Maximinus Thrax

     On March 20, 235 A.D. I, Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus Augustus, more commonly known as Maximinus Thrax or Maximinus I, became emperor of Rome. I was the first emperor of foreign blood, being a Thracian. No one knows exactly when I was born or who my parents were. The best guesses to date are 173 A.D. with my parents being a Gothic man and an Alanic mother. I was born to a low ranking family and joined the military. I eventually rose to become a general of a squad of Ponnonian warriors. They became angry with Emperor Alexander due to his payments to the Alemanni and his avoidance of war. The senate looked upon me as a barbarian due to my military background and massive stature. Even so, this could not stop them when my squad and I assassinated Alexander and the Praetorian Guard pronounced me emperor.
     The senators were very unhappy to have a peasant as an emperor, and I angered them more by promoting my son Maximus to Caesar. I disliked the nobility and if there was even the slightest suspicion of a plot against me, I had any of the suspected executed. I immediately eliminated many of the close advisors of Alexander. It turned out later that my ruthless executions proved to be beneficial to my life. In my extreme caution I managed too foil two plots against my life.
     My rule is often referred to as the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century. The main reason is because the Senate was so focused on removing me they left some matter unattended and truly began the toward the end of my reign. My first action was to appease the military's wishes and go to war with the Alemanni. We won though suffering heavy casualties. This was when I raised my son Maximus to Caesar, and Prince of Youths, and also deified my late wife Paulina. I then launched a second assault into Germania easily defeating a large Germanic tribe and essentially securing the German Frontier for awhile. Finally I set up camp in Pannonia and fought the Dacians and Sarmatians during the winter of 235 A.D. and early 236 A.D.
     Early in 238, in Africa, a treasury official's extortions through false judgments in corrupt courts against some local landowners ignited a full-scale civil war in the province. The local landowners finally claimed victory and entered the offending official's office and murdered him then appointed Gordian I and Gordian II as co-emperors. The senate took this opportunity to remove me from power and appointed them the title of Augustus. I immediately gathered my army and marched against my own empire of Rome. When I arrived they closed the gates to me and my army. Meanwhile a neighboring province to Africa marched on the revolt and put it down killing Gordian II, and causing Gordian I to hang himself with his belt. This greatly jeopardised the Senate so they appointed two new men as co-emperors, Pupienus and Balbinus. Then a revolt of the citizens forced to elect a third man, Gordian III as Caesar.
     Finally, late in 238 A.D. my troops were faltering in their attempts due to famine and disease. One night a group of my own men, Parthica II, assassinated me. They finally grew tired of my constant warring, even though I had doubled their pay. Many of my decisions helped the military but hurt the citizens due to much higher taxes that were required for my nearly constant warring and the military pay raise. Many of my policies were not great and I may not have been the greatest emperor but I did capture a lot of new territory and secure the German frontier. Some of my decisions could have been better and maybe helped more than just the military but I was very satisfied with my rule and feel that I achieved my goals of making military life better,

Christmas Project Notes

Faith Cline, Botswana: 1. Exchange gifts after midnight
2. Dress up in nicest clothes
3. Two types of education, primary and secondary

Dale Scott, Costa Rica: 1. Decorate Christmas trees
2. Most are Catholic and attend church on Christmas
3. More teachers than police officers in Costa Rica

Lindsay Crowther, Bosnia: 1. Celebrate Christmas with a traditional stuffed turkey
2. Grandfather Frost delivers presents
3. All children must attend school of some kind

Mark Hill, Norway/Brazil: 1. They make baskets of colored paper to hang on a Christmas tree
2. They bring porridge to a statue of a gnome
3. Children walk around asking for cookies on Christmas day
John Terwilliger, Romania/England: 1. Children make stars from paper
2. Celebrate from December 24 to January 7
3. Free schooling, schools are similar to those of America

Daniel Ware, Turkey: 1. Christmas lasts 20-30 days
2. There is no eating smoking or drinking during this time
3. They fast from sunset to sunrise

Caleb Hudkins, Zimbabwe: 1. Very festive, begin celebrating a month before Christmas
2. Host feasts on Christmas Eve
3. Education consists of 5 levels

Josh Stuart, Brazil: 1. Create nativity scenes
2. Santa Claus is Father Noel in Brazil
3. Primary school last 7 years

Courtney Nuzum, Australia: 1. Very similar Christmas as America, Christmas trees, feasts, etc.
2. Education is compulsory and free
3. College is shorter but longer days

Hannah Greg, Philippines: 1. Celebreation starts on December 16
2. Education is very important for ages 7-13
3. Private schools are modern and contain several American teachers

Gabrielle Kyle, Ireland: 1.Must write a play, work for charity, or produce a magazine to graduate
2. Santa Claus is typically known as Santy
3. Leave a carrot for Rudolph traditionally

Abby Suder, Bolivia: 1. Very religious Christmas
2. Fireworks are set off in cities
3. Education is divided into 4 levels

Viola Donegia, Thailand: 1. Students do not get the day off
2. Most of Thailand is Buddhist so Christmas is not widely celebrated
3. Uniforms are required in schools

Sara Cleavenger, New Zealand: 1. Celebrate Christmas twice a year
2. Santa is referred to as Father Christmas
3. Education system is rated 7th in the world