Essays and Research Papers on Mixed Issues in Western Civilization

A 10 page paper which examines Catherine the Great’s accomplishments. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 5 page paper discusses the actions and decisions of Cleopatra, and why she behaved as she did. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 7 page paper considers what non-literary evidence (such as coins, temples, contests and gladiatorial combats for example) can tell us about the culture in which they took place. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 4 page paper examines two of the civilizations described in Jared Diamond’s book “Collapse,” why they fell, and what they might have done differently. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses major trends that occurred during the period 1500-1800. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper describes events from the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Eras that seem to have been repeated in more modern times. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses Steven Pressfield’s historical novel “Gates of Fire,” a fictional account of the battle of Thermopylae. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 14 page paper considers what we can learn about ancient cultures from non-literary evidence such as coins and inscriptions. It also discusses the controversy that arises over the authenticity of such items. Bibliography lists 13 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the Crusades. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

In 312, the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Or did he? This 11 page paper evaluates several sources to see what they say about his alleged conversion, and argues that there is simply no way to tell whether or not the conversion was a genuine religious experience, or politically expedient. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 7 page discussion of the differences in the ways these ancient historians produced their historical accounts. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 5 page paper considers some of the factors that led to the fall of the Roman Empire, and argues that while none might have brought down the Empire by itself, combined, and coming quickly as they did, made the collapse inevitable. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 3 page paper explores the relationship among the Reformation, Counter-Reformation and Scientific Revolution. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper evaluates the potential for conflict. Samuel P. Huntington's ideas are the focus of this paper. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page analysis of The Magic Lantern by Timothy Garton Ash. No additional sources cited.

This 4 page paper discusses what has been most successful in developing the western way of war and argues that it (technology) will continue in the future. Bibliography lists 1 source.

3 pages in length. The French Revolution quickly turned into a relentless deluge of death that culminated by creating a Republic and executing the king and queen. From its roots as a constitutional reform movement instigated by an assemblage of aristocrats to its ultimate climax that left people fearful of whose hands would ...

This 3 page paper discusses mummies, concentrating on those of ancient Egypt. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

4 pages in length. Napoleon Bonaparte was a man with an agenda, a ruler with a design for defeat. How he went about reaching his objective is found in the manner by which he both continued and broke from the aims of his revolutionary predecessors. The battleground was where much of his ...

This 8 page paper discusses the biases found in the works of Thucydides, Tacitus, Herodotus and Plutarch, and what the cause of these biases may be. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 3 page paper the reforms of Cleisthenes which facilitated the transition from oligarchy and aristocracy to democracy in ancient Athens, discussing what was 'democratic' about his structure of trittyes. The bibliography cites 4 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines why the fall of the Roman Empire is interesting. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 5 page report discusses the Greek general and betrayer, Alcibiades’ (circa 450-404 BC) role in the Peloponnesian War. Alcibiades took full advantage of anybody’s weaknesses and created numerous situations in which Athens was at a disadvantage due to his manipulations. He can best be described as both “ill-fated” and “opportunistic.” His duplicitousness most certainly ...

A 3 page overview of the situation that resulted in ancient Rome regarding the displacement of farmers to the city. The author discusses the methods that were utilized to correct these problems. Bibliography lists 1 source.