Schoolcraft College

Religion, Morals, and Traditions

Anne Buford
Ancient World History
Professor Dyer
10 December 2014

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Learning about ancient world history, or any other possible types of history, helps us
discover a better perspective of the present world. Knowing our roots helps us create a better
future; and without an understanding of history, we are doomed to repeat our collective
past(Postma). Studying and learning from our ancient ancestors can potentially contribute in
shaping our futures. Over the course of almost all human existence religion, morals, and
traditions seemed to influence civilizations greatly. These factors helped influence our ancestors
responsibilities and they determined the abilities they helped contribute to society. Religion
helped influence Indian, Roman, and Islamic civilizations by giving people standards of behavior
or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do.
During the classical age of ancient India the idea of two new faiths appeared.1 These
faiths are known as Buddhism and Jainism. Numerous states covered northern India during this
classical age, the largest being Magadha.1 It was in Magadha that the two non-orthodox faiths of
Jainism and Buddhism flourished when they found patrons amongst the Magadha kings.1 Over
approximately a century or more Magadha expanded allowing it to cover a large part of northern
India.1 In 272 BC Asoka began his reign which lasted until approximately 232 BC.1 It was after a
bloody war against Kalinga Asoka renounced warfare and converted to Buddhism.1 He actively
promoted the spread of Buddhism; and sent missions abroad, to Sri Lanka and South East Asia.
Here they laid the foundations for Buddhism's later triumph as the predominant faith. He also
sent missions to the Greek-speaking kingdoms to the west, which had carved up Alexander the
Great's conquests between them(TimeMaps). Asokas intentions seemed to have made little
impact in the Greek-speaking kingdoms but the same cannot be said for India. In his empire
Asoka erected pillars which were inscribed with royal edicts and encouragements to his subjects
to live in harmony with one another.1 These edicts and exhortations give an insight into Asoka's

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mind. What comes across is a compassionate, tolerant, firm ruler, seeking justice and well-being
for all his subjects(TimeMaps). Asoka wanted the best for his citizen and through Buddhism he
was able to express compassion and understanding towards them. It was around 1500 BCE
Vedism entered India.2 It takes its name from the collection of sacred texts known as the Vedas.2
The caste system of India is related to the Vedas. People at the top of the caste were represented
by the mouth because they spoke to god, the arms symbolized warriors, the merchants of society
embodied the thighs and lastly the feet were characterized by laborers and farmers.2 In Vedism
they believed in Dharma, ones role in life and society gave to them at birth and through caste.2
They also believed in Samsara, reincarnation in which fulfilling your Dharma brings you closer
to Moksha, the release from reincarnation. 2 Many people were turned off to the customs of
Vedism, like Dharma, seeing it was something they were born into and could not escape it in
their life time.2 John Stuart Mills believed uncritical acceptance of custom robs the individual of
the freedom to make morally-meaningful decisions. Customs can become chains preventing the
growth of progress (Hodges). The customs of Vedism negatively affected many citizens and
Buddhism turned out to be a perfect out let for people trying to escape their Dharma.
Muhammad, the prophet of Islam came from the tribe of Koraysh.3 Even as a young man,
Muhammad came to be admired by his fellow Meccans as a sincere and honest person, and
earned the nickname Amin, which translates to the trustworthy.3 Because he considered society
too materialistic and irreligious Muhammad would escape to a cave where he was able to
meditate.3 While meditating, Muhammad searched for answers to the metaphysical questions
that many thoughtful Arabs were beginning to explore.3 During a solitary meditation,
Muhammad heard a call that was to alter the history of the world, the call of God.3 The early
message Muhammad brought to the Arabs was one of sternness and strength.3 In the beginning

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Muhammad was able to obtain the support of his family members along with his close friends.3
Inspired by the spirit and example of earlier prophets such as Abraham and Moses, who were
also tested and persecuted, Muhammad persevered in his faith and continued his
preaching(Islam, Muhammad, Prophet Of Islam). The Hadith is reports of the activities and
sayings of Muhammad. The Hadith is an important source of values and ethical paths for the
followers of Islam.3 The custom or practices of the prophet are known as the Sunnah.3 The
Sunnah is located in the Hadith which shows the believed way of life.3 In essence, history
teaches us to move forward, recognize our mistakes and learn from them, and ultimately create a
better existence for all(Postma). Muhammad was not only inspired by earlier prophet but he
learned from them. Moses and Abraham experiences helped guide Muhammad on his spiritual
journey and they played a role in his determination of getting his message about Allah out to
others.
Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great was the first Roman Emperor to
impose Christianity throughout Rome.4 Not only did Constantine spark the evolution of the
empire into a Christian one but he also provided the culture that prepared the way for the growth
of Byzantine and the Western medieval culture.4 When Constantine first came to power he
outlawed Pagan sacrifices.4 The items of the Pagan temples were removed and later went
towards building some of the first Christian churches.4 Under the new religion gladiatorial
contests were banned and laws were created prohibiting sexual immorality.4 Constantine is
infamous for the great city of Constantinople.4 His intention was for Constantinople to be the
center of the new Roman world.4 Skills like writing, and devices like bureaucracy are even
older than Christianity, and concerns that bother us still can be read into the cave paintings left
behind by Stone Age hunters as much as twenty thousand years ago.(McNeil). Before the

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formation of Christianity education came before religion. Although religion has always been an
important aspect of human existence Christianity seemed to take it one step farther. Christianity
helped merge education and religion, a couple of the most valued things in life, together by
creating churches with pastors preaching the word of God.
For many religion comes before most things in their life such as work, friends, and for
some even family. In todays society it is perfectly acceptable to not follow a religion and just
because someone does not follow a curtain path does not mean they lack morality. Knowing a
sense of right and wrong is something that comes naturally to most from birth. Treating others
with respect is a moral many people share. Every human being has feelings and it is not our right
to negatively influence those. Muhammad, Constantine, and Asoka had the moral of respect
towards other in mind when trying to influence the public with their religions. All three of these
leaders were trying to guide society towards a brighter future. Seeing how these leaders
conquered their difficulties encourages me to push through mine.
Learning from our ancestors past helps us plan for the future and while studying history
the topic of religion appears quite often. Through almost all human existence religion, morals,
and traditions influenced civilizations immense. These factors prompted the responsibilities for
ancient rulers and determined the abilities they helped contribute to society. Religion, morals,
and traditions did this by giving people behaviors or beliefs for what is and is not acceptable.
Religion helped influence Indian, Roman, and Islamic civilizations. In the being of Magadha,
which was one of the largest India states, the two new religions of Jainism and Buddhism
prospered.1 Under the rule of Asoka the practice of Buddhism vastly increased.1 Asoka made
society better through the practice of Buddhism by renouncing warfare and creating temples
inscribed with words of encouragement.1 In Islam the prophet of Muhammad gained admiration

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from some of this fellow Meccan at a young age.3 Muhammad found society to be very
materialistic and irreligious so to become more connected to himself he started meditating.3 After
meditating for an extended period of time Muhammad heard the call of God.3 In the beginning
his earliest believers were his friends and family.3 Muhammad was inspired by earlier prophets
like Abraham and Moses; eventually his preservation paid off when others started following the
path of Islam.3 People respected Muhammad so much that they dedicated a part of the Hadith for
his customs which is known as the Sunnah.3 Muhammad was not only inspired by these earlier
prophets but he learned from them showing how even in ancient times history was essential in
shaping the future.3 Another very influential leader was Constantine I, also known as
Constantine the Great.4 He was the first Christian Roman Emperor and he provided the cultural
influences that would later affect the Byzantine Empire.4 Constantine banned Pagan sacrifices
and the treasures that were gained from removing the Pagan temples helped form the first
Christian churches.4 Constantine made society safer by banning gladiatorial fights and
prohibiting sexual immorality.4 He also assembled the remarkable city of Constantinople which
became the center of the ancient Roman world.4 Religion, morals, and traditions have always
influenced society and they always will. One must not be faithful to a religion to have morals,
everyone deserves to be treated with respect and this concept is what Constantine, Muhammad,
and Asoka had in mind for their individual empires. These leaders were trying to bring about a
better future for each citizen living in their empires. The preservation these three men endured
inspires many people, including myself, to help better society by encouraging others when they
need it most and by treating everyone with respect.

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Works Cited
"Hodges."Academia.edu. Academia. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.academia.edu/1539830/Hodges_Final_Essay_On_Rhetorical_Uses_of_History_to_Understand_the_Present>.
"Islam, Muhammad, Prophet Of Islam."Islam, Muhammad, Prophet of Islam. World History
Project, 1 Jan. 2002. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. <http://history-world.org/islam2.htm>.
McNeil, William. "Why Study History? (1985)."Why Study History? (1985). American
Historical Association, 12 Jan. 2013. Web. 14 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-andarchives/archives/why-study-history-(1985)>.
Postma, Michael. "What Can History Teach Us Today?"ASCD Express 6.22 ASCD, 1 Jan. 2014.
Web. 11 Dec. 2014. <http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol6/622-postma.aspx>.
"TimeMaps."Atlas of World History. TimeMaps Ltd., 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 9 Dec. 2014.
www.timemaps.com/civilization/The-Mauryan-empire>.

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Notes
1. http://www.timemaps.com/civilization/The-Mauryan-empire
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nn5uqE3C9w
3. http://history-world.org/islam2.htm
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om5SA6El3yA