History Mythbusthers: The Trojan Horse

The Trojan Horse 

     Sometimes fact and fiction mix together. Just like a rumor someone tells you can be distorted and changed, so can history and myths. The truth and stories get past down and pretty soon you’re not sure what is fiction and what is truth. An example of this is the tale of the Trojan Horse.

     The Trojan Horse is best known from being in The Iliad. Supposedly, the Greeks sneak into Troy by hiding in a giant wooden horse and giving it to the Trojans. The Trojans are for sure that this gift is a peace offering and eagerly accept it. However, later that night, the Greek army jumps out of the horse and attacks the city.

     That is the story, but is it true? Well, to answer that question, no. In actuality, there was no Trojan Horse, at least as far as we are aware of. There are no actual facts or evidence that shows otherwise. However, even though the horse was not real, the city of Troy was actually a real city, that some people speculate was destroyed by an earthquake;

     Now you may be thinking, “Okay, Homer just made up the horse part so his story is more interesting.” That could be true, however some people suggest the horse was used as a metaphor for Poseidon. The god Poseidon was the god of seas and earthquakes, and was known to be associated with horses. Since the city of Troy was said to be destroyed by an earthquake, some believe the Trojan Horse represents that, and believe Homer used that horse to destroy the city in his story to make his tale more dramatic.

     So, there really was no actual giant wooden horse that destroyed a city. However there was an actual city and it really was destroyed.

Sources:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/05/0514_040514_troy_2.html

http://www.trojanhorsefacts.com/truthormyth.html

Picture:

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/19300/19346/trojanhorse_19346.htm

Great Leaders are People Too!

When you think of a great leader, what comes to mind?  Maybe a president, someone who led a revolution from long ago, or perhaps maybe even a favorite teacher.  Whoever the leader is, they all have somethings in common:  they make great achievements, however they're not perfect.  Just because they can make huge achievements doesn't mean they are going to win 100% of the time.  While reaching their goal, or plan, chances are more than not, that they will have at least some setbacks.  Nothing ever goes completely according to plan, and I think people need to realize that when counting on an important leader.  For example, the people who fought in the Revolutionary War and worked to make America a free country.  There were difficulties and struggles, but the leaders helped overcome the troubles.  In my opinion, I think that is what makes a great leader; not someone who is perfect and has everything go perfectly, but someone who, despite the struggles, overcomes them and makes the outcome great.

~Theresa~

Life with NO ALPHABET??

Life with no alphabet would be, plainly put, bad.  Without the alphabet I wouldn't even be writing this post...I wouldn't even have a computer!  Without the alphabet life would be so much harder.  There'd be no texting, email, even letters you send in the real mail!  There'd be no books, and the world would be so much more disconnected.  The news and stories that would be around, would always have some part exaggerated or forgotten.  Look how easy it is with the alphabet to have stories and news distorted so much there is no truth at all...imagine how it would be without someone able to write it down and set things straight.   People from other countries would have no way to communicate, but in person.  There would probably be very little technology..must technology involves at least a couple of words!

As I sit in my room typing this now, I'm looking around me and seeing all the letters and words around me.  From my books and CDs on their shelves to the labels all over my room from when my sister and I went crazy with my label maker, to something as simple as the label on my guinea pig's bag of food and the tag stamped on my T-shirt, there are words everywhere!  With out the alphabet none of those words would have existed.  Think about all the food that has labels on it...you would have no idea when you went to the store if you were getting Captain Crunch or Trix.  Let's face it, if the alphabet were to just somehow disappear right now, I imagine 99% of us would have no idea what to do with our lives; we'd probably just sit and stare at the wall.  It's crazy to think that at one time, even if it was incredibly long ago, there was no alphabet.  Can you imagine what it must have been like to people when the alphabet was first being invented?  There were probably some people who thought it wouldn't catch on, while others probably hoped for the future with this new alphabet thing.  Then again, maybe because there was no alphabet, people didn't even know what was going on.

Anyway, I feel like I'm starting to ramble, so, I'm going to conclude this.  The alphabet is super awesome and important and without it, today's life could not even begin to exist.  Today's world, with all its different ways to communicate, couldn't last one day without the alphabet.  I'm so glad there's an alphabet, without it, life would be so much harder, and we would miss out on so much.

~ Theresa ~

Resumes, Resumes, Resumes

     For the past week, we've been learning about resumes.  For me, before this week, whenever I thought of resumes, I didn't really think of their importance to me.  Yes, I knew resumes were super important when it comes to getting a job, but I guess I figured when it was time I needed to turn in a resume for a job, I would just whip one up really quick.  However, because of last week's lessons, I really started to realize, that I need to learn how to make one now.  There are people younger than me who have jobs!  I could literally, theoretically speaking, start sending in job applications and resumes today, and because of that, I'd need a resume. Also, in order for it to look good, I really need to put some time and thought into mine - especially since I have no job experience.
     I really learned a lot this past week when it comes to making resumes.  It was also encouraging to me because even though I've never had a job before, my resume doesn't have to be blank.  I can put activities I've done/do on there.  Of course, I'm still learning and my resume doesn't look perfect.  However, I know that, with time, my resume will look great and it will be able to show future employers who I am and why they should hire me!

~ Theresa ~

Hello!

Hello!  This is my first blog post ever, so I'll introduce myself a little bit.

     My name is Theresa, I'm a Christian, and I'm in the 12th grade.  I'm a happy person that loves laughing. I have a great mom and dad, three sisters, Lauren, Katiann, and Hannah, and a bunch of pets.  Katie moved out about a year and a half ago when she got married.  They now have a 3 month old little girl; my niece is the cutest baby ever - or at least to all of us she is! Haha.
     I love dancing and ever since I was 6, I have taken ballet.  I love reading; some of my favorite books are the Uglies series, Nancy Drew series, the Twilight saga, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Matilda, and the Dreamhouse Kings series.  I also enjoy watching old TV shows, like Family Affair, the Patty Duke Show, Leave it to Beaver, the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, etc.
     One last thing you should probably know, is that I love all things related to Nancy Drew.  Ever since I was a little kid, I've loved her.  I read the books, play the computer games, and have watched all the Nancy Drew movies.  I've just always been a big fan! Haha :)

Well, that's all for now!
~ Theresa ~