Skip to main content

Stuff

Our possessions are often very important to us, so much so that we even try to take them with us when we die. One of the most spectacular tombs still evident today is found in China. Records of the burial site of China’s first emperor, named Chinshi Huangdi (ruled 221-207 B.C.), state that the man himself was buried in a large chamber full of “precious stones” and “fine vessels,” great treasure. Jewels that represent the sun, moon, and starts are said to line the ceiling of this chamber; while the floor is recorded to contain “rivers of mercury” that represent the earth. More than that, the man is guarded by 8,099 clay soldiers, each one different from the rest in both appearance and height. The tallest are the generals, who tower at 6 ft., 6 inches. There are also horses and other figures besides the soldiers. It’s said that their purpose was to help him rule another empire in the afterlife, and for protection. His tomb, which is supposed to be a type of palace, is estimated to have required 700,000 workers around 36 years to complete. In it are offices, halls, and a wall with gated entrances.

Other historical accounts from China and Egypt tell us that even slaves have been killed and buried with their masters (some have been buried alive). In China, one ruler (Duke Wu) was buried with over 60 slaves, while another (later, Duke Mu) was buried with 177 slaves.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A White Post-Christmas

I just came back from my brother's renewal of vows. He lives in Wisconsin, and this particular week, they experienced colder-than-average temperatures. I could tell because my hands began to go numb as I attempted to tie down a trailer after last night's reception. As a result, I appreciated the fact that the temperature in Stockton was in the mid-sixties when I came back. It was, however, good to take part in this, a dream of my brother and sister-in-law, after at least two years without seeing them. I saw the incredible support of their friends, who helped set up the day before, took part on the day of the event, and stayed late to help clean up. Aware of how tired everyone was late last night, one of Chris's friends even lent Chris his truck to take the last of the decorations home, a favor that allowed the family to return home before two o'clock in the morning last night. Here are some of the highlights: 1. Hearing on a plane what sounded like a baby's fi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Heroes

Although we have several examples of heroes in our day, one of the best known is of a woman named Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu (“Gonja Bojaju”), who devoted her life to sustaining the “poor, sick, orphaned, and dying.” Her venue was Calcutta, India, where she served as a teacher until she began to take notice of the poverty there. Seeking to do something about it, she began an organization that consisted of just thirteen members at its inception. Called the “Missionaries of Charity,” the organization would eventually burgeon into well over 5,000 members worldwide, running approximately 600 missions, schools and shelters in 120 countries; and caring for the orphaned, blind, aged, disabled, and poor. As her personal work expanded, she traveled to countries like Lebanon, where she rescued 37 children from a hospital by pressing for peace between Israel and Palestine; to Ethiopia, where she traveled to help the hungry; to Chernobyl, Russia, to assist victims of the nuclear meltdown there; and to ...
2 comments
Read more

The Nice Guy Fallacy

I read part of a poem recently by one of my favorite poets. It reads: I envy not in any moods The captive void of noble rage The linnet born within the cage That never knew the summer woods. I envy not the beast that takes His license in the field of time Unfetter'd by the sense of crime To whom a conscience never wakes. Nor what may call itself as bles't The heart that never plighted troth But stagnates in the weeds of sloth Nor any want-begotten rest. I hold it true, whate'er befall I feel it, when I sorrow most 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. At base, Tennyson contrasted a life of risk, and consequent pain, with one of security. He sides conclusively with the life of risk, and says he fails to envy those who have faced no hardship. I agree with him; and, for good or ill, his words are just as relevant today as they were in the nineteenth century. Like then, there are those today who choose to live their lives with as little risk as...
2 comments
Read more