Answerbag: LaserFalson's answers

Answer to When and where did people first start hiring lawyers and suing each other?

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 17:33:56 -0800

When and where did people first start hiring lawyers and suing each other?

The ancient Greeks had lawyers that would be very familiar to our modern concepts of lawyers and lawsuits. In "Lysias' Orations" there are many examples of defendants and prosecutors. Should one be "taken to court" you could defend yourself or hire an orator to represent...

Answer to I know Medusa became a hideous monster, but did her sisters as well?

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:17:10 -0700

I know Medusa became a hideous monster, but did her sisters as well?

All three of them were turned into monsters. Medusa and her three sisters worked as priestesses in Athena's temple, and one day Medusa and Poseidon laid in her temple (she was either raped or it was willingly) and when Athena found out she turned them all into the hideous creatures. It is...

Answer to In Greek mythology, what were the "Eleusinian Mysteries"?

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:07:29 -0700

In Greek mythology, what were the "Eleusinian Mysteries"?

OK, here is a bunch more. The Eleusinian Mysteries, held annually in honor of Demeter and Persephone, were the most sacred and revered of all the ritual celebrations of ancient Greece. They were instituted in the city of Eleusis, some twenty-two kilometers west of Athens, possibly as far back as...

Answer to Are there other methods of dating artifacts besides carbon dating?

Thu, 04 Aug 2005 18:10:55 -0700

Are there other methods of dating artifacts besides carbon dating?

Absolutely, To put it very briefly: If an artifact is found in the contect of a scientific excavation, it can be dated with a great amount of certainty. Startigraphy allows an archaeologist to look at the artifact as if from the day it was deposited, because stratigraphic anaylsis lets you see...

Answer to How old are the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Thu, 04 Aug 2005 18:04:45 -0700

How old are the Dead Sea Scrolls?

There is a terrific book written about Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls by Jodi Magness called The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls. She is the definative authority on the subject.

Answer to Archaeologists always seem to dig up artifacts. How do these artifacts become buried in the first place?

Thu, 04 Aug 2005 17:53:17 -0700

Archaeologists always seem to dig up artifacts. How do these artifacts become buried in the first place?

I would like to add onto the answer already posted. Artifacts become buried in just those ways stated above, but also in much simpler ways. Imagine if you lost your watch in the backyard and never went back to retrieve it, within just a couple of weeks it would be overgrown with grass or weeds,...

Answer to What was the southernmost city of the Roman Empire?

Thu, 04 Aug 2005 14:32:10 -0700

What was the southernmost city of the Roman Empire?

Aegyptus (Egypt) was the southrnmost province of the Roman Empire, and Thebes, one of its biggest cities, is in the far south of Egypt. It is possible that there are smaller less signifigant cities that could be considered further south.

Answer to What are some good websites that offer a history of surnames?

Thu, 04 Aug 2005 14:06:26 -0700

What are some good websites that offer a history of surnames?

Ancestory .com tends to be a good place to go too, although beware they charge a fee, so know what you want to look up. If you don't want to pay for it you should look up a genealogical society in your area. Historical Societies are also good places to go, many of them have genealogical...

Answer to What speeds can a falcon reach?

Wed, 03 Aug 2005 11:30:00 -0700

What speeds can a falcon reach?

The top diving speed ever clocked for a Peregrine Falcon is 200 MPH.

Answer to What are the noticable differences between hawks and eagles and can these differences be noticed from the ground while they are flying?

Wed, 03 Aug 2005 11:26:04 -0700

What are the noticable differences between hawks and eagles and can these differences be noticed from the ground while they are flying?

Also, eagles are accipiters, while many hawks are not; so there's a good place to begin to separate the two. An accipiter has narrower wings and longer bodies, with a noticeable differentiation between were the tail is and were the edge of the wings is. A buteo, like the red tailed hawk, has...

Answer to Is it normal for a dog to run to the bathroom after a woman urinates and make a plucking sound with his mouth?

Fri, 22 Jul 2005 14:54:44 -0700

Is it normal for a dog to run to the bathroom after a woman urinates and make a plucking sound with his mouth?

I have a dog that does this once in awhile, it is not uncommon for her to do this right before she rummages through the bathroom garbage for a monthy treat either. I have noticed that sometimes the plucking noise is accompanied by a foaming at the mouth, this may be her way of trying to draw the...

Answer to Did pirates ever really exist? If so, when and where did they sail?

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 17:56:38 -0700

Did pirates ever really exist? If so, when and where did they sail?

I meant to say Pompey, the Roman Emperor Pompey rose to fame for detouring pirates.

Answer to Which was the first metal known to man?

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 17:49:57 -0700

Which was the first metal known to man?

Since the question is about the knowledge of the metal and not its usage as a tool, the answer is copper. In Cyprus, for example, copper was used often for many things like the the creation of little figurines. In the Americas the timeline works a bit different perhaps, while they didn't...

Answer to If life originated from Africa, why did Africa evolve technology more slowly than Europe?

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 11:57:21 -0700

If life originated from Africa, why did Africa evolve technology more slowly than Europe?

The question merely asks about Africa, not sub-Saharan Africa. Further, Sub-Saharan Africa did in fact possess many of the same technological advances, like the wheel. The rulers of North Africa kingdoms wasted no time in moving southward along the Nile and beyond; this directly benefited...

Answer to Is gay marriage legal in Greece?

Fri, 13 May 2005 08:31:48 -0700

Is gay marriage legal in Greece?

No, it's not. They are still very much Greek Orthodox, which makes a progressive step towards marriage, as such, difficult.

Answer to What's the difference between the Roman Republic and its successor, the Roman Empire?

Fri, 13 May 2005 08:23:09 -0700

What's the difference between the Roman Republic and its successor, the Roman Empire?

Rome was categorically not an Oligarchy. An Oligarchy (to be brief and general) is an "administration" of a few that rules the many and it is done with their own money and means, which means they make all law and policy and in much the way a group of special interest groups might. If...

Answer to Why is the nose of the Great Sphinx in Gizeh missing?

Tue, 08 Feb 2005 19:15:58 -0800

Why is the nose of the Great Sphinx in Gizeh missing?

The two most widely held reasons was that it was shot off, with a cannon, by a Turkish Mir or by Napoleon. It is possible that they both took a stab at it.

Answer to If life originated from Africa, why did Africa evolve technology more slowly than Europe?

Tue, 08 Feb 2005 18:40:19 -0800

If life originated from Africa, why did Africa evolve technology more slowly than Europe?

I am not sure where you got the idea that the Africans did not have the wheel and that the Europeans did. Further, to clarify, a "few centuries ago" puts us at around 1500 or 1600 AD, America had been colonised by then. Perhaps you meant to go back further than that. Africa had...

Answer to Is there any archaeological or DNA evidence that supports the idea that the Americas were once inhabited by Jews?

Tue, 08 Feb 2005 17:24:23 -0800

Is there any archaeological or DNA evidence that supports the idea that the Americas were once inhabited by Jews?

I do not know what the original article was about, but any DNA evidence that shows up in the early Americas would most likely be residual from the people that came over from Asia a long long time ago (to put it frankly). The idea of people coming over by water, of any nationality, is absurd....

Answer to Is there any geological proof of the Biblical Great Flood?

Tue, 08 Feb 2005 17:05:37 -0800

Is there any geological proof of the Biblical Great Flood?

First of all you do not have to have lived in "those times" in order to have geological proof of any flooding. It is very easy for a geologist and other earth scientists to prove when flooding occured as well as droughts and other natural disasters. There is a good deal of proof that...

Answer to What's the difference between the Roman Republic and its successor, the Roman Empire?

Sat, 22 Jan 2005 17:06:11 -0800

What's the difference between the Roman Republic and its successor, the Roman Empire?

The Roman Republic was run by the people for the people, which is very similar to the way that the Athenian (the big power before Rome) state was run. The Empire was run by a Emperor. Whlie the word Emperor has negative connotations in the modern world, it was not always the case in the ancient...

Answer to What was the city symbol of the ancient Roman resort of Pompeii?

Sat, 22 Jan 2005 16:58:12 -0800

What was the city symbol of the ancient Roman resort of Pompeii?

Firstly, the city of Pompeii was not a resort town but a port and regional center. The city symbol was most certainly NOT a winged penis. There is a sculptural type known as the Hermes (pronounced Herms). These are marble or bronze pillars that were used as road and boundary markers; they later...

Answer to Why was Athena angered by Medusa, then changed her into a hideous monster?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 18:05:17 -0800

Why was Athena angered by Medusa, then changed her into a hideous monster?

Poseidon offered water not a horse

Answer to Was it Aphrodite's girdle that made her irresistably attractive to men, or was that just a rumour made up by jealous goddesses? Was it just her charm and long, blonde hair?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 18:03:06 -0800

Was it Aphrodite's girdle that made her irresistably attractive to men, or was that just a rumour made up by jealous goddesses? Was it just her charm and long, blonde hair?

I believe that the girdle was only an attribute signifigant to her, the same way that Hermes had winged sandles.

Answer to Was Athena popular in Greek Mythology?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:59:56 -0800

Was Athena popular in Greek Mythology?

Athena was one of the most revered and common gods in antiquity. She was the patron goddess of Athens. One of her many attributes was as the watcher of soldiers and heroes. During military service many of the soldiers worshipped her on a regular basis to insure a safe journey. Athena is by the...

Answer to Why are the names of deities from Greek mythology sometimes spelled differently? I saw Heracles spelt Herakles, and Uranus spelt Oranus!

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:55:41 -0800

Why are the names of deities from Greek mythology sometimes spelled differently? I saw Heracles spelt Herakles, and Uranus spelt Oranus!

These are spellings that resulted from the mixing of the Greek and Latin language. Ouranos means sky in Greek, but the word in Latin was only a name without meaning thus, it was spelled phoenetically.

Answer to Was one of the Titans on the Olympians' side during the fight to overthrow Cronos? If so, who was it?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:47:24 -0800

Was one of the Titans on the Olympians' side during the fight to overthrow Cronos? If so, who was it?

Prometheus was not a Titan, but his mother Themis was. She was definately on the side of the Olympians.

Answer to What animal was Pan, the trainer of Heracles?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:32:41 -0800

What animal was Pan, the trainer of Heracles?

I am not sure what you mean by the "trainer of Heracles", but Pan was not an animal at all. He was later (in the Hellenistic period) associated with satyrs, while technically he was goat on the bottom and human like on the top he was a very specific type of immortal. He was often found...

Answer to Is Zeus the only parent of Athena, or is Metis her mother?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:23:36 -0800

Is Zeus the only parent of Athena, or is Metis her mother?

According to the ancient historian Hesiod, Metis was the wife of Zeus, he swallowed her when she was pregnant knowing that Metis was to bare Athena and then another child who would become the ruler of the Universe. It was Zeus however, who bore Athena not Metis.

Answer to In Greek mythology, what were the "Eleusinian Mysteries"?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:19:33 -0800

In Greek mythology, what were the "Eleusinian Mysteries"?

The Eleusinian Mysteries were not a myth but were the forerunner to poly-aetheism. This was the merging of Oriental religion and the Greco-Roman cults. Eleusis was a strong founded prehistoric settlement. The activaties that took place within the temples were very sacred.

Answer to What is the appropriate age to breed pomeranians? Is it the same for males and females?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:55:31 -0800

What is the appropriate age to breed pomeranians? Is it the same for males and females?

The age for breeding all dogs in general is at least 2 years in order to make sure that your dog is not a puppy itself. You should never breed before the 2nd heat cycle and do not wait past 4 years old--this insures the health of the mother. Of course your vet can tell you what's best for...

Answer to How much should I expect to pay for a purebred doberman pinscher pup?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:51:30 -0800

How much should I expect to pay for a purebred doberman pinscher pup?

If you are just looking for a puppy to have as a pet and companion you won't have to pay as much. While having papers is best--to insure that your dog has good genes and will not be succeptable to genetic problems--wonderful dogs can be found without it. Make sure you see the parents and the...

Answer to Did wild poodles ever roam the earth?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:44:23 -0800

Did wild poodles ever roam the earth?

When poodles were popularized it was due in part to their hunting capabilities and they were easy to see in the water due to their "poofy" fur. The fur was later shaped to keep their organs and joints warm in the water (like the puffs around their ankles and chest) but the puffs on the...

Answer to Which breeds of domesticated dogs, if any, are directly related to or descendants of wolves?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:38:12 -0800

Which breeds of domesticated dogs, if any, are directly related to or descendants of wolves?

Since there is no one type of wolf, there is no one dog that can be linked back to that wolf. The evolution of the dog took place over so much time and so many continents that even the wolves they started from cross bred. However at some point dogs did become seperate from wolves, they began...

Answer to What is the purpose of bobbing a dog's tail (a Cocker Spaniel's, for example)?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:26:44 -0800

What is the purpose of bobbing a dog's tail (a Cocker Spaniel's, for example)?

Docking a dogs tail can also be beneficial to their spinal health. A boxer, for example, wags its tail so vigerously that it can often cause it to damage its spine over time.

Answer to How heavy of an animal can a red-tailed hawk carry? Could it hunt small dogs?

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 16:04:10 -0800

How heavy of an animal can a red-tailed hawk carry? Could it hunt small dogs?

Only the smallest of dogs. A hawk can only carry a third of its own body weight and since a hawk only weighs between 4 and 6lbs, very few dogs are left in that category.