western Roman Empire.  Our victory was the first time that the Empire of Rome has lost to an enemy ever, besides the attempt made by the Gauls.  This showed that the Roman Empire was on a decline, and the army was quickly weakening.  The Romans underestimated our outside forces at this time, and the consequences were shocking to them.  They were stunned that someone could beat them, and I am amazingly proud to have been the leader of our amazing Visigoths at this time.


Thank you so much Alaric!

William the Conqueror

I am very happy to have William the Conqueror here with me for a valuable  interview about his life accomplishments. The date is is 1086 AD.

Q: Why was your birth so controversial?  Also share any details about your early life as Duke of Normandy.

A: I was born in 1027 to my my father Robert and my mother Hervela.  My blood parents were never married, and my mother was married to someone else, and therefore I was considered an illegitimate child.  My father Robert was the duke of Normandy at the time.  In 1035, my father died, and although I was illegitimate and  only seven years old, I was the only living son and therefore was the heir to the throne.  At seven years old, I was the Duke of Normandy, and already was hated by many people.  Many nobles and barons did not believe I should have become Duke, and many murder plots were made because of my illegitimacy.



Q: What controversy was surrounding the English throne at this time?

A: Around 1050, Edward the Confessor, the King of England, died, and there was no clear heir to the throne.  In 1066, four people, including myself, wanted the throne.  These men were Harold, Harald, Edgar, and myself.  In October of 1066, the feud was narrowed between myself and Harold.  I triumphed in the fierce Battle of Hastings.  This is how I came to be called William the Conqueror.



Q: Explain your Domesday Book?

A: Certainly.  After becoming King of England after many years of fighting, I knew that changes must be made in order to be a very good leader.  In 1085, I sent thousands of landholding nobles and barons to take a very detailed census of all of England.  They collected information on everything about every piece of land, its owners, its value, its history, and even household objects for this census.  This information was then brought back to me and just a few weeks ago was written up in book form.  The reason behind this massive survey is to determine taxes and how landholding has changed since the rule of Edward the Confessor.



Q: How did you play a role in the creation of the idea of an Executive Branch?

A: I play a role in the idea of this "Executive Branch" that you speak of because many of  my customs relating to how a 'president' in your country might act.  I have many methods of controlling land that are similar to how a president manages courts and other policies.  I gained a lot of new land from granting fiefs to Norman lords and Churches, but I keep much of my land for myself.  I also closely monitor the castles, and I have recently forced all vassels to swear allegiance today.  These facts, as well as my system of high rule with lower rulers (like a president with senators and representatives).


Thank you so much William!  It has been an honor talking to you!

Battle of Tours

Today, October 16th, 735,  I will be interviewing Charles Martel, a great Frankish ruler, about the Battle of  Tours as well as a few other topics.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself please!

A: Sure!  I am Charles Martel, and I have been a wonderful leader of the Franks for many years.  I was born in what is mow modern-day Belgium, and have been involved in battles for most of my life.  I am known for my military genius and strategy, and led the Franks to a monumental victory over the Muslim in the Battle of Tours, where I earned the nickname Charles 'The Hammer" Martel.



Q: Before we get into to much depth about the Battle of Tours, could you explain who the Franks are?

A: Yes, the Franks are a Germanic tribe of Christians that have controlled much of Europe in the past few years and are always looking for new lands to conquer.  The Frankish people first settled along the Rhine River, and since then have migrated throughout Europe.  Many Franks today also live in the European region of Gaul.



Q: What was the Battle of Tours?

A: This epic battle just a few years ago was considered to be one of the most history-changing battles of all time.  Prior to this battle, the Umayyad Caliphate of Muslims had been rapidly moving moving through Western Europe, trying to convert as many places as possible to Islam instead of Christianity.  These Muslims had also recently invaded our territory of Gaul.  I foresaw a final attack on our territory, and had begun to train a large army of citizens to fight.  When the Muslims, led by Abd-er Rahman, finally arrived, we were ready.  The Muslims were not prepared for such a good army on our side and were very intimidated.  After more than a seven day battle, we triumphed over the Muslims, and our mission was accomplished!  This is why I am called Charles 'The Hammer" Martel today.



Q: Why was this battle so important?

A: This Battle was very important because the Frankish triumph stopped the Muslim invasion of Western Europe.  Without this, Europe would have been overtaken completely by Muslim rule, and the balance of Islam and Christianity throughout Europe would be completely different than it is today.




Thank you so much for your time Charles!  It is appreciated!