Anna Asfour

History 134
Professor Lark
08/10/17
The Impacts of History

History is a topic too vast to understand in whole and too important to disregard in the

slightest. It is full of memories, stories and knowledge of people who have walked before us.

History holds the key to where we are today and the secrets of how we got here. Throughout this

semester, I have learned more about ancient history than I knew I would. Ive learned about

cultures, technology, people and religions. What each of these things have taught me, is that my

present would not be the same without the past.

What I find most provoking to dwell on is religion through time. Religion is something

that has been known to man for almost all of time. It has taken numerous shapes and forms yet it

is almost always present in some way. I am fascinated by the way religion shapes peoples minds

and actions. Though I have learned about far more people than just three who have been shaped

and influenced by religion, I will keep my focus narrow. I will look at Constantine, Cyrus the

Great and Muhammad and examine how their religions influenced them.

Constantine was a great ruler of the Roman Empire. He was a strong leader who actively

worked to better his society. Constantine was also the first ruler to proclaim himself as a

Christian. He let his religion become a part of his leading and decisions as a ruler. One example

of this is that he was a part of making Christianity a legally tolerated religion. Although this act

was geared towards his own beliefs, his religion taught him to be an accepting leader. He wanted

to teach his people to be accepting of all. He demonstrated this himself when he conquered other

empires. When he would do so, he honored their current religion and allowed the people to

continue to practice what they previously believed in (Constantine). Religion shaped who
Constantine was a leader. The values his religion hold, such as loving and accepting others, was

something he practiced in more than just his personal life.

As people in the present, we study history to understand and learn from the past. We

learn from Constantine that religion can be a positive thing for all people. We learn from his

religion that accepting people brings peace to those around us. Studying history this summer, I

have learned from Constantine that I need to actively live out my religion in more areas than just

my personal life. History provides us a way to better ourselves through other peoples successes

and failures (Postma).

The second leader I will look at is Cyrus the Great. Cyrus was also a strong and

successful leader of his people. In Cyrus case, historians are unsure of which religion he

practiced. What they do know is that he often prayed and looked for support from a god, as well

as he supported the churches of his people. Records show he helped the Jews to rebuild their

temple after it was destroyed. He is also known to have been seen as anointed and highly

respected by the Jews (Cyrus the Great). Though we are unsure of which religion Cyrus

practiced, he taught us that religion is something of value. His actions of accepting and helping

those in need despite their religion are a great example for us today. Through his display of value

on religion, people today learn that it is important.

Being aware of the actions of our past helps us to understand our present. Blair Hodges

wrote, the past is used as the foundation country, the land from which we have emerged, the

very clay from which our bodies politick have been fashioned (Hodges). I believe the point she

makes is that we are what we come from. Religion was something valued even during the time

Cyrus the Great was a leader. Today, we also value religion because we have seen its

importance for so many years.

 Lastly, Muhammad. Muhammad was known by his people to be sincere, honest and

trustworthy. He was a man who was good to his people, his family and friends. Muhammad was

also a very religious man. He is often known for his great revelation as a prophet and the start of

Islam. Muhammad lived dedicated to teaching others about Islam and he was successful in

converting many to his faith (Islam). Muhammads religious practices demonstrate to me the

value of pursuing what you believe. He was a man who knew what he believed and lived to teach

others the same. No matter what one believes, it is important to live as Muhammad did,

wholeheartedly.

According to William McNeill, patterns in history are something to take note of. He

writes, Clearly we need careful reflection about, and search for, enduring patterns and critical

turning points in the past, for these are the historical facts that everyone needs to know

(McNeill). In history, I have seen the pattern of religion. Muhammad is just one more example of

religion being a part of peoples lives throughout time. In his case, he teaches us devotion to

what we are passionate about through his religion. As we look at the past we learn what is to be

valued. All religions hold different teachings, but it is the premise that religion is important that

we must focus on.

Throughout this course I have learned an abundance of facts, knowledge and life lessons.

What I take away most from this course is what I have written about in this paper. I have learned

to value religion in a new way as I have seen so many individuals throughout time do the same.

As I take this knowledge into my everyday life I will actively better society through accepting

more religions outside of my own. I am now more aware of how history influences my present. I

must take every chance I get to learn from the past.

 Works Cited

"Constantine the Great." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 07 Aug. 2017. Web. 10 Aug. 2017.

"Cyrus the Great." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 July 2017. Web. 10 Aug. 2017.

Hodges, Blair. "Rhetorical Uses of History to Understand the Present." Academia.edu. Web. 10

Aug. 2017.

Islam, Muhammad, Prophet Of Islam. Web. 10 Aug. 2017.

McNeill, William H. "Why Study History." American Historical Association., 1985. Web. 10

Aug. 2017.

Postma, Michael. "What Can History Teach Us Today?" ASCD Express 6.22 - What Can History

Teach Us Today? ASCD, 2011. Web. 10 Aug. 2017.