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Paige Wiers
History: Ancient World 134
August 13th, 2016
The Morality of Influence
It is undoubtedly true that morality and religion have been extremely influential in the
decisions made throughout history. Whether it is recognized or not in political, military, or
economical resolutions, morality that is determined through religion may even be the greatest
factor in many of the outcomes throughout our historical race. In examining the extent of the
course History: Ancient World 134, I have come to reflect on how religion and morality have
majorly influenced the historical individuals Muhammad, Saint Perpetua, and Lucretia, and from
there have observed how their actions and decisions influenced their civilizations and also how
morality may have changed since their time period.
Muhammad is the founder of the Islamic Faith and is namely Allah's greatest prophet of
the history of the religion. An influential being during the 7th Century BCE, Muhammad led an
exile from Mecca with thousands of followers along with a return and conquering of Mecca with
even more believers. He was able to successfully combine a religious faith that tied in political
objectives, which helped sustain the religion as well as expand it across the entire Middle East,
parts of Africa and Asia, and into Europe. Islam was most appealing to woman and orphans
because of the freedoms it initially promised (Green 2012). However, when I think of the Islamic
Faith today in regards to female freedoms I picture a woman covered almost entirely by a Burka.
To me, this does not resemble what was once thought to be freedom for women but instead a
form of oppression. Although the Qur'an calls for modesty, it is not mentioned the exact

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formality of how modest an outfit must be and I have to wonder how long this burka fashion has
thrived and whether or not this was included with the promotions of women's right or not. As
stated in the article by William H. McNeill, " As time passes, remembered personal experiences
take on new meanings," (1985). I have assimilated this quote to define the change of women's
freedoms to the appearance of Burkas as history changing and being defined, just as McNeill has
compared it to how memory takes on new meanings.
Next, I examined the affects of the treatment of Tarquinius Conlatinus' wife Lucretia and
how her rape influenced Roman Society. In comparison to the Etruscan Society, Roman women
were relatively confined to the status of their husband and therefore treated with at least some
fraction of respect to what their husband received. Lucretia is deemed in Roman history as a
woman of solid moral character because of her obedience to her husband and when her virtue
was compromised, it was a tragic fate for the perpetrator instead of her own fault. This catapulted
the morality of woman being deemed as precious instead of simply a status in Roman Society,
even furthering the need to keep women in the possession of their husband's ownership. In
comparison, the Etruscan women are treated as free from their own husbands and in doing so are
considered by the Romans to be overtly sexual and promiscuous ("Ancestors of Ancient Rome"
2005). Michael Postma's observation about the need to examine history reads true when he says,
"Additionally, the study of history can encapsulate perspectives from different groups, genders,
or classes who may have varying views of the events that have unfolded in the past, and it can
provide a platform for authentic discussion, compromise, and empathytraits that are the basic
ingredients for active citizenship in a complex and ever-changing world," (2011).
Finally, I end with the transformation of Christianity particularly looking at Saint
Perpetua. A leading female in the advance of Christianity, Saint Perpetua suffered persecution for

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her adamant faith. In fact, that is what Saint Perpetua calls all Christians to do as well for the
pathway to heaven entails much suffering (W.H. Shrewing 1931). This aspect of Christianity still
holds true today, yet it is presented in many different ways. Although passions and martyrdom
still occurs in religiously oppressed nations, most Christians live relatively well-off lives yet are
still able to provide for churches, give to the poor, and the do things that God moves them to do.
Depending on which denomination's ethics you observe as a Christian, you may be motivated to
give up your American lifestyle to move to a 3rd world nation or you may feel moved to buy the
nice Mercedes you think you earned, yet neither one determines your faith. Jesus Christ
determines your faith today. If we all were to give up what is deemed "good" by Saint Perpetua's
standards and devote ourselves to the poor, we would not be living sustainably. As Blair Hodges
says, "Customs can become chains preventing the growth of progress,"(2012) we must realize
that Saint Perpetua has a perspective of customs from hundreds of years ago, and customs must
progressively change.
Religion and morality play an important role in the scope at which we view history and
the outcome of historical events because of its influence. It is important to understand that
morality and religious views are contained to certain viewpoints and that although one person
may believe that he speaks the truth, another may contribute to a faith that is completely different
and believe it is ultimate as well; this even occurs under the same "god". Conflict among moral
views is not always bad. Once we understand that all people may morally believe different
views, we can understand how we must communicate and come to agreements. Reflecting on
this ancient history course, I believe that is the most important concept gained from the course
History: Ancient World 134.

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Works Cited
"Ancestors of Ancient Rome" Full Movie Online Free | Snagfilms."Snagfilms. Ed. Christian
Holland and Cenwyn Edwards. A Cicada Film, 2005. Web. 14 Aug. 2016.
Green, John. "Islam, the Quran, and the Five Pillars All Without a Flamewar: Crash Course
World History #13." Crash Course World History #13. YouTube, 19 Apr. 2012. Web. 07
Aug. 2016.
Halsall, Paul. "Ancient History Sourcebook: Livy: The Rape of Lucretia, from the History of
Rome." Internet History Sourcebooks: The Rape of Lucretia. Internet Ancient History,
2000. Web. 14 Aug. 2016.
Hodges, Blair. "Rhetorical Uses of History to Understand the Present."Academia.edu. Academia,
7 May 2012. Web. 14 Aug. 2016.
McNeill, William H. "Why Study History? (1985)." Why Study History? (1985). American
History Association, 1985. Web. 14 Aug. 2016.
Postma, Michael. "What Can History Teach Us Today?" ASCD Express 6.22 -. ASCD, 2011.
Web. 14 Aug. 2016.
Shrewing, W. H. "The Passion of Saint Perpetua and Felicity." Internet History Sourcebooks
Project. N.p., 1996. Web. 14 Aug. 2016.