Showing posts with label Egypt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Egypt. Show all posts
Monday, November 23, 2015
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Zenobia - Challenging the Legend, a young adult historical series about the warrior queen Zenobia
Russ Wallace, the author of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend is hard at work getting book two, Zenobia - Challenging a Legend ready for release.
You can read from our website http://geodepress.com/ as we highlight book two in our young adult historical series about the warrior queen Zenobia.
We'll share with you some of the research we do to make sure it's historically accurate to 3rd century when Zenobia lived. We're finding all kinds of interesting tidbits about ancient history while doing the editing process.
For example, While Zenobia is in Alexandria, Egypt she finds herself in a deadly situation as a wicked blood thirsty man is wanting to seduce her and gives her a gift- a sapphire necklace with an alloy of gold that looks like silver.
You can read from our website http://geodepress.com/ as we highlight book two in our young adult historical series about the warrior queen Zenobia.
We'll share with you some of the research we do to make sure it's historically accurate to 3rd century when Zenobia lived. We're finding all kinds of interesting tidbits about ancient history while doing the editing process.
For example, While Zenobia is in Alexandria, Egypt she finds herself in a deadly situation as a wicked blood thirsty man is wanting to seduce her and gives her a gift- a sapphire necklace with an alloy of gold that looks like silver.
Click on the link to go to our website and read what part of this necklace is historically correct and what part is not-
Check back for more historically correct items. For instance, did they have indoor bathrooms in the 3rd century?
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Visit the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World- first stop Egypt: Pyramids and Lighthouse of Alexandria
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was located on a small island called
Pharos near the city of Alexandria. Designed by the Greek architect Sostratos
and completed around 270 B.C. during the reign of Ptolemy II, the lighthouse
helped to guide Nile River ships in and out of the city’s busy harbor.
In Chapter 37 of Zenobia
– Birth of a Legend, Zenobia visits the lighthouse of
Alexandria with her mother and Salim. Read below where you'll experience
Zenobia’s budding romance with Salim as they climb the steps of the lighthouse.
“This seems
to be as tall as the great pyramid,” Salim proclaimed.
“It is,”
agreed Zelina.
“Race you to
the top!” Zenobia challenged Salim.
…
Zenobia
sprinted up the stairs two at a time with Salim close behind.
…
At two
hundred steps she was gasping for air, but so was her pursuer. Her legs were
protesting, and Salim started to pass her, but she lunged ahead another fifty
steps. Suddenly he grabbed her ankle, and she toppled forward, landing lightly
on the steep steps. “Cheater!” she yelled as he passed her.
“All is fair
in love and war!” he yelled back. Her adrenaline kicks in and she tore up the
stairs after him and grabbed onto his tunic with both hands and hung on with
all her strength. He dragged her up for a few steps and then collapsed and they
both burst out in gasping laughter.
She pulled
herself alongside him until their faces were less than a cubic apart. “And
which is this, Salim,” she asked with a pant, “love or war?"
Read more excerpts as Zenobia
explores the lighthouse in chapter 37 : http://geodepress.com/thinking-thursday-zenobia-visits-another-seven-wonders-of-the-ancient-world/
In the next couple of weeks we will
be discussing the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World. Here's some previous post on
the most popular one, The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest and only Ancient
Wonder still standing today:
Friday, August 2, 2013
Who is Zenobia? A 3rd century warrior queen from Syria
A recent article on buzzfeed.com talked about the top 11 queens in history and Zenobia ranked #7. Here is the link to the full article:
"Queen Zenobia ruled the Palmyrene Empire in Roman Syria during the third century. When her husband (King Septimius Odaenathus) died, Zenobia took over. She fought the Romans, conquered Egypt and expanded her empire before eventually being defeated."
Today our world is experiencing so much sadness and injustice, especially in Zenobia’s home country of Syria. My heart goes out to these people and especially the children who are suffering. Here is a full article from abcnews.com:
Author Russ Wallace was impressed with Zenobia and he decided to write a series following her life story. In Zenobia- Birth of a Legend, we can learn a great deal from Zenobia’s example. Zenobia's experience can even help us today battle for justice. A novel that not only entertains but educates us and motivates us into action is what we need. Zenobia as a 3rd century warrior queen fought against Rome and today she would once again battle for justice to free her ancestral homeland Syria. Turning our hearts to our ancestors can help us through these hard times.
Book one, Zenobia – Birth of a Legend is now available at www.geodepress.com ;
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94629; and participating bookstores and libraries.
Book two, Zenobia – Challenging a Legend will be released soon.
Wallace dedicated his first book to: “For oppressed girls and women everywhere. Hang on to your dreams and know that a better world is coming.” I think this book series is not only for strong women everywhere but for all who battle for justice.
Monday, July 22, 2013
BACK TO SCHOOL! And your next SUMMER READ!
BACK TO SCHOOL TIME? I know it is the middle of summer but here in the west some kids started school today and so it's back to reading, giving book reports, and taking history classes.
Also, for those still enjoying your summer we thought we'd help you decide on a great summer read.
Zenobia on her trip to Alexandria visit 2 of the ancient 7 wonders of the world.In Book one, Zenobia - Birth of a Legend, you will visit Syrian Desert, Ancient Tadmor (which is Palmyra, Syria today), the Great Pyramids of Giza, and Alexandria, Egypt. You'll experience the excitement of lion attacks, archery, horse races, and education with some of the greatest philosophers.
In Chapters 29, Zenobia - Birth of a Legend Zenobia visits the Pyramids of Giza.
Here’s an excerpt from the experience:
Very slowly, the massive monuments grew on the horizon until in the eyes of a young girl, they began to overpower her senses…
After quite a while, she saw a third pyramid appear, much smaller than the first two, now set against a deepening purple hue. She engraved the moment in her mind, sensing this could be a singular experience, to be enjoyed again only in memory.
Finally, they drew near the base of the pyramids and stopped to camp for the night. Still in awe Zenobia spoke quietly, “They are majestic Mother, and they were especially magnificent with that beautiful sunset. Have you seen them like this before?”
In Zenobia - Birth of a Legend chapter 37, Zenobia visits the Pharos of Alexandria.
Read excerpt of Zenobia’s experience:
“This looks to be as tall as the great pyramid,” Salim proclaimed.
“It is,” agreed Zelina.
“Race you to the top!” Zenobia challenged Salim.
Zenobia sprinted up the stairs two at a time Salim close behind…At two hundred steps she was gasping for air, but so was her pursuer. Her legs were protesting, and Salim started to pass her, but she lunged ahead for another fifty steps. Suddenly he grabbed her ankle, and she toppled forward, landing lightly on the steep steps. “Cheater!” She yelled as he passed her.
Eventually they reached the level of the great mirror. Salim was already exploring, and he was fascinated by the mechanics of the system. The mirror itself nested in a frame which sat on a series of wheels on a wooden platform base. Three slaves pushed on protruding poles to turn it constantly. A central vertical shaft that penetrated the frame appeared to hold the mirror in position as it rotated. A beam of light from above somehow shone down on the mirror and was reflected out through the large windows which ringed the entire level.
Ancient Alexandria, Egypt became and for a long while remained an intellectual capital of the world. Alexandria become home to the world’s first-ever university. Main attraction was the Alexandria library.
Zenobia visits the Alexandria Library in Zenobia - Birth of a Legend chapter 33:
After a short ride they drew near the docks lining the harbor that opened onto the Great Sea. “Many of these buildings, and the docks themselves, were once made of wood, but now they are all stone,” her mother commented.
“Why?” asked Zenobia. “And how do you know?”
“I read a lot and I listen a lot,” came the reply, answering the second question first. “Nearly three hundred years ago, a great fire destroyed the docks, the buildings, and much of the greatest library the world has ever known. Thus, it was all rebuilt out of stone.”
“I thought you said we were going to see the greatest library.”
“In this part of the world, if you remember. The one in Pergamum is much larger. But the library in Alexandria now is only about one-tenth the size of the original one destroyed in the fire. That one held a million books!”
Attention Teachers and Parents:
Throughout the centuries, storytelling and fiction have been popular classroom discussions to present real life situations and problems, and examine resolutions. Instructors encouraged students’ dialogue of options and kindled critical thinking.
Russ Wallace plans critical thinking scenes in all books of the Zenobia series. He chronicles Zenobia’s rise to power, capturing her inquisitive nature in strategy-provoking and critical-thinking sessions aimed at the young adult market; though the books have broader appeal.
Similar discussions for classroom use are offered by Russ Wallace to help today’s youth learn how to apply critical thinking to their lives. To schedule an interview, please contact Julie Wallace at (480) 305-4372 or email geodepress@gmail.com.
Zenobia- Birth of a Legend, is a 2012 IPPY award winner in Historical Fiction. Book one, is now available at www.geodespress.com; hard cover and kindle format at http://www.amazon.com=zenobia+birth+of+a+legend; in most eBook formats at http://www.smashwords.com/books/Zenobia; and bookstores and libraries.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Zenobia in Alexandria Egypt
Because of Zenobia I have a soft spot for learning more about ancient Alexandria, the location where Zenobia was educated and started her on the journey of justice. You can read about her visit in the 3rd century to Alexandria, Egypt in the last half of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend; and the whole book of Zenobia - Challenging a Legend takes place in Alexandria.
My favorite tour guide Rick Steves is on his Europe tour right now and I've really enjoyed following along. I especially appreciate his visit to modern day Alexandria. You can follow his whole trip on his Facebook account but I have copied the visit to Alexandria here with pictures from his site.
Most tourists in Egypt visit only Cairo and Luxor. Few visit Alexandria, just a three-hour drive away — the country’s second city, and one of the great cities of the Mediterranean. Egypt’s historical capital for almost a millennium, today the “Pearl of the Mediterranean” is a favorite summer getaway for locals who appreciate its cosmopolitan flavor and cooler climate. It’s like Cairo in its mega-millions intensity, but cleaner and quieter, and facing the Mediterranean instead of the Nile.
Alexandria, with a panache unique in Egypt, jams 5 million people up against the Mediterranean.
Alexandria, founded in 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great, is a fabled place. Queen Cleopatra ruled from here, back when the city was, along with Rome, one of two in the ancient world with a million people. Back then, it rivaled Rome as a cultural and intellectual capital. Alexandria's awe-inspiring lighthouse (or Pharos) —one of the seven wonders of the ancient world — marked its harbor, and its legendary library was the world’s largest. No ship could dock here without giving up its books to be copied for this, the ultimate repository of knowledge. Tragically for all of civilization, the library burned (likely around 48 B.C.), and today only its legend — and a fragment of a single scroll (now kept in Vienna) — survives.
History has been harsh: No trace of Alexander’s day survives, Cleopatra’s city is now under the sea, the library is long gone, and the lighthouse has tumbled (the only surviving image of it is engraved on a coin). Of its ancient wonders, only a hint of Alexandria's street plan, a few archaeological digs, and the towering Pompey’s Pillar survive today.
Then early 90-foot-tall Pompey’s Pillar, carved out of a single mighty piece of granite, was shipped 500 miles from Aswan down the Nile to this spot 1,700 years ago. It stands like an exclamation mark, reminding all who visit that today’s city sits upon what was a mighty urban center of a million ancient Egyptians.
The Alexandria National Museum (with wonderful treasures from the time of the pharaohs, a small bust of Alexander, and fine early Christian art) tells the city’s story in an old mansion that once housed the US consulate. Alexandria gave Rome a toehold on Egypt. This is where St. Mark arrived to introduce Christianity to the land. The invading Muslims bypassed it for Cairo. In the Middle Ages, famine, civil wars, earthquakes, and disease left the once-mighty Alexandria just a village of 10,000. Then, in the 19th century, the city enjoyed a resurgence — becoming one of the liveliest ports on the Mediterranean, with a cosmopolitan mix of Greek, French, English, and Italian influence. By World War II, 40 percent of the population had come from other countries. But then, with the anti-colonialism of the 1950s, foreign interests were nationalized, and most of the foreigners who brought such vitality to the city fled.
Today, Alexandria’s early-20th-century grandness is musty and caked in this generation’s dirt. The city is a teeming and thoroughly Egyptian metropolis of about 5 million. It feels spirited, young, and progressive. In fact, Alexandria helped spearhead the revolution of 2011.
Alexandria is a long and skinny port town, just two miles wide but stretching 12 miles along the seaside Corniche — which feels like Nice’s Promenade des Anglais hurled into a Blade Runner furnace. The wistful Cecil Hotel, built in 1930 and overlooking the harbor, gives the visitor a comforting home base with a nostalgic touch of belle époque elegance.
Alexandria’s top attraction is its futuristic modern library. Norwegian-designed and built in 2002 with a dazzling reading room accommodating 2,500 readers, it stands near where the fabled ancient library stood (www.bibalex.org shows off all its wonders). While the library is a delight of modern architecture, the highlight of the city for me was exploring the Anfoushi old town. More on that tomorrow.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
THE HOW, WHERE, AND WHY OF RESEARCH—AND IS IT REALLY NECESSARY?
In writing, research is very important. At a recent writer’s conference I took a class that focused on this very subject. While writing Zenobia- Birth of a Legend, Russ Wallace visited the Pyramids in Egypt. Russ wrote a wonderful scene where Zenobia visits the Pyramids in Chapter twenty-nine. I think his experience of being on location and seeing them for himself allowed him to explore deeper into his senses. When reading Zenobia – Birth of a Legend, I can time travel to the 3rd century and experience things as Zenobia did. I can visit exotic places like Egypt and I don’t even need a passport. Of course nothing can replace the real feeling of being there but isn’t it nice that you only have to open a book and you can be transported to another time and place?
THE HOW, WHERE, AND WHY OF RESEARCH—AND IS IT
REALLY NECESSARY?
Presented by Lynn Gardner
REALLY NECESSARY?
Presented by Lynn Gardner
James Patterson said: “Just like the Associated Press, I have my own style manual. “JP Writing Style and Book Elements” is a list of nineteen bulleted points that I keep within arm’s reach whenever I’m working. Point number 18 is written in capital letters, because no matter how often I read it, I need to be reminded that it is of the utmost importance: RESEARCH HELPS. DON’T FAKE ANYTHING—NOT BRAIN TUMORS, NOT DROWNINGS, NOT EVEN A BEE STING.”
Google and Wikipedia should not be your only form of research.
Set fun places. Use your five senses when describing a setting.
Twelve important things to remember as you begin researching your story
- Being on location is the best kind of research.
- What action will take place, maybe there is a local story you can use.
- Find an expert, a local in the area, take tours and ask tour guides. See if there is an offbeat place that everyone goes and sees. A good website to use for local facts is the Chamber of Commerce.
- Notice names, people, places, and little details you would only know if you had been there. How do the locals dress? What do they drive? Find out what hobbies they have.
- Create your own town if you want but if you use a real town get it right.
- Talk to a real person. Call park services or a professional in the town.
- Ask specific questions about the town when exploring but don’t overload with all this information in your book. Pick the most important parts.
- Drowning & bee stings – test the scene out. Make it believable
- Antagonist has to be as smart as the protagonist.
- Don’t believe everything you read. Get 2 references.
- Find someone who does the same job as your MC and get their thoughts on the profession.
- Readers live where you’re describing. Build your story on sensors and impressions. Describe the seasons.
- *Bonus* – Have a passion for characters and location. It’s as important as good grammar.
Tip – Google earth is a great place to visit a location without really being there.
Lynn Gardner writes mysteries and I’m currently reading her book Amethysts and Arson. Lynn’s detailed research makes you feel like you are really there. When I’m finished you can read my review at http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/
Thursday, February 14, 2013
How February came to be
Calendars and months have changed a lot over the years. Most of this took place before Zenobia’s time but still very thought-provoking. Don't forget to take the discovery quiz at the end. See how much you know of the history of calendars.
The original Roman calendar was said to be invented by Romulus, the first king of Rome, at around 753 BCE (Before Common Era). The calendar started the year in March (Martius) and consisted of 10 months, with 6 months of 30 days and 4 months of 31 days. The winter season was not assigned to any month, so the calendar year only lasted 304 days with 61 days unaccounted for in the winter.
Februarius (February) was not part of the original calendar, but was added (with a variable number of days), as the month preceding the beginning of the year. Sometimes there was an additional intercalary month.
Februarius became known as the purification month or atonement, as the Lupercalia Roman festival suggests. Originally, Februarius may have had 23 days. In time, the calendar was standardized so that it had 12 months with 29 or 31 days, except for Februarius which had 28. Later, Julius Caesar re-standardized the calendar to line up with the seasons.
Julian Calendar Reform
Among the offices Caesar was Pontifex Maximus, the highest Roman priest. The calendar was the province of the priests because it was they who annually picked the dates of the religious festivals. By 46 B.C., what should have been autumn harvest festivals were lining up with the summer. This would be a problem because you can't harvest what hasn't yet grown. When Caesar returned from Egypt to Rome that year, he fixed the Roman calendar, probably based on what he'd learned from the astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria, in Egypt. (Side note: Alexandria, Egypt had the largest library until Caesar visited. It is also the location where most of book two takes place in Zenobia – Challenging a Legend.)
It’s also said the calendar was changed from the Roman Republican Calendar by Caesar because he was tired of its corruption. Priests back then would exploit the calendar for political reasons, and would add in days, sometimes months, in order to keep favored politicians in office.
The new calendar had an average of 365 ¼ days per year. So to solve this problem, Caesar created a leap year every four years, which meant that every four years, they would repeat February 23. In the Julian calendar, there was never a 29th of February. The year was broken into 12 months: Ianuarius, Februarius, Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Iunius, Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, and December. In 44 B.C. the Romans renamed Quintilis, Iulius, after Julius Caesar, and in 8 B.C. Sextilis was renamed Augustus, after Caesar Augustus.
The major problem with the Julian calendar was the fact that it was off by 11 minutes every year. The Julian system says a year is an average of 365.25 days, when it takes closer to 365.2422 days for the earth to return to the same point while orbiting the sun, putting the calendar off by 11 minutes, or 1 day every 128 years.
The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used calendar today. It is derived from the Julian calendar and named after Pope Gregory XIII who decreed the new calendar on February 24th 1582. The Gregorian calendar was adopted initially by the Catholic countries of Europe, with other countries adopting it over the following centuries. The motivation for the Gregorian reform was that the Julian calendar assumes that the time between vernal equinoxes is 365.25 days, when in fact it is almost 11 minutes shorter. The discrepancy results in a drift of about three days every 400 years. At the time of Gregory's reform there had already been a drift of 10 days since Roman times, resulting in the spring equinox falling on 11 March instead of the ecclesiastically fixed date of 21 March, and moving steadily earlier in the Julian calendar. Because the spring equinox was tied to the celebration of Easter, the Roman Catholic Church considered this steady movement in the date of the equinox undesirable.
How would you like to lose 10 days in one month?
Zenobia loved to learn and expand her knowledge. Take a quiz and challenge yourself:
Resources:
Thursday, February 7, 2013
What is Ancient History?
- Ancient History is the history of the ancient world from the earliest known civilization to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.
- Informal -Something that is already long familiar and no longer new, interesting, or relevant.
On a recent trip to Vegas, I was thrilled to find a statue of the Goddess Diana from Roman Mythology in Caesars Palace. Zenobia in book one was compared to the Goddess because of her skills in archery.
Diana statue in Caesars Palace
I'm excited when I find readers, book clubs, and organizations that focus on history. Most groups spotlight Renaissance or Medieval times. Groups who center on Ancient History can sometimes come off as boring. I might not have been interested in knowing more of the time frame if it wasn't for Zenobia from the 3rd century. She brings a point of view that even today we can relate to. Ancient History doesn't have to be "Ancient History" and we can make it fun and interesting. I'm a visual learner so walking around Caesars Palace made the history of Roman times come to life.
Even riding on the elevator was a history lesson to be found
As I explored Caesars Palace it was like being transported back to Roman times.
of course Caesar was a focal point
Zenobia came along on the Roman tour of the extensive grounds
There were beautiful gardens and statues everywhere
Roman towers
Sparkling water fountains
and Roman Mythology was all around
I don't even need a passport to travel to different times in history.
next stop Egypt
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