Life Comes Full Circle

Even a casual look at history will convince the skeptics that "what goes up must eventually come down." Ancient Egypt was supposed to be a fine example of what determined humans could achieve. One needs only look at images of the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and other monoliths that the Egyptians built to worship their pantheon of gods and goddesses. Trade and commerce spread out all over the land and the Pharaohs built great cities and roads. Writing was invented in Egypt and art and architecture began there. Shipping and navigation also got a fillip as the Egyptians tried to sail the Nile in pursuit of trade and commerce.
In Western Asia, the Sumerians and the Semite struggled over Babylon (the golden era). During this time Cuneiform writing was developed and taught. Speaking of Babylon one can never forget the famous King Nebuchadnezzar who was arguably the finest kings of all times. This period was marked by the Assyrian and Chaldean empires.
The Babylonian period was followed by the next great era - the Medes and the Persians. Generally known as the Medo-Persian reign and referred to as the "silver era." For the Oriental people it meant a peaceful existence for about 200 years. Cyrus and Darius the great are best remembered for their rule during this period. Darius was a follower of Zoroaster's teachings and carried the influence far and wide.
In matters of religion, the Persian empire broke the national boundaries and began the period where the religions of the East were called upon to compete in a great conquest for mastery. It would later threaten the religion of the Hebrews. The Hebrews has been brought out of slavery from Egypt by the great leader Moses. Led across the desert they founded what we today know as Israel.
History tells us that the Assyrians and Chaldeans almost wiped out the Hebrews. Deliverance came by being exiled and at the mercy of the Persians. This age is also credited for the spread of Phoenician commerce who also brought the first alphabet to Europe. This was the age of the Nobles and Greek expansion in the Mediterranean. The growing rivalry between Athens and Sparta resulted in the rise of the Athenian empire and is the backdrop for the well-known classic - Homer's Iliad. Democracy ruled during this time but with the fall of Sparta and the leadership of Thebes democracy soon went under.
However, this period gave spurt to the pursuit of architecture, sculpture, painting, religion, literature, and thought (philosophy).
The next great era was marked by the rise of Macedonia - the "Bronze age" and one which you will instantly recognize as the age when Alexander the great swept over the world in his conquest to be a world ruler. In his early thirties, he had already conquered the known world and wept because he had run out of new worlds to conquer. With the death of Alexander soon Greece too slid into the history books. This era promoted the building of cities, architecture, art, inventions, science, libraries, literature, education, philosophy and religion. On the other hand, it also marked the decline of citizenship by provoking an idea that an individual belonged to an international world, a larger world than the city or nation he lived in. This thought brought home no sense of citizenship.
This era was followed by the iron rule - the Roman conquest marked by the formation of a Republic and the rule of the Caesars. The Senate played a vital role and perhaps coined the famous quote - "All roads lead to Rome." This era too had its ups and downs and is generally known as the Age of Conquest. Soon there would arise the struggle between the Senate and the people resulting in the overthrow of the Republic. Later, Augustus would come on the scene and end the Civil war. A couple of centuries later the empire would be divided and lead to a century of revolutions. It would also mark the end of the ancient world.

Fast forward to present day!

The 20th Century has been the bloodiest century of all time and in the 21st Century it seems like things can only get worse. Looking at the inheritance that we have received over the ages it seems like the whole world has gone into some kind of cataclysmic spin that started millennia ago but over the ages has gained momentum.
The signs of the time is change.
The American people know what that change is - electing a "Black Knight for the White House" and the people have spoken. The white man heaves a sign of relief for now no one can point a finger at him and say that he is biased. The black man is way too happy and thinks that he can finally be rid of the past demons related to "slavery."
Obama during his campaign said, "We have a righteous wind behind our backs." Watching politics for the first time in my life I was surprised, and angry at times, at the things that were said and done.
The United States of America has been know as the land of opportunity. Opportunity abounds for the enterprising peoples of the world. And, indeed, for many decades the U.S. has attracted and retained many bright minds in pursuit of happiness.
Is it only me or can you too hear the bells tolling in the distance. I hear them tell me something but the winds of change keeps blotting it out. I can hear in bits and pieces and I think I know what they are saying...
(laughter)
"The land of the bound and the home of the coward."

Life has its way of coming full circle...