This film is divided into 5 parts and presented on Youtube via Omidir.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

1) kings of Persia

VISION : "Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river (of Ulai - v.2 - in the province of Elam - Persia - in Shushan, the capital of the future Persian kingdom - Esther 1:1-2) A RAM WHICH HAD TWO HORNS: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last." (Daniel 8:3)

INTERPRETATION : "The RAM which thou sawest HAVING TWO HORNS are the KINGS OF MEDIA AND PERSIA." (Daniel 8:20)

"And now I will shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three KINGS IN PERSIA; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia." (Daniel 11:2)

Daniel received the vision found in chapter 8 "in the third year of king Belshazzar" (8:1) of Babylon, near the end of Babylon's supremacy and before the coming into power of the Medo-Persian empire (Daniel chapter 5). Daniel received the vision found in chapter 11 "in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia" (10:1), years after the Babylonian empire had fallen. The first king of the current empire, composed of Medes and Persians, was a Mede, Darius (5:31; 11:1). The Medes are represented by one of the two horns of the ram while the Persians are represented by the other one, the horn which "was higher than the other" (Medes) and which "came up last" (8:3). The Persians came to dominate the empire after the Medes and became a greater power than the Medes. The vision given in chapter 11 was received by Daniel during the reign of Cyrus THE PERSIAN, who succeeded Darius THE MEDE. That is why the Medes are not mentioned in chapter 11 because the Persians were now the dominant power in the empire and would remain so until the end of the empire. Only the name Persia appears in that chapter (11:2). In chapter 11, the prophecy is described plainly ("the truth" - 11:2) without the use of symbols as in chapter 8.

2) Alexander the Great

VISION : "And as I was considering, behold, a he GOAT came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a NOTABLE HORN between his eyes... and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. Therefore the he goat waxed very great..." (Daniel 8:5,7b-8a)

INTERPRETATION : "And the rough GOAT is the KING OF GRECIA: and the GREAT HORN that is between his eyes is the FIRST KING." (Daniel 8:21)

"... the prince of Grecia shall come." (Daniel 10:20)

"And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will." (Daniel 11:3)

The first king of Grecia (Greece) was Alexander the Great who "came from the west" (Daniel 8:5). He conquered the Persians ("the ram"), ruled many countries ("great dominion") and did according to his will. In verse 2 of chapter 11, it is mentioned that the fourth king of Persia (Xerxes) to come would "stir up all against the realm of Grecia". Xerxes came to power many years after the death of Daniel. The mighty king, not a king of Persia, of verse 3 was to come from Grecia, the kingdom militarily invaded by Xerxes. The Greek empire is represented in chapter 7 by the leopard which had four heads and received dominion (7:6). It is also represented in chapter 2 by the belly and thighs brass. It is said of the Greek empire in that chapter that the "kingdom of brass... shall bear rule over all the earth." (Daniel 2:39) So the "great dominion" mentioned in Daniel 11:3 corresponds to the dominion mentioned also in 2:39 and 7:6. Alexander the Great came to power nearly 120-130 (or 200-210 depending on the chronology adopted) years after Daniel received the vision described in chapter 8.

3) the demise of Alexander the Great and the division of his empire

VISION : "... and when he was strong, the GREAT HORN was BROKEN; and for it came up FOUR NOTABLE HORNS toward the four winds of heaven." (Daniel 8:8b)

INTERPRETATION : "Now that (great horn - v.21) being BROKEN, whereas FOUR (horns) stood up for it, FOUR KINGDOMS shall stand up out of the nation (original Greek empire under Alexander), but not in his (Alexander the Great's) power." (Daniel 8:22)

"And when he (Alexander the Great - the mighty king of v.3) shall stand up, his KINGDOM shall be BROKEN, and shall be DIVIDED toward the FOUR winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be pluckt up, even for others besides those." (Daniel 11:4)

Alexander died at the height of his power. In other words, "when he was strong" (Daniel 8:8). Notice that both Daniel 8:8 and 11:4 use the same expression "toward the four winds of heaven". Notice also that Daniel 8 mentions that "the great horn was BROKEN" while Daniel 11 mentions "his kingdom shall be BROKEN". The leopard beast of chapter 7, the third kingdom-beast with the first kingdom-beast representing Babylon and second one Medo-Persia), has four heads (7:6) meaning 4 kingdoms. Alexander's empire (leopard) came to be divided into 4 main kingdoms (4 heads). Those four kingdoms came to be ruled by men who were not of Alexander's posterity. Two of those kingdoms, Syria and Egypt, were located geographically next to Israel. Syria was north of Israel and Egypt was south of Israel. That is why the king of the Syrian kingdom is called in chapter 11 the "king of the north" and the king of Egypt the "king of the south". Let us remember that the vision is given to Daniel, a Jew. From a Jewish perspective, "north" meant north of ancient Israel and not north of America or north of India. The same can be said for "south". The "king of the north" and the "king of the south" of chapter 11 correspond to the two thighs of brass of the vision of chapter 2 while the belly of brass in that vision represented the Greek empire in its united form under Alexander the Great. Only those 2 Greek kingdoms of the main 4 would have an immediate impact during the history of the Jewish people before the coming to power of the Roman empire.

Note : it is interesting to note that the Greek empire, comprised together of its united form and its divided form (4 main kingdoms), was still considered the same empire in the Book of Daniel; the Roman empire, both in its united form and in its divided form (10 main kingdoms plus a little horn), is also considered just one empire, the fourth in the visions of chapter 2 and chapter 7; the divided form of the Greek empire immediately followed its united form; is that not another clue that the divided form of the fourth empire, the Roman empire, would immediately follow the demise of its united form? Let us remember that there is no air gap between the feet (divided form of Roman empire) and the legs (united form of Roman empire) in the statue vision of chapter 2 which indicates that the last divided form should immediately follow the united form instead of happening more than 1500+ years after the demise of the Old Roman Empire.

Note : I have written previous posts regarding Daniel chapter 8 : http://prophecytruth.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/daniel-8-2300-days-or-years/ and http://prophecytruth.wordpress.com/2008/01/23/more-on-daniel-chapter-8/

1. The finest male specimens this side of Thermopylae.

Ha ha! Why use armor when the enemies' spears will be deflected by our rock hard abs! Ah yes, you've noticed our capes. Scarlet. The color of Persian blood. Ha ha! Yes, we keep our packages carefully bound in strips of leather! Much more accessible when our enemies are in need of a good pecker-slap! Ha ha!

2. BLOOD.

Fighting is all well and good, but we pay for blood. And not just a little. When someone gets slammed in the face with a shield, we want blood splattered on the ground, when they get their leg chopped off, we want buckets of the stuff flying through the air. Thankfully, the movie was in no short supply.

3. The filmmakers' secret prejudice against Iran.

C'mon. If it's Iraq now, it's Iran later. Thankfully, the filmmakers had to the foresight to warn us freedom-loving Americans that if the Iranians had their way, the first thing they'd do is steal all of our gold then take our women and children as slaves. The first thing I did after watching the movie was salute the American flag, and then register for the Army. And speaking of Iran and how evil it is...

4. Monsters.

Oh s**t is this what they're bringing with them!? How'd they do that to his arms? It's off to Canada with me!

5. "This. Is. SPARTAAAA!!"

And just like that, the internet community was changed forever. This ranks right up there with other meme fads like All Your Base and the Star Wars Kid. One of my favorites...

Hope you enjoyed this week's entry! As always, send suggestions for future articles to move.it.move@gmail.com.

Red Amaryllis, Como Park Conservatory, Sunken Garden

The Mall of America is not the alpha and the omega of the Twin Cities. Besides the "royalty" of the State Fair carved into butter busts, the TC has some spectacular art. Who would know that these Midwestern cities offer shelter to some world-class sights? And some pretty good food. I thought that I might take you on an artsy, foodie field trip! It's my wistful little love letter to the Twin Cities, now that I'm on the West Coast. Join me!

Detail of "The Algerian," by Cordier

Cherry Spoonbridge, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Sights

Whether you find yourself in Minneapolis on a sunny day, or a snowy day, you will enjoy Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Walk beyond the tall, evergreen borders to become surrounded by art work and restful, peaceful plantings. It's an oasis that seems beautifully matched to city life. When I visited it for the first time, I didn't know anything about it. I won't tell you anything more so that you can have that sense of discovery for yourself. Once there, you might as well walk across the street and enjoy the Walker Art Center's free admission on Thursday evenings if you are a fan of contemporary art.

To see what people are creating and buying at this very moment, visiting galleries/stores in Uptown is a good bet. The tiny yet potent Moxie is a hair salon during the day, becoming a gallery at night. It's actually rather striking to see paintings alongside huge mirrors, swivel chairs, and shampoo bottles. Across the street, Soo Vac acts as a community incubator for local artists. Next door, the very tiny Robot Love is perfect for a dose of pop design sensibility. Back across town, in downtown Minneapolis, the Rosalux gallery exhibits local art in the very lovely brick building of the Loft.

Despite my preference for modern art, my favorite museum in the Twin Cities, hands down, is the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Matchless, utterly matchless. (And admission is free, everyday!) It is world-class. It is large, occupying an entire city block. But there is no "fat" in it. It is no mere warehouse. Somehow, the curators are telling the story of humanity, binding each of us with each piece, each room, and every wall. And of course, the works are simply gorgeous!!! The Algerian, a detail of which is shown immediately above, belongs to its ancient art collection.

Also linking us to the past (albeit, less distant - the 1900s) in downtown Saint Paul is the Cathedral of Saint Paul. One of my friends told me that she did not need to take a photograph of the interior of the cathedral because it would be an image that would stay with her. I agree - there is no picture that could capture even the slightest semblance to the experience of walking within it. The stained glass, sculptures, and other aspects of the interior conspire to give you a sense of awe. I've included an image of the exterior, taken through a friend's car window on a snowy day to give you a glimpse that Saint Paulites enjoy everyday. (An observant reader notes that this is a photo of...the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis!!! I've never been inside, but, I'm sure it's potentially fabulous!!! And I'm working on finding a photo of the cathedral itself.) Update: 06.22.08 - someone has been kind enough to let me use his nighttime photo of the cathedral. Enjoy!

Basilica of Saint Mary's, Minneapolis

Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint Paul

North of downtown Saint Paul lies the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park, to the side of the immensely serene Como Lake. It is entirely charming to walk through the conservatory's various chambers to view tropical plants or perhaps flowering bulbs, when the snow remains packed tightly on the land outside. People picnic within the conservatory, taking advantage of its beauty, definitely enhancing their meals. I took the picture of the red amaryllis at the very beginning of this post in the Sunken Garden, (shown immediately below) sometime last spring.

Sunken Garden in the Como Park Conservatory

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Food

Usually, I try to focus my posts on recipes and making food myself, in order to learn about cooking as well as attempting to cultivate the frugality habit. But sometimes it is quite nice to go someplace, eat, and not have to wash dishes afterwards! These are some of the places I shared meals with friends.

Takeout box from Pizza Luce

Punch Salad, of Punch Pizza (including prosciutto and walnuts)

Toscano Pizza, at Punch Pizza

Firstly, it's difficult to survive modern life without pizza. Give into it!!! One of my west coast friends was shocked when she tried a slice of the Garlic Mashed Potato pizza at Pizza Luce in Uptown - like nothing she had ever had, and it was so very good. Amazing texture. Bright, tart feta with tender...potatoes? Potatoes that contribute an earthiness that rounds off the brightness of the feta and the fresh, chopped tomatoes. Simply amazing. I succumbed to the temptation of their free delivery policy many times. Their pizzas are unconventional, and so delicious. Should you happen to be around Xerxes and 50th, very west of downtown Minneapolis, Michaelangelo's Masterpizza's is a lovely, lovely, teeny and tiny place to eat with friends. The pizza sauce is unapologetically thick, laden with good, mellow cheeses, on an exquisitely textured dough. It is one of those neighborhood joints that deserves to become a destination. The much-praised Punch Pizza earns its accolades by being the absolute, unequivocal best.

Al's Breakfast of Minneapolis

Sausage Patty, Eggs, Light Rye Toast, homemade strawberry rhubarb jam, at Highland Park Cafe & Bakery

I love love love breakfast. I've expressed my passion for breakfast in previous posts regarding Minnesotan breakfast eateries: Jay's Cafe, in the Saint Anthony neighborhood of Saint Paul, South Asian Foods in Fridley; my beloved Highland Park Cafe and Bakery in the Highland Park neighborhood of Saint Paul, and Al's Breakfast, in Minneapolis's Dinkytown (James Beard awardee). Besides breakfast, I found a few other places I enjoyed. Cecil's Deli, in the heart of Highland Park, is quite the institution. I love their Reubens. They also make a lovely, lovely hammentashen in the bakery. One day a friend and I were trying to decide between two flavors of the hammentashen - we just ended up getting both. They were large, and simply fabulous. Kramarczuk's, a Minneapolis landmark, serves a brilliant holubet. I always appreciated the curries at Chiang Mai Thai, nestled in the heart of Minneapolis's Uptown. All of the food looked really good, but, I stuck to ordering curry because it was relatively inexpensive, and because, well, I LOVE curry!!! In Saint Paul's Frogtown, Saigon Cafe serves a mean, mean banh mi (ranging from the budget-friendly $2.50 to $3.50). They make their own mayonnaise, pate, and and bake their own excellent bread for this amazing sandwich. And when I asked for extra pickled carrots and daikon - why, by golly, they gave it to me!!!

Reuben on Dark Rye, Cecil's Delicatessen, Highland Park, Saint Paul

Parking Lot of Kramarczuk's Delicatessen, in Minneapolis

Miscellaneously Fabulous:

Next to the Mississippi, the Riverview Theatre is a lovely place to see a movie (for only $3.00!!) in a gorgeous, gorgeous 1950's setting. They also have the best, best popcorn and thoughtfully provide Cheddar powder to enhance it! The Willey House, in Minneapolis, is a teensy Frank Lloyd Wright example. The official website lets you tour virtually, as does a fan site.

Lobby of the Riverview Theatre, Minneapolis

Hot Buttered Popcorn, in the Riverview Theatre

Well, I hope you have enjoyed this mini-tour of the Twin Cities. I shall be going on blog-cation for a few weeks, but will try to stay on top of any comments and emails you might send my way. (You must know bloggers LIVE for comment luv.) I always thought the 46th Light Rail Station in Minneapolis was really pretty, and made commuting such a pleasure. And so I'll close this post with that. Thanks for coming along!!!

46th Street Light Rail Station, Minneapolis

*********************** Rolling Credits ***********************

Here are the fellow flickr-ites who kindly permitted my use of their works:

• "Minneapolis Sculpture Garden," by jpnuwat of www.fiveoclockstudio.com;
• "The Algerian," by mamluke, from his Minneapolis Institute of Art set;
• "Cathedral of Saint Paul" by kodiax2, from his Saint Paul set;
• "Al's Breakfast," by m.papaya, from her Minneapolis set;
• "Kramarczuk," by moncrief.
• Photos of the Riverview Theatre - "1956" and "Good Popcorn" by Y Entonces, visible here and here.

All others - Red Amaryllis at the Como Conservatory (first photo), the Pizza Luce takeout box, Punch Salad at Punch Pizza,Toscano Pizza at Punch Pizza, Reuben on Dark Rye from Cecil's Deli, Fountain at the Como Conservatory, the Saint Paul Cathedral, and the 46th Avenue Light Rail Station in Minneapolis - by yours truly!

Yo mamas so hairy, the only language she speaks is wookie! -Leonidas

• Sean Maguire as Leonidas
• Carmen Electra as Queen Margo
• Kevin Sorbo as Captain
• Ken Daviatan as Xerxes
• Diedrich Bader as Traitoro
• Method Man as Persian Emissonary
• Travis Von Winkle as Sonio
• Phil Morris as Mesenger

To many, the Spartans were representing a near invincible army of brute force. They have been praised to the point of being legendary, and recently, 300, a movie mostly focused the famous battle of Thermopylae, was made.

Unfortunately to the 300 fans, it was revealed yesterday that the Spartan force never actually fought at Themopylae. In fact, it is believed they never fought in their entire life. A team of Australian archaeologists were searching for ancient Greek remnants and found many skeletons wearing Spartan gear. After some weeks, scientists declared that they were in fact the Spartans. Some years ago, not very far from there, some other scientists had found an ancient book depicting the Spartan army as being one of the most useless army ever conceived. From this day, it was considered as a hoax.

The man who actually found the bodies ( a guy named Gary ) is an historian and he was very upset with his own findings: " I believe it's a shame that the Spartans were so dumb and naive. I was truly believing the stories about them, but then, it turned out to be all fake. ". Our reporters had the opportunity of reading the ancient book about the *real* Spartans not so long ago. Here is a translated version of an excerpt:

" I was there. I, Bognus the one-legged, was there. I saw everything. Leonidas first put his helmet backwards. I told him that he wasn't wearing it the right way, and the only thing he replied was " I'm Leonidas, I'm a king, I know how to put an helmet on my head! ". He then walked away but, since he couldn't see anything with his helmet, he slipped on a banana pelt. His soldiers were all standing at the edge of a cliff, looking at Xerxes' troops coming from the sea. They all fell, grabbing each other, trying to keep themselves from falling - but failing. They all died at the bottom in a pool of mud by the shore. The most striking detail is the fact that this pool was partially made of Sparta's feces. We thought that the sea would eat the poo away, but it is the poo who ate us in the end. This is how Leonidas the simple and the 300 Spartans died. And this is why I, Bognus the one-legged, have become a strong defendant of proper sewer systems for the past 10 years. All they ever cared about was musculation. They kept on building their bodies in order to look like the statues of the Gods themselves, but they never actually knew how to fight. "

The one song that is my favourite (meaning that only this morning, I have listened to it about 25 times) is called "Music is my hot, hot sex" . I mean. Wow. The name pretty much gives away that this is going to be an awesome song:D But yeah. I also had a good idea when I was in ancient history today.

We're supposed to be making a stop animation video with playdough and stuff and make it all nice and stuff. It's mainly about the battle at Marathon between the greeks and persians. But that's not important.

What is important is that the king of persia's name is xerxes. He's really quite a funny lad, i think. But yeah. I reckon that we should use "Music is my hot hot sex" as the battle music. The lyrics go something like 

Music is my boyfriend
Music is my girlfriend
Music is my dead end
Music's my imaginary friend
Music is my brother
Music is my great grand daughter
Music is my sister
Music is my favorite mistres

But yeah. You get the idea. And NOW, I thought to myself, how about we just put in Xerxes where the word music comes in. It would be like. AH-MAZING!

Oh, and we also made a chicken avocado salad. But that's another bedtime story kiddoes:D
And on a final note, the weathers holding up alright I suppose. It's fine but cloudy at the same time. I wish that it would kind of make up its mind.

Ciao for now,
Matty

Cá estou eu para um novo embate épico! Desta vez serei épico mesmo pois escolhi dois personagens de dois épicos do cinema: Leonidas de 300 e Maximus de Galdiador

Este combate de guerreiros seria no mínimo insano pois são dois personagesn com muito peso tanto em carisma quanto em técnicas de luta. O Leonidas, rei de Sparta, gerreiro nato, muito macho! Enfrentou centenas de persas, comandou os caras mais neuróticos da grécia antiga, deu porrada em gigantes deformados, soldados imortais e madou o rei persa Xerxes, de 3m de altura, e a versão metrossexual do capeta plantar coquinho. O cara é foda mesmo desafiou os oráculos dos deuses e foi guerrear. Tudo isso só de sunga!

Maximus era o general fodão do exercito romano, ganhou um monte de batalhas pelo César, foi traido e trasnformado em escravo, voltou pra Roma e virou heroi de novo como gladiador. Derrotava os inimigos tão rapidamente que num tinha mais graça pra plateia. Enfrentou os melhores gladiadores do Coliseu e num perdeu nenhuma, inclusive contra armadilhas, tigres e bigas. O cara recebeu um ferimento mortal, e mesmo assim desceu o sarrafo no imperador romano.

Vamos as fichas técnicas dos caras. Leonidas é um especialista em combate corporal, é bom com a espada e incrivel com a lança como um autentico espartano. tem um senso de batalha incrivel e uma honra inabalável. O cara sabe usar um escudo para ataque e defesa. O cara tambem sabe se virar muito bem em grupo, comandando muito bem seus combatentes. Leonidas tem a batalha no sangue espartano e um orgulho que o tornam perigoso e ligeiramente suicida.

Maximus é incrivel em combate corpo a corpo tambem. Sabe usar a espada, curta e longa. Tambem comanda um exército de forma incrivel e temuma honra semalhante a de Leonidas. Ao contrário do espartano, Maximus não tem um instinto tão suicida e assassino e mais movido pela vingança do que pelo seu orgulho. Mas como Maximus perdeu sua familia ele tambem não tem nada a perder e esta disposto a qualquer coisa para conseguir o que quer.

Vamos ao combate. Leonidas teria a vantagem da distancia se começasse usando a lança. Como o cara consegue combinar a lança com o escudo seria difícil acerta-lo. Porém Maximus não é bobo e ia dar um jeito de encurtar as coisas. Na briga de espadas ai o bicho ia pegar! Leonidas e Maximus sabem usar muito bem a espada. Os dois iriam se degladiar por horas sem acertar um ao outro. Seria um combate insano e nervoso. Os dois são do tipo que não tem nada a perder então eles fariam coisas como quebrar o próprio braço para certar o outro, ou se deixar ferir para criar uma oportunidade. Enfim seria briga de macho!

Neste combate tambem não me arrisco a dizer quem venceria. Afinal os dois tem muito potencial. Mas seria um combate épico de qualquier forma. Inte mais pessoal. Esperem por mais combates eletrizantes

P.S. Tudo Bem, derrotar Comodos não foi nenhuma vantagem pois ele estava em um nivel muito abaixo de Maximus, mas convenhamos, o cara tava morrendo!

P.S. O Xerxes ficou tão bizarro que muitos historiadores torceram o nariz para o Rodrigo Santoro cheio de brincos

P.S. Acho que o Maximus teria vantagem, apesar da sainha, o cara usa armadura né enquanto Leonidas conta só com um escudo e uma sunginha....

Was it a sin to keep taking and taking without giving? Then again, weren’t all great men the same? It was the reason for their strength after all and the makings of their downfall.

Even a god-king can bleed, King Leonidas had once proclaimed. When the Spartan king’s spear sailed through the air narrowly missing him, it made him remember that even Xerxes was once a man.

300, Hollywood's version of the battle, portrays King Leonidas and his Spartans as men who were fit, hardened warriors bent on victory. Herodotus, a Greek historian, glossed over the battle's facts and even the entire 5th century BC Spartan culture, creating a misconception of Sparta. The truth is Spartans were a gluttonous people, known at their time for their carefree partying and consumption of immoderate amounts of food and drink. The most boisterous of all was King Leonidas.

During the Battle of Thermopylae, Leonidas stayed to fight Persia with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespian volunteers, 400 Thebans that had been pressed into service, and 900 Helots. Instead of fighting off the Persian army, the 2,300 drunkards held off the Spartan peasants who were fleeing from the invading Persian Empire.

King Leonidas in his birthday suit of armor.

After three days of watching Leonidas fight off the peasants, Xerxes of Persia directed his army down a path that led them behind the Spartan army. Xerxes learned of the path through Ephialtes, a citizen of Sparta who had been cheated by Leonidas in a game of barroom darts.

Leonidas died during the battle, not by the sword, but by his culture's gluttony. His cholesterol levels coupled with his refusal to put down his leather pouch of pork rinds caused Leonidas to suffer a debilitating heart attack.

The greatness of Leonidas is unquestionable, he was a true barroom hero. Not the respectable measure of greatness known to many.

higha ppl

if you are Xerxes fan so don't miss his concert video @ Breakpoint 08 Bingen/Germany

The videos are H.264 with AAC as audio codec, in MP4 container format. This should be playable with most media players provided they're not older than 3 years or so. If your player can't, try getting VLC (multiplatform), Media Player Classic (Win32; also check here), MPlayer (multiplatform), Quicktime (multiplatform), or just use one of the more recent DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-Ray players which typically support the format natively.

483.8MB

http://www.scene.org/file.php?id=501972

alternative

ftp://ftp.untergrund.net/breakpoint/2008/concerts/BP08_Concert_Xerxes-and-Friends.mp4

enjoy :P

dg

latest releases

xerxes-one-oh-three
xerxes-angelina (miu's i pick my olives from the sun remix)
xerxes-modulating_gaia
xerxes-cell progression (remix by thomas wicklund larsen)

http://www.xerxes-music.com/

I emphasize that it was a fantasy world because it seems that way too many people took the movie completely seriously. The movie is based on a graphic novel, the same medium that portrays people as a superheros and all kinds of wondrous and villainous monsters for them to face. It just so happens that the ancient Persians were portrayed as the antagonists in the graphic novel by Frank Miller.

While there is significant historical backing for the occurrence of the Battle of Thermopylae, upon which 300 is based, there is very little conclusive evidence surrounding the various causes and effects of the battle. We have just as much reason to believe that the Spartans were, in fact, the antagonists, and the Persians were the protagonists, hence the controversy.

However, I believe that the politicians far and wide who have publicly denounced the film are only insulting themselves. They are using fiction to fuel political controversy, something that should be avoided at all costs. While Frank Miller certainly wasn't honoring the memory of the Persians when he drew his novel, his goal was only to create a stark contrast, to make his fictional Spartans 100% for honor and glory. The goal was not to be historically accurate, since that is impossible anyway. Isn't it a bit below these political figures to also be the national fantasy media reviewer? Shouldn't they be spending their time trying to improve living conditions or creating beneficial laws?

Many people have touched on this topic before, but it's worth reiterating. People often choose to be offended just for the sake of being angry. No one in the ex-Persian regions of the Middle-East can swear, "My fifty-times-great grandfather, assuming he lived in the the Persian Empire, was nothing like the Persians portrayed in that movie," but they will anyway. It might be true, it might almost definitely be true, but we still won't ever know. So how about we just forget about being offended and see the movie for its amazing visuals and for the Spartans who fought for glory and honor, no matter how stupid or evil they might have really been.

Anyway, it's a great movie. However, in one scene, Leonidas kicks the Persian emissary into a large pit located within Sparta. Now, this pit seems to be bottomless (a physical impossibility but from the duration of the "whoosh" made by the fall, I have to assume it's true). Can anyone explain to me why there is a bottomless pit in the center of Sparta? Can this be historically accurate?

For those of you who have not seen it, I've included a picture. Notice that size of this pit. What use is a pit of that size? It can't be a well, since we've already established it's bottomless. Perhaps it's an ancient landfill? But really, no barrier at all around this pit? Can I at least get some velvet ropes? Maybe a sign of some sort that alerts the casual passerby? How many Spartan children fell down this pit each year? Wait a minute...

Thermopylae - 480 B.C.

King Leonidas and his men, the 300 Spartans, makes a last stand against the Persian Emperor Xerxes.

[Note: Battle Warfare]

Who doesn't love CGI armies of tens of thousands? ;)

]]> http://smokersdelight.wordpress.com/?p=9 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:02:54 +0000 smokersdelight http://smokersdelight.wordpress.com/?p=9

Anahata - Moments 7:12 // 320KBps // 16.4Mb

Xerxes - Angelina 9:21 // 320KBps // 21.4 Mb

मुझे यह सोच उन लोगों पर हंसी आ रही है कि खामखा अपना समय वे लोग एक बेकार के मुद्दे पर हल्ला कर व्यर्थ कर रहे हैं। फ़िल्में कब से सच्चाई का आईना हो गईं? अधिकतर फ़िल्में मनोरंजन के लिए बनाई जाती हैं और जोधा-अक़बर भी एक कमर्शियल फ़िल्म है जिसका उद्देश्य भी मनोरंजन ही है न कि लोगों का ज्ञानवर्धन करना। तो कुछ हल्ला मचाने वाले लोग यह कह रहे हैं कि जिस तरह जन्नतनशीन फिल्म निर्देशक के.आसिफ़ द्वारा बनाई गई दिलीप कुमार तथा मधुबाला की फ़िल्म मुग़ल-ए-आज़म ने जोधा का अक़बर की बेग़म होने की भ्रांति फैलाई थी उसी प्रकार फ़िल्म जोधा-अक़बर भी उसी भ्रांति को कायम रखे है।

पर बात वही है कि फ़िल्में कब से सच्ची घटनाओं को जस-का-तस देखने का आईना हो गईं? जिन अत्यधिक पढ़े-लिखे महानुभावों को यह पता है कि जोधा वास्तव में अक़बर की बेग़म न होकर जहाँगीर की बीवी थी उन पढ़े-लिखे महानुभावों को यह न दिखा कि फ़िल्म जोधा-अक़बर के आरंभ में कथा बाँचते हुए अमिताभ बच्चन कहते हैं:

हिन्दुस्तान.....
इतिहास गवाह है कि इस ज़मीन पर खून की खुराक से ही सल्तनतें पनपती रही हैं। सन्‌ 1011 से कितनों ने ही वक्त-२ इसे लूटकर इस फूल को अपने कदमों तले रौंदा है। और फिर..... सन्‌ 1450 में कदम रखा मुग़लों ने; जिन्होंने इसे अपना घर बनाया, इसे प्यार दिया और इसे नवाज़ा। बादशाह बाबर से शुरु हुई मुग़लिया हुकूमत हुमायूँ से होती हुई अक़बर तक पहुँची जिसे मुग़लिया दौर में सबसे ऊँचा दर्जा हासिल हुआ।

फ़िल्म वालों की तो क्या कहें पर इन पढ़े-लिखे विद्वानों और इतिहासकारों पर अवश्य आश्चर्य हो रहा है कि इन्होंने इस बात पर हल्ला नहीं मचाया कि फ़िल्म में कहा गया है कि मुग़ल सन्‌ 1450 में आए थे। अब यह तो फ़िल्म में सही कहा गया है कि मुग़लिया सल्तनत की नींव बादशाह बाबर ने रखी थी पर यह मुझे समझ नहीं आता कि मुग़ल सन्‌ 1450 में भारत कैसे आ गए थे क्योंकि मुग़ल सल्तनत की नींव बाबर ने सन्‌ 1504 के आसपास रखी थी जब उसने काबुल और खोरासन के पूर्वी भागों और सिंध पर कब्ज़ा किया था। और तो और, उसे छोड़िए, बाबर का जन्म सन्‌ 1483 में हुआ था तो वह कैसे सन्‌ 1450 में भारत आकर मुग़लिया सल्तनत की शुरुआत कर सका यह वाकई चर्चा का विषय है। क्या कोई समय में यात्रा कर सकने वाला उपकरण उस काल में मौजूद था या भविष्य से कोई वहाँ जाएगा यह करने के लिए? ;)

फ़िल्म में यह बात तो सही दिखाई है कि सन्‌ 1555 में बादशाह हुमायूँ की अकस्मात मृत्यु से लफ़ड़ा हो गया था और हेमचन्द्र विक्रमादित्य भार्गव उर्फ़ हेमु ने दिल्ली और आगरा पर अपना कब्ज़ा जमा अपने को सम्राट घोषित कर दिया था और फिर बैरम खाँ की कमान में चलती फौज ने पानीपत की दूसरी लड़ाई में हेमु की अपने से दोगुणी फ़ौज से लोहा लिया था और हेमु आँख में तीर लगने से ज़ख्मी हो गिर पड़ा था जिसका बैरम खाँ ने तब सिर कलम कर दिया था जब अक़बर ने ऐसा करने से मना किया था। यानि कि पूर्णतया झूठ नहीं दिखाया है फ़िल्म में, कुछ-२ जगह पर सही इतिहास फ़िल्माया गया है।

पर बात यह नहीं है कि क्या सही फ़िल्माया है, बात यह है कि इन हल्ला करने वाले विद्वानों को सन्‌ 1450 वाली त्रुटि क्यों न दिखी? जोधा का अक़बर की बीवी न होने का गूढ़ राज़ मालूम है जो कि अभी भी विवादास्पद है क्योंकि इस बारे में कोई ठोस प्रमाण नहीं हैं पर तारीख का नहीं मालूम जिसके बारे में पक्के ठोस प्रमाण हैं और जो दर्ज इतिहास है?

ज़ाती तौर पर मेरा मानना है कि फ़िल्म मनोरंजन के लिए होती हैं, इतनी टेन्शन न ही लो तो बेहतर होता है। तकरीबन दो वर्ष पहले आई हॉलीवुड की फ़िल्म 300 का ही उदाहरण लें जो कि थरमॉपली की प्रसिद्ध लड़ाई पर बनी थी जिसमें कथित 300 स्पॉर्टा के सैनिकों ने हज़ारों-लाखों की पर्शिया की फौज से लोहा लिया था, परन्तु उसमें दिखाया गया कि अंत में सिर्फ़ स्पॉर्टा के ही सैनिक रह गए जो मारे गए परंतु इतिहास तो कुछ और ही कहता है। दर्ज इतिहास के अनुसार उन 300 स्पॉर्टा के सैनिकों के साथ तकरीबन 700 थेस्पिया के सैनिकों ने भी अंत तक ज़र्कसीस की सागर सी विशाल फौज से लोहा लेते हुए अपने प्राणों का बलिदान दिया था। तो इस बारंबार दोहराए जाने वाले गूफ़-अप(Goof Up) को क्या कहेंगे कि जब भी थरमॉपली की प्रसिद्ध लड़ाई का ज़िक्र आता है तो सिर्फ़ उन 300 स्पॉर्टा के सैनिकों तथा उनके राजा लियोनाईडस की वाह वाही होती है जबकि उनके साथ आखिरी साँस तक लड़ते हुए शहीद हुए 700 गुमनाम थेस्पियन सैनिक अपने हिस्से की वाह-वाही से वंचित रह जाते हैं!!

तो बात यह भी नहीं है कि फ़िल्म जोधा-अक़बर में बताई गई गलत तारीख को हल्ला करने वाले इतिहास के विद्वानों ने अनदेखा कर दिया; बात यह है कि फ़िल्म को फ़िल्म की तरह ही लो यानि कि काल्पनिक कहानी के रूप में। यदि यह कहा जाता है कि फ़िल्म सच्ची घटनाओं पर बनी है और फिर उसमें कोई बात गलत दिखाई जाती है तो उसका विरोध लाज़मी है।

और जो हल्ला करने वाले लोग यह कहते हैं कि इस तरह की गलतियों से लोगों को गलत ज्ञान मिलता है तो भई जो व्यक्ति ठोस दर्ज किताबी ज्ञान लेने की जगह फ़िल्म देख यह ज्ञान लेता है कि अक़बर कब बादशाह बना और उसकी बीवी का क्या नाम था तो उस व्यक्ति और उसकी बुद्धि पर तरस ही आ सकता है!! ;)

James Madison, with Alexander Hamilton

To the People of the State of New York:

AMONG the confederacies of antiquity, the most considerable was that of the Grecian republics, associated under the Amphictyonic council. From the best accounts transmitted of this celebrated institution, it bore a very instructive analogy to the present Confederation of the American States.

The members retained the character of independent and sovereign states, and had equal votes in the federal council. This council had a general authority to propose and resolve whatever it judged necessary for the common welfare of Greece; to declare and carry on war; to decide, in the last resort, all controversies between the members; to fine the aggressing party; to employ the whole force of the confederacy against the disobedient; to admit new members. The Amphictyons were the guardians of religion, and of the immense riches belonging to the temple of Delphos, where they had the right of jurisdiction in controversies between the inhabitants and those who came to consult the oracle. As a further provision for the efficacy of the federal powers, they took an oath mutually to defend and protect the united cities, to punish the violators of this oath, and to inflict vengeance on sacrilegious despoilers of the temple.

In theory, and upon paper, this apparatus of powers seems amply sufficient for all general purposes. In several material instances, they exceed the powers enumerated in the articles of confederation. The Amphictyons had in their hands the superstition of the times, one of the principal engines by which government was then maintained; they had a declared authority to use coercion against refractory cities, and were bound by oath to exert this authority on the necessary occasions.

Very different, nevertheless, was the experiment from the theory. The powers, like those of the present Congress, were administered by deputies appointed wholly by the cities in their political capacities; and exercised over them in the same capacities. Hence the weakness, the disorders, and finally the destruction of the confederacy. The more powerful members, instead of being kept in awe and subordination, tyrannized successively over all the rest. Athens, as we learn from Demosthenes, was the arbiter of Greece seventy-three years. The Lacedaemonians next governed it twenty-nine years; at a subsequent period, after the battle of Leuctra, the Thebans had their turn of domination.

It happened but too often, according to Plutarch, that the deputies of the strongest cities awed and corrupted those of the weaker; and that judgment went in favor of the most powerful party.

Even in the midst of defensive and dangerous wars with Persia and Macedon, the members never acted in concert, and were, more or fewer of them, eternally the dupes or the hirelings of the common enemy. The intervals of foreign war were filled up by domestic vicissitudes convulsions, and carnage.

After the conclusion of the war with Xerxes, it appears that the Lacedaemonians required that a number of the cities should be turned out of the confederacy for the unfaithful part they had acted. The Athenians, finding that the Lacedaemonians would lose fewer partisans by such a measure than themselves, and would become masters of the public deliberations, vigorously opposed and defeated the attempt. This piece of history proves at once the inefficiency of the union, the ambition and jealousy of its most powerful members, and the dependent and degraded condition of the rest. The smaller members, though entitled by the theory of their system to revolve in equal pride and majesty around the common center, had become, in fact, satellites of the orbs of primary magnitude.

Had the Greeks, says the Abbé Milot, been as wise as they were courageous, they would have been admonished by experience of the necessity of a closer union, and would have availed themselves of the peace which followed their success against the Persian arms, to establish such a reformation. Instead of this obvious policy, Athens and Sparta, inflated with the victories and the glory they had acquired, became first rivals and then enemies; and did each other infinitely more mischief than they had suffered from Xerxes. Their mutual jealousies, fears, hatreds, and injuries ended in the celebrated Peloponnesian war; which itself ended in the ruin and slavery of the Athenians who had begun it.

As a weak government, when not at war, is ever agitated by internal dissentions, so these never fail to bring on fresh calamities from abroad. The Phocians having ploughed up some consecrated ground belonging to the temple of Apollo, the Amphictyonic council, according to the superstition of the age, imposed a fine on the sacrilegious offenders. The Phocians, being abetted by Athens and Sparta, refused to submit to the decree. The Thebans, with others of the cities, undertook to maintain the authority of the Amphictyons, and to avenge the violated god. The latter, being the weaker party, invited the assistance of Philip of Macedon, who had secretly fostered the contest. Philip gladly seized the opportunity of executing the designs he had long planned against the liberties of Greece. By his intrigues and bribes he won over to his interests the popular leaders of several cities; by their influence and votes, gained admission into the Amphictyonic council; and by his arts and his arms, made himself master of the confederacy.

Such were the consequences of the fallacious principle on which this interesting establishment was founded. Had Greece, says a judicious observer on her fate, been united by a stricter confederation, and persevered in her union, she would never have worn the chains of Macedon; and might have proved a barrier to the vast projects of Rome.

The Achaean league, as it is called, was another society of Grecian republics, which supplies us with valuable instruction.

The Union here was far more intimate, and its organization much wiser, than in the preceding instance. It will accordingly appear, that though not exempt from a similar catastrophe, it by no means equally deserved it.

The cities composing this league retained their municipal jurisdiction, appointed their own officers, and enjoyed a perfect equality. The senate, in which they were represented, had the sole and exclusive right of peace and war; of sending and receiving ambassadors; of entering into treaties and alliances; of appointing a chief magistrate or praetor, as he was called, who commanded their armies, and who, with the advice and consent of ten of the senators, not only administered the government in the recess of the senate, but had a great share in its deliberations, when assembled. According to the primitive constitution, there were two praetors associated in the administration; but on trial a single one was preferred.

It appears that the cities had all the same laws and customs, the same weights and measures, and the same money. But how far this effect proceeded from the authority of the federal council is left in uncertainty. It is said only that the cities were in a manner compelled to receive the same laws and usages. When Lacedaemon was brought into the league by Philopoemen, it was attended with an abolition of the institutions and laws of Lycurgus, and an adoption of those of the Achaeans. The Amphictyonic confederacy, of which she had been a member, left her in the full exercise of her government and her legislation. This circumstance alone proves a very material difference in the genius of the two systems.

It is much to be regretted that such imperfect monuments remain of this curious political fabric. Could its interior structure and regular operation be ascertained, it is probable that more light would be thrown by it on the science of federal government, than by any of the like experiments with which we are acquainted.

One important fact seems to be witnessed by all the historians who take notice of Achaean affairs. It is, that as well after the renovation of the league by Aratus, as before its dissolution by the arts of Macedon, there was infinitely more of moderation and justice in the administration of its government, and less of violence and sedition in the people, than were to be found in any of the cities exercising singly all the prerogatives of sovereignty. The Abbé Mably, in his observations on Greece, says that the popular government, which was so tempestuous elsewhere, caused no disorders in the members of the Achaean republic, because it was there tempered by the general authority and laws of the confederacy.

We are not to conclude too hastily, however, that faction did not, in a certain degree, agitate the particular cities; much less that a due subordination and harmony reigned in the general system. The contrary is sufficiently displayed in the vicissitudes and fate of the republic.

Whilst the Amphictyonic confederacy remained, that of the Achaeans, which comprehended the less important cities only, made little figure on the theatre of Greece. When the former became a victim to Macedon, the latter was spared by the policy of Philip and Alexander. Under the successors of these princes, however, a different policy prevailed. The arts of division were practiced among the Achaeans. Each city was seduced into a separate interest; the union was dissolved. Some of the cities fell under the tyranny of Macedonian garrisons; others under that of usurpers springing out of their own confusions. Shame and oppression erelong awaken their love of liberty. A few cities reunited. Their example was followed by others, as opportunities were found of cutting off their tyrants. The league soon embraced almost the whole Peloponnesus. Macedon saw its progress; but was hindered by internal dissensions from stopping it. All Greece caught the enthusiasm and seemed ready to unite in one confederacy, when the jealousy and envy in Sparta and Athens, of the rising glory of the Achaeans, threw a fatal damp on the enterprise. The dread of the Macedonian power induced the league to court the alliance of the Kings of Egypt and Syria, who, as successors of Alexander, were rivals of the king of Macedon. This policy was defeated by Cleomenes, king of Sparta, who was led by his ambition to make an unprovoked attack on his neighbors, the Achaeans, and who, as an enemy to Macedon, had interest enough with the Egyptian and Syrian princes to effect a breach of their engagements with the league.

The Achaeans were now reduced to the dilemma of submitting to Cleomenes, or of supplicating the aid of Macedon, its former oppressor. The latter expedient was adopted. The contests of the Greeks always afforded a pleasing opportunity to that powerful neighbor of intermeddling in their affairs. A Macedonian army quickly appeared. Cleomenes was vanquished. The Achaeans soon experienced, as often happens, that a victorious and powerful ally is but another name for a master. All that their most abject compliances could obtain from him was a toleration of the exercise of their laws. Philip, who was now on the throne of Macedon, soon provoked by his tyrannies, fresh combinations among the Greeks. The Achaeans, though weakenened by internal dissensions and by the revolt of Messene, one of its members, being joined by the Ætolians and Athenians, erected the standard of opposition. Finding themselves, though thus supported, unequal to the undertaking, they once more had recourse to the dangerous expedient of introducing the succor of foreign arms. The Romans, to whom the invitation was made, eagerly embraced it. Philip was conquered; Macedon subdued. A new crisis ensued to the league. Dissensions broke out among it members. These the Romans fostered. Callicrates and other popular leaders became mercenary instruments for inveigling their countrymen. The more effectually to nourish discord and disorder the Romans had, to the astonishment of those who confided in their sincerity, already proclaimed universal liberty1 throughout Greece. With the same insidious views, they now seduced the members from the league, by representing to their pride the violation it committed on their sovereignty. By these arts this union, the last hope of Greece, the last hope of ancient liberty, was torn into pieces; and such imbecility and distraction introduced, that the arms of Rome found little difficulty in completing the ruin which their arts had commenced. The Achaeans were cut to pieces, and Achaia loaded with chains, under which it is groaning at this hour.

I have thought it not superfluous to give the outlines of this important portion of history; both because it teaches more than one lesson, and because, as a supplement to the outlines of the Achaean constitution, it emphatically illustrates the tendency of federal bodies rather to anarchy among the members, than to tyranny in the head.

PUBLIUS

1. This was but another name more specious for the independence of the members on the federal head.

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Visto como um rei tirano que se achava Deus no filme 300 (adaptação fiel aos quadrinhos de Frank Miller 300 de Esparta), a verdadeira história de Xerxes é bem diferente da ficção. Começando pela aparência, um rei persa não seria moreno e sarado como Rodrigo Santoro ou andaria seminu com piercings.

A Pérsia é o atual Irã, que no sentido étnico significa terra dos arianos. Há um erro brutal quando os confundimos com árabes. Etnicamente, os persas são de origem indo-européia. Não é à toa que o governo iraniano ficou mordido com o fime.

Xerxes é tido historicamente como um rei justo e pacificador. É por isso que as Batalhas da Termópilas, mais conhecidas hoje pela narrativa do grego Heródoto, não são o bastante para condená-lo à tirania.

Para mim, o que fica é sua história de amor com a rainha judia Ester.
(Resumo: O rei Xerxes expulsa sua esposa, Vasti, após esta ter desobedecido ao marido. Xerxes monta um harém de virgens, dentre elas a judia Ester, que esconde sua origem. Vários acontecimentos depois somados à lealdade de Ester faz com que o rei se case com ela. Mas um homem importante do governo, Haman, nutre ódio pelos judeus e planeja elimina-los da Pérsia. São muitas reviravoltas até que com ajuda de Mordechai, seu primo, Ester descobre e revela o plano a Xerxes. O tiro sai pela culatra, Haman é executado e Ester vive feliz com seu rei e a liberdade de seu povo. Na imagem representativa que ilustra este post, a coroa de Xerxes e a de Ester têm a figura da Flor de Lótus vista de cima, que representa o amor eterno.)

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Irã - costumes gastronômicos

Hoje, o Irã é um país islâmico, muito diferente da época de Xerxes, mas ainda nutre orgulho por sua identidade persa e honra sua cultura e costumes.

O povo iraniano consome muito arroz. Não o arroz condimentado com alho e cebola que conhecemos no Brasil, mas cozido em água e pouco sal. Preparado de diversas maneiras acompanha quase todos os pratos. Após o cozimento, alguns adicionam sementes ou outras especiarias, como a “zeresht”, frutinha cítrica de cor vinho, ou açafrão, que dá a cor dourada. Para acompanhar, os iranianos abusam de verduras, legumes e grãos, com abundância de iogurte natural em quase tudo. Diz uma lenda que o iogurte foi a alimentação de Gengis Khan durante sua permanência nas redondezas.

As carnes, excetuando a suína, que não é consumida por muçulmanos, comem-se todas. São famosos os “kebabs”, espetinhos de carne bovina moída, que também podem ser de carne ovina ou de aves. A carne tradicional do povo iraniano é a de carneiro.

O pão achatado que conhecemos aqui como pão sírio é bem-vindo em todas as refeições. Há versões com sementes e ervas aromáticas, consumidos com coalhada, iogurte, juntamente com a comida, de diversas formas.

“Ash-paz-khaneh” significa casa do cozinheiro e é a palavra que designa cozinha. Ash é o que conhecemos como sopa e dá para entender porque este prato é tão comum em todo o país. Encontra-se “ashes” de romã, lentilhas, frutas secas e trigo, dentre outras.

No Irã não há consumo de álcool. Pelo menos ninguém vende esse tipo de bebida legalmente, por causa dos costumes muçulmanos. Por isso, fazem sucesso as casas de chá, em que se pode beber, ler, fumar narguilé e conversar. Os iranianos se orgulham de possuir um dos melhores chás do mundo. Há um costume interessante: eles levam à boca os nabats, pequenos torrões de açúcar aromatizado com açafrão e deixam derreter. Só então ingerem a bebida. Esse costume pode ser visto no filme Casa de Areia e Névoa, em que um casal iraniano é fundamental à trama.

Outras bebidas suaves e aromáticas à base de ervas, flores, iogurte ou água gasosa são vendidas em garrafas. Café é muito caro e pouco consumido no Irã.

As sobremesas preferidas são as frutas, mas há doces deliciosos e sofisticados, que encantam os turistas.

Há um costume iraniano de ofertar comida e regalos gastronômicos aos amigos e conhecidos. Exemplos: presentear açafrão, torrões de açúcar, chá e temperos.

Fonte de informações e imagem: Mi, de O Palácio do Shah