b. Do a little research. What was Rome doing in England? Was Rome really just a nation that was conquering all others? Did Rome have a right to be in England?
c. Is the United States like Rome? Are Americans prideful? Are we as a nation doing anything similar to Rome by being involved in wars with other nations (Iraq & Afghanistan)?
d. How does Esca educate/inform Marcus that he needs to see things from another point of view?
I think Marcus is proud because he is Roman. When on his quest and Esca insults Rome, he tackles Esca of his horse. He is proud in his nation and what it stands for, but I don't think he thinks he should be treated better because he is Roman.
ReplyDeleteRome was a conquering nation who forcefully took nations. Other people hated Rome for taking over their land and taking some as slaves. I don't think the U.S is like Rome. We don't fight to take land, but to protect our home.
Esca explains that Romans take his tribes women and destroys their homes. While Rome is growing as a nation, the smaller people groups are suffering. Esca tries to make Marcus' allusion of how perfect Rome is go away and show him the truth.
I agree with Nathan. Marcus was raised in a powerful conquering nation and was proud to live there. Also I think that he was proud of his father, and wanted everyone to see the truth. One reason Rome was in Britain was simply for Julius Caesar's pleasure. He didn't want to return to Rome, so he decided to take Britain. Also, for his own glory. Rome really had no right to be there. Yet the Romans greatly influenced England, and if they had not taken it, America might be different as well. I hate to say it, but I think americans are a little prideful. We are a largely influencing nation which partly causes pride. Though unlike Rome we are not fighting in Afghanistan to conquer them. Like Nathan said we are trying to defend our nation. Esca shows in the ways Nathan said, but also brings the old legionaries and they tell him that they ran and hid. He saw that some Romans weren't as brave as he thought.
ReplyDeleteThe U.S. is not like Rome. All they wanted was more and more power. It was totally pointless for them to go into Britain and kill so many people. The U.S. is not like that. We don't fight in Iraq to conquer it. We do it to protect the people living there from their crazy leaders.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I defiantly think that Americans get cocky, a little like the Romans. The Romans were so proud of everything that Rome had accomplished. They knew and acted like they were the top dogs of the world. We think that we have the best of everything (armies, technology, government, etc.)and we are proud of that. I don't know a person that wishes they lived in China. We love it here and we can be inconsiderate of the great things we have.
I think Marcus is prideful that he is a Roman because, as Nathan said, Esca did insult Rome and Marucs did takle him off of his horse. I think America is like Rome in some ways. I do think that we are prideful. I think alot of countires look at us and we get cocky about that because we are so different than everyone else. Like Maggi said, we are not like Rome in the way that we are not fighting in wars to conquer other countries. I think Esca informs Marcus that he needs to see things from another point of view when they run into the Seal people. By telling them that Marcus is Esca's slave, I think he was hinting that Marcus can't always be in control and its not all about him 100% of the time.
ReplyDeleteI think Rome had every right to be in England. The Roman Army had been fighting in Gaul (France) and the Britons had been helping the Gauls in an effort to defeat the Romans. The leader of the Roman Army in Gaul decided that he had to teach the Britons a lesson for helping the Gauls – hence his invasion.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning Marcus acts like he's all that and knows everything. Just because he's captain doesn't mean he has to act likes he's better than everyone. When Marcus and Esca are in the tribe with the Indian people, Esca treats Marcus how a slave it treated. Then Marcus realizes how hard it is and that he can't always be the one who's in charge.
ReplyDeleteI think Americans are definitely prideful. We act cocky, like Hannah said. We think that since were one of the richest countries that we can be on a higher level/position than other countries. God loves us all the same and were all equal in his eyes, so we should not compare ourselves.
I think not only is Marcus is prideful because he is Roman, but also for his family pride. When the philosopher’s son made fun of Marcus's dad, he jumped up in angry and let the room. I do think that we are different then Rome, but also similar as well. We do get cocky about what we have, but we went into Iraq and Afghanistan because of national security.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Neil. We are very similar to Rome and very different, but we didn't go into Iraq and Afghanistan wanting to conquer.
ReplyDeleteTaking pride in what you do is not bad, it just matters how far you take it. Marcus can take pride in being a Roman that is fine, but if he starts to treat people bad because they are not Roman, that is taking it to far. Esca explains to him how Romans think they can take whatever land they want and how they think that they are so much better than everyone else. Neal makes a good point by saying that we should think of ourselves as better than anyone else even though we have a great army that wins lots of wars. Also, we as American's have lots of recourse's, so instead of bragging about them we should go out into the world and be like Jesus, washing his disciples feet.
ReplyDeleteI also think that Marcus is not prideful because he is defending the nation he lives in just like many Americans. If I saw a person insulting my family I defend my family just like Marcus. Rome was spreading their nation, but that was how nations were back then and if they did not conquer they would be conquered.
ReplyDeleteI think we are different than Rome because Rome was speading their nation for their own gain and to stay on top of every other nation, but once they conquered the nation they would let them keep their religion. So Rome would try to make the nation happy and less likely to rebel We are trying to defend our nation and ourselves. If we had a choice we would not be fighting a war.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the people who said that Marcus is prideful because he is a Roman. It is good to have a confidence in your nation, but he seemed to think that he was the greatest thing because he was Roman.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the thought that us Americans can be like that today. I don't agree with what Neil says about us taking over Iraq though. We were defending our country for good purposes, especially after 9/11. However, we can get cocky and forget about these people and that they're out there. I think this is our biggest problem is that we can get too secure.
I think that Marcus is prideful in some ways but he also knows how to stay grounded and care for others but i don't think he is prideful when it comes to the Romans because his father was the one to lose the eagle for the Romans and i don't think he was happy about that. I think England was in Rome to start a war. No they didn't conquer over everyone but that had lots of power. I think England had the right to go to Rome but they were invading someones area. We are like Rome in different ways. We are very prideful people because when we win we brag and when we lose we put ourselves down.Yes we are like Rome because we are in a war with someone right now. Esca educates MArcus by having him be his slave so that marcus doesnt get killed and also now marcus knows how he felt as a slave.
ReplyDeleteI do think that Marcus is really prideful because he is a Roman. He is also very prideful at his position that he has in the army. Esca shows him to look at things in a different way by telling the tribe that Marcus is his slave. So he is treated like a slave while they are at the tribe.
ReplyDeleteI don't think being prideful of your country is necessarily a bad thing. I believe marcus's pride was that of his love for his country. Rome really didn't have the right to be in England. I believe that our country is not prideful. We are not in Iraq to kill but to protect. I think Esca tried to show Marcus that he is not just some evil tribal person. His tribe may have been different from the romans but they still loved and cared for each other.
ReplyDeleteI think Marcus is prideful in being a Roman but not in a bad way. I know pride is the route to all sin but I think that Marcus is happy that he is a Roman and whatever group he was in he would be prideful in it. I think the reason Rome was in England was to get the golden eagle which was rightfully theirs. I think we are sort of like Rome because we live in the best country and we are happy about it, but we don’t go around trying to take everyone’s land. I think Esca tries to inform Marcus that he needs to see things in a different way by telling him that Rome is basically picking on everyone and taking their land.
ReplyDeleteHe is a little prideful throughout the movie. Which then leads to Esca giving him a taste of his own medicine. Marcus used Esca as a slave in Rome, and now after they met the tribe, Esca says Marcus is his slave, and therefore he began to be treated like one. This is one way Esca tells Marcus that he needs to see everything from his point of view. But in the end, they fought together as a team and Protected the Eagle.
ReplyDeleteI agree with ben. He is prideful in the movie. He has pride because he is a great fighter and leader. We went to war also but we didn't go there to conquer. We are like Rome because we have a strong sent and we fight to proctect ourselves.
ReplyDeleteTo Mason
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that must use are gifts, not to sit around but go help people in pain and sadness and in the need of help around the world.
To Ben
I agree that Marcus needed to learn a lesson about humility, but Esca also did that to keep them selves alive from that tribe. He was still a friend and kept his oath.
I thought that Esca was the one who showed pride throughout the movie the most. Although, I am not trying to pin point him and say that he was prideful all the time. For example, Marcus saved his life and Esca offered to be his slave, which shows GREAT humility, but as time went on he started to act smart and rebellious which is saying "I Esca, do not deserve this job! I am better than this!" You could tell by his body language, like when he would role his eyes or smirk at Marcus. But he also showed great humility as well.
ReplyDeleteI think that Esca was trying to get Marcus to realize that Rome is not as good as he thinks it is. Marcus had grown up a Roman his whole life. He was taught the Roman ways and learned to truly love Rome.
ReplyDeleteBut Esca had lived in Britain most of his life. He saw Rome from the other perspective. His family was killed when Marcus's father invaded Britain for no obvious reason. He was taken as a slave and was almost killed. Esca saw the brutality of Rome.
He tried to indirectly tell Marcus the reality of Rome. He would tell Marcus the story of his family being killed, what the natives thought of the invasion, and once he even got in a fight with Marcus. He never said flat out, "Marcus, Rome is not as good as you think it is." He would make Marcus think about what he was saying to understand what he was trying to say.
Well said.
ReplyDeleteI think another question to think about is this:
Since WWII the United States has been in a war or combat action in some form or another. Why? Why are we always fighting? Should we be that concerned with what is going on on the other side of the world? What makes us so special to be involved everywhere? Thoughts?
Esca teaches Marcus to see things from another point of view. During the movie, Marcus becomes Esca's slave. Because of this, Marcus now knows what it's like to be a slave, and what it feels like. He felt betrayed, and that he wasn't respected, which was how Esca felt. Also, Esca told Marcus how the Romans killed all of his family. Marcus didn't know how people really felt about the Romans because no one could say it before. Marcus could feel the hurt that Esca did when Esca told him about it, and he got angry that Esca said those things. He felt angry that he was dissing Rome, but he also felt the hurt that Esca did.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brooke. I think that she was right about saying that Marcus didn't exactly know how people felt about the Romans because no one ever told me. On the other hand, Brooke, I don't think that you exactly explained how Esca informed Marcus about seeing things from a different point of view. When you said that Marcus became Esca's slave, that really wasn't his decsion, he had to do it to keep Marcus safe; and Esca telling Marcus how the Romans killed his family doesn't really have anything to do with teaching him to see things from a different point of view.
ReplyDeleteAs an answer to Mr. Scott, I think we should be concerned because as Christians, we care for one another. All life is precious in God's eyes and we strive to live a life reflecting God's perfect nature. Even though a lot of Americans aren't Christians, the virtue I just talked about is in atheist form too. If we were put into the shoes of those being attacked, we would want someone to help us. The U.S is just trying its best to keep the peace in our world that in the end, it's all about God, and what He wants.
ReplyDeleteI think that the America is just trying to find out the biggest threat to the country and put a stop to it. One example is when 9/11 happened. America tried to find out who had done this and put a stop to their terrorizing. The Romans in some way were trying to protect their land, but I think they also just wanted to be more powerful. America is one of the big dogs in the world so I think it might be our responsibility.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Hannah,
ReplyDeleteHe didn't have to make marcus his slave, he could have easily just said that he was a roman trying to kill him and Marcus would've been dead in 2 seconds. But instead, Esca tells them Marcus is a slave which saved his life.
Esca was always trustworthy to Marcus, he was his slave and would do anything for him, he told him that he wouldn't kill Marcus, and that he'll always be by his side. Their trust for each other was amazing in the movie, and should be an encouragement for us to trust our family, friends, etc.
Good thoughts Mason,
ReplyDeleteYou said:
"I think that the America is just trying to find out the biggest threat to the country and put a stop to it. One example is when 9/11 happened. America tried to find out who had done this and put a stop to their terrorizing. The Romans in some way were trying to protect their land, but I think they also just wanted to be more powerful. America is one of the big dogs in the world so I think it might be our responsibility."
Why don't we get involved in nations that are committing genocide against their own people? An example would be what has happened in the region of Darfur.
I think we all might be Marcus' and we need an Esca to give us a different point of view.
What do you all think?
It really makes me mad how much our country is fighting to be on top. It seems like all we care about is ourselves. All we want to do is make sure that we don't get hurt and we protect ourselves. We don't bother to help some of the countries that actually NEED help. Yeah I mean we do help some countries in need, like Haiti and Honduras, but we always are so concerned with protecting ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI think that what we do is kind of similar to what the Romans did in the movie. We were so concerned with protecting ourselves and worrying about our needs that we don't even realize whats going on around us. Like Esca's people for example: Marcus didn't even know how much he was hurting them, but when they get there and they treat him so poorly, I think that's when he realizes that his pride is blinding him.
I agree with Lucy that we are fighting to be at the top of the pole. We think that we are the most powerful and the best country. We should be more like Esca because he was grateful to Marcus for giving him life and just letting him die. If we were all Marcus' we would all think that we were the best and smartest and most powerful which is kinda like we think today. America always has pride blocking us because we win a lot in wars and we have a great government so we think we are the best.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Mr.Scotts question were always fighting because we cant come to an agreement/compromise on a lot of different things. I think we should be worried because there is so much effort and money to make good weapons to fight agianst the other country so at any time any other country or constanet can send a bomb over
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what Lucy said about us just wanting to be the best and on top of everyone else. We pay so much attention to being the best at things that we acually forget about what really does matter. Im not just talking about in war, but in school and our regular lives too. If you stop and think about what really matters in your life, it does make you sad.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr. Scott about we sould help out with the gencides that are happening around the world, but we can't do them all because we can't spend all of are resources on those problems. Yes it is good that we help out for a little bit, but people will get up set about that we get to involved in them. But maybe we need a another point of view to change people's minds.
ReplyDeleteBased off of what Missy said, me and my friends were all in a circle the other day just telling stories, and one would top someones and then another would top that one and so on. It's so easy to get caught up in getting all the attention! We always want to sound better than everyone else which leads to putting others down. I see a lot of it in P.E. and in sports and also just in the hallway. If you think about it it's really just terrible all the things people say to make themselves feel better.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mason. Taking pride in what you do is not wrong. You should be proud of what you do, and who you are without rubbing it off on people or bragging. Along with being proud of who you are, you also need to be humble. I loved how you used the example of Jesus washing his disciples feet.
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not believe Marcus is prideful because he is Roman. However, I do believe he is proud to be a Roman.
ReplyDeleteWhen he was a commander in the army, he risked his life for his men. Also, he went out and risked his life again finding the eagle. The eagle rightfully belonged to Rome, and because he returned it he brought great honor back to Rome.
I also believe that in the movie both Esca and Marcus have pride in who they are at least once in this movie. And I think it is okay to be happy with who you are in nationality. For example, I am very greatful that I live in America. However, I do have a lot of pride with where I come from. Is that a sin? Not sure.
ReplyDeleteMarcus definetley took pride with where he was and who he was. But what he was doing was blinding himself from seeing someone else's point of view. He didn't realize that he was causing lots of people to suffer.
So, I think that it is okay to be proud of where you come from, but it becomes a sin when you are blinded by your own pride.
marcus is definitely proud to be a Roman. if he wasn't he wouldn't be searching for Romes eagle that represents their pride and honor.
ReplyDeletealso, we are not like Rome in the reasons we are fighting in iraq. we do it for the innocent civilians there that can't stand up for themselves. on the other hand i believe Rome was fighting because they were power hungry.
i agree with lucy that it is okay to be proud of where you come from, but keep your pride in consideration. also we can be proud of the nation we have become just as Romans are proud of how far they have come.
mr. scott- i like the idea that we all need an Esca to give us another point of view... i remember seeing a video in spanish class last year where they were interviewing people in mexico about what they thought of americans. most people said they weren't sure because they had never been here, but what one girl said really struck me. she said "i dont know who you think you are, going around thinking you could help everyone, when really you are the ones that need help because you are so prideful." that really makes me think i need an Esca more than i thought. also i thought other nations would think it was good that we were helping.
ReplyDeleteLauren, I like what your saying. I agree with what you say about the Romans and about Americans. I totally agree with you. Honestly, I also think that Americans can be kind of prideful in our country, just like the Romans.
ReplyDeleteMarcus is a roman obviously. I think its cool that he is proud to be one because some people hate who they are. You can tell he likes it because he wants to live his life out by honoring his father; therefore he searches for the eagle. But I dont think he is prideful. You can be proud of yourself; just not to the point where thats all you think of and are self- centered. We should be focused on God not ourselves!
ReplyDeleteSofie, you're totally right! I thought it was also cool that he wanted to honor his family so much and bring back glory to his family.
ReplyDeleteI think that Marcus did show a little too much pride in his ability to find the eagle though. He made it sound like he could do it easily just because he is so strong.
ReplyDeleteI know some of you are gonna be surprised by what im going to say, but I think us Americans are somewhat like the Romans. I believe we are prideful, and I also believe that the Romans are too. I don't think Marcus was prideful, but throughout the movie you could sort of tell the Romans were a little self-centered. God HATES pride in fact Proverbs 8:13 says, "to fear the Lord is to hate evil, I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech"
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with S. Harjoe becuase we are. When we americans do something right or good or win we brag and are very prideful. I also agree when she that the Romans were getting self-centered. "to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride, 18 to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword. Job 33:17-18
ReplyDeleteIs it ok to be proud of your country though, and believe that you live in a great place? I think that is a hard question to answer. I think we often confuse pride with happiness. We can be happy and feel blessed about where we live. As Americans I think we are proud of our country, but I don't think that is what makes us prideful. Sin is what makes us prideful. Also, maybe it is the way you are raised, but it is not your country that makes you prideful. I think also maybe some people take pride in that we are a "Christian nation". God wants us to be proud and boast in Him. "Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1: 31. It means to be proud of God, and if you are going to brag, brag about what the Lord does, and about his name. On the other hand he doesn't want us to make people feel bad. So is it ok if we are proud that our nation loves God?
ReplyDeleteNo, the Romans don't believe in God, but is was it wrong for them to be proud of where they live? If anyone else has any other opinions please comment. I am still a little shaky on my questions.
Maggie I think your comment changed my mind... I loved the fact that you said just because we love our country does not make us prideful. I see where you are going. I was thinking just along the lines that we don't spend much time thinking about God, usually we think of ourselves. But i think you nailed it when you said that God wants us to boast about him. I loved your comment!
ReplyDeleteMaggie, I totally understand what you are saying. However, I believe that this depends on the type of pride you have. I think the Romans had a bad type of pride, pride that said that they are better than anyone else. Proverbs 11:2 says" When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." This verse is saying that when we are proud, we are going to be brought down, like Rome eventually was. If someone thinks they are superior to someone else, then someone they consider unimportant will rise up and strike them down. However, if someone looks at the world as a whole, and understands there is different cultures and things, then they have a concept of the world and respects everybody.
ReplyDeleteI also wonder when you say that America is a Christian nation. Yes, we are founded on beliefs, more or less. However, Matthew 16:24 says,"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow. me." America can claim we are a Christian nation, but are we living like it? What does our culture tell us is good? I guarantee you that the average person would not be like follow Jesus. This passage is Jesus talking to his followers telling them that they need to follow Jesus with everything they got.
To answer Mr. Scotts question, I think we are always fighting to defend our country.I think we should sort of be concerned on whats going on on the other side of the world because it's our army people dying.
ReplyDeleteI think Marcus was very prideful. Marcus is Proud when He gets the Eagle back. 1 Peter 5:5 says,“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Marcus wasn't humble in the least bit. Marcus was always Talking about how great Rome was. He was also proud in the end.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think Marcus took his pride a little too far. I mean when he started fighting Esca that just showed how Marcus didn't really know how to view things on the other side. Esca really understood that sometimes people had to kill to protect themselves.In Psalms 73:6 it says, "Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment." That goes to show that Marcus needed to know how to handle things without pride or violence.
ReplyDeleteHannah Groce,
ReplyDeleteI think that Esca telling Marcus how the Romans killed his family did help Marcus see things from another point of view because Marcus just thought it was another part of war. From Esca's point of view, it was murder and he hated it. The Romans felt that it was necessary to kill them because they wanted the land, but Esca felt that they didn't need to kill people that weren't involved. I also believe that Esca didn't have to say that Marcus was his slave. He could have just let the tribe people kill him. Even though it was for a good reason, Marcus still saw things from a slave's point of view.