Create an original argument about an empire and analyze its rise (and fall, if applicable) in terms of
the three spatial elements outlined in Chapter 14 of our textbook.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire: An Analysis of Spatial Elements
Introduction
The Roman Empire, one of the most influential and enduring empires in history, rose to power through a combination of military conquests, political stability, and innovative governance. In this essay, we will analyze the rise and potential fall of the Roman Empire in terms of the three spatial elements outlined in Chapter 14 of our textbook: scale, location, and territoriality.
Scale: Expansion and Dominance
The scale of the Roman Empire was vast, encompassing territories across three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia. The empire’s expansion began in the 3rd century BCE and continued for several centuries, reaching its peak during the 2nd century CE. Through military conquests and strategic alliances, the Romans gradually expanded their influence, assimilating diverse populations and cultures into their empire.
The Roman Empire’s scale played a crucial role in its rise to power. Through territorial expansion, the empire gained access to valuable resources, such as fertile lands, precious metals, and trade routes. The acquisition of new territories also provided a steady stream of tribute and taxes, fueling the empire’s economic prosperity.
Location: Strategic Positioning and Control
The location of the Roman Empire was strategically advantageous, contributing to its rise and longevity. The empire was centered around the Mediterranean Sea, which provided a natural barrier against invasion from the east, while also facilitating trade and communication. The geographic location allowed the Romans to control vital maritime trade routes, enabling them to dominate international commerce.
Additionally, the Roman Empire’s location gave it access to crucial resources and agricultural lands. The fertile regions of Egypt, North Africa, and Sicily provided abundant food supplies, while the presence of valuable mineral deposits in Spain and Anatolia bolstered the empire’s economic power.
Territoriality: Governance and Infrastructure
Territoriality refers to the ways in which empires organize and govern their territories. The Roman Empire excelled in establishing effective governance systems and infrastructure, which contributed to its rise and stability. The Romans implemented a decentralized administrative structure, allowing local elites to retain some autonomy while being loyal to the central authority. This strategy ensured stability and facilitated the assimilation of conquered territories into the empire.
Furthermore, the Romans invested heavily in infrastructure development, constructing an extensive network of roads, aqueducts, and public buildings throughout their territories. This infrastructure facilitated trade, communication, and the efficient movement of troops, reinforcing Roman control and cohesion.
The Fall of the Roman Empire
Despite its immense power and accomplishments, the Roman Empire eventually faced a decline and eventual fall. Several factors contributed to its downfall, including external pressures such as barbarian invasions and internal challenges like political corruption, economic decline, and social unrest.
In terms of scale, the vastness of the empire became a burden rather than a strength. The administration and defense of such a large territory became increasingly challenging, stretching the empire’s resources, both human and financial. The inability to effectively manage and control such a vast territory weakened the empire’s ability to defend its borders against external threats.
Location also played a role in the empire’s downfall. The empire’s extensive borders made it susceptible to attacks from various Germanic and Hunnic tribes. Additionally, the empire’s economic power shifted as trade routes shifted away from the Mediterranean towards the Indian Ocean and Silk Road, diminishing Rome’s economic influence.
Lastly, territoriality became a challenge as the empire grew. The Roman bureaucracy became corrupt and inefficient, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among the population. Economic inequality and social unrest further weakened the empire’s stability. The inability to maintain effective governance and address internal issues contributed to the erosion of Roman power.
Conclusion
The rise and fall of the Roman Empire can be analyzed through the lens of scale, location, and territoriality. The empire’s vast scale and strategic location were instrumental in its rise, allowing it to expand, dominate, and control vital resources and trade routes. Effective governance and infrastructure further solidified Roman control. However, the empire’s size and geographical challenges, combined with internal problems and outside threats, eventually led to its decline. The Roman Empire serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between spatial elements and the rise and fall of empires throughout history.
