Hello, Welcome to My User Page

All the affections of the soul—emotion, gentleness, fear, pity, confidence, and futher, joy, loving, and hating—would seem to require a body, since whenever we have them the body is affected in some way. An indication of this is the fact that sometimes, though something severe and obvious affects us, we are not provoked or frightened; and sometimes we are moved by something small and faint, if the body is swelling and in the condition that accompanies anger. It is still more evident that sometimes, though nothing frightening is happening, people are affected just as a frightened person is. If this is so, then clearly affections are forms that involve matter. Hence the formulae will be, for instance: 'Being angry is a certain motion of this sort of body or part or potentiality by this agency for this end'. Hence study of the soul—either every sort of this sort—turns out to be a task for the student of nature.

-Aristotle

My Introduction

My name is Eric, but you can call me Pericles of Athens. I'm an American of Irish, English, Swedish, Italian, and Slovenian descent. I chose this username because Pericles is one of my favorite ancient Athenian statesmen and strategos of ancient Greece. I'm 21 years old, a junior in college, a history major at George Mason University, and mostly interested in the History of China and Chinese art (the art gallery that I've made reflects that). However, I enjoy reading of history and art in general, from all time periods and places. I'm an avid guitar player, and on and off I play in a band with friends (and used to play nightclubs around my area). Although I like all types of music to an extent, metal is my thing, especially thrash metal bands like Testament and Anthrax. I also like Hardcore metal acts like Sick of It All and Madball. When it comes to Hip Hop, Wu Tang Clan does it best.

To get things off on a good start for this user page, here is an excellent poem by the ancient Chinese poet Tao Qian (365-427 AD).

The pangs of hunger drove me from my home;
with no idea of where to go
I travelled on for miles
until I reached a village,
knocked on the nearest door,
blurted out some clumsy words.

The owner understood my need
his warmth dispelled my shame
that I'd come empty-handed.

We played and sang till sunset,
the wine-cups often tilted,
with the pleasure of new-found friends
we chanted and composed verses.

I remember the story of the washerwoman.
Ashamed that I lack the skills of general Chinese,
how can I show my gratitude?
I can only repay him in the world to come.

Favorite Wiki Quote, History of gunpowder

A passage of the Chinese text Guixin Zazhi (1295 AD), reporting an enormous and catastrophic explosion at the gunpowder arsenal found at Wei-yang in 1280 AD:

Formerly the artisan positions were all held by southerners (i.e. the Chinese). But they engaged in peculation, so they had to be dismissed, and all their jobs were given to northerners (probably Mongols, or Chinese who had served them). Unfortunately, these men understood nothing of the handling of chemical substances. Suddenly, one day, while sulphur was being ground fine, it burst into flame, then the (stored) fire lances caught fire, and flashed hither and thither like frightened snakes. (At first) the workers thought it was funny, laughing and joking, but after a short time the fire got into the bomb store, and then there was a noise like a volcanic eruption and the holwing of a storm at sea. The whole city was terrified, thinking that an army was approaching...Even at a distance of a hundred li tiles shook and houses trembled...The disturbance lasted a whole day and night. After order had been restored an inspection was made, and it was found that a hundred men of the guards had been blown to bits, beams and pillars had been cleft asunder or carried away by the force of the explosion to a distance of over ten li. The smooth ground was scooped into craters and trenches more than ten feet deep. Above two hundred families living in the neighborhood were victims of this unexpected disaster.
Needham, Volume 5, Part 7, 209-210.

My Contributions to Wikipedia

Along the River During Qingming Festival, 18th century remake of a 12th century original by Chinese artist Zhang Zeduan, located in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan. Just scroll to the left in order to see the entire image, it is worth it.

Mission Statement

My main goal here is to improve all Chinese-history related articles on Wikipedia.org, since many are lacking in quality and even existence.

Along with the many articles I have edited here on English wikipedia, I also have a goal of improving China-History related images for all wikipedias, not just English, to enjoy and employ in articles. Therefore, I have created my very own user profile for Wikimedia Commons, where I have created many pictures that can be used for all branches of wiki. Have a look, but don't blame me if you trap yourself there for about an hour staring at old art and artifacts (if you're into that sort of thing).

This user is a member of WikiProject Chinese history.

Awards and DYKS

For a list of all my did you knows featured on wiki's main page, click here for my sub-page.

		The Good Article Medal of Merit
		For outstanding contributions: As of today's date, PericlesofAthens has taken six articles to WP:GA, one of which has gone on to WP:FA. Good on you! Ling.Nut 01:58, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

		The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
		I award you this barnstar in recognition of your [tireless] contributions to Song Dynasty, most notably for being the driving force behind its promotion to GA status. Well done! Cliff smith 23:10, 2 May 2007 (UTC)

		The Epic Barnstar
		On the behalf of WP:CHINA, I award you this barnstar for your quality contributions to various Chinese history-related articles, and the effort in bringing them to higher status! (AQu01rius Talk) 04:05, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

		The Good Article Medal of Merit
		I, VanTucky, award you PericlesofAthens, this barnstar for your excellent work on multiple Good Articles related to the Tang and Song Dynasties. VanTucky ^(talk) 04:18, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

Articles nominated (and passed) for Featured Article Status
Shen Kuo, Tang Dynasty, Technology of the Song Dynasty

Articles nominated (and passed) for Good Article Status
Architecture of the Song Dynasty, Culture of the Song Dynasty, Economy of the Song Dynasty, History of the Song Dynasty, Huolongjing, Shen Kuo, Song Dynasty, Su Song, Tang Dynasty, Technology of the Song Dynasty, Zhang Heng

Articles Edited/Expanded

A-O 11th century, Armillary sphere, Bao Qingtian, Cai Lun, Cavalry, Chang'an, Chinese literature, Compass, Diplomacy, Gunpowder warfare, Horse collar, History of ferrous metallurgy, History of firearms, History of geometry, History of gunpowder, History of painting, Land mine, Liu Ji, Liuhe Pagoda, Ma Jun, Mineralogy, Naval history of China, Naval warfare, Odometer

P-Z Paper, Pontoon bridge, Siege, Shang Dynasty, Shen Kuo, Solar eclipse, Song Dynasty, Song Yingxing, South Pointing Chariot, S and N Dynasties, Su Shi, Su Song, Tang Dynasty, Trip hammer, Wang Chong, Wang Zhen (official), Wheelbarrow, Xu Guangqi, Yang Hui, Yi Xing, Zhang Sixun, Zhang Heng

Articles that I've Created

A-O Anselmus de Boodt, Beisi Pagoda, Chinese exploration, Dream Pool Essays, Du Shi, Guoqing Temple, Hua Sui, Huolongjing, Iron Pagoda, Jiao Yu, Jiaohe Ruins, Liaodi Pagoda, Lin Tinggui, Lingxiao Pagoda, Nathan Sivin,

P-Z Puning Temple, Putuo Zongcheng Temple, Shattered Realm, Sunshu Ao, Wei Pu, Wujing Zongyao, Wuzhun Shifan, Xie Huan, Ximen Bao, Xumi Pagoda, Yan Zhitui, Yu Hao, Zhou Jichang, Zhu Yu (author)

Articles Created in Foreign Languages
Shen Kuo (French Wikipedia) Shen Kuo (Spanish Wikipedia) Shen Kuo (Italian Wikipedia)

Articles created for Song Dynasty
Architecture of the Song Dynasty Culture of the Song Dynasty Economy of the Song Dynasty History of the Song Dynasty Society of the Song Dynasty Technology of the Song Dynasty

Minor Edits
Click here to see my minor edits, including edits to years

Picture's I've Taken
For my gallery of pictures I've taken from the Freer Gallery of Art and from book sources, click here.

Miscellaneous stuff at the end of my user page

You know you're not really Peter Pan, don't you? This is only a dream. When you wake up, you'll just be Peter Banning - a cold, selfish man who drinks too much, who's obsessed with success, and runs and hides from his wife and children.

^ A line from Captain James Hook (Dustin Hoffman); Hook was my favorite movie when I was a kid, but...not so much now. Lol.

As a drug user, you get used to things like seeing your dead grandmother crawling up your leg with a knife in her teeth, but nobody should be asked to handle this trip.

^ A line from Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) while he enters the Bazooka Circus, high on ether; Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is my favorite movie as an adult. Hells yeah, giggidy giggidy.

Are you Sancho? No, you are not Sancho. I...am Sancho.

^ Hah. I love that line, from Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Orgazmo.

I think it is good to pause here and just state for the record that The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is my favorite comedy of all time, though. Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein comes in at a very, very close second in my opinion.

“

I do love food. I love eating late at night too. You know, you're not suppose to eat late at night, but then again you're not suppose to drink booze in the morning. And apparently you're never supposed to smoke crack...Well whatever! I'm not training for the Olympics! I'm sorry but after an entire hour of work, what if I want to unwind with a burger and a crack pipe. If I do that every night does that make me some sort of crackhead?

"This guy's a crackhead!" "That's why he's so pale!"

”

^Jim Gaffigan, favorite comedian (although I'll admit George Carlin is the most talented)

What else should I be
All apologies
What else should I say
Everyone is gay
What else could I write
I don't have the right
What else should I be
All apologies

^Nirvana, All Apologies, lyrics by Kurt Cobain, favorite lyricist

“

Two others remianed open-mouthed a whole minute, then dashed into the little cabin, to rush out incontinently and stand darting scared glances, with Winchesters at 'ready' in their hands. What we could see was just the steamer we were on, her outlines blurred as though she had been on the point of dissolving and a misty strip of water perhaps two feet broad around her—and that was all. The rest of the world was nowhere as far as our eyes and ears were concerned. Just nowhere. Gone, disappeared, swept off without leaving a whisper or a shadow behind.

”

“

The approach to this Kurtz grubbing for ivory in the wretched bush was beset by as many dangers as though he had been an enchanted princess sleeping in a fabulous castle.

”

^Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness (40, 42), favorite writer

I could use one of these right about now. German beer rules. Ever tried Kölsch? I swear on my left testicle that there's nothin smoother.

“

For heroes have the whole earth for their tomb; and in lands far from their own, where the column with its epitaph declares it, there is enshrined in every breast a record unwritten with no tablet to preserve it, except that of the heart.

”

^Pericles' Funeral Oration as recorded by Thucydides, Pericles, favorite orator

I distinguish between maniacs and crazy people. A maniac will beat 9 people to death with a steel dildo. A crazy person will beat 9 people to death with a steel dildo, but he'll be wearing a Bugs Bunny suit at the time.

^ From George Carlin's Back in Town (1996). Stay healthy George, you're a good man.

Holy shit! It's the Satanic Falcon!

^ Philip Anselmo from Pantera, having fun on the road.

Life is a beautiful struggle, people search through the rubble for a suitable hussle, some people using their noodle, some people using their muscle, some people put it all together, make it fit like a puzzle, say it with me now...

^I Try, by Talib Kweli.

I have mad respect for Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath, rock on brother.

When it comes to drinking games, beer pong is the best, while the game speed-quarters comes in at a close 2nd.

Hey guys! Can't we all just get along?

^Probably someone who totally got blown away shortly after saying this.

Is there some sort of astronomical scale to measure how funny Vincent Price is in the movie Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine?

Italian food has to be my favorite of all the ethnic types of foods.

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert crack me up. I saw Jon Stewart live giving a stand up comedy performance with Mike Birbiglia in Maryland last summer. That was cool.

And to pay homage to the past, Strangers with Candy rules! You may disagree, and to that I would say, "Talk your monkey ass off." Quoting Principle Blackman, of course.

Kazakhstan, the greatest country in the world! All other countries are run by little girls. Kazakhstan, number one, maker of potassium; all other nations have inferior potassium.

^I believe this needs no introduction, and if you are unfamiliar with it, you were probably born before 1940. Lol.

I hate to do this to you, city of Baltimore, Maryland, but this video is just too damn funny: my favorite video found online at youtube.com is this hilarious 80s car commercial spoof. Warning: foul and adult language! But funny. In a way it totally reminds me of Will Farrel in the movie Anchorman, when he says "Go **** yourself, San Diego." Hah.

My favorite response to any wiki talk page ever is here.

And on a final note, I am truly embarrassed that the health care system of the tiny, resource-lacking nation of Cuba is able to provide universal health care when the most powerful nation on earth, the United States of America, does not. The sooner that American health care insurance companies crash and burn, the sooner we'll be safe from harms way.