History of Babylon

HISTORY OF BABYLON

The empire of the Babylonians :


Babylonia was an empire in ancient Mesopotamia the area between the rivers Tigris and

the Euphrates in what is now Iraq about 60 miles south of Baghdad. The Amorites founded 

Babylon. After the Amorites dominated the Kassites on the rich and centuries Babylonia was

later added to the empire of the Assyrians. Then the Chaldeans followed, which made 

Babylonia again powerful. The Babylonians were great astronomers and mathematicians. 

Also dates the oldest known and preserved laws of this realm. Eventually, Babylon 

incorporated into the Persian Empire.


The Rise of Babylon


Mesopotamia was many centuries ago a small Kingdom. Mesopotamia was the area

between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates in modern Iraq. The name of the kingdom

was Babylonia. 


In about 1894 BC (possibly later) were the Amorites people who founded the kingdom. 

Babylonia was not big nor powerful, but here came quickly change. Hammurabi was 

namely around 1792 BC sixth ruler of the Amorites. Under his reign included the city of 

Akkad and conquered the area Sumer, Assyria as well. Thus, Babylon became the most 

powerful empire in Mesopotamia. In 1750 BC Hammurabi died. After his death were 

different peoples in the region. In 1595 BC, the Hittites sacked the government, then the 

Kassites conquered Babylon in the same year.


A troubled period


Babylon remained so long a mighty empire under the Amorites. More than four hundred

years long, from about 1595 to 1155 BC, the Kassites ruled over Babylonia. When

the people of the Kassites in 1155 BC collapsed, broke a troubled the period in which the 

power of Babylonia had been lost. if both the Assyrians Elamites were trying to gain 

influence in the kingdom. Was around 1126 BC Nebuchadnezzar I became the new king. 

Under his reign, which lasted until 1105 Christ found a revival of the rich place, but this did 

not last long. Also, the Chaldeans Babylonia attacked several times inside. Eventually, King 

added Tiglatpileser of Assyria, Babylon around 730 BC to his empire. Tiglatpileser dropped 

then king of Babylonia crowns.


Again a mighty empire :

Ashurbanipal  was the last great king of the Assyrians. After being in 627 BC

died began an end coming to the Assyrian empire. Nabopolassar, of the Chaldean people,

began a rebellion against the Assyrians. In 626 BC he defeated the Assyrians and he 

became king of Babylon. Nabopolassar ruled until 605 BC and was succeeded by his son 

Nebuchadnezzar II. In conquered around 597 BC Judah, Nebuchadnezzar II (southern 

Palestine). Also fighting Babylonia and Egypt to Syria, Babylonia wins the battle. Thus the 

kingdom of the Babylonians again a mighty empire. Nebuchadnezzar had put down many 

beautiful buildings in the capital, Babylon and allowed the city again flourish.


Gods and buildings :


The Babylonians believed in different gods. A number they had taken over from other 

peoples, such as the Sumerians who lived in Mesopotamia for them. Marduk was the 

principal god of the Babylonians, he was also the patron of Babylon. Marduk was 

worshiped in a temple in the capital and priests brought him sacrifices in the form of food. 

Other gods were, for example, Enlil, the god of the wind, and Ishtar, the goddess of fertility, 

love, war and sex. Babylonia had a rich architecture. Especially King Nebuchadnezzar II left

many buildings put down. When in 689 BC, an Assyrian king, the capital city of Babylon

destroyed, Nebuchadnezzar II, there was an impressive city. He left the city feature walls 

with gates of bronze. The main gate of this was the Ishtar Gate. The blue-tiled gate was 

built in honor of the goddess Ishtar. also showed Nebuchadnezzar II a grand palace and 

the temple-tower of Babylon, dedicated to Marduk, build. A well-known story is that of the 

Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar II would this has let build for his wife Amytis 

because they where they were born the green field missed was. These gardens hung the 

most beautiful plants from terraces down. There is still debate, but probably these gardens 

never really existed and a legend.


Science and the Codex :



The Babylonians were great mathematicians and astronomers. So they used a

sexagesimal system to count (which we know still include the use of

the clock). They also found all of the Pythagorean theorems, though it was not then so

called. They made use of a cuneiform, consisting of lines in which clay was printed, in order 

to communicate. In addition, they studied the stars, the moon, and the planets. They were 

thus able to make predictions and to develop a calendar.




King Hammurabi, Babylon which first made a mighty empire, is also known Codex. This is 

the oldest known law in the world that has been preserved. He developed this legislation 

because he thought he could thus bring order to the expanding empire. The laws were 

engraved in stone for all to see what rules he had to keep himself and what punishment 

ensued when he did not.



The downfall of the kingdom of the Babylonians :



From 556 to 539 BC Nabonidus was king of Babylon, his son Belshazzar then ruled in the 

name of his father, he was not a king. The population was not satisfied with the way in 

which they led the empire. Captured around 539 BC Cyrus II of Persia, Babylonia and 

incorporated it in the expanding Persian Empire. This marked the end of the kingdom of the 

Babylonians. The city of Babylon was still a major city in the Persian Empire, but here was 

an end of a few centuries created. The people pulled away, and the city remained little 

about.

History of Christianity

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY 

Origins of Christianity

Jewish sect to a world religion

Around the beginning of our era lived among the various Jewish communities in the Roman

province of Judea, the hope of the coming of the messiah. The Messiah is a figure that is

referred to in the Jewish Tanakh as a future king who will unite the Jews of Palestine and

whose arrival will announce the end times? During this time, Jesus of Nazareth drew the

charismatic faith healer around.

Jesus preached charity and forgiveness. He also allegedly said that he was able through his

a close relationship with God to forgive sins. Where most Jews lived with the conviction that

the earth God's kingdom will come soon, Jesus would have said that it had already begun.

All in all loved Jesus within Judaism so different thoughts on it, but he was certainly not the

only preacher who proclaimed such ideas.

Jesus provoked the Roman and Jewish authorities to proceed with a large following to

Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, he was taken in as a king.

The Romans Jesus more and more is seen as a troublemaker, which constituted a threat to

the established order. This was the moment that the Romans led to arrest Jesus went and

lay on one of the most gruesome Roman punishment: death by crucifixion.

At this point begin historical facts and Christian myths to walk through together. The only

historical sources we have about the life and death of Jesus are the gospels. Mark's Gospel

is by historians usually the oldest and, therefore, represents the most reliable seen,

although it probably was written in response to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem,

over 40 years after the death of Jesus.

All gospels describe how the followers of Jesus three days after his death his tomb empty

saw. Mark's Gospel stops below abruptly while the Gospel of John - which around 100 n.

Chr. was written - extensively deals with the resurrection of Jesus and the miracles he would

have done.

For many Jews, the death of Jesus was the confirmation that he was not the long-awaited

Messiah. After all, would a secular leader of the Jews a great and proud nation.

In the first years after the crucifixion, the memories lived on the life and teachings of Jesus

(which they went refer to as the Messiah (Hebrew: משיח, Greek: Χριστός, Latin: christ))

resulting in a small group of 'Nazarenes' (followers Jesus of Nazareth) within Judaism. The

followers of the firebrand been discredited by orthodox Jews and even prosecuted.

One of the Jews who distrusted the early Christians and initially encouraged them the

prosecution was Paul. Paul was an educated man, standing next to the vernacular Aramaic

(Jesus also spoke the language), also, Greek and Hebrew controlled. According to Christian

tradition, Paul was en route to the city of Damascus when he was above the road saw a

bright light with a vision of Jesus who persuaded him to become a Christian.

Although he never had contact with Jesus, the importance of Paul for the history of early

Christianity is hard to underestimate. According to Paul, it was not so much the memory of

Jesus' life that mattered. The core of the faith was, according to him in his death and

resurrection. The death of Jesus was a chance of redemption for all mankind, not just Jews.

According to Paul, it was faith in Jesus as Messiah sufficient to obtain salvation. Paul made

Christianity a small sect within the Jewish community to a universal doctrine of salvation.

Distribution and prosecution :

Because Paul's version of Christianity had no elaborate initiation rituals and was open to

everyone spread the new faith is slowly but surely by the Roman Empire. At the beginning

of the second century, there were Christian communities in North Africa, Gaul (France) and

Ethiopia. Christianity was still mostly an urban phenomenon but attracted more and more

fans from all walk of life.

The Roman authorities viewed Christianity with suspicion. Christians refused to make

sacrifices to the emperor and they drove on the assembly line making fun of the old Roman

state religion. In the beginning, Christians were still tolerated in silence. Every now and then

the Romans, Christians asked to make a sacrifice to the emperor. Those who refused were

tortured and executed. Later, Christians were persecuted systematically. Many Christians

were martyred for the new faith.

Many martyrs during the second and third centuries were willing to die for their faith, made a

powerful impression on potential converts. This is also one reason why Christianity

continued to grow despite the persecution. Another reason was that Christians could only

count as a savior by faith in one God and the role of Jesus in a good afterlife. Additionally

stood charity and assistance to the weak central issues that previously never had room for

in the brutal Roman society.

A Christian emperor :

Around the year 300 AD, there were Christian communities in every province of the Roman

Empire, mainly concentrated around urban centers. These communities were tight and

organized hierarchically. They were led by priests and bishops. At the same time

threatened by internal disc function and almost incessant attacks of barbarian tribes on the

borders to collapse the empire.

Roman Emperor Galerius Valerius Maximinus ( Daia ) saw that persecution of Christians

would not lead to more unity in the empire. He issued in 311-tolerance edict, official a

statement that the Roman state declared it will leave the Christians alone, provided they do 

not disturb public order.

In 312 AD, Constantine the Great took the city of Rome, and he became ruler of the western

part of the empire. Constantine acted for some time as a protector of the Christians, but now

he could emperor was openly manifest as a Christian.

The choice of Constantine to be Christian was politically sensible. The tight organization of

the church could be used for the benefit of the weakened empire. The emperor himself the

first chosen of God on earth was.

When Constantine became sole ruler in 324 over the empire he used his power to support

the church in every way possible. So he gave the church, especially to the Bishop of Rome,

large tracts of land and beautiful buildings. Clergymen were from when a special position of

privilege.

Theology of Arius to Augustine :

Christianity had however gone through the necessary internal quarrels and developments at

that time. Especially in Egypt and Syria was the ascetic movement more and more

followers. More and more hermits (literally 'people in the wilderness) and hermits saw in

solitary seclusion and self-torture a direct path to salvation. The clergy of the Catholic

(Greek: καθολικός, general or universal) a church did not know what to do with these people

had.

Even within the church, there were frequent disagreements. In the fourth century, it was

mostly about the relationship between God and Jesus. Jesus was called the Son of God,

which, according to the Egyptian priest Arius (256-336) implied that he 'lesser' stature was

the father. How could you still maintain that there was only one god?

In 325 AD, Constantine called in the city of Nicea convened a council (council of ministers)

to resolve such issues. Here it was found, inter alia, that God the Father, God the Son and

God the Holy Spirit by the Holy Trinity, which they are all equal. The Bishop of Rome was

recognized as a spiritual leader of the Church.

In 380 AD calls emperor, Theodosius the Great brought Christianity into the state religion of

the Roman Empire. This comes politically an end to the history of early Christianity.

In theology marks of Augustine of Hippo work the end of Christian antiquity. He completed 

his main work "The City of God" in 426 AD.

From 257 AD to 571 AD Visigoths ( Western Goths ) conquer Cordoba. The Roman Empire

had collapsed and the city of Rome was sacked by the Visigoths.

Augustine stated that this event in the light of eternity was not as shocking as it was

experienced. "The City of God is forever settled by the faithful that God has chosen to do

so."  With the work of Augustine break the Christian Middle Ages. The Catholic Church led

from Rome, was able to maintain its position as the only true church almost a thousand

years.

History Of Hinduism

HISTORY OF HINDUISM

Who is a Hindu?


A Hindu is a follower of Hinduism. Hinduism is said to be the oldest -still existing- the religion of the world. It is thousands of years old and was born in India. It is a faith that must be experienced in many ways. Therefore, different religion by country, region or even a village.

Who is Holy?

The holy men of Hinduism include religion-teachers, priests and those who have given up their home and possessions to live a life of prayer and meditation. Some saints lead a nomadic life

Sadhu.

A sadhu is often a follower of Shiva or Vishnu. These holy men wear necklaces of beads and holy saffron loincloths. Saffron Yellow is a sacred color.
A sadhu let his beard and hair grow and has no money or other possessions. He lives on donations from other Hindus.

Guru.

The guru helps people to read scriptures and study and teach them about faith. He works at a school they call ashram.

Who is the Hindu God?

In Hinduism, there is not one God as in Christianity or Islam. Hinduism has various gods, there are even a lot. Every Hindu can choose his own god or if he is praying choose a god to his sacrifices. Even god (s) from another religion. There are major and minor Hindu deities.


Brahman.

Most Hindus believe in a supreme soul or spirit, which they call Brahman. Brahman has no form or shape but is everywhere and in everything.

The other gods and goddesses of Hinduism represent the various attributes of Brahman. The three main features can be found in the Trimurti or trinity: the gods Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer).

What are Hindu symbols?

Hinduism has many different symbols. These are common in everyday life, but also drawings and
paintings. Each symbol has its own meanings. Often these symbols centuries old.

What are the sacred books?

The oldest scriptures are over 3000 years old. The four collections of hymns, prayers and spells that are called the Vedas. The oldest and most sacred are the Rig Veda, the sacred text of knowledge. Other important Hindu texts, the Upanishads and two long poems, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.


Shruti and Smriti.

The Vedas and the Upanishads are called Shruti, or heard texts. It is believed that a group of wise men received these texts to hear directly from Brahman. The other texts are called Smriti, or remember. They were invented by people and transmitted orally. For thousands of years, they have memorized to remember.


Sanskrit.

The Vedas and the Upanishads were passed down orally and then written in Sanskrit. This is the sacred language of India. Some people believe that Sanskrit has a special ability to communicate with the gods. It is no longer spoken but still studied by priests. Hindi, the language of modern India, is derived from Sanskrit.

Bhagavad Gita.

The Bhagavad Gita is the most important and popular part of the Mahabharata. The text tells the story of a war between two royal families, who wanted to have power over an empire. The Bhagavad Gita, the lord of the song, takes place on the battlefield, just before the fight begins. It is a conversation between Arjuna, a charioteer, and the god Krishna. Krishna tells you not only have to think of yourself.

What's that red dot?

The red dot on the forehead of a Hindu is for some a religious symbol. For others a fad. The dots are self-adhesive, plastic versions simply buy in the store. Every Hindu gives his own interpretation with their own meaning to the red dot.
 
Tilaka.

If a Hindu prayed or temple has visited the priest rubs a mark on the head at the hairline on a tika or tilaka. The tika is a mixture of rice, water, and colored powder. Most of the married people get a red mark, non-married people often get a yellow or orange color.
 
Third Eye.

Some Hindu groups give the red dot that the woman is married. Also in men, this may be the case because when Hindus red is the color of marriage. The red dot or a piece of jewelry that have women paste on their forehead is also seen as an extra "eye". A symbolic eye that is directed inward to check your own behavior. Some Hindus believe that this "Eye" is their contact with the gods and that they are so able to take a peek into the world of the gods.

Where are holy places?

Every year millions of Hindus make a pilgrimage to holy places. Often these temples, mountains or rivers. They travel by plane, train, bus, boat or oxcart. There are also people who go walking on pilgrimage. Such a journey may also weeks, sometimes even months. Hindus believe that a visit to a holy place them closer to moksha, the relief from the cycle of birth and death can bring.
 
Cross.

Many sacred sites are connected with events in the life of gods or goddesses. Some are famous for their beauty or their healing power. The seven places (1) Ayodhya (2) Hardwar (3) Mathura (4) Varanasi (5) Ujjain (6) Dwarka (7) Kanchipuram cities from which a Hindu can cross to moksha.
 
Mountains and Rivers.

Mount Kailash (10) for Hindus is the pillar of the world where the universe moves around it. The mountain lies in Tibet and is a shrine to the god Shiva and goddess Parvati.
The holy river Ganga (9) has its origins in northern India. In place, Allahabad Ganga crosses another holy river Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati river.
Also, in Kathmandu (1) in Nepal runs a holy river Bagmati.
 
The holy river the Ganges.

The ashes of the ancestors of King Bhagiratha floated in the heavenly river Ganga. The king wanted that his ancestors came back to live. He, therefore, implored the god Shiva to flow Ganga on earth. But ... Shiva was afraid that the Ganges would destroy the earth if he would drop the water. He devised a plan. He caught the water of the Ganges on his hair and river left quietly through the Himalayas flow into the world.

Thus, the river originated the Ganges. If you see the god Shiva, you always see that water comes out of his hair. Referring to this story.

Where do the Hindus?

About 2000 years ago, merchants took the religion from India and spread it over Southeast Asia. Over the past century, there are many Hindus to America, Canada, England and Suriname left. These came mainly as laborers to this country and have since built a community. From Suriname there are many Hindus arrived in the Netherlands.

Most Hindus are still living in India. Also in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Burma live large Hindu communities. Worldwide, the number of Hindus is estimated at some 900 million.

 

History of Judaism

HISTORY OF JUDAISM

This is a very difficult question that you might expect. Judaism has no dogma, no formal set

of beliefs which every Jew must believe in order to be called a Jew. In Judaism, his actions 

are more important than faith, though there is certainly a room for faith in Judaism.


Whatever it is closest came in a widely-accepted list of Jewish beliefs, the thirteen principles

of faith Rambam, it is believed that the minimum required are ten for the Jewish faith:

1. God exists.

2. God is a single and unique.

3. God is not physical.

4. God is eternal.

5. Prayer is only addressed to God and anything or anyone else.

6. The words of the prophets are true.

7. The Moses prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of all prophets.

8. The Written Torah (the first five books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now           contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses by God.

9. There will be no other Torah.

10. God knows the thoughts and deeds of the people.

11. God will reward the good and punish the evil.

12. The Messiah will come.

13. The dead will rise again.


As one can see, these are very basic and general concepts. But how these elementary 

notions are the need for each of them has raised many a dispute in the course of time and 

the liberal movements of Judaism dispute based on it.


Unlike many other religions, Judaism does not focus much on cosmological concepts. While

Jews certainly have extensively dealt with the nature of God, man, the universe, life and life 

after death. There is no official definitive belief on these subjects, besides the general 

principles mentioned above. There is a large room for personal opinion in these matters, 

because, as stated, Judaism is more concentrated around actions than around religion.


Judaism focuses on relationships, the relationship between God and man, between God 

and the Jewish people, between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, and between 

people. 


The story of the development of these relations, from the time of creation, through the 

development of the relationship between God and Abraham, to the development of the 

relationship between God and the Jewish people, and beyond. The Bible also specify the

mutual obligations that have accrued in these relationships, although various movements 

within Judaism disagree about the nature of these obligations. 



Some say that the absolute, immutable laws of God are still coming (Orthodox), some say 

the laws are derived from God, but that evaluate and change over time (Conservatives), 

some say that the guidelines are that you can choose whether to follow or not they (Liberals,

Reformers, Re-constructionists). For more detail about these differences one can get 

from Currents in Judaism.


The laws making Judaism so upset:


 According to the Orthodox Judaism, these laws include 613 commandments given in the

Torah by God, as well as the requirements set by the rabbis and also hear purpose 

longstanding habits. These laws and actions are discussed on the page about Halakhah

Jewish Law and following pages.


History and detail :


The followers of all prophets of God have to face the grudge of rulers and kings. Followers 

were unable to exist before their power. They remained weak till the rule of Greeks. Greeks 

never followed any Prophet  or revelations upon THEM. They consider themselves the 

gods and their generation. 


The big dynasties and strong civilizations never allowed the education of Prophets in the

society. They set their own education which was entirely against the religions and religious 

activities. So one is unable to find any strong religious activity till the end of Greeks empire.



The Moses was a real Prophet of God. HE conveyed the message of God to His followers 

for the betterment of humanity. But He could not make a strong group of His followers. The 

people of Judah just wanted to get rid of the rule of Pharaoh. The Moses helped them in

this critical situation with the miracles bestowed HIM by the God. Moses was sure about 

those people to follow the revelations of God but they did not do so and started to live their

lives. There was no any strong religious activity in their routine.


The Moses was followed by the prophets Solomon, David, Abraham, Jacob and Joseph. 

Joseph was the king of Egypt too. During His reign no one claimed as a Jew. Then Jesus

the son of Marry came as a real prophet of God. Greeks were already against Jews and 

ordered to kill every Jew. The similar action was ordered against the followers of the Jesus.

In the 6th century, Greeks empire become weak and they announced Christianity as the 


official religion. They ignored the Judaism as a religion too. 


Jews were so weak since the era of Prophet Joseph that they could never claim the 

custody of Dome of Rock ( Aqsa Mosque ). After adopting the Christianity as an official 

religion, Greeks/Christians claimed for Aqsa Mosque. Greeks transferred power to Britania. 

On the other hand it was the era when Islam has taken the start to replace all previous 

religions being peaceful on each and every step of life. Christianity but Britania and in 

fact the Greeks became fearful from the fast spreading of Islam and they started using 

Judaism to face the power of this newly attractive religion. They bowed a sew in the heart 

of Jews for a state and the custody of Holy Aqsa Mosque. From this point world become to 

know about Judaism and Jews.