Phuc_WHAP PROJECT

POST CLASSICAL ERA NEWSLETTER GROUP MEMBERS INCLUDE:PHUC VU, ELIZABETH DINH, HANNAH KRIEGAR, JUAN ORTEGA, JUSTIN MEUN, CRISTIAN WELSH

WHAP-6th 5th-12th Century Vol. 1The Post-Classical ChroniclesCURRENT EVENTS: tangled up in the conflict between the Mongols and Khitan. The Koreans decided to BYZANTINE- side with the Mongols, and when the Khitan’s leader was committed suicide, the people left In the Byzantine from the Khitan group were no more and Empire the blended with the Koreans. With this defeat, construction of the Mongols left and planted some of their the Church Hagia people in Korea to learn the language, so they Sophia has begun could return and officially invade Korea. The construction. The Mongols are expected to succeed in theirconstruction of the church all started from invasion.the Nika Riot, where many peasants wereunhappy with the unjust taxes that Emperor SONGJustinian was carrying out. Thankfully DYNASTY-Justinian had stopped these riots by movinghis loyal troops to the city and using force of The Song Dynastycourse, but unfortunately during the process had done it again.of the riots, a church that was called by the They have changedpeople “Hagia Sophia” was torched and the way of life withburned down to flames. Due to this incident their new innovation. What is this littleEmperor Justinian has decided that a new innovation that I speak of? It is… CHAMPAHagia Sophia would be born. The two RICE! What is this “champa rice” you ask?architects that are in charge of the Champa rice is a new early ripening rice cropconstruction of the Hagia Sophia are, that China was introduce to by Champa, nearAnthemius and Isidore the Elder. With the the Mekong River Delta. This droughtconstruction of the church Hagia Sophia, the resistant crop is able everywhere at any time,fame of Christianity and Justinian is predicted this enable the agricultural industry toto increase. harvest rice twice a year! More rice means that more mouth’s will be fed, more mouth’s MONGOLS- fed means more full stomachs, more full stomachs mean more happiness and peace The Mongols have started in another 1 invasion! This time their target will be the Korean territory. Theirtarget on the Koreans, however, wasn’t partof their initial plan. This plan to invade theKoreans, first start with the Mongols initialgoal to defeat the Khitan. When the Mongolshad forced the Khitan to go across the YaluRiver where the Korean’s territory wasplanted. This caused the Koreans to get

WHAP-6th 5th-12th Century Vol. 1The Post-Classical Chroniclesthroughout the dynasty. This innovation is as fortunate to practice Christianity withoutexactly why the Song Dynasty has earned the the massive effect of Charles the Great, morenickname of being the “golden age” when commonly known as Charlemagne.compared with the previous dynasties inChina. In the previous year, a family called the Carolingians took over the Frankish ISLAMIC monarchy (a Germanic tribe under the rule of CALIPHATES- King Clovis) through various military The Islamic conquests. Europe remains united through Caliphate has just their various conquests; also maintaining finish their first ever political stability for nearly a century and a civil war half. After the Battle of Tours in 732 fought That people are by the mighty Charles “the Hammer” Martelcalling the first Fitna. This civil war firstbegan in the 656 and took about 5 years to against Muslims attempting to spread Islamget over with. It all began with the in Spain, Christianity was then preservedassassination the third Caliph, Uthman Ibn throughout our lands.Afan. He was assassinated due to his lenient Many years later, leading to our civilizationpolicies that were carried out in the economyand the large degree of freedom given to this today, Christianity is widespread, as ourpeople. His actions angered the people and empire’s common religion due to the workserupted the Islamic rivalries which caused of our great emperor Charlemagne. Weeksthe already establish conflict between the ago, his grace was named Europe’s firsttwo groups, Sunni and Shia, to have an evenbigger split. It also led to the establishment of empire of Europe, crowned by the Popethe Ummayyad Empire which is expected to himself. Charlemagne the great has alreadybe the biggest Islamic empire to exist. successfully established a stable empire, some claiming it as the revival of the MIDDLE EASTERN previous, ancient Roman Empire. The EUROPE- emperor has set up districts amongst the land to unify the states under his control as The sun arises on a he continues to restore church-based Sunday morning as education amongst Europe. Since then, the common peasant strolls out of his intellectual activity as well as literacy has home in the village, increased throughout the empire. However, joining his neighbors there is much confusion amid the villages of as the townspeople the common people, leading up to the maingather into weekly mass. Thankful to theLord for all their blessings, they continue to question peasants everywhere wonder.live in praise and unity for their one true God. Which holds the higher authority- the stateHowever, the people of Europe would not be or the church? 2

WHAP-6th 5th-12th Century Vol. 1The Post-Classical ChroniclesEDITORIAL The countryside in Japan became a lethal site due to soldiers recklessly attacked on theSECTION: common people. Thus, their only way to turn for protection was to trade parts of the landFEUDALISM: WHO’S REALLY they owned to lords who exchanged safety inCALLING THE SHOTS?- return. As this practice facilitated, power in the hands of these lords increased. ThoughIt’s no secret that for centuries, civilizations the emperor initially holds the highest rank,before us have flourished with their fifteen after titling the shogun, his power isminutes of fame only to decline and fall dueto instability in their society. However, as technically lackingnew empires have risen in the past century, a each day. Thenew order of politics has been in place- shogun, infamousfeudalism. across JapaneseIt’s no longer about gold and jewels, no; lands has a line ofsocieties value power more than anything important nobilityand that is exactly what feudalism ensures. under his controlAnd what is power exactly? Land. Land is the along with theone main source of power which is the root of military hethe beginning of feudalism. Along with authorizes. To gainestablishing political values, resources, and a such power, the shoguns designate a daimyostable bureaucracy, feudalism is a system (governor) to the provinces in the land whodesigned for those at the top of the social also get a fair share of power under thepyramid to gain power through a line of shoguns. Equal to the daimyo lies theloyalties due to the vastness of the land samurai- those huge men in armor guardingreigned. Therefore, the rulers of civilizations some important lord walking through yourin this century, such as in Japan and Europe, village. Samurais are warriors sworn tohold very limited power due to their reliance courage and to protect the weak. Under theon loyalty of their nobles and the goodwill samurais are people like you and me-and respect of the common people peasants. Though we are a great percentage of the population we are under the control of those above us, having no real power due to no real land. Coincidentally, around the same time as Japan, the civilization in Europe is currently exercising the same practice. Charles the Simple, one of the previous kings of France, exchanged an enormous part of his land to a clan of Vikings in return for a pledge of loyalty. Such a negotiation led to the rise of a new social and political organization. European feudalism focused on more contractual idea- negotiations for example. Land and loyalty were traded left and right 3

WHAP-6th 5th-12th Century Vol. 1The Post-Classical Chroniclesreceiving their own independent terms of they’re unqualified? Just because theyfiefs and vassals. Although the king was the inherited Muhammad’s looks doesn’t meanhead of the kingdom his need for pledges and they inherited his ability to spread the great Allah’s words. We must think this through resources forced and do what is best for our Muslim him to rely on community, in order to do that, we should let landlords better the Muslim community decide. known as nobles. Also, due -Hello! I am a proud Shi’a Muslim, and we to religion Shi’a Muslim think that the Successor of dominance in Muhammad should share his own blood! We the region, should continue our last prophet’s legacy bychurch bishops were also of high rank. Below letting his own kin to carry out his legacy.them, were the knights, living by the belief of Even Muhammad himself ordained his cousinchivalry. A knight pledges his devotion to to be the next Caliph. So we as follower oflords of higher ranking to receive their share Muhammad should carry out Muhammad’sof fiefs. One must display bravery and actions. So of course fulfill our last prophetcourage or suffer humiliation and be stripped wishes and have those closest to him, hisof power. Under their social class are, of family, be chosen as the Successor.course, us- the peasants. European feudalismis usually summed up by those who fight, ASK HANNAH:those who pray, and those who work. PEASANTSUNNI-SHI’A SPLIT- REVOLTS- Sunni and Dear Hannah, Shi’a, two I am a peasant in the group united Tang Dynasty and right by one now there is a horrible religion: disaster in our Dynasty. The Islam. One An Shi Rebellion has begun religion, but and I am afraid of all the violent two different that is going on. Millions of people are beinggroups so of course there will be differences killed and all I would like is to keep peace inbetween the two. To determine these our society. Is there any way that I can makedifferences we went out and interview two this happen?Muslims, one from each group to determinewhat differentiates the two. -Hello Tang Dynasty Citizen, what I would suggest doing is try to reason with An-Hi! I am a Sunni Muslim, and we Sunni Lusha and tell him about the manyMuslim believe that the successor of complications and devastations that he willMuhammad that will become the new Caliph encounter. Although he may have a strongshould be elected by the Muslim community.One should not be selected just because theyare a descendent of Muhammad. What if 4

WHAP-6th 5th-12th Century Vol. 1The Post-Classical Chroniclesand large army, it will still be difficult for him caught this disease by the exposure of itto satisfy all of his greed. through open wounds. By the time he had realize that he was hit with the BubonicRISE & SPREAD OF RELIGION- Plague, it was much too late. And with this we ask that everyone learn from Cristian’s deathDear Hannah, and be aware of your surrounding and beI am planning on moving out of the Islamic sure to NOT take part in such a dangerousCaliphates to search for better opportunities trend that risk people’s life one by one, everyor what not, but I’m am afraid of carrying out day.this decision due to the fact that my religion,Islam, may not be excepted in other empires. WEATHER REPORT:What am I to do with this situation? In today’s environmental report, drastic -First off, I would first like to ask you changes have been made to the canal all overto not be afraid due to the fact that this the Tang Dynasty territory due to the newconflict of yours is much easier than you pound lock invention used for canal systems.think to fix! If you are thinking of movingright away, then I would suggest moving to This pound lock system created by 2Qiaothe Mongols Empire where they are very Weiyo allows the canalaccepting of many religions, if you are in no to be parted intorush then no worries because Islam is differentspreading faster than you think, and will soon section sobe accepted by many empires. I wish yougood moving! the water levels can change. This makesOBITUARY: their canal effective by letting large barges go through easily Cristian Welsh, born in the 5th century and safely. These pound locks doesn’t harm and raised in his the environment in any way, shape, or form home town so there’s no need to worry. But the only Constantinople in complaint that has been said about these the Byzantine Empire, took part in pound locks are from the fishes which saythe latest and deathly trend: the Black Death. they are confused.This trend scientifically known as theBubonic Plague. The great Sir Cristian had SPORT SECTION:caught the disease during his daily errands asa merchant. He was trading spices along the The latest and the most innovative weapon toSilk Road, but little did he know, he would date was revealed this week. It’snot only by trading spices but also the called the “flying cloud thunderBubonic Plague. Symptoms that he clap”, this amazingexperienced, but mistaken for the flu were: contraption shoots outfever, headache, chills, and weakness. He cast-iron-gunpowder bombs. These bombs 5

WHAP-6th 5th-12th Century Vol. 1The Post-Classical Chroniclesexplode on contact if they are hit hard used for. His wealth is about 110 time moreenough. This amazing contraption could not than what the average person makes. Withhave happened without their discovery of this amount of money he is defined as thegunpowder. Gunpowder has enable the TangDynasty’s weaponry to advance rapidly and richest man ever to live by a landslide. Howhas kept them ahead of the game when going was he able to achieve this luxuriousagainst their enemies. lifestyle? When, asked Mansa Musa replies with these wise words, “Hard work alongCOMIC: with knowledge comes a long way.” With his many riches, he goes on with his life and leads the Islamic Caliphates forward and spread the religion, Islam, which is expected to last forever just like Mansa Musa’s wealth.LOCAL NEWS: FASHION: LOTUS FEET Do you have A million dollars. A dream to some, but not that passion to this royalty. Mansa for fashion? Musa, king of the Islamic bwfbaiehcnaeoduslite,nyogeua.nnrFtdiodrryetghnleaiatftse,st.miyTlkhyharifsosribtteraeneksdneasdnn, iidossnpcfoaoaolwccCtplTmwttcCtticlnawhorttehoooooohhhdeetoaadbfmmammdopeiedionwemntn:tinsmnouonrrdmmymmftattaeieloeihd,httneantniiadriihroameihttenrgttganryrttteyttiya.eee.oeneegiiotStnSrdddsdd.hfootoe Caliphate has showed It's not about what you look like; it’s about this world what being what you can fit into! rich really is with After an emperor’s concubine, Daji, was seen balance of 410 billion with dainty three-inched feet, the emperor dollars. A dream, publically declared this rare abnormality todefinitely, a dream. One can only wonder be a sign of beauty. Since then, foot-bindingwhat that much amount of money could be has been a symbol of great wealth and high status amongst the Song dynasty, popular in the upper-classes. High-status women everywhere are binding their feet whether it be to slim up the sides or bind it entirely. The tinier the better! The process, however, is the 6

WHAP-6th 5th-12th Century Vol. 1The Post-Classical Chroniclesonly part about it that's not too beautiful. It isusually carried out when the girl is veryyoung. The feet are soaked to soften upbefore the toes are broken. The foot is thenslowly arched further up each day, sealedwith a bandage until it reaches the desiredsize. Not the most comfortable thing in theworld, but hey, beauty is pain after all.Some would call this practice symbolic inmeans of culture as China takes on a new era.Women everywhere wobble with tiny feetmaking foot binding possibly a fashion iconfor centuries to come. 7