Website Critique

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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            There are numerous online websites that offer a wide variety of information, and among them are sites offering historical information. History is clearly documented in books of history because the books are evaluated before publication. This may also be the case with other literary materials. However, online sources such as websites offering historical information may be inaccurate  in nature and with regard to the material they present depending on the expertise and accuracy applied by the person developing these sites. Therefore, the question whether a site is reliable or not is a relative matter that can be evaluated based on various criteria[1]. The use of internet sourced information without consideration of its reliability may prove disastrous in academic circles because it may lead to failure.

            In this particular paper the reliability of one historical site is accessed through the outlines of assessing the quality of any site as well as its content. The site to be analyzed is http://www.roman-empire.net/index.html. This site provides the historical outline of the Roman Empire throughout time, it highlights it rise, development, decline as well as other historical events and social-economic, political and religious life of the Romans and its leaders. The site was created by Franco Cavazzi-his professional background could not be accessed and thus, one cannot tell whether his professional background is related to history in anyway and whether it can add any plausibility and accuracy to his work. The author’s objectivity rather high because he does not present an oversimplified view and follow up of the history of the Empire, instead Cavazzi presents a comprehensive analysis of life from the empire’s growth to its fall. He also uses no extreme or exaggerated language and the work is written in an orderly manner. The work is ordered chronologically and even maps of the empire are provided as pictures of the leaders and other important aspects of the period. The site is intended for both adults and students interested in the Roman Empire history as well as children There historical sections tailored specifically for children and the historical aspects of the empire are presented in a manner that would appeal to them. Thus it can be termed site generally meant for all people and ages. The sites content and presentation generally has no bias and the author of the material presents the historical characters and events just like they happened. The site is also accurate because a comparison of the dates on the historical events on the site tallies with those in historical books as well as other historical sites. For example the comparison of the site’s chronology on emperors and their reign showed a clear tally and uniformity with another site offering historical information on the Roman Empire (e.g. Tiberius reign 14-37 A.D, Claudius reign 41-51 A.D and Caligula’s reign 37-41 A.D)[2]. This comparison also tallied with historical book and thus is an implication of accuracy and reliability. Latest updates on the site indicate an update date of 2007; this also indicates that the information may be reliable because the empire has not changed any sooner, let alone before 2007. The website has special features provided by links that help in navigation towards a certain time in history or a ruler, and thus is easy to navigate the site in search of information. Additionally, the site has a search feature for any visitor that may no be aware of what link to use in order to get to what s/he desires. It also provides additional multimedia features such videos and interactive maps that can help anyone learn and understand about the Roman Empire. The site is extremely useful in the academic context because it is easy for any student to navigate through the use of links to a certain time in period or to view information about a certain leader. The best academic feature it offers is the easy search of information via links and the search feature as well as the comprehensive nature of the information on the empire from its onset to its decline. Thus anyone wishing to learn anything about the Roman Empire can find it all here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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END NOTES:

[1]  Mellisa, J. Luther. Internet and Search tips: How to check the reliability of information on the internet, 2007 < http://lookseeinfo.com/checking_reliability_of_info.aspx > (17^th November, 2010), 1.

[2]N.S, Gill, Roman Empire Timeline: Major events and emperors in the period of imperial Rome, 2010 < http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/romeemptimelines/a/RomeEmpTimeline.htm> (7^th November, 2010), 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

Mellisa, J. Luther. Internet and Search tips: How to check the reliability of information on the internet, 2007 < http://lookseeinfo.com/checking_reliability_of_info.aspx > (17^th November, 2010), 1.

 

 

N.S, Gill, Roman Empire Timeline: Major events and emperors in the period of imperial Rome, 2010 < http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/romeemptimelines/a/RomeEmpTimeline.htm> (7^th November, 2010), 1.