Great Schism

Great Schism Priest 1054

Q: What was the Great Schism?
A: The Great Schism was the divide between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Western Roman Catholic Church.

Q: What were some of the causes of this division?
A: The East and West were always disagreeing about this or that. For example, using leavened or unleavened bread in Eucharist, or the Pope's idea of universal jurisdiction. One of the things that really made tensions rise were indulgences. Political and theological disputes like this were very common.

Q: What effect do you think this will have on the Church?
A: I cannot tell if it will strengthen Christianity as a whole and expand it, or bring it crashing down. The two sides will disagree but now that they are seperate they may fight less.

Crusades

Crusades Pope Urban II 1095

Q: You have recently sent knights out to recapture Jerusalem, what is your thinking behind this?

A: The Muslims have control of Jerusalem, a very holy site for us Christians. We wish to get it back. We have an abundance of unemployed knights and this is the perfect job for them.

1100 Christian Knight

Q: You accomplished your mission, you successfully took Jerusalem. How?

A: The journey here was long and arduous. We lacked supplies and many men died. Once we arrived, our attacks were unsuccessful. We gathered materials to build siege engines. When they were built we got over the walls of Jerusalem and took over. We opened the gates and killed anyone we came across.

Q: How do you feel being in control of the Holy Land?

A: Good, I am glad that we were able to complete our mission. I am also glad that Christians are able to make pilgrimages now. We have also learned things here that will help in Europe. Through trade we have gotten new ideas and culture.

Battle of Tours

Battle of Tours Charles "The Hammer" Martel 732

Q: Being heavily outnumbered, how did you feel going into this battle?

A: Being the King of the Franks, it was my duty to lead my troops into battle regardless of the opposing force. I knew that I was the last stand against the Umayyad before they were fully into Europe.

Q: What was the significance of winning this battle to you?

A: This was a holy fight. My army was the only thing standing in the way of Christian Europe being turned Muslim by these invaders. We simply had to win. If we had lost, they would continue through Europe killing, pillaging, and converting people to Islam.

·          " Battle of Tours (732 A.D.) ." The Latin Library . N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2010. <http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/imperialism/notes/tours.html>.

William the Conqueror

William the Conqueror 1086

Q: What position did you hold that made you wish to be the king of England?

A: When my father died, I inherited the position of Duke of Normandy.

Q: You did not gain this position as easily as it sounds, did you?

A: No, the Barons did not accept me because I was not the "legitimate" son of the duke. There was a lot of chaos involving this situation including the deaths of many of my Guardians.

Q: When you were prepared to invade England, you were forced to wait by foul winds, how did this end up helping you?

A: Yes, my ships could not launch as planned. While I was stuck though, the king of Norway attacked England and the English forces were needed there. They defeated the Norwegians but their forces were weakened. By the time I arrived the English army was weak and my forces defeated them.

Q: How did your victory at the Battle of Hastings effect the situation in England?

A: For one, it killed Harold who was the king. Two, it made me king. And three, it destroyed Anglo-Saxon England.

Q: What is different about your reign then the Anglo-Saxon?
A: The Norman Feudal system is used. Also I have created the Doomsday book to have a census and accurately tax the people.

  "William the Conqueror.." English Monarchs - A complete history of the Kings and Queens of England.. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2010. <http://www.englishmonarchs.co

Columbus leaves Spain

Columbus leaves Spain 1492

Q: You have just left Spain on an exploration trip, what are you hoping to find?

A: I will find a fast trade route to the Indies.

Q: Who is financing your trip?

A: King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.

Q: Were they the first you presented your plans to?

A: No, previously I presented my plans to the king of Portugal, King Henry VII of England, King Charles VIII of France, and even the Spanish court three times before they agreed to finance the voyage.

Q: How did you finally get King Ferdinand to agree?

A: A priest helped me convince the Spanish rulers that if I found the route, Christianity could be spread.

Q: When he agreed, what did King Ferdinand give you?

A: He gave me three ships and all the necessary provisions and supplies to make the voyage.

Q: What effect do you think finding this trade route will have?

A: If I find the route, trade will be much faster and more practical. There will be a chance for us to enjoy some of the foreign goods here in Europe. Our culture and religious practices will be spread through trade. We will also get tastes of other cultures. European greatness will have the opportunity to spread throughout the world.

·         "Christopher Columbus." ELIZABETHAN ERA. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/christopher-columbus.htm>.

Magna Carta

Magna Carta 1217 Baron of King John

Q: Being a Baron, you were one of the men who got this document into place, what were your motives?

A: King John was taxing the Barons without our consent. We did not want to be taxed that heavily. We put the Magna Carta into place because we didn’t want the king to be above the law.

Q: The fighting that put this document into place sent the country into chaos, was it worth it?

A: Yes, it was very worth it. It may have sent the country into chaos for a short time but it will help the people of England greatly in the future.

Q: What is the Magna Carta?

A: Essentially the Magna Carta is a document that states that the king is not above the law, the rights of nobles, due process of law, tax control with Grand Council of Lords, the king can’t interfere with the church, and Parliament has control of the Purse.

Q: How did you get King John to sign this?

A: Originally we presented our ideas to him in the customary way. When he rejected the ideas, we had to take more drastic measures. The other barons and I, with the Church’s support, gathered our forces and defeated the King’s men. With his men defeated he was forced to sign the document.

Q: What is so important about the Magna Carta?

A: It keeps our rulers just. No longer can the king do whatever he pleases. I believe this is the first step to take our society away from kings and queens to a better system of rule.

Charlamagne

801 Charlemagne

Q: You are the grandson of Charles Martel, correct?

A: Yes.

Q: In 768 you inherited half of your father’s kingdom because it was split between you and your brother correct?

A: Yes.

Q: In 771 your brother died and you controlled all the land of your kingdom correct?

A: Yes.

Q: When you took control of the kingdom, how did you see it?

A: It was a time of chaos. The Franks were falling back into barbarian ways and moving away from their faith. The Saxons in the north were still pagans.

Q: Why were you so determined to change this?

A: The Kingdom was once great. I wished to restore it to the greatness of our past rulers.

Q: How did you go about changing this?

A: In 772 I launched a military campaign to bring unity to Europe and strengthen my kingdom.

Q: Was this military campaign successful?

A: Yes, by 800 I was the undisputed ruler of Europe.

Q: What specific event verified this undisputed rule for you?

A: When the pope decided to coronateme as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Q: What was the major importance of this move?

A: Being the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, I unified the Christian Empire.

"Charlemagne | King of the Franks | Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire." Lucidcafé Interactive Café and Information Resource. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. <http://www.lucidcafe.com/library

Rome Sacked

Alleric 411

Q: Had you had previous attacks prior to the destruction in 410?

A: Yes, we had attacked before looking for food but because there was little available we mostly left the city alone and moved on to another.

Q: Rome was a pretty secure city, how did your Visigoth army attack it?

A: My troops surrounded the city and laid siege. We cut off all supply lines and starved them out. There was no way we could win a head on attack so we allowed it to crumble from the inside.

Q: Seeing as they were starving, the Romans probably provided little opposition once you were inside the city, how did you deal with this?

A: That is correct, many of the citizens were dead from starvation and the soldiers were weak. Many did not even put up a fight. My men physically destroyed the city taking all the food and riches we could. Many citizens died during the attack but we took a powerful enemy off the map.

Q: How does the destruction of Rome affect your future conquests?

A: Now that the main power of the area is destroyed, it will be much easier for me to conquer other cities that may have relied on the Romans for protection. There will be chaos that I can take advantage of.

Constantine the Great

Constantine The Great 336

Q: Who did you take over rule after?

A: Diocletian

Q: Diocletian divided the Roman Empire into East and West, which half did you take over rule in?

A: I took control in the East half, the Byzantine Empire.

Q: Why did you move the capital?

A: I moved the capital from Rome to another city and named it Constantinople. I did this partly because of the corruption and the barbarian attacks in Rome, we needed change.

Q: One of the most important things you have done as emperor is legalizing Christianity in 313. Not only that but you converted to Christianity yourself. Can you tell me about this?

A: Yes, I had seen Christians persecuted in Rome for a long time, even in the time of my father. I had a vision the night before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. I looked to the sky and saw a Christian sign that said in this sign, you will conquer. I had my soldiers paint the sign on their shields and we won the battle. After that I felt as if the Christian god was important to me. I converted to Christianity and legalized it for all citizens.

Q: Following this battle you also advanced in the political scheme of things correct?

A: Yes, I became the sole emperor of the Roman Empire.

Q: Legalizing Christianity really changed the Roman Empire, how do you think it will affect the future?

A: I think it will affect both the religion and the empire. The religion will most certainly grow and become more popular. I think the empire will become more predominantly Christian rather than Pagan and I think that will change the way it is run.

Hickman, Kennedy. "Battle of the Milvian Bridge - Constantine at the Battle of Milvian Bridge ." Military History - Warfare through the Ages - Battles and Conflicts - Weapons of War - Military Leaders in History. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2010. <http://militaryhistory.about.com

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar 44 BC

Q:When you were 15 your father died, did this help your political career?

A: Yes. My father expected me to hold a lowlyadministration position. When he died, that expectation died with him.

Q: How did you start your campaign to hold a high government position?

A: I joined the army. I advanced through the ranks and became a general. At this point I had political influence and loyal legions behind me.

Q: In 49 BC you crossed the Rubicon with your army, what was your thinking behind this?

A: I wished to hold a higher position in the Roman Empire. The Senate supported Pompey. It was a simple decision; either I had to defeat the Senate or Pompey.

Q: Eventually you did defeat Pompey for control of Rome didn’t you?

A: Yes, in 48 BC I defeated Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus15 and won control of Rome.

Q: You recently became the first Roman dictator for life, how did you manage this?

A: This is what I have always wanted, a high position in Roman government. I had defeated Pompey and won control of Rome, it was only fitting that I should be the leader of this great empire. I “persuaded” the Senate to make me dictator for life.

Q: What does this mean for Rome?

A: Rome will now have a new system of ruling.

Axis Age/Golden Age in Greece

Axis Age/Golden Age in Greece Pericles 430

Q: The period of your rule has been called the golden age of Greece, would you agree with this?

A: Greece is a great country and has had many great times. I don’t know if this is the greatest but it is definitely one of the best periods in our history.

Q: What was Greece like in this period that was different from other periods?

A: Athens in particular is thriving. Art, learning, and culture are very important. We have incredible thinkers such as Socrates. Socrates is always questioning the most inner workings of humanity and the universe. He has developed a way of teaching that I believe will be used far into the future because of its effectiveness. This method consists of asking questions to teach others. Our economy is booming. When the economy is great, our people can appreciate the arts and express themselves which only makes our society better.

Q: It has been said that you have different political views from many leaders around you, is this true?

A: Yes, I am a firm believer of democracy. All the people are being ruled so why shouldn’t all people get a choice in how they are ruled? I do not like oligarchy. I prefer a true democracy where everyone votes on everything.

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great 325 BC

Q: Alexander, I’ve heard that your mother told you that you were a descendant of Achilles and Hercules when growing up is this true?

A: Yes, when I was growing up my mother told me I was related to them and that I was destined to be a great conqueror.

Q: Why was this important to you?

A: It made me feel like I had a destiny to fill. It motivated me to always do well and to achieve as much as them. It helped me become what I am today, the ruler of a great empire.

Q: Speaking of the empire, what motivated you to build this empire besides your mother telling you that you are a descendant of Achilles and Hercules?

A: I have modeled my empire after the old Roman Empire. I told myself that I wanted to restore the Roman Empire to its previous glory.

Q: It seems that you have used a style of Hellenistic culture when conquering these cities and adding them to your empire, how are you doing this?

A: Yes, when my armies conquer a city, I take the best parts of their culture and merge them with our own Roman culture. I find that this not only creates a great new culture but it makes the people of the conquered city like me and be less likely to rebel. We even take some of the young men to Rome to show them what they can achieve with our help.

Q: You were a pupil of Aristotle correct?

A: Yes.

Q: How did his teachings benefit you the most?

A: His teachings gave me an interest in reading and learning. The areas I was most interested in were philosophy, medicine, and science. His teachings improved my thinking and decision making. It is always a good idea to have an educated leader.

Q: Each aspiring leader must prove themselves to the people, how did you do this?

A: When I was 16, my father was away. There was an uprising in Macedonia; I was called to put down the rebellion. I established myself immediately by crushing the uprising and storming the rebels’ stronghold. I named it Alexandropoulos, after myself.

Q: Why was conquering so important to Rome?

A: Rome has been on a decline, I intend to get it back to its glorious leading position. If I can restore it, it will lead the world for many years to come.