#btw this was absolutely written with a latine reader in mind

[peachywontyell]

i have a crush on jenny and jaime and im brainrotting really really bad. this is all purely self-indulgent. the chances of me doing this again with 18+ thoughts are high.

poly jaime & jenny🫶🏾

-being friends (the kind that definitely have something going on but neither dare to name it) with jaime through uni. after graduation you both promise to keep in touch; it falls through immediately.

-thinking it's something you did, but really his life just got turned upside-down in less than 48hrs. hes a little occupied.

-you hear the news about kord industries, but it's not like they say what- or who- happened. all you know is the company has a new president and she's gorgeous.

-bumping into jaime en la tiendita de la esquina after impulsively moving to palmera city a year or so later. he somehow looks better. buffer, more confident- and so apologetic after he recognizes you.

-he invites you out for drinks later that night, begging with those pretty brown eyes of his. so you say yes, cause you both know you can't say no when he's looking at you like that.

-it went well. well enough that you're heading back to his apartment. and you know nothing is going to happen, but you're still nervous.

-yes, you both crash on his couch after even more (very drunk) soft chatter. no, you didn't expect to wake up to the smell of coffee and gentle clatter of plates.

-here you are though, half awake, using jaime as a pillow, really confused cause he didn't mention anything about having a roommate.

-sitting up to greet whoever it was and the words die on your tongue when you see who it is, cause what the hell is jenny kord doing in his kitchen and why is she offering you coffee and waffles with a smile so sweet you're not sure you can stomach any more sugar.

-but you do. her waffles are delicious and you're sure she's made of pure magic cause she got your coffee perfect first try. you almost spit it out when jaime gives her a sleepy good morning kiss though.

-you were already blushing, a bit flustered sure, but you were playing it off like you were just nervous to meet such a prominent figure. but this you couldn't play off.

-after many apologies and saying that nothing happened between you two, jenny looks as calm as ever as she tells you that it's okay, even if something had happened, it would have been okay. there is a flicker of something in her eyes and you can not put a name to it, but it's not negative.

-you run out of there, spewing something about remembering that someone was coming over for repairs. you're sure you only began to breathe again as soon as you stepped through your door.

-they both find it hilarious sure, but jaime tells her she can't just say those things to you, cause you fluster easily. she makes it a little game, which one of them can fluster you the most.

-you feel like you are going crazy. a month or two after the first introduction with jenny and lots of hangouts...now you're sure that they're both...hitting on you? but that's crazy, right?

-wrong. you're being guided to a more secluded part of the dancefloor at a strangers party by jenny and you know you're wrong.

-yes, you're drunk, so is she and her hands are on your hips pulling you closer and closer while some reggaeton plays in the background and now you find yourself throwing ass on your....friends? girlfriend while her fingertips sink into your flesh deliciously. you could get used to this.

-too focused on trying not to die from the feeling, you completely miss jaime and jenny sharing a smirk and a nod.

-you're sure they planned it cause it was too perfect of a coincidence. jenny left you, obviously hot and definitely bothered, saying she was gonna go get you guys drinks and all you could do was nod. as soon as she leaves, you blink, and there's jaime.

-you start to apologize for what just happened and shut up as quickly as you started because he is suddenly so close and asking if he could also have a dance and you're sure you're dreaming.

-the next morning, the only thing you know is that you're in a bed, it smells familiar, there is someone playing with your hair and a different arm across your waist.

-you don't know who changed you out of your clothes and both of the options have your head spinning so you choose not to think about it. a very needed conversation is had like that, cuddled in bed. you almost turn into mush when they ask you to join their relationship.

-now you've got two partners. and you gonna make up for lost time.

#peachy talks into the void! #peachy thinks thoughts! #i have a crush on them and its BAD #theyre such a hot couple i cant do this #ive never written anything for fandom btw #so like this might not be the best but i just needed to brainrot #i want them #jenny kord #jaime reyes #jaime reyes x jenny kord #x reader #i guess? technically. yeah. #jaime reyes x jenny kord x reader #btw this was absolutely written with a latine reader in mind #i know there arent many refs pero es importante q lo sepan #blue beetle (2023) #blue beetle #i gotta include khaji da in the next one.

[fall2017ugc111]

Rome- Republic vs Empire notes

- 509 BCE to 100CE. - Key themes: Roman ID -> special to them and importance of republic. - Participating in Roman ID (esp. for women) + looking at diversity and agency outside of political sphere. - Roman republic -> empire -> living in the empire. - Republic: representative democracy -> elect officials to represent you. Usually homogenous group of ppl. -> eg. Same lang and culture. - Empire: Absolute authority for 1 individual. Usually formed via conquest (sometimes by alliance). Usually takes up large amt of territory. - 509 BCE to 44 BCE: The republic: - Transition to empire is gradual. - Rome started as a small city of Latin ppl abt 750 BCE. - Abt same time Assyrian conquered Israel and China is in warring state. - Ruled by foreign power initially called Etruscan kings, ruling from 650 to 509 BCE. - Ruled via kingship. - Abt 509 BCE, romans overthrew the last king and transitioned to Republic. - This became the heart and soul of Roman ID. - Key value: balance of power. - 2 forms: btw 2 major classes in their society -> patricians (3 part names) and plebeians (2 part names). - Roman classes based on bloodline. - Patrician -> can be senate and have political rep. Usually men. Can be wealthy or not. - Abt 400 BCE, plebeians get rep politically. - Ideal -> all involved in governance. - Maintained the senate and assembly for over 400 yrs. - Ppl of rome can be elected to the assembly. - Collective physiology -> deeply afraid of possibility of kingship. - They started conquering others almost immediately after overthrowing old kings -> always at war. - Not typical for republics. - Conquered majority of places before considering themselves as an empire. - But why conquer? - 1) “Defensive Conquest” -> conquer others before they conquer them. - Tied to military -> to serve in military, you must own land coz if you do you have a stake and you will fight well. - But commoners did not own much land. - So, they suggest giving land -> recruit ppl by promising land. - Created a feedback loop -> recruit ppl -> need more land -> conquest -> new boarders -> recruit ppl. - As Rome expanded, they needed ppl to look after the land so created provincial governors. - Provincial governors -> like kings in own territories. - Easy to gain personal loyalty from soldiers -> no need to listen to republic. - Infamous generals who did that: Marius, Sulla and Caesar -> turned around and conquered their own city. - Julius Caesar -> last nail in the coffin for the republic -> 100 to 44 BCE. - His actions and appointment as dictator for life -> resulted in his assassination. - Previously called Octavian but changed his name. - Augustus -> baby on leg considered a genie (divine right and inspiration to rule). - Means “the great one”. - Was in power mostly coz of Caesar’s will. - Caesar’s will was read in public and his wealth was divided as ifts to public, also to his soldiers. - In his death, controlled 17 legions of army vs Senate which had 12. - Proclaimed that he was the first citizen of the state -> gets to speak first in senate meetings. - Usually given to senior and older senates members. - Put under the guise of republic while Augustus actually holds great power. - Romans are deeply religious ppl. - THE HISTORIES (LIVY): - Themes: praise, condemnations, Rome as a city/state is described as? Possible perceptions? - City founded by slaves, outlaws and men so there was no women in the foundation of Rome. - When Rome was ruled by foreign kings -> considered a golden age by historians as they engaged in trade and was stable and wealthy. - Last few kings were very unstable and horrible. - Romans however, consider this a darker day of their history. - Initially took place in variety of city state. - In the city of Alba, near Rome. - Livy praises: - Para 3: As they were twins and no claim to precedence could be based on seniority, they decided to consult the tutelary deities of the place by means of augury  as to who was to give his name to the new city, and who was to rule it after it had been founded. - Praised the idea of finding divine judgement instead of own choice. - Also praised collective equality. - 4: Praise self-reliance and independence. - 9: Shows what self-reliance and divine help can get you. - 7: Praise citizen’s support of Romulus by giving personal resources -> duty as a citizen. - 3: praises humble beginnings -> started from the bottom and ended up great idea. - Livy condemns: - 13 and 14: Gives perspective of pelsavines NOT romans. - Roman’s actions were condemned. - Also for condemning of intermarriage btw romans and neighbours by neighbours-> seems insulted by this. - 3: Also condemned kingship by foreign king -> “cruelty”. - Threatened by children and also romans perception of king. - Roles of fate and the gods: - Thinks Rome is great coz of divine help. - God and fate is related. - Not a go to god for everything -> deities seem to be more distant. - Fate = divine. - Similar to Chinese and their ancestors -> augury -> read via animal entrails vs bones for Chinese. - Courage and self-reliance seem to go with divine intervention all the time -> tied together. - Rome created by both ppl and gods. - Seems that ppl who are self-reliant and have courage earns divine intervention. - Bad things -> more of human failure. - Good things -> they did well even as humans so earned divine favour. - Rome (city and state) is described as and perceived as…?: - Describes the city as great and powerful with neighbours being amazed by them too for their rapid growth. - Despite fact that this was used to cheat their neighbours later. - Makes neighbours seem less impressive. - Why are women at peace after abduction? - Livy thinks the attractive argument -> honourable wedlock, property, civil rights and ability of mothers to free men and promise of affection from their husbands. - Also, Roman’s highly value relationships btw husbands and wives. - Livy believes that would led to females being appeased. - But rmb, Livy is a guy trying to look at a girl’s point of view. - For romans these are valuable things. - Best way to move from our gut reaction and better understand this text? - Acknowledge your own beliefs and see what Roman’s thought and believed -> balance the two out. - Look past action of Romans and see the intention (betterment of society). - Look at text as a whole. - Note: Empire is where trade happens. - Next reading: Pliny is a new governor and don’t know what to do with Christians. - Asked the emperor what to do and later condemned Christians for political reasons. - Other reading: Clement of Alexandria -> same as Hellenistic world lecture. - Is a religious leader. - Just after a period of persecution of Christians. - Can be a response to persecution. - Romulus and Remus: Fractricide, a cruel king, barbarism, omens and gods. - Cincinnatus -> Roman senator that became dictator to fight a war, previously a farmer and was half naked, other senators convince him to go to war and in 14 days he saves the city. - Best part: as soon as his work was done, he gives up his power. - Horatius at the bridge: he and his troops stay at the bridge that is the only access to the city, Horatius fought well, managed to escape and had the help of gods. - Is a legend and a myth. - Point of both: self-sacrifice for Rome. - Livy tells these stories to connect to readers and this was done during Rome’s transition to empire. - Living in Roman Empire as a young girl or as a woman? - Tells abt nurturing, childhood, daily life and family structure. - Married fairly early- shorter lifespan and not educated. - 15yo married = good wife coz have children. - Romans love women with domestic abilities – ie. Worked well with wool. - Sources not official for women -> headstone and graffiti. - City of Pompey -> much graffiti abt who slept with who. - But sources not often written by women themselves. - Roles depend on class and age -> women’s roles. - Upper class -> educated but not expected to work, lower class = occupation bt not educated. - Women worked as midwives -> shown by inscriptions showing women in birthing chair. - But unsanitary and midwives with birthing chair and helper considered well to do. - Sitting position -> gravity helps women give birth better. - Midwives -> must be literate, soft hands, good memory, charge fairly, etc. - As orators -> women speaking in public. - Hortensia -> daughter of famous Roman politician. - She stormed the Roman capital to give a piece of her mind to the increase in taxes. - Says that they have to pay taxes but were not given power, fame or anything else in compensation. - Only possible for women in higher class like she is. - *** - A Christian in the Roman Empire: - Christianity development in Roman empire. - Context: Roman empire (primary), Judaism and Hellenistic world. - Note: Hellenistic world still playing a role but not explicitly. - Roman empire: - Like Persia -> practices religious tolerance ( as long as you offer sacrifices to the emperor) -> but Jews allowed to pay taxes instead coz they practice monotheism. - Like Greece -> appreciate spread of knowledge and are intellectual ppl. - Distinct to Rome: Citizenship rights as a reward for good behaviour -> offer full citizenship rights to anyone who plays well into the empire. Eg. If they conquer you and you do not fight back, you can be a citizen -> can run for political positions, full legal rights and protection under laws, etc. - Jewish ppl do not get citizenship coz Judea was a pain in the butt for the Romans. - Jewish hated being conquered and it took abt 100 years before they were fully conquered. - There was periodic revolts and was ultimately unsuccessful. - Romans became really hard on Jews as a result. - Jews are angry over being occupied but Romans did bring great things to the places they conquer -> eg Education, wine, medication, water supply, etc. - Jesus -> is a Jewish teacher/ rabbi who was concerned with the 600+ laws, born in Judea, is concerned with proper worship and rituals and how to perform them. Also has multiple accounts of miracles and died in 20 CE by Roman crucification. - Was considered a political threat to the Roman empire -> seen as a charismatic leader. - After his death: stories that he is resurrected circulated initially by female followers only, they met in secret, had secret meetings, sacred meals -> as Jesus still considered political prisoners. - Took up tendencies of Hellenistic world more than Jews. - Romans see religion as civic or private. - See religion as having 2 pieces -> public facing and private facing. - Christians only do private facing -> so Romans very worried. - Vs Judaism was organized and the Jewish leaders had worked it out well with the Romans via bargains. - Even Jews had a public (civic) face but Christians did not. - Plus, Christians were not big enough (or old enough) to do bargaining. Not as organized as well. - Most ppl are polythetic so one more “god” does not matter but Christians are monotheistic so they do not do sacrifices. - No sacrifice = wishing the emperor is dead/ ill. - For civic: - pietas - reverence for things that deserve reverence -> roman word that applies to civic religion -> apply to emperor, participation in public faces. - Sacrifices to the Emperor - Attendance of public feasts & religious festivals - Roman Religion: Private - Hellenistic Mystery Cults - Secret, ceremonial, gradual initiation - Most popular: Mithras. Originally an Indian deity and is a sun god. - Followers are baptised into a cult and also had a resurrection story. - Romans had great issues with Christianity. - Due to… romans being suspicious about mystery cults in general. - Early sources of Christians was that they were participating in incestuous orgies and eating babies. - Also feared rebellion in Judea due to previous conflicts. - Primary issue: did not want to sacrifice to empire -> seen as political rebellion. - Resulted in sporadic persecutions until 313 CE -> Romans never went about to wipe out Christians. - Tacitus -> Text: Germania. - He roughly concurrent with Pliny and Alexandria. - Grew up in roman empire as a whole but not in Rome (travelled there though). - Took up almost all political positions available. - Also, friend of Pliny the younger. - Text was in his midlife and Rome has not conquered the territory he talks about. - Tries to make sense of who these ppl are -> ethnographic piece. Who they are and how they fit to Rome. - A technical writer -> interesting details in text. - Pliny: - Concerns? -> abt rate of spread of Christianity and the future impact (temples are abandoned). - Also, of the undermining of traditional roman religion. - Seems confused on what to do with them and slightly sympathetic (gives reason for torture). - Expected something worse but just found superstitions he did not agree to. - Avoid condemning them wholeheartedly. - Also describes as a Christianity as a contagion (disease) -> looks down on Christianity. - Methods of judgement in terms of fairness? -> Seems so, just give a sacrifice and you are spared. - But can be hypocritic since Christians are monotheistic -> but must sacrifice instead of give money and considering Romans are supposed to be okay with religion, religious tolerance does not seem to exist. - Follows good roman procedures in general. - Also, unsure if he should take anonymous tips -> but was told not to or false accusations can happen. - Pliny acts with Roman tendencies and persecutes minorities legally. - What are some of the ways we overlook persecution in the modern day, even id it is legal? - Alexandria: - Similar to letters Paul wrote to church. - Paul is famous for writing letters of advice in earlier times of 1st century. - Similarity and differences -> tone is the same, period of uncertainty so there was an idea of comfort/ reassurance in the letters. - Alexandria has a godly figure in his letters -> god will take care of everything and text is orientated towards god. - Bhagavad-Gītā -> does orient towards divinity too. - Basically, let go of everything for the faith you belief in. - Genesis and Alexandria -> both faced persecution but in G. the rewards are explicit but Alexandria talks about reactions instead. - Epictetus and Clement was around the same time as each other. - Alexandria -> promises more abstract and very vague (delayed gratification), ask a lot more than other religion -> VS other religions with explicit rewards that are almost always immediate. - Clement advises his readers to lay low -> don’t call attention yourself during persecution. - Gives practical advise on how to avoid persecution by Romans. - *** - Christianity later became a major religion in Rome and in the tribes that caused the fall of rome. - Conversion of Constantine: - Roman emperor that ruled later converted to Christianity. - Was a gradual acceptance as his mother and advisors became Christians. - Legend battle of the Milvian bridge -> forces are out numbered and goes to sleep in desperation and despair, later wakes and finds under this sign you will conquer (a cross) and he did. - 313 CE. - His convergence meant Christians were accepted and made official in the empire. - But also raises qns of exact beliefs and codes -> need to codify way of thought and doing. - These debates continued for a long time. - Paul -> first Christian to move out of Judaism and tried to include gentiles (outsiders) in the mix. - Some issues -> they are not circumcised, etc. - Reached peak in 323 CE in counsel of Nicaea -> what are the correct beliefs for Christianity. - Constantine was heavily involved as he was the emperor. - Major concern: orthodoxy (means right beliefs) -> major difference -> prioritizes beliefs over actions (compared to other religions). - Prioritizes your internal life and your beliefs -> are they right? - What to do with Jesus? - He is divine in some way but what does it mean for him to be god? - Debates if he is fully god, fully human or both. - Later decided he was both. - He was fully god but incarnated into fully human. - After defining right beliefs define wrong beliefs -> Heresies. - Some disagreements like… - Arians -> He is not as fully god as the father, Headed north and went to Germania. - Monophysites  -> he is more god. - Gnostics -> he is more a spirit. - Were all kicked out of the church. - But they don’t think they are wrong, they still belief they are right. - Also developed the trinity -> three persons, one god. Three persons inherent in this one god -> the father, the son and the holy spirit. - Religion that makes them comfortable with mystery in their belief -> philosophical vs beliefs -> similar to Daodejing. - These heresies had a life outside Rome and headed to other countries. Later returned. - 313 BCE -> primary religion of Rome is Christianity. - Became the major religion in successor states after Rome fell. - Key: idea of continuity and change. - Rome fell -> but in some ways, it also transformed. - Germanic tribes took over western rome. - Divisions in Rome -> 1st is btw 2 political hubs of empire. - Roman emperor believes that the empire is too large to rule over so he divided it into 2. - Both parts stayed majority Christians. - Eastern roman empire vs Western roman empire. - Govern by different political centres. - Took different trajectories and collapse at different times. - Eastern side fell at 1453 CE, much late than the other half. - Eastern half -> benefited from trade routes and was a lot wealthier. - Western half had to delegate trade to them. - The wealth allowed them to pay the Germanic tribes to not attack them. - Some Germanic tribes remain unconquered by Rome. - Division btw Western and Eastern Church: - W. Rome: Pope, homoisios, called themselves the catholic church (universal church). - E. Rome: Patriarch, homousios, called themselves the orthodox church (right belief church). - Arians -> went and seek converts in German territories. Became very successful and most of the tribes converted. - Fall of Rome: last roman emperor Romulus Augustus (nickname: little Augustus). - 476 CE Germanic tribes took over the city and kicked him out of the city and he went on to live with the Eastern roman empire. - Warlord: Odoacer -> named changed as he thinks himself as Roman. - Romans have no clue who the Germanic tribes are. - Just name them as eastern and western goths. Ie. Visigoths and Ostrogoths. - Can recognize a common structure of their leadership -> a comitatus (war band) -> primarily, the leader/ chief is the one to divide the spoils of war while the warriors have to act as advisors and loyal supporters. - Germans look at webs of loyalty or enmity -> blood feuds in Germanic tribes for several generations is possible. Tribes/ families are at war with each other. - Similarly, alliance is very strong btw families and personal ties matter a lot -> will run on for several generations. - Roman boarders with Germans will always be very unstable -> conquered Germans are paid well and have some rights and benefits, they are official allies. - They serve as border guards against other German tribes -> motivated by money. - Readings: - Thomas -> Germans hold up the leadership of Rome and that created medieval Iraq. - Is a francisian firar -> an insider and a member of the religious order. - Written same year that Francisis is made a saint. - Is very literal, not all crazy (although he talks to animals). - Very dedicated to his religion. - Establish a new form of monastic life -> life of a monk. - He transformed it from a secluded thing to a urban thing. - Mendicant order = strict vows of poverty, often on the move, primarily urban.  

#notes