The Myth of St.Patrick & Christianity in Ireland

By George Richards

It has been the belief of the Irish people that St. Patrick was the missionary that brought Christianity to Ireland, however this may have been the case. From ancient writings it would appear that Christianity was well established in Ireland hundreds of years before the purported arrival of St. Patrick and it is probable that St. Patrick is another instance of church propaganda to influence the minds of the people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 8, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450250184

George Richards

The author was born in Dublin Ireland in 1930 and immigrated to England in 1946 where he began his career in the construction industry. Over the coming years his job took him to Nigeria and Ghana on the West Coast of Africa, and later to Saudi Arabia. He returned to England in 1973 and immigrated to Canada with his wife Joan and four children in 1975 and continued his career as Project Manager in the oil industry from which he retired in 1987. He now resides in Fort Saskatchewan Alberta with his wife Joan and enjoys golfing, reading, and music.

Book preview

The Myth of St.Patrick

&

Christianity in Ireland

George Richards

iUniverse, Inc.

Bloomington

Copyright © 2010 by George Richards

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.If there are only a few historical figures or actual events in the novel, the disclaimer could name them: For example: Edwin Stanton and Salmon Chase are historical figures… or The King and Queen of Burma were actually exiled by the British in 1885. The rest of the disclaimer would follow:However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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The Myth of St. Patrick

&

Christianity in Ireland

Dedicated to the memory of my parents;

George and Elizabeth Richards

For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn,

Or busy housewife ply her evening care;

No children to lisp their sire’s returning,

Or climb his knees, the envied kiss to share.

Tomas Grey

,

To my daughter Ruth Elizabeth Kuik In deep

appreciation and gratitude for her invaluable help.

Cover Page

Picture of Bohernabreena as seen from the Wicklow Hills

Cross of the Scriptures located at the ruins of Clonmacnoise Abbey

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

APPENDIX 1

APPENDIX 2

APPENDIX 3

APPENDIX 4

APPENDIX 5

APPENDIX 6

APPENDIX 7

APPENDIX 8

APPENDIX 9

APPENDIX 10

Bibliography

End Notes

Introduction

The question has been put to me regarding what follows; is this book about Ireland’s history and the history of the Roman Catholic Church or the Worlds History and its affect on Ireland? Lacking the necessary academic qualification, nothing so pretentious was envisaged. In starting out on this journey my aims were relatively simple in their objectives.

The initial query was regarding the emerging of Christianity on the world’s stage and the subsequent events that shaped the destiny of the Western civilization with the rise of Christianity. I would therefore suggest that Christianity and its affect upon Ireland would be more appropriate.

History is shaped from an amalgam of isolated events across the fabric of time. These taken individually have a propensity to obscure the truths of history thus given us a picture that may not explain the full reality of what occurred.

We can read what occurred at the Battle of Hastings between William of Normandy and King Harold of England but will fail to associate this battle with what occurred at the battle of Stamford Bridge a little over a week previous between King Harold of England and King Harald of Norway who invaded Northumbria in Yorkshire. Historians treat each of these incidents separately failing to link them and their importance to each other. These two events shaped a Monarchy that would rule England for the next one thousand years.

Such is the case concerning Ireland and its people. A fragmented history compiled by religious monks who no doubt had their own agenda, innocent though it may appear but always with the intent of meeting the needs of the Roman Church. From this we have a long list of eminent scholars who failed to question the status quo and repeat ad nauseum that which had been written centuries ago by religious monks under the guidance of the church hierarchy.

As an Irishman with an interest in the land of my birth and influenced by the ancient tales that defined our race I found what had been written lacked substance. What I read did not answer the questions that would add clarity to the history books I was exposed too. I found that if one had to have an understanding of the world all those years ago it was necessary to put aside any preconceived ideas one had collected over the years and approach the subject with an open mind. So to find this understanding I found it expedient to go back to a starting point in our historical past and find those who had through their actions changed this most ancient of societies into what one noted politician referred to as an easily tamable animal. How this most civilized of cultures become a race of beggars and itinerants living a life of subsistence stripped of everything but their identity has been lost to the minds of the historians.

Who and what brought on this change? Who were the actors in this drama that brought on the demise of this ancient culture? To answer these questions it was necessary to go back to a point in history that was to change our western civilization and from there thread our way through time and highlight those who played a major role in these events.

Those identified who in my opinion exerted the most influence in Irish affairs were those of the Jewish faith, the Cistercian Order of Monks, the Knight Templars, the new breed of Normans, the English Monarchy, and the Roman Catholic Church. Some played their part albeit with the best of intentions while there were those whose objective was the destruction of the Irish race. In all the events through the years that brought on the destruction of the Irish people; the Roman Catholic Church was to a large extent complicit and a silent witness to the agonies of a dying people.

To bring the past into focus it was expedient to select a point in history that acted as the catalyst that shaped the future of Europe and the world. Selecting the date on which a new Astrologic cycle of time had its beginning seemed appropriate if one had to have an understanding of the past. The arrival of the Astrological Sign of Pisces which occurred on the 21st March 63 BC was to see the beginning of the Roman Empire and a period of anxiety for the Jewish people who believed that the prophecies of old would be fulfilled with the arrival of the Messiah who would create a new kingdom on earth in which he would rule over his people and bring on an age of prosperity. However, instead of the appearance of the Messiah it was the armies of Rome that arrived in Jerusalem. From this moment on the world was to change, for out of the turmoil of these early years we saw what was to become the religion of Christianity that eventually would bring down the Roman Empire.

Therefore it was necessary to remove the superstitution surrounding this event and explain its true impact and comment about the history of the Jewish people and their influence upon Ireland at the dawn of the first century.

The facts surrounding the events in 63 BC in the city of Jerusalem are historical truths, as are the events which saw the expulsion of the Jewish people from Jerusalem by the Emperor Titus and from the city of Rome by the Emperor Claudius in the 1st century AD. From these events Europe was to witness the rise of a new religion that would impose its beliefs upon Europe and the world.

The myths surrounding the arrival of these first Christians to England and Ireland are shrouded in the mists of time which in moments of silence evoke subconscious memories in our psychic. But if one allows the myths surrounding this event to be treated as factual, then the history of Christianity requires examination. The statement by the Pope of Rome in 431 AD that he would send a Bishop to Ireland to administer to the Christen communities is historically true and would support the statement made by the Irish Bishop Colman at the Council of Whitby in 664 AD, which was held in Northumbria England, that is was the Apostle John the Evangelist who brought the Christian faith to Ireland in the 1st century AD. This is an historical fact if we are to accept the writings of the Venerable Bede who when writing on ‘The English Church and People’ mentioned the arrival of Bishop Palladius in the year 431 AD on the orders of the reigning Pope to administer to already established Christian communities as recorded by the same author.

In contrast to this authentic source of information when we read the story of the life of St. Patrick we are reading the imaginary tales of these early religious monks and those who followed who relied upon the myths generated by the religious of the 7th and 8th centuries that established the credentials of this saint. However, we must put aside the many tales one hears and the religious hyperbole that surrounds this person and concentrate on what is known a different picture emerges. There are too many unanswered questions in the two documents purportedly written by this Patrick. From the language and its lack of demographic information regarding the Irish people and their culture it is apparent that it may have been written by those who lacked this knowledge. It was left to the imagination of his many biographers to perpetuate the myth. It could also be conjectured that it may have been an attempt by the Church to put its fingerprint on Christianity in Ireland.

From the 11th century onwards the events surrounding the Crusaders, The Cistercian Order of Monks, The Knights Templar, and the Normans and their intrusion into Ireland’s affairs are historical facts.

Ireland in Gaelic times was a people and a land that was governed by a system of laws that was unique and found nowhere else in the world. Under these laws no individual owned the land; the land belonged to the clan, the ‘Tuath’ administered by a system that were once described by a noted British Attorney General as there is no nation of people under the sun that doth love equal and indifferent justice better than the Irish. Land was for the benefit of the people and not the individual. This applied to the clan chief to each of the clan members according to his rank in the social order. One can therefore appreciate the consequence the arrival of these foreigners had on the social structure of these ancient people.

The arrival of the Danes along the eastern seaboard may have created minor problems but as a people who were more intent upon trade and not conquest over time their presence would be tolerated. If we are correct in our supposition regarding the arrival of the Norman’s shortly after the conquest of England we encounter a different situation. The mentality of the Norman was the acquisition of land and possessions and the subjugation of those who occupied those lands. The dispossession of the Irish families from their lands to accommodate the new arrivals is historically true. Notwithstanding what has been written about the Irish prowess as warriors is that they were no match for this new breed in the art of warfare. I would conjecture that the Irish clan chiefs would compromise in their efforts to retain as much land as possible under their control which proved the case when they submitted to Henry V111’s representative.

We can conjecture that the arrival of the Normans had a disruptive effect upon the Irish families over the succeeding years and was exasperated with the arrival of the many religious orders each requiring land for their many church’s and properties in addition to the lands required to sustain the many who flocked to these institutions not I would say out of religious zeal, but as a matter of survival. The situation was further exasperated with the subjugation of the country by King Henry 11 and the influx of Normans under the royal banner and like their predecessors required their share of the land.

The death knell for the Irish came in the `16th and 17th century with the influx of English settlers and when the ancient laws of the Brehon was outlawed by the English Crown. This wanton act upon a people can be recorded in history alongside the destruction of the library of Alexandria and the book burning of the middle Ages. The next three hundred years was to see the Irish people reduced to penury. This once proud literate people who in an age of darkness kept the flame of knowledge alive in Europe, were now looked upon as ignorant and brutish. There are no words which can express the hardships suffered by these unfortunate people bereft of all but the memories of their ancient past.

I join my voice with that of Michael Ragan when writing his essay on the Brehon Law stated "I am neither lawyer nor language expert, but I am a student of the human condition with a passion for the truth about my ancient forebears—.

We cannot recapture the past or put right the wrongs that were perpetrated by the Roman Church and the English Crown but can when studying Irish history remove the religious and ethnic bias of the past and look upon the Irish people for the greatness that was theirs.

George Richards

Aug. 1994

Final Draft Document

Chapter 1

I have found it fascinating, with the gift of imagination which is given to us all, to travel back in time and glimpse a world of people and events that shaped our Western culture. However, when reading the works of ancient historians there appears to be gaps in the historical narratives that leave many questions unanswered, so much, so that one is aware there is more areas to be explored, and when the answers to the questions do not emerge, knowing something is missing in the telling, a feeling of dissatisfaction is experienced.

Over time I have become convinced that the answers to some of these questions are scattered among the myths and legends of old, including the historical texts of the early historians. There is also the vast amount of evidence unearthed; especially in the field of Archaeology which has lead to a reversal of many of the theories regards the past. However, in approaching the many subjects, it was important to put aside all those preconceived ideas that have been part of one’s life and approach the task with a completely open mind. In this respect, it has been necessary to put aside all previously held views regarding one’s religious and political beliefs. This would also apply to those who may read these pages if one is to have a complete understanding of the subject matter.

In this context, I believe, to look at history objectively it is necessary to remove from one’s mind the idea of a God as the creator of the Universe being a person with all the attributes of man, as envisioned by all religions on this planet. Not as a God of love and compassion, but one to be feared and obeyed, as taught to all children in all lands. Notwithstanding the exhortations of the religious bodies that God loves us, there is always the fear, that should we not reciprocate this love, our souls would be damned to the fires of hell. This doctrine of love through coercion leaves a lasting impression on the minds of the young and can be attributed to the many problems being experienced around the world. It is extremely unsettling to fear being struck dead or inflicted with an incurable disease by some unseen person who may be offended by your opinions.

Modern man prides himself on the advances made over the last three hundred years, but when it comes to religious beliefs, he has not advanced one iota from the beliefs of his most primordial ancestors.

Therefore, to free one’s mind of the beliefs that shaped and molded one’s life is no easy task. The formulated ideas taught to us by a restrictive educational system in our adolescent years, has dictated our whole thinking processes and molded our social behavior.

Realizing the necessity of being circumspect in the views expressed concerning the beliefs that are sacrosanct to certain segments of our society. The intent is not to offend their moral or religious sensibilities, but to question the basis of what history has imparted to our generation as historic truths.

On the question of the various religions, no one can really say as to which belief holds the truth. They all propound the same creed under different colors. Like hawkers in the marketplace, each tries to convince the people of the authenticity of their goods. Early pagan societies did not suffer from the neurosis that inflicts our modern societies. Their gods, or god, had more to do with the movement of the planets, the growth of crops, animal husbandry, than the destruction of souls. The two religious faiths of Judaism, and Christianity, that shaped our Western society are an offshoot of these age old pagan believes, and just as false as were the beliefs of our pagan ancestors. Each have done irreparable damage to the minds of their followers, but more so in the case of Christianity. Christianity has removed the intuitive perception that was humanity’s inheritance and replaced it with a fictitious superstitious doctrine that has blinkered the mind of mankind to the natural truths. If this hypothesis possesses some level of credence, we can say with some degree of confidence, that Christianity has clouded the mind of countless generations by misdirecting attention away from the natural order and the truths of history. It also must be stated that this method of misinformation and manipulation of history is not the prerogative of any one culture or religion but is endemic in all governments and cultures. Therefore, when taking on the task of questioning what has been the belief of centuries, by necessity requires a high degree of circumspection.

By the same token those who may disagree with the expressed opinions should be charitable in allowing those who may have a different point of view free licence to question all aspects of history, whether religious or political, without fear of restrictions being imposed upon their thought processes or reprisals because of their opinions.

A noted teacher of the middle Ages who believed the methods of logic could be applied to the truths of faith stated, By doubting we come to questioning and by questioning we come to perceive the truth.[1] Like all great minds, the views he expressed were contrary to the doctrines of the Catholic Church, who condemning his writings, imprisoned him and had his first theological work burnt as heretical.[2]

His belief that the methods of logic could be applied to the truths of faith was in opposition to the Church Authorities [3] who thought his influence too dangerous and secured his condemnation.[4]

There are many similar cases of which we will speak of later, whereby the Church suppressed and punished those who were in opposition to Church doctrine. From reading the events that occurred during the middle Ages as compared to those events of today, it would appear that little has changed in the life of man. People are still being persecuted for their religious and political beliefs. In the middle ages, to ensure compliance with Church doctrine, the aim was not only to destroy the mind but also the body. The methods may have changed, but the results remain the same.

In to-day’s society, the aim is to fetter the mind and prevent free expression of views that may be contrary to those held by others who may not be of the same ethnic or religious group. There are also those religious groups who will not tolerate any form of criticism of their religious and political history. To question or criticize is met with threats of death,[5] and in the majority of cases a systematic program of character assassination which at times result in the loss of livelihood and in some case’s imprisonment by the civil courts.[6]

The defensive attitude adopted by these groups is difficult to understand. Should they believe the events that shaped their history, are true and factual they should have nothing to fear by having the past questioned by those who may have doubts accepting the authenticity of the events. If however, we believe the age-old axiom that states, ‘the truth will set you free,’ it naturally follows that truth needs no defenders and eventually will stand the test of time.

Nonetheless, if truth needs defending, it need not be at the cost of human life or for that matter the destruction of a person’s character and integrity. What needs vigorous defenders are those spurious religious and historical myths and legends that have evolved over time and have been postulated as factual truths by those within the religious and educational establishments? In the history of the Church of Rome, this form of suppression was the standard methods used, not only in the early years of its development, but throughout the existence of the Church. Delegating to themselves the authority of being the sole arbitrator between God and man, as was the practice of the Hebrew prophets, they used this self appointed authority as a tool of suppression and persecution on those who would question their religious doctrines.

If we accept, that all actions have a purpose mine is one of curiosity and an inquiring mind in an effort in finding answers to vexing questions. I would however stress, that in the process of questioning those areas of history, the exercise can be best described as having layer upon layer of membrane removed from the mind until the sterility of reality remains.

Chapter 2

Accepting the principle, that it is the victor or perceived victor who, records historical events, we must also accept that the accounts will reflect the views and policies of his/her Government. Additionally, there is also the tendency for historians to impose their political/religious views in their narrations. Over time, these views transcend to the general public on which history is judged within the educational system thus, the propagation of these beliefs become the truths of history.

It would be extremely difficult to convince the average American schoolboy that the ancient civilizations of North and South America were more advanced then modern historians would have us believe. They were not the blood thirsty savages portrayed in American history books and through the imagination of Hollywood, In fact, archaeological evidence suggests that the civilization of North America were in ancient times equal if not more advanced than to those of the British Isles and Europe.[7]

People find this difficult to accept, and go to great lengths to elaborate on the advances made by modern sciences as an example of our progress. But as we look at our European heritage, we find that despite our sophistication, we were and are more barbaric towards our fellow men than were our ancestors.

When one considers the evidence of the many conflict’s, that have occurred over the last two hundred years, we are compelled to accept the argument that contemporary history as taught in our educational establishments may not be according to the known facts, but are the views and opinions of the different nationals involved in these conflicts.

A Greek historian addressed this question of recording the truth of historic events when he stated. It is not the historian’s business to startle his readers–-it is his task first and foremost to record with fidelity what actually happened and what was said–-the historians task is to instruct and persuade serious students by means of the truth of the words and actions he presents, [8]

Today there exists within Japanese society a situation that supports these statements. The historical events surrounding the Japanese conflicts during the period 1937-45 is a subject that has been suppressed and misrepresented by the Japanese educational authorities. The reality of those years has not been taught to Japanese children. What has been imparted to them is a Japanese version of events as seen through the eyes of Japanese historian’s, according to which the Japanese people are portrayed as the victims in these conflicts.

It is not surprising that the Japanese Government deny any involvement in the atrocities inflicted upon the Chinese people[9] by their military personnel during the occupation of China.[10] Nor do we find it surprising that they deny any knowledge of the harsh treatment meted out to the prisoners of war during 1941-45.[11] As a result, the people of Japan, especially the younger generation, are ignorant of this period in their country’s history.

One cannot hold the people responsible this responsibility belongs to the Japanese Government, who by suppressing the factual information from the school textbooks have, Encouraged the propagation of a one sided history of a war in which Japanese suffering is highlighted and the horrors inflicted on other nations is ignored.[12]

Because of the misinformation propagated regarding this most important period in their history, the children of Japan were isolated by the educational system from any concept of their countries role in these horrific atrocities.

This is just one of the instances among many that demonstrate that the suppression of information and manipulation of the truths of history is not unique. This was a policy was adopted by all Government’s involved; each manipulating history to reflect their view of the events.

Consequently, the versions compiled by the German, Russian, British, and American historians would be according to their perception, and eventually form part of the scholastic curriculum in their respective educational systems. It is highly probable that a hundred years from now it will be extremely difficult to separate fact from fiction regarding as to who was the real victor’s and who were the victims of these conflicts.

There is ample evidence to suggest that those who report on world conflicts over the years were less interested in reporting the truths; being more concerned in expressing their Governments policies and manipulating public opinion. The manipulation of news through the means of propaganda and misinformation became an art in news reporting and is as much part of our society to day as it was all those years ago. There can be no doubt that as one analysis history, one will find that Government’s, Politicians, and the Historians are following a very old and ancient tradition.

Recent events involving America’s role in world affairs can be cited as an example. Their involvement in Vietnam and the affairs of the Far East, and quite recently in the Near East with the Arabic states is an example of the art of news manipulation.[13] Western historians will find ample justification for the destruction of civilian population on the premise that the ‘end justifies the means.’ Such is the case of North Vietnam [14] whose cities, towns, and villages were selected for a program of saturated bombing that resulted in the death of a reputed three million people.

A similar programme was put into effect during the 1939-45 war in Europe[15] in which the cities of Cologne and Dresden in Germany were selected for similar treatment, equal to that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. This was not a war against armed combatants, but a policy developed by America and its allies; which called for the deliberate destruction of civilian populations as a means of collective punishment, a policy followed today in the world of politics.[16]

Ones mind is unsettled by these barbaric acts by those who profess themselves Christian’s. These are not the accounts as depicted by the historians who were influenced by the policies of their respective Government, but told by those who witnessed and survived these events.

When one views the world over the millennia, it is apparent that mankind has made little progress in his aspirations towards goodness. With the intention of enhancing their country’s reputation, in their narratives historians in our Western society will establish justification for their country’s actions, however unjust they may be.

Time and distance have not changed the particular characteristic that is inherent in those who record historical events. We can detect this in the narratives of those Roman historians on whom we place so much reliance for our information about the glory of the Roman Empire.

As was expressed by one author, Compulsory attendance at the education mill, where the received theories and notions of the time are presented to the innocent as established facts, encourages such totally false impressions of the past, that it becomes hardly possible to understand the present or to foresee the future.[17]

A scholar of the thirteen century addressed the question of truth when he said, There are four stumbling blocks to comprehending the truth, which hinder well nigh every scholar; the example of frail and unworthy authority, long established custom, the sense of the ignorant crowd, the hiding of one’s ignorance under the show of wisdom.[18]

Accepting this hypothesis, allow those who refuse to accept this one sided view of history the right to delve into the past and question events in their true historic setting. In doing so, history takes on a whole new meaning, in that what we had believed to be true may not be factual, but the opinion of those who had a vested interest in manipulating the truth.

Tacitus[19] the Roman historian commented on this subject when he stated, "So long as republican history was their theme, they wrote with equal eloquence of style and independence of outlook. But when the Battle of Actium had been fought and the interest of peace demanded the concentration of power in the hands of one man, this great line of classical historians came to an end. Truth too suffered in more ways than one.[20]

It is reasonable to suggest the majority of people within the Roman Empire and their sphere of influence were in most part illiterate; it was only the chosen few who had the resources to acquire an education. From this it is reasonable to assume that Roman history was written for the benefit of the Roman elite, and not for the average citizen, who had little concept of the written word. Their literature was not for prosperity, but for those Roman citizens who had the benefit of a formal education, and to a limited extant, for educated Greek’s who could speak and read the Latin language. Perhaps the average Roman derived his pleasure from those professional storytellers who imparted the greatness of Rome’s accomplishments? It is also apparent from the comments of Tacitus that he had little respect for his contemporaries and their passion for flattery.

A predecessor of Tacitus may have had this in mind when he stated, I am aware that for historians to make extravagant claims is, and always has been all too common: every writer tends to look down his nose at his less cultivated predecessor. [21]

What is obvious from the writings of these famous historians is that the Empire was not a civilization of peace and stability; as our educational system would have us believe, but a culture founded on war and conflict that was its hallmark throughout its existence until its eventual decline.

A Greek historian alludes to this warlike characteristic when he said, We must remember that the Romans of these days prized above all else the kind of virtue, which finds expression in warfare and military achievements. [22]

It is also clear from what we know of Roman society that its economy was dependent upon the spoils of war and the income they derived from taxes imposed upon those nations and people subdued in their trail of conquest. It is also evident that this was a parasitic society; dependent upon the produce of the peoples they conquered in their need to meet the demand of its materialistic growing population.

Today the materialism of the Western nations depends upon economic treaties rather then military conquest. As a result, the method may have changed but the result remains the same. The need to maintain a high standard of living for its people and the accumulation of wealth for its elite citizens is as prevalent in society to day as it was in those far off days. In this, respect the policies of the politicians and world leaders of to-day are no different then those of the Roman establishment.

The myth postulated of Rome being the culture that brought order and stability to Europe, has been the teaching of the educational institutions since the 18th century, whereas the reverse of this theory may be the truth.

If one follows the works of Roman historians, one concludes that the Roman Empire was not a society of comparative order, peace, and legality, but a society built upon greed and rapine.[23] It is also evident from their works that the imposition of rule by force of arms was the foundation on which this vast Empire and Pax Romana was created. It is also, apparent that the Roman ruling classes were not concerned with creating a society of order and stability, but a system by which those in control would gain personal profit, treating their country and those they subdued as a prize of war.[24]

The events that followed the murder of Julius Caesar by Brutus and his fellow conspirators gives an indication of the mentality of the times.[25]. Our educators have viewed the assassination of Julius Caesar by Brutus and Cassius, as an act of treachery so much so, that the word Brutus is synonymous with any treasonable act or betrayal of trust. Yet this was not looked upon as such by the Roman people, who saw the assassination of Julius Caesar as one of deliverance.

Consequently, the Roman Senate passed a vote of thanks by commending the action taken by Brutus, and his companions, and as a reward, distributed the Roman Provinces to those who were participants in the murder. Some would suggest this was a matter of political expediency to avoid public disorder.[26] However, when one views the events that followed between those who were once friends, it was a case of ‘dog eat dog’ in the fight for supremacy.[27] According to the account given by Plutarch,[28] the Roman Senate awarded the Island of Crete to Brutus, Africa to Cassius, Asia to Trebonius, Bithynia to Cimber, and Cisalpine Gaul to Brutus Albinus. [29]

Reading the events relating to Brutus and Cassius campaigns in Greece and North Africa, it is obvious the rule of law was the least important of their objectives. Quite the contrary in fact, the graphic account relating to the destruction of the Greek city of Xanthus and its people, and the greed shown by Brutus and Cassius, indicate how the Romans viewed their sphere of influence in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Basin. [30]

The account of the battle fought between the armies of Brutus and Octavius Caesar, in which Brutus was successful, gives us some idea as to how they exercised their authority. It is recorded that as a reward to his troops for their success and as an incentive to fight well in the coming battles, Brutus, ’Promised to hand over two cities, Thessalonica and Lacedaemon for them to plunder.’

Situations of a similar nature are described by the author when he goes on to say, Anthony and Octavius Caesar committed far greater cruelties then this in extorting rewards for their soldiers, drove the inhabitants from their ancestral lands throughout the length and breath of Italy to enrich their supporters with cities and estates to which they had no right.

In these few examples I have endeavored to demonstrate and support the statement regarding how history, depending on how one reads it, may have more than one interpretation.

Chapter 3

In our early school days, history and religion seemed to take up most of the day. However, of the two subjects, religion was a subject that was stuffed down our throats like cold gruel[31] on a winter’s morning,[32] quite unpalatable under the best of circumstances, but necessary for one’s survival. What we were taught, we accepted without question. As you grew in years and acquired a little knowledge, you became aware that the subject matter was against logic and reason. Nevertheless, during these tortuous years were you to question the statements of the teachers, you suffered the unpleasant experience of being caned for disrupting the class; corporal punishment was the norm and not the exception. Consequently, in their need to justify this unjust punishment, you were told to have faith, for to explain the finer points of religious doctrine would be beyond your understanding.

In a more simplistic sense, one has to be a parent or grandparent to appreciate the inquiring mind of a child. Children believe their parents to be the repositories of all knowledge in whom they place absolute trust. When parents respond to their questions, they believe the answers they receive are true, no matter how ridiculous they may appear to us grown ups. This analogy can be applied to our educational system and the trust we place in those who have charge of our minds during our adolescent years.

Looking back I find that this was not always the case. A great majority of the answers received were not always true, but were expressed to pacify an inquiring mind in order to conclude the question period. This method of silencing an inquisitive mind applied not only to our childhood but also to our most informative years.

Cicero, a Roman orator, when speaking on this subject stated; Indeed the authority of those who set out to teach is often an impediment to those who wish to learn. They cease to use their own judgment and regard as gospel whatever is put forward by their chosen teacher.[33]

In making this statement he was referring to those members of the Pythagorean [34] School who much like the majority of our society, accept without question the statements postulated by those in authority. Cicero goes on to say, It is said that if they make any assertion in discussion and are asked the reason for it, they would always reply: The Master said it". This same logic is used by those of the various religious sects today, who when attempts are