We are going to do our first thumb trial and this is how it works: We will have several mini-trials, each of which will be delivered to a jury (the rest of the class) who will decide by a show of thumbs. Below is a list of controversial characters we shall explore in our first three units (8000BCE to 1450). In order for a trial to be scheduled, at least one person on defense and one person on prosecution must sign up. No more than two students per team and as always, first come first served. The defendants will answer ONLY to the crimes enumerated.
Sign up for either the character, the prosecution or the defense.
Gilgamesh
mistreatment of subjects, murder of Humbaba, dereliction of royal duties
mistreatment of subjects, murder of Humbaba, dereliction of royal duties
Hammurabi
creation of laws unfair to women, war crimes, tyranny
creation of laws unfair to women, war crimes, tyranny
Ramesses II
defacing sacred objects, tyranny, misuse of government funds
defacing sacred objects, tyranny, misuse of government funds
King Darius of Persia
corruption, overtaxing, tyranny
corruption, overtaxing, tyranny
Plato
blasphemy, corruption of the youth of Athens, treason
blasphemy, corruption of the youth of Athens, treason
Alexander the Great
war crimes, tyranny, irresponsible troop deployment
war crimes, tyranny, irresponsible troop deployment
Julius Caesar
treason, attempted rebellion, war crimes
treason, attempted rebellion, war crimes
Shi Huangdi
squandering precious resources, wasting of human lives and labor, tyranny
squandering precious resources, wasting of human lives and labor, tyranny
Chandragupta
espionage, overtaxing, corruption
espionage, overtaxing, corruption
Justinian
tyranny, conducting unjust wars, corruption
tyranny, conducting unjust wars, corruption
Theodora
behavior unbefitting a queen, blasphemy, treason
behavior unbefitting a queen, blasphemy, treason
Pope Urban II
deploying troops to the Holy Land, inciting violence, hate crimes
deploying troops to the Holy Land, inciting violence, hate crimes
Charlemagne
tyranny, overtaxing, corruption
tyranny, overtaxing, corruption
Genghis Kahn
cruelty, war crimes, genocide
cruelty, war crimes, genocide
Emporer Yongle of China
mistreatment of minorities, tyranny, land theft
mistreatment of minorities, tyranny, land theft
Particulars of the trials will follow. The assignment is worth 50 points, you can earn up to 25 extra credit by participating in a second trial. (Priority goes to those signing up for their first.)
Peace.