Tuesday 16 July 2013

The Tsarist system of government

The Tsarist System of Government

By 1855 in Western Europe constitutional government had taken hold in most countries. This means that the powers of monarchs, where they existed, were constrained by a framework of law and also often by representative institutions, such as the Parliament in Britain. The Russia rulers, however, were absolute monarchs and despised the notion of constitutional government. Tsar Ivan the Terrible wrote to England’s Elizabeth I in 1570:

“In your land people rule beside you, and not only people but trading peasants”.

The last Tsars of Russia were members of the Romanov dynasty. They were autocrats and ruled by divine right. They did not have to share power and could make new laws, increase taxes, do exactly as they wished, without consulting anyone. There was no parliament to limit their power and they could sack any minister or advisor who disagreed with them. They were answerable to no one other than God. They expected and demanded the unquestioning loyalty and devotion of all their subjects.

In practice, of course, it was impossible for the Tsar to rule over a state as huge as Russia alone. When Nicholas II came to the throne in 1894, he had the task of governing 125 million people. The Tsar’s power was therefore exercised by others acting on his behalf. Thousands of civil servants were organised like an army into fourteen ranks. At the top of the ‘Table of Ranks’ were ministers in charge of government departments. At the bottom were minor officials such as post office clerks and customs inspectors. The Imperial Council of State also met regularly to advise the Tsar on policy matters and discuss proposed new laws, though in practice the Tsar often ignored it.  The legal system was overseen by the Senate which, for example, tried serious political offences. The army and secret police (Okhrana or ‘Protective Section’) crushed any opposition or perceived threat to the Tsar and his authority.

The role of the local gentry proved vital to the tsarist system of government as these were the people who actually met the Tsar’s subjects. Provincial governors were the key figures away from the capital. Russia was divided into provinces and each province was sub-divided into districts. Within each province the gentry had their own assemblies and elected judges and police to maintain law and order. The local gentry therefore grew very powerful.

The Russian Orthodox Church also helped maintain the authority of the Tsar. By preaching blinding obedience to God, it encouraged blind obedience to social superiors and ultimately the Tsars. Loyalty to God and loyalty to the Tsar were one in the same. The Church was not independent of the state, but was controlled by the Holy Synod, chaired by a government minister, chosen by the Tsar. Bishops took their orders from him and priests took their orders from the bishops. In this way the government had control over the minds and souls of Russia’s churchgoers.  

Friday 12 July 2013

Year 6 Transition Week


Year 6 students produced, directed and filmed this documentary during their 'Transition Week'  at the school.

The theme of the week was Sarwat Chadda's 'Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress'. Students used 'Aurasma' to investigate the Rosetta Stone - a key part of the mythology of the book - and other Egyptian artefacts. They then planned and filmed a 1 minute documentary based on their research.

Tuesday 9 July 2013

The Harappan Scroll

This is the scroll mentioned in 'Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress'. It has an identical message in Ancient Egyptian and Harappan.

'Uncle Vik nodded. "Yes. The only way to translate an unknown language is to have an example of it in another, already-known language. that's why we know almost nothing about the Harappans. We have so much writing from their culture, but no key to unlock it."

"Until now," said Savage. He put his hand down on the scroll. "This is the key. An identical message in harappan, Sumerian cuneiform, and Old Kingdom Egyptian. And since we know cuneiform and Egyptian..."

"We should be able to translate the Harappan." Vik stared at the scroll. "My God, you're right."


Ancient Egyptian Dig Site

Archaeology is the study of Ancient artefacts (objects). Our archaeological dig site is in Egypt. Ancient Egypt was once a great civilisation, with sprawling cities and huge monuments built to their gods, such as the pyramids.

The artefacts we have uncovered were made over 2300 years ago, in around 200BC. Over time they were lost and became covered with dust and earth. Archaeologists carefully dig down through the layers of earth to find the treasures underneath. They use trowels and brushes to reveal the artefacts, without damaging them.

This has been a very successful dig! We have discovered: 

  • an ancient translation tool called the Rosetta Stone; 
  • a selection of Canopic Jars, used to store the vital organs for the afterlife; 
  • a cursed statue of Anubis, the god of mummification; 
  • and a strange scroll with both Egyptian hieroglyphs and Indian writing on it.

Monday 8 July 2013

The Rosetta Stone

The ‘Rosetta Stone’ is an ancient Egyptian artefact inscribed with a law issued by King Ptolemy V in 196BC (2200 years ago). The law is written in three languages: the upper text is Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, the middle portion Demotic script, and the lowest Ancient Greek. Therefore it served as a kind of Ancient Egyptian ‘Google Translate’. Because of the Rosetta Stone we are able to read Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.

It was discovered in 1799 by a soldier, Pierre-François Bouchard, of the French expedition to Egypt. Transported to London, it has been on public display at the British Museum since 1802. It is the most-visited object in the British Museum.


Cursed Statue of Anubis

Anubis was god of the underworld and took part in the mummification process (turning someone into a mummy). His name means “decay” and his black face is supposed to symbolise rotting flesh. Anubis also became the patron god of lost souls, including orphans.

Though magic was mainly used to protect or heal, the Ancient Egyptians also practised destructive magic. The names of foreign enemies and Egyptian traitors were inscribed on clay pots, tablets, or statues. A curse was then placed on the enemy that could not be broken.

Magical statues, like this one, were thought to be more effective if they incorporated something from the intended victim, such as hair, nail-clippings or bodily fluids.


This statue was found with the skeleton of a young boy, perhaps an orphan. There is an Egyptian name written on the base of the statue and the traces of human hair were found inside. Was this a cursed statue?


Canopic Jars

Canopic jars were used by the Ancient Egyptians during the mummification process to store and preserve their owner’s organs for the afterlife.

The canopic jars were four in number, each for the safekeeping of particular human organs: the stomach, intestines, lungs, and liver, all of which, it was believed, would be needed in the afterlife. There was no jar for the heart: the Egyptians believed it to be the seat of the soul, and so it was left inside the body.

Each god was responsible for protecting a particular organ, and was himself protected by a companion goddess. They were:
·         Duamutef, the jackal-headed god representing the east, whose jar contained the stomach.
·         Hapi, the baboon-headed god representing the north, whose jar contained the lungs.
·         Imseti, the human-headed god representing the south, whose jar contained the liver.

·         Qebehsenuef, the falcon-headed god representing the west, whose jar contained the intestines.