African Sanctus and David Fanshawe: Cultural Imperialism, Christian Evangelism, White Ethnocentrism

An analysis and critique of David Fanshawe's musical composition African Sanctus.

A Brief Study of Philip II’s Structures and Macedonian Dominance

During King Philip II’s reign, Macedon achieved great political, economic and military dominance in its region and spheres of influence due to vital and innovative structures of power Philip II implemented and reformed, in: the military, domestic affairs and international relations. However, the overall key to Macedonian dominance in the Greek region was unity. Philip II unified the so called ‘land of impossible contrasts’ into a cohesive and powerful kingdom with his astute and perceptive political and diplomatic skills. Such an example of Philip II’s discerning diplomacy and practical politics can be seen with the affairs of the lowlands’ and the highlands’ inhabitants. Philip II skilfully managed to unify the contrasting regions diplomatically and as a result a pivotal and tactical military structure, the Campion Cavalry, tough highlander aristocratic horseman, was formed. Furthermore, Philip II reformed the military and established Macedon’s and for that matter Greece’s (aside from Sparta) first professional and permanent national standing army. This landmark and significant structure was tactically advanced and technologically sophisticated. Philip II introduced, utilised and combined effective specialist army divisions of light cavalry and shock cavalry (cavalry had never been used as shock troops before), as well as archers and slingers, in concert with the fundamental basis of the Macedonian military, the infantry. The infantry corps was enhanced greatly with the implementation of the Phalanx, an important and tactical infantry formation, which was the core of the infantry structure, and therefore the military overall. Furthermore, the infantry was equipped with light armour and the new weapon, the Sarissas, a 6m long spear. Moreover, Philip II’s army was supported by a superior and sophisticated system of logistics, another innovative structure, further ensuring vital mobility and supply, key to military dominance. What is more, the army was fully and regularly salaried, and it did not comprise of or rely on expensive mercenaries (unlike other Greek city states at the time). Overall, the national standing and professional army created unity and fostered patriotism with a common goal for Macedonian dominance, and the effective tactical and innovative structures employed ensured this. Therefore overall, fundamentally King Philip II’s implementation and reform of critical and significant structures matched with his astute and intelligent abilities as a Statesman in politics and diplomacy established unity in Macedon and did indeed ensure Macedonian dominance.

An Early Morn Wander and Sojourn to Mount Coo-tha

Foreword: it appears I am back to this pursuit of online blogging I took up around one year ago. I have thoroughly neglected this and perhaps this is a pointless, tedious purist mandated by procrastination, and - akin to much else - perhaps a chore I will never do. But, such is life. I should be doing many things - english, music, maths, ancient history, earth science, sleeping - but I find myself here. So may I present to you something I wrote a few months ago. It is a account of my experience when after a night of no sleep I decided to go for a long long distance run at 4:00am. I ran to Mount Coo-tha, a local mountain that extends 287 metres above sea level where snow was once recorded making it the most northern part of Australia to know snow. The original inhabitants of the Mount were the Turrbal Aboriginal people and they were known to collect ku-ta or honey that was produced by the native stingless bee. Also, interesting of note if I may say, I am the Chief Editor of my school's cross country squad newsletter, where I also have a philosophy section. Goodo...

At four thirty ante meridiem on the morning of a Sunday some time ago - or thereabouts - I decided that I was inclined and had inkling to go for a run - into the wild, up a Mount. So, I crept out of my home, opening the door then garden gate and entered and began what would prove to be a timeless undertaking – running. Travelling on foot through inner city suburbia whilst it is very early morning, when the air is full of mist and fog, and the streetlamps shine their yellowy like glaze and that intermingles with the mist and form something akin to solid like dust, is an experience and activity of a unique and serene nature. Along I went, up hills, across grass, along the road - the asphalt subjected to the countless beatings by petrol eating vehicles which would also bear the weight of my body for time to come. The silence that is present is interesting, some distant noises and echoes of aforementioned machines and possible other noise making objects are heard and along with myself – my own breathes, heart beatings and pattering of my steps. At the top of a certain hill, I peer back and witness the lightshow before me - a static exemplification of a collective dependent on electrical power, a polluting built-up and dominating way of life. I continue, slowly at pace of jog; limbs, bones, muscles and skin aching. Fortunately with fortitude I reach my ultimate preliminary destination - the base of the mountain, the entry to the laborious task and the psychological commencement hand in hand with the physicality; what waits is darkness, the unknown, the wet, foggy road going only one way - up. Whence, run I go, legs moving, arms moving and head juggling both mind and sight are focused - direction. Measured and pensive, in the morning blackness, solitude and silence, I push and push. I finally and wholly reach and prevail to the paramount point - the summit, lookout and resting ground. In contemplation I suggest – ‘actually’, I think to myself ‘that was not that bad, I feel quite alright really’. Here at this point, at the top of the mount, I stand still, think and look, all before the coming sunrise as it is called. I stand on the brick, staring up into the sky of darkness and mist and thinking how life exists. The sun begins to show, the dark fog still present all around, and Birdsong starts – like an orchestral primitive piece of nature - of serenity, composure and rawness. I consider life on earth - its complexities and wonder, its awe and mystery. I imagine; I could be anyway. The view is amazing - the fog and dark surrounds. I note: the sun is vital. I look at a tree. How bizarre is it? Quite I think. I take a neutral and unsullied - alien and detached - perspective if you will. The feelings arouse and thoughts come about. Life is beauty, nature in its grand simplicity and complexity constitute the brilliance and the darkness of everything. Perhaps I am ambling in a verbose manner and perhaps you have become indifferent to what I have written, nonetheless. The planetary motions and cosmic activity, the subatomic actions and quantum mechanics - operating on and in the smallest, tiniest scale and world - that cooperatively and rather confusing form us - is happenstance of awe yet is a calculated systemic conduction.