Historical Value - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 06-07-2002, 10:33 AM

I believe that the key to learning history, or anything really, is connection. Relationships. Even learning by experience fits into this, because experience itself can be the connection by which we learn something. An example of connections is that between archaeological finds in the MidEast, Homer's Iliad, the Bible, and Egyptian historical records. Archaeological finds turn up Trojan-like pottery having been in Palestine just around 1200 B.C. and thereafter. Homer's Iliad relates the defeat of Troy by the Greeks; archaeological digs at the historic site of Troy reveal a destroyed city circa 1200 B.c. There were warriors from Cyprus in the army of Kind David of Israel. Up until David, the Philistines knew the technology of iron forging and kept it away from the Israelites. The Trojans had iron technology. The Egyptian records speak of Sea Peoples who tried and failed to invade Egypt but settled on the shores of Palestine.

Here's the connection. The Philistines of the Bible had the same culture as the Trojans. They were at least related to them and may have BEEN them. The victory of the Greeks sent the Trojans and their allies fleeing. They fled to Crete, Cyprus, and down the coast of Palestine. Some of them attacked Egypt, which failed. They settled in Palestine and founded cities such as Gaza, Ekron, and others along the shore of the Mediterranean. The name Palestine comes from the name Philistine. So Homer's Iliad is based in history in ways I had not known before. Connections.

Tolkien understood connections. His legendarium is filled with historical connection. We love the history of Middle Earth because we can see how so many events tied into the War of the Ring.

So find a way to make a connection between what you already know and new information and you'll have a much better chance of retaining the knowledge.

06-07-2002, 10:33 AM	#13
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	I believe that the key to learning history, or anything really, is connection. Relationships. Even learning by experience fits into this, because experience itself can be the connection by which we learn something. An example of connections is that between archaeological finds in the MidEast, Homer's Iliad, the Bible, and Egyptian historical records. Archaeological finds turn up Trojan-like pottery having been in Palestine just around 1200 B.C. and thereafter. Homer's Iliad relates the defeat of Troy by the Greeks; archaeological digs at the historic site of Troy reveal a destroyed city circa 1200 B.c. There were warriors from Cyprus in the army of Kind David of Israel. Up until David, the Philistines knew the technology of iron forging and kept it away from the Israelites. The Trojans had iron technology. The Egyptian records speak of Sea Peoples who tried and failed to invade Egypt but settled on the shores of Palestine. Here's the connection. The Philistines of the Bible had the same culture as the Trojans. They were at least related to them and may have BEEN them. The victory of the Greeks sent the Trojans and their allies fleeing. They fled to Crete, Cyprus, and down the coast of Palestine. Some of them attacked Egypt, which failed. They settled in Palestine and founded cities such as Gaza, Ekron, and others along the shore of the Mediterranean. The name Palestine comes from the name Philistine. So Homer's Iliad is based in history in ways I had not known before. Connections. Tolkien understood connections. His legendarium is filled with historical connection. We love the history of Middle Earth because we can see how so many events tied into the War of the Ring. So find a way to make a connection between what you already know and new information and you'll have a much better chance of retaining the knowledge.