A copy of the statement I am making tonight concerning developments ... and the reaction of my Government
thereto has been handed to your Ambassador ... In view of the gravity of the developments to which I refer,
I want you to know immediately and accurately the position of my Government in this matter.
In our discussions and exchanges on ... international questions, the one thing that has most concerned me
has been the possibility that your Government would not correctly understand the will and determination of
[my Government] in any given situation, since I have not assumed that you or any other sane man would,
in this nuclear age, deliberately plunge the world into war which it is crystal clear no country could win
and which could only result in catastrophic consequences to the whole world, including the aggressor.
...
Despite this, the rapid development of long-range missile bases and other offensive weapons systems ... has
proceeded. I must tell you that [my Government] is determined that this threat to the security of this
hemisphere be removed. At the same time, I wish to point out that the action we are taking is the minimum
necessary to remove the threat to the security of the nations of this hemisphere. The fact of this minimum
response should not be taken as a basis, however, for any misjudgment on your part.
We charged the men who went ashore to ask what day it was. They were answered that
to the Portuguese it was Thursday, at which they were much amazed, for to us it was
Wednesday, and we knew not how we had fallen into error. For every day I, being always in health,
had written down each day without any intermission.
Rib-Addi says to his lord, the King of Lands, the Great King, the King of Battle:
May the Lady of Gubla grant power to the king, my lord. At the feet of my lord, my Sun,
I fall down seven times and seven times. Be informed that ... all the 'Apiru have turned their
face against me at the instigation of Abdi-Ashirta.
Let my lord listen to the words of his servant, and let him send me a garrison to defend the
city of the king, until the archers come out. And if there are no archers, then all the lands
will unite with the 'Apiru. Listen, since the conquest of Bit-Arha in accordance with the
demand of Abdi-Ashirta, they seek in the same way to unite Gubla and Batruna; and thus all lands
would be united with the 'Apiru. Two cities remain with me, and they are also attempting to
take them from the king's hand. Let my lord send a garrison to his two cities until the arrival
of the archers, and give me something to feed them. I have nothing.
Like a bird that lies in a net, a cage, so I am in Gubla. Furthermore, if the king is not able to
rescue me from the hand of his enemy, then all lands will unite with Abdi-Ashirta.
What is he, the dog, that he takes the king's lands for himself?
I followed the coast of that isle toward the west and found it so extensive that I
thought it might be the mainland ... and as I found no towns nor villages on >> the seacoast, except a few small settlements, where it was impossible to speak to the people because they
fled at once, I continued the said route, thinking I could not fail to see some great cities or towns; and
finding at the end of many leagues that nothing new appeared and that the coast led northward, contrary
to my wish, because the winter had already set in, I decided to make for the south, and as the wind also
was against my proceeding, I determined not to wait there longer and turned back to a certain harbor
whence I sent two men to find out whether there was any king or large city. They explored for three days
and found countless small communities and people, without number, but with no kind of government, so
they returned.
... I saw another isle ... and went thither ... The nightingale and other small birds of a
thousand kinds were singing in the month of November when I was there. There were palm trees of six or
eight varieties, the graceful peculiarities of each one of them being worthy of admiration as are the other
trees, fruits and grasses. There are wonderful pine woods, and very extensive ranges of meadow land.
There is honey, and there are many kinds of birds, and a great variety of fruits. Inland there are numerous
mines of metals and innumerable people.
[Ananus] formed an accusation against [a certain prominent man] and some others as breakers of the law,
[and] delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens,
and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done;
they also sent to the king, desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more,
for that what he had already done was not to be justified; nay, some of them went also to meet
[the new Governor] ... and informed him that it was not lawful for Ananus
to assemble a sanhedrim without his consent. Whereupon [the new Governor] complied with what they said,
and wrote in anger to Ananus, and threatened that he would bring him to punishment for what he had done;
on which King Agrippa took the high priesthood from [Ananus], when he had ruled but three months ...
... to become a Christian and a vassal of [the King]. This latter provision caused some trouble,
for the chronicler reports that the new vassal ... refused to bestow the required kiss upon
his liege lord's foot.
'Never,' said he, 'will I bend my knees before anyone, nor will I kiss the foot ...'
Moved, however, by their prayers he ordered one of his warriors to kiss the king's foot.
The latter promptly seized the king's foot, carried it to his mouth and kissed it standing,
thus throwing the king onto his back. At that there was a roar of laughter and a great
disturbance amongst the spectators.
My dear Brother, I would you knew (though not felt) the extreme dolor that overwhelms my mind,
for that miserable accident which (far contrary to my meaning) hath befallen. I have now sent
this kinsman of mine, whom ere now it hath pleased you to favor, to instruct you truly of that
which is too irksome for my pen to tell you. I beseech you that as God and many more know,
how innocent I am in this case : so you will believe me, that if I had bid aught I would have
bid by it. I am not so base minded that fear of any living creature or Prince should make me
so afraid to do that were just; or done, to deny the same. I am not of so base a lineage,
nor carry so vile a mind. But, as not to disguise, fits not a King, so will I never dissemble
my actions, but cause them show even as I meant them. Thus assuring yourself of me, that as I
know this was deserved, yet if I had meant it I would never lay it on others' shoulders;
no more will I not damnify myself that thought it not. The circumstance it may please you to have
of this bearer. And for your part, think you have not in the world ... a more dear friend than myself;
nor any that will watch more carefully to preserve you and your estate. And who shall otherwise
persuade you, judge them more partial to others than you. And thus in haste I leave to trouble you :
beseeching God to send you a long reign.
they compute the divisions of every season, not by the number of days, but of nights; they keep birthdays
and the beginnings of months and years in such an order that the day follows the night.
Among the other usages of their life, they differ in this from almost all other nations, that
they do not permit their children to approach them openly until they are grown up so as to be able
to bear the service of war; and they regard it as indecorous for a son of boyish age to stand in
public in the presence of his father.
Husbands have power of life and death over their wives as well as over their children: and when the
father of a family, born in a more than commonly distinguished rank, has died, his relations assemble,
and, if the circumstances of his death are suspicious, hold an investigation upon the wives in the
manner adopted toward slaves; and, if proof be obtained, put them to severe torture, and kill them.
Their funerals, considering the state of civilization among [them], are magnificent and costly;
and they cast into the fire all things, including living creatures, which they suppose to have been dear
to them when alive; and, a little before this period, slaves and dependents, who were ascertained to
have been beloved by them, were, after the regular funeral rites were completed, burnt together with them.
And whereas XXX has an incontestible title to the domain and to the possession of the said Territory
[and XXX] desiring to give to YYY a strong proof of his friendship doth hereby cede to YYY in the name
of XXX for ever and in full Sovereignty the said territory with all its rights and appurtenances as
fully and in the Same manner as they have been acquired by XXX in virtue of the above mentioned Treaty
concluded with his Catholic Majesty.
In the cession made by the preceeding article are included the adjacent Islands[,] all public lots
and Squares, vacant lands and all public buildings, fortifications, barracks and other edifices which
are not private property. The Archives, papers & documents relative to the domain and Sovereignty
of [this territory] will be left in the possession of the Commissaries of YYY, and copies will be
afterwards given in due form to the Magistrates and Municipal officers of such of the said papers
and documents as may be necessary to them.
The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in YYY and admitted as soon as
possible ... to the enjoyment of all these rights, advantages and immunities of citizens of YYY,
and in the mean time they shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty,
property and the Religion which they profess.
With these pieces of paper, made as I have described, he causes all payments on his own account
to be made; and he makes them to pass current universally over all his kingdoms and provinces and
territories, and whithersoever his power and sovereignty extends. And nobody, however important
he may think himself, dares to refuse them on pain of death. And indeed everybody takes them readily,
for wheresoever a person may go throughout the Emperor's dominions he shall find these pieces
of paper current, and shall be able to transact all sales and purchases of goods by means of them
just as well as if they were coins of pure gold. And all the while they are so light that
ten bezants? worth does not weigh one golden bezant.
Furthermore all merchants arriving from ... other countries, and bringing with them gold or silver
or gems and pearls, are prohibited from selling to any one but the Emperor. He has twelve experts
chosen for this business, men of shrewdness and experience in such affairs; these appraise the articles,
and the Emperor then pays a liberal price for them in those pieces of paper. The merchants accept his
price readily, for in the first place they would not get so good an one from anybody else,
and secondly they are paid without any delay. And with this paper-money they can buy what they
like anywhere over the Empire, whilst it is also vastly lighter to carry about on their journeys.
And it is a truth that the merchants will several times in the year bring wares to the amount
of 400,000 bezants, and the Grand Sire pays for all in that paper. So he buys such a quantity of
those precious things every year that his treasure is endless, whilst all the time the money
he pays away costs him nothing at all. Moreover, several times in the year proclamation is made
through the city that any one who may have gold or silver or gems or pearls, by taking them
to the Mint shall get a handsome price for them. And the owners are glad to do this, because they
would find no other purchaser give so large a price. Thus the quantity they bring in is marvellous,
though these who do not choose to do so may let it alone. Still, in this way, nearly all the
valuables in the country come into the Emperor's possession.
When any of those pieces of paper are spoilt -- not that they are so very flimsy neither -- the owner
carries them to the Mint, and by paying three per cent. on the value he gets new pieces in exchange.
And if any Baron, or any one else soever, hath need of gold or silver or gems or pearls, in order
to make plate, or girdles, or the like, he goes to the Mint and buys as much as he likes,
paying in this paper-money.
Jamie's Second Contest: Who wrote that historic document?
(A) A letter from one Head of State to Another reads as:
A copy of the statement I am making tonight concerning developments ... and the reaction of my Government
thereto has been handed to your Ambassador ... In view of the gravity of the developments to which I refer,
I want you to know immediately and accurately the position of my Government in this matter.
In our discussions and exchanges on ... international questions, the one thing that has most concerned me
has been the possibility that your Government would not correctly understand the will and determination of
[my Government] in any given situation, since I have not assumed that you or any other sane man would,
in this nuclear age, deliberately plunge the world into war which it is crystal clear no country could win
and which could only result in catastrophic consequences to the whole world, including the aggressor.
...
Despite this, the rapid development of long-range missile bases and other offensive weapons systems ... has
proceeded. I must tell you that [my Government] is determined that this threat to the security of this
hemisphere be removed. At the same time, I wish to point out that the action we are taking is the minimum
necessary to remove the threat to the security of the nations of this hemisphere. The fact of this minimum
response should not be taken as a basis, however, for any misjudgment on your part.
(1) Who wrote the letter?
(2) Who was the letter's intended recipient?
(3) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
(B) The chronicles of a certain explorer contain the excerpt:
We charged the men who went ashore to ask what day it was. They were answered that
to the Portuguese it was Thursday, at which they were much amazed, for to us it was
Wednesday, and we knew not how we had fallen into error. For every day I, being always in health,
had written down each day without any intermission.
(4-Bonus) Which explorer authored this account?
(C) A letter from a vassal to his overlord contains:
Rib-Addi says to his lord, the King of Lands, the Great King, the King of Battle:
May the Lady of Gubla grant power to the king, my lord. At the feet of my lord, my Sun,
I fall down seven times and seven times. Be informed that ... all the 'Apiru have turned their
face against me at the instigation of Abdi-Ashirta.
Let my lord listen to the words of his servant, and let him send me a garrison to defend the
city of the king, until the archers come out. And if there are no archers, then all the lands
will unite with the 'Apiru. Listen, since the conquest of Bit-Arha in accordance with the
demand of Abdi-Ashirta, they seek in the same way to unite Gubla and Batruna; and thus all lands
would be united with the 'Apiru. Two cities remain with me, and they are also attempting to
take them from the king's hand. Let my lord send a garrison to his two cities until the arrival
of the archers, and give me something to feed them. I have nothing.
Like a bird that lies in a net, a cage, so I am in Gubla. Furthermore, if the king is not able to
rescue me from the hand of his enemy, then all lands will unite with Abdi-Ashirta.
What is he, the dog, that he takes the king's lands for himself?
(9) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
(I) A deed of sale between two countries reads in part:
And whereas XXX has an incontestible title to the domain and to the possession of the said Territory
[and XXX] desiring to give to YYY a strong proof of his friendship doth hereby cede to YYY in the name
of XXX for ever and in full Sovereignty the said territory with all its rights and appurtenances as
fully and in the Same manner as they have been acquired by XXX in virtue of the above mentioned Treaty
concluded with his Catholic Majesty.
In the cession made by the preceeding article are included the adjacent Islands[,] all public lots
and Squares, vacant lands and all public buildings, fortifications, barracks and other edifices which
are not private property. The Archives, papers & documents relative to the domain and Sovereignty
of [this territory] will be left in the possession of the Commissaries of YYY, and copies will be
afterwards given in due form to the Magistrates and Municipal officers of such of the said papers
and documents as may be necessary to them.
The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in YYY and admitted as soon as
possible ... to the enjoyment of all these rights, advantages and immunities of citizens of YYY,
and in the mean time they shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty,
property and the Religion which they profess.
(25) Name the then-Head of State of the country which sold the land.
(25) Name the then-Head of State of the country which bought the land.
(J) An early account of paper money:
With these pieces of paper, made as I have described, he causes all payments on his own account
to be made; and he makes them to pass current universally over all his kingdoms and provinces and
territories, and whithersoever his power and sovereignty extends. And nobody, however important
he may think himself, dares to refuse them on pain of death. And indeed everybody takes them readily,
for wheresoever a person may go throughout the Emperor's dominions he shall find these pieces
of paper current, and shall be able to transact all sales and purchases of goods by means of them
just as well as if they were coins of pure gold. And all the while they are so light that
ten bezants? worth does not weigh one golden bezant.
Furthermore all merchants arriving from ... other countries, and bringing with them gold or silver
or gems and pearls, are prohibited from selling to any one but the Emperor. He has twelve experts
chosen for this business, men of shrewdness and experience in such affairs; these appraise the articles,
and the Emperor then pays a liberal price for them in those pieces of paper. The merchants accept his
price readily, for in the first place they would not get so good an one from anybody else,
and secondly they are paid without any delay. And with this paper-money they can buy what they
like anywhere over the Empire, whilst it is also vastly lighter to carry about on their journeys.
And it is a truth that the merchants will several times in the year bring wares to the amount
of 400,000 bezants, and the Grand Sire pays for all in that paper. So he buys such a quantity of
those precious things every year that his treasure is endless, whilst all the time the money
he pays away costs him nothing at all. Moreover, several times in the year proclamation is made
through the city that any one who may have gold or silver or gems or pearls, by taking them
to the Mint shall get a handsome price for them. And the owners are glad to do this, because they
would find no other purchaser give so large a price. Thus the quantity they bring in is marvellous,
though these who do not choose to do so may let it alone. Still, in this way, nearly all the
valuables in the country come into the Emperor's possession.
When any of those pieces of paper are spoilt -- not that they are so very flimsy neither -- the owner
carries them to the Mint, and by paying three per cent. on the value he gets new pieces in exchange.
And if any Baron, or any one else soever, hath need of gold or silver or gems or pearls, in order
to make plate, or girdles, or the like, he goes to the Mint and buys as much as he likes,
paying in this paper-money.
(28) Who wrote this account?
(29) Name the Emperor mentioned in the account.
Jamie's Second Contest: Who wrote that historic document?
This is a one-round contest based on ten documents.
It's longer and more difficult than most rounds, so I'll wait at least six days before answers and scores.
If anything is confusing, post in the thread and I will attend to a correction or clarification ASAP.
Despite the contest title you will only be asked for the author of 6 or 7 of the documents.
You will be asked for the addressee of three letters among the documents.
Most of the document excerpts have been translated into modern English.
In a few cases identifying proper names have been replaced with '...' or '[]' or 'XXX' or 'YYY.'
When asked for a person's name, the surname is usually sufficient.
Three questions are asked about each document.
Two points are awarded for each correct answer, or one point if almost correct.
Thus a perfect score is 10*3*2 = 60, or 64 with correct answers on each of two bonus questions.
For each document the third question relates to the YEAR of the document, or of the event it describes.
You won't be asked for the year, but only to relate the event's date to the dates of the other
nine events. Your answers will have the form "1st", "2nd, "3rd", etc. (or simply "1", "2", "3", ...)
The ten events have a chronological order: "1st" -- denotes the earliest event;
"2nd" the next in sequence, and so on with "10th" denoting the most recent of the ten events.
Two points if you give the correct chronological rank; one point if off by only 1 or 2.
Instead of entering these ranks in responses to questions #3, #6, #9, #12 etc. you may find it
more convenient to rank them all right here:
(R1) Enter the letter (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, or J) of the documented event that was earliest in history.
(R2) Enter the letter of the 2nd earliest documented event.
(R3) Enter the letter of the 3rd earliest documented event.
(R4) Enter the letter of the 4th earliest documented event.
(R5) Enter the letter of the 5th earliest documented event.
(R6) Enter the letter of the 6th earliest documented event.
(R7) Enter the letter of the 7th earliest documented event.
(R8) Enter the letter of the 8th earliest documented event.
(R9) Enter the letter of the 9th earliest documented event.
(R10) Enter the letter of the most recent documented event.
If you answer #R1 ... #R10 here don't answer #3, #6, #9, #12, ... #30 below. And vice versa.
OK? Ready or not, Here We go!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(A) A letter from one Head of State to Another reads as:
A copy of the statement I am making tonight concerning developments ... and the reaction of my Government
thereto has been handed to your Ambassador ... In view of the gravity of the developments to which I refer,
I want you to know immediately and accurately the position of my Government in this matter.
In our discussions and exchanges on ... international questions, the one thing that has most concerned me
has been the possibility that your Government would not correctly understand the will and determination of
[my Government] in any given situation, since I have not assumed that you or any other sane man would,
in this nuclear age, deliberately plunge the world into war which it is crystal clear no country could win
and which could only result in catastrophic consequences to the whole world, including the aggressor.
...
Despite this, the rapid development of long-range missile bases and other offensive weapons systems ... has
proceeded. I must tell you that [my Government] is determined that this threat to the security of this
hemisphere be removed. At the same time, I wish to point out that the action we are taking is the minimum
necessary to remove the threat to the security of the nations of this hemisphere. The fact of this minimum
response should not be taken as a basis, however, for any misjudgment on your part.
(1) Who wrote the letter?
(2) Who was the letter's intended recipient?
(3) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(B) The chronicles of a certain explorer contain the excerpt:
We charged the men who went ashore to ask what day it was. They were answered that
to the Portuguese it was Thursday, at which they were much amazed, for to us it was
Wednesday, and we knew not how we had fallen into error. For every day I, being always in health,
had written down each day without any intermission.
(4) Name the ship from which men were sent ashore.
(4-Bonus) Which explorer authored this account?
(5) What noteworthy explorer reported similarly on a lost day 58 years later?
(6) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(C) A letter from a vassal to his overlord contains:
Rib-Addi says to his lord, the King of Lands, the Great King, the King of Battle:
May the Lady of Gubla grant power to the king, my lord. At the feet of my lord, my Sun,
I fall down seven times and seven times. Be informed that ... all the 'Apiru have turned their
face against me at the instigation of Abdi-Ashirta.
Let my lord listen to the words of his servant, and let him send me a garrison to defend the
city of the king, until the archers come out. And if there are no archers, then all the lands
will unite with the 'Apiru. Listen, since the conquest of Bit-Arha in accordance with the
demand of Abdi-Ashirta, they seek in the same way to unite Gubla and Batruna; and thus all lands
would be united with the 'Apiru. Two cities remain with me, and they are also attempting to
take them from the king's hand. Let my lord send a garrison to his two cities until the arrival
of the archers, and give me something to feed them. I have nothing.
Like a bird that lies in a net, a cage, so I am in Gubla. Furthermore, if the king is not able to
rescue me from the hand of his enemy, then all lands will unite with Abdi-Ashirta.
What is he, the dog, that he takes the king's lands for himself?
(7) Using a better-known place-name than Gubla, wherefrom was the letter written?
(8) To the King of which country was the letter addressed?
(8-Bonus) Name the specific King.
(9) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(D) Account of an explorer describing visits to two islands:
I followed the coast of that isle toward the west and found it so extensive that I
thought it might be the mainland ... and as I found no towns nor villages on
the seacoast, except a few small settlements, where it was impossible to speak to the people because they
fled at once, I continued the said route, thinking I could not fail to see some great cities or towns; and
finding at the end of many leagues that nothing new appeared and that the coast led northward, contrary
to my wish, because the winter had already set in, I decided to make for the south, and as the wind also
was against my proceeding, I determined not to wait there longer and turned back to a certain harbor
whence I sent two men to find out whether there was any king or large city. They explored for three days
and found countless small communities and people, without number, but with no kind of government, so
they returned.
... I saw another isle ... and went thither ... The nightingale and other small birds of a
thousand kinds were singing in the month of November when I was there. There were palm trees of six or
eight varieties, the graceful peculiarities of each one of them being worthy of admiration as are the other
trees, fruits and grasses. There are wonderful pine woods, and very extensive ranges of meadow land.
There is honey, and there are many kinds of birds, and a great variety of fruits. Inland there are numerous
mines of metals and innumerable people.
(10) Name the excerpt's writer.
(11) Show EITHER the name the explorer first gave to the isle first mentioned above
OR that isle's present-day name.
(12) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(E) Excerpted from a history book:
[Ananus] formed an accusation against [a certain prominent man] and some others as breakers of the law,
[and] delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens,
and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done;
they also sent to the king, desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more,
for that what he had already done was not to be justified; nay, some of them went also to meet
[the new Governor] ... and informed him that it was not lawful for Ananus >>> to assemble a sanhedrim without his consent. Whereupon [the new Governor] complied with what they said,
and wrote in anger to Ananus, and threatened that he would bring him to punishment for what he had done;
on which King Agrippa took the high priesthood from [Ananus], when he had ruled but three months ...
(13) Who wrote this account?
(14) Who was the prominent man whose stoning is discussed in the excerpt?
(15) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(F) A paraphrased report of a grant of land and noble title, with the grantee obligated ...
... to become a Christian and a vassal of [the King]. This latter provision caused some trouble,
for the chronicler reports that the new vassal ... refused to bestow the required kiss upon
his liege lord's foot.
'Never,' said he, 'will I bend my knees before anyone, nor will I kiss the foot ...'
Moved, however, by their prayers he ordered one of his warriors to kiss the king's foot.
The latter promptly seized the king's foot, carried it to his mouth and kissed it standing,
thus throwing the king onto his back. At that there was a roar of laughter and a great
disturbance amongst the spectators.
(16) What specific title was the new vassal granted?
(17) Name EITHER the King allegedly thrown onto his back OR his new vassal.
(18) Where does this humorous(?) event rank in time? (The ACTUAL event, not when this
modern account was written) 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(G) A letter from one Head of State to Another reads as:
My dear Brother, I would you knew (though not felt) the extreme dolor that overwhelms my mind,
for that miserable accident which (far contrary to my meaning) hath befallen. I have now sent
this kinsman of mine, whom ere now it hath pleased you to favor, to instruct you truly of that
which is too irksome for my pen to tell you. I beseech you that as God and many more know,
how innocent I am in this case : so you will believe me, that if I had bid aught I would have
bid by it. I am not so base minded that fear of any living creature or Prince should make me
so afraid to do that were just; or done, to deny the same. I am not of so base a lineage,
nor carry so vile a mind. But, as not to disguise, fits not a King, so will I never dissemble
my actions, but cause them show even as I meant them. Thus assuring yourself of me, that as I
know this was deserved, yet if I had meant it I would never lay it on others' shoulders;
no more will I not damnify myself that thought it not. The circumstance it may please you to have
of this bearer. And for your part, think you have not in the world ... a more dear friend than myself;
nor any that will watch more carefully to preserve you and your estate. And who shall otherwise
persuade you, judge them more partial to others than you. And thus in haste I leave to trouble you :
beseeching God to send you a long reign.
(19) Who wrote the letter?
(20) Who was the letter's intended recipient?
(21) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(H) Excerpted from a long report on a foreign country:
they compute the divisions of every season, not by the number of days, but of nights; they keep birthdays
and the beginnings of months and years in such an order that the day follows the night.
Among the other usages of their life, they differ in this from almost all other nations, that
they do not permit their children to approach them openly until they are grown up so as to be able
to bear the service of war; and they regard it as indecorous for a son of boyish age to stand in
public in the presence of his father.
Husbands have power of life and death over their wives as well as over their children: and when the
father of a family, born in a more than commonly distinguished rank, has died, his relations assemble,
and, if the circumstances of his death are suspicious, hold an investigation upon the wives in the
manner adopted toward slaves; and, if proof be obtained, put them to severe torture, and kill them.
Their funerals, considering the state of civilization among [them], are magnificent and costly;
and they cast into the fire all things, including living creatures, which they suppose to have been dear
to them when alive; and, a little before this period, slaves and dependents, who were ascertained to
have been beloved by them, were, after the regular funeral rites were completed, burnt together with them.
(22) Who wrote this report?
(23) On which country was he reporting?
(24) Where does this report rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(I) A deed of sale between two countries reads in part:
And whereas XXX has an incontestible title to the domain and to the possession of the said Territory
[and XXX] desiring to give to YYY a strong proof of his friendship doth hereby cede to YYY in the name
of XXX for ever and in full Sovereignty the said territory with all its rights and appurtenances as
fully and in the Same manner as they have been acquired by XXX in virtue of the above mentioned Treaty
concluded with his Catholic Majesty.
In the cession made by the preceeding article are included the adjacent Islands[,] all public lots
and Squares, vacant lands and all public buildings, fortifications, barracks and other edifices which
are not private property. The Archives, papers & documents relative to the domain and Sovereignty
of [this territory] will be left in the possession of the Commissaries of YYY, and copies will be
afterwards given in due form to the Magistrates and Municipal officers of such of the said papers
and documents as may be necessary to them.
The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in YYY and admitted as soon as
possible ... to the enjoyment of all these rights, advantages and immunities of citizens of YYY,
and in the mean time they shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty,
property and the Religion which they profess.
(25) Name the then-Head of State of the country which sold the land.
(25) Name the then-Head of State of the country which bought the land.
(27) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(J) An early account of paper money:
With these pieces of paper, made as I have described, he causes all payments on his own account
to be made; and he makes them to pass current universally over all his kingdoms and provinces and
territories, and whithersoever his power and sovereignty extends. And nobody, however important
he may think himself, dares to refuse them on pain of death. And indeed everybody takes them readily,
for wheresoever a person may go throughout the Emperor's dominions he shall find these pieces
of paper current, and shall be able to transact all sales and purchases of goods by means of them
just as well as if they were coins of pure gold. And all the while they are so light that
ten bezants? worth does not weigh one golden bezant.
Furthermore all merchants arriving from ... other countries, and bringing with them gold or silver
or gems and pearls, are prohibited from selling to any one but the Emperor. He has twelve experts
chosen for this business, men of shrewdness and experience in such affairs; these appraise the articles,
and the Emperor then pays a liberal price for them in those pieces of paper. The merchants accept his
price readily, for in the first place they would not get so good an one from anybody else,
and secondly they are paid without any delay. And with this paper-money they can buy what they
like anywhere over the Empire, whilst it is also vastly lighter to carry about on their journeys.
And it is a truth that the merchants will several times in the year bring wares to the amount
of 400,000 bezants, and the Grand Sire pays for all in that paper. So he buys such a quantity of
those precious things every year that his treasure is endless, whilst all the time the money
he pays away costs him nothing at all. Moreover, several times in the year proclamation is made
through the city that any one who may have gold or silver or gems or pearls, by taking them
to the Mint shall get a handsome price for them. And the owners are glad to do this, because they
would find no other purchaser give so large a price. Thus the quantity they bring in is marvellous,
though these who do not choose to do so may let it alone. Still, in this way, nearly all the
valuables in the country come into the Emperor's possession.
When any of those pieces of paper are spoilt -- not that they are so very flimsy neither -- the owner
carries them to the Mint, and by paying three per cent. on the value he gets new pieces in exchange.
And if any Baron, or any one else soever, hath need of gold or silver or gems or pearls, in order
to make plate, or girdles, or the like, he goes to the Mint and buys as much as he likes,
paying in this paper-money.
(28) Who wrote this account?
(29) Name the Emperor mentioned in the account.
(30) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most recent) or somewhere in between?
Jamie's Second Contest: Who wrote that historic document?
Instead of entering these ranks in responses to questions #3, #6, #9, #12 etc. you may find it
more convenient to rank them all right here:
(1) Who wrote the letter?
(2) Who was the letter's intended recipient?
(4) Name the ship from which men were sent ashore.
(4-Bonus) Which explorer authored this account?
(5) What noteworthy explorer reported similarly on a lost day 58 years later?
(10) Name the excerpt's writer.
(11) Show EITHER the name the explorer first gave to the isle first mentioned above
OR that isle's present-day name.
(25) Name the then-Head of State of the country which bought the land.
(28) Who wrote this account?
(29) Name the Emperor mentioned in the account.
(1) Who wrote the letter?
(2) Who was the letter's intended recipient?
(3) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most >
recent) or somewhere in between?
(4-Bonus) Which explorer authored this account?
(5) What noteworthy explorer reported similarly on a lost day 58 years
later?
(6) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most
recent) or somewhere in between?
(9) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most
recent) or somewhere in between?
(10) Name the excerpt's writer.
(11) Show EITHER the name the explorer first gave to the isle first
mentioned above OR that isle's present-day name.
(12) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most
recent) or somewhere in between?
(13) Who wrote this account?
(15) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most
recent) or somewhere in between?
(16) What specific title was the new vassal granted?
(17) Name EITHER the King allegedly thrown onto his back OR his new
vassal.
(18) Where does this humorous(?) event rank in time? (The ACTUAL event,
not when this modern account was written) 1st (earliest), 10th (most
recent) or somewhere in between?
(21) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most
recent) or somewhere in between?
(22) Who wrote this report?
(23) On which country was he reporting?
(24) Where does this report rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most
recent) or somewhere in between?
(25) Name the then-Head of State of the country which sold the land.
(25) Name the then-Head of State of the country which bought the land.
(27) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most
recent) or somewhere in between?
(28) Who wrote this account?
(29) Name the Emperor mentioned in the account.
(30) Where does this event rank in time? 1st (earliest), 10th (most
recent) or somewhere in between?
Jamie's Second Contest: Who wrote that historic document?
... please keep in lengths under 80 characters.
(R1-10) Enter the letters (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, or J) of the events
in chronological order.
OK? Ready or not, Here We go!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(A) A letter from one Head of State to Another reads as:
A copy of the statement I am making tonight concerning developments ... >> thereto has been handed to your Ambassador ... In view of the gravity ... >> I want you to know immediately and accurately the position of my ...
In our discussions and exchanges on ... international questions, ...
has been the possibility that your Government would not correctly ...
[my Government] in any given situation, since I have not assumed ...
in this nuclear age, deliberately plunge the world into war which ...
and which could only result in catastrophic consequences to the ...
...
Despite this, the rapid development of long-range missile bases ...
proceeded. I must tell you that [my Government] is determined that ...
hemisphere be removed. At the same time, I wish to point out that ...
necessary to remove the threat to the security of the nations of this ... >> response should not be taken as a basis, however, for any misjudgment ...
(1) Who wrote the letter?
(2) Who was the letter's intended recipient?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(B) The chronicles of a certain explorer contain the excerpt:
We charged the men who went ashore to ask what day it was. They were
answered that to the Portuguese it was Thursday, at which they were much >> amazed, for to us it was Wednesday, and we knew not how we had [erred]...
(4) Name the ship from which men were sent ashore.
(4-Bonus) Which explorer authored this account?[The commander of Victoria did NOT write the Chronicle from which the excerpt is taken, but a point is deserved for remembering that name.
(5) What noteworthy explorer reported similarly on a lost day 58 years later?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(C) A letter from a vassal to his overlord contains:
Rib-Addi says to his lord, the King of Lands, the Great King, the King ... >> May the Lady of Gubla grant power to the king, my lord. At the feet of
my lord, my Sun, I fall down seven times and seven times. Be informed that >> that all the 'Apiru have turned their face against me at the inst of
of Abdi-Ashirta.
Let my lord listen to the words of his servant, and ... send me a garrison >> to defend the city of the king, until the archers come ... if there are
no archers, then all the lands will unite with the 'Apiru. ...
(7) Using a better-known place-name than Gubla, wherefrom [] letter written?
(8) To the King of which country was the letter addressed?
(8-Bonus) Name the specific King.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(D) Account of an explorer describing visits to two islands:
I followed the coast of that isle toward the west and found it so extensive
that I thought it might be the mainland ... and as I found no towns nor
villages on the seacoast, except a few small settlements, where it was ... >> fled at once, I continued the said route, thinking I could not fail to ... >> finding at the end of many leagues that nothing new appeared and that the >> coast led northward, contrary to my wish, because the winter had already >> set in, I decided to make for the south, and as the wind also ...
(10) Name the excerpt's writer.
(11) Show EITHER the name the explorer first gave to the isle first mentioned above OR that isle's present-day name.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(E) Excerpted from a history book:
[Ananus] formed an accusation against [a certain prominent man] and some >> others as breakers of the law, [and] delivered them to be stoned: but ... >> those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were ... >> uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they ...
to the king, desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, >> for that what he had already done was not to be justified; nay, some ...
(13) Who wrote this account?
(14) Who was the prominent man whose stoning is discussed in the excerpt?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(F) A paraphrased report of a grant of land and noble title, with the
grantee obligated ...
... to become a Christian and a vassal of [the King]. This latter provision
caused some trouble, for the chronicler reports that the new vassal
... refused to bestow the required kiss upon his liege lord's foot.
'Never,' said he, 'will I bend my knees before anyone, nor will I kiss the >> foot ...' Moved, however, by their prayers he ordered one of his warriors >> to kiss the king's foot. The latter promptly seized the king's foot,
carried it to his mouth and kissed it standing, thus throwing the king onto
his back. At that there was a roar of laughter and a great
disturbance amongst the spectators.
(16) What specific title was the new vassal granted?
(17) Name EITHER the King allegedly thrown onto his back OR his new vassal.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(G) A letter from one Head of State to Another reads as:
My dear Brother, I would you knew (though not felt) the extreme dolor
that overwhelms my mind, for that miserable accident which (far contrary >> to my meaning) hath befallen. I have now sent this kinsman of mine, whom >> ere now it hath pleased you to favor, to instruct you truly of that
which is too irksome for my pen to tell you. I beseech you that ...
how innocent I am in this case : so you will believe me, that ...
bid by it. I am not so base minded that fear of any living creature ...
so afraid to do that were just; or done, to deny the same. I am not...
nor carry so vile a mind. But, as not to disguise, fits not a King, ...
my actions, but cause them show even as I meant them. Thus assuring ...
know this was deserved, yet if I had meant it I would never lay it on ... >> ...
beseeching God to send you a long reign.
(19) Who wrote the letter?
(20) Who was the letter's intended recipient?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(H) Excerpted from a long report on a foreign country:
they compute the divisions of every season, not by the number of days,
but of nights; they keep birthdays and the beginnings of months and years >> in such an order that the day follows the night.
...
Husbands have power of life and death over their wives
as well as over their children: and when the
father of a family, born in a more than commonly distinguished
rank, has died, his relations assemble,
and, if the circumstances of his death are suspicious, hold
an investigation upon the wives in the
manner adopted toward slaves; and, if proof be obtained,
put them to severe torture, and kill them.
Their funerals, considering the state of civilization
among [them], are magnificent and costly;
and they cast into the fire all things, including living creatures,
which they suppose to have been dear
to them when alive; and, a little before this period, slaves and
dependents, who were ascertained to
have been beloved by them, were, after the regular funeral rites
were completed, burnt together with them.
(22) Who wrote this report?
(23) On which country was he reporting?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(I) A deed of sale between two countries reads in part:
And whereas XXX has an incontestible title to the domain and
to the possession of the said Territory
[and XXX] desiring to give to YYY a strong proof of his
friendship doth hereby cede to YYY in the name
of XXX for ever and in full Sovereignty the said territory
with all its rights and appurtenances as
fully and in the Same manner as they have been acquired by XXX
in virtue of the above mentioned Treaty
concluded with his Catholic Majesty.
In the cession made by the preceeding article are included the
adjacent Islands[,] all public lots
and Squares, vacant lands and all public buildings,
fortifications, barracks and other edifices which
are not private property. The Archives, papers & documents ...
(25) Name the then-Head of State of the country which sold the land.
(26) Name the then-Head of State of the country which bought the land.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(J) An early account of paper money:
With these pieces of paper, made as I have described, he causes all ...
to be made; and he makes them to pass current universally over all his ... >> territories, and whithersoever his power and sovereignty extends. And ... >> he may think himself, dares to refuse them on pain of death. And indeed ...
for wheresoever a person may go throughout the Emperor's dominions he ... >> of paper current, and shall be able to transact all sales and purchases ...
just as well as if they were coins of pure gold. And all the while they ...
ten bezants? worth does not weigh one golden bezant.
Furthermore all merchants arriving from ... countries, and bringing ...
or gems ..., are prohibited from selling to any one but the Emperor.
... chosen for this business, men of shrewdness and experience in ...
(28) Who wrote this account?
(29) Name the Emperor mentioned in the account.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Cheers,
Jamie
(R1-10) Enter the letters (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, or J) of the events >> in chronological order.
C, H, E, F, J, D, B, G, I, A
20 points for Dan_T (perfect score!)
(11) Show EITHER the name the explorer first gave to the isle first mentioned
above OR that isle's present-day name.
Juana or Cuba (1 point for isles almost correct)
1 point for Dan_T, Mark
James Dow Allen:
(11) Show EITHER the name the explorer first gave to the isle first mentioned
above OR that isle's present-day name.
Juana or Cuba (1 point for isles almost correct)
1 point for Dan_T, Mark
In what way was Hispaniola almost correct?
James Dow Allen:
(11) Show EITHER the name the explorer first gave to the isle first mentioned
above OR that isle's present-day name.
Juana or Cuba (1 point for isles almost correct)
1 point for Dan_T, Mark
In what way was Hispaniola almost correct?
I'm afraid my contest had various flaws compared with other contests
here. :-{ Y'all may be pleased that I am unlikely to try again!
| Sysop: | Jacob Catayoc |
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