Discuss the factors why Europe has been the target of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants.

Hundreds of millions of people across the world make one of the hardest decisions of their lives
everyday: they choose to leave their homes in search of a safer, comfortable and better quality of life.
However, there are many reasons why people around the world move to new countries in order to have
brand new beginnings. In addition, such reasons may be to try and experience a new environment, to
pursue employment or an education or else because of armed conflicts or other crises or violence.
Whatever may the reason be an individual leave their home it’s mainly because that individual hope for
a better and brighter future.

Historically, migration has existed since the beginning of human existence. Humans migrated
either in groups or as individuals in search for a means of survival, for trading purposes, exploration, and
even to spread religion. In relation to this, migration in Europe has long and complex history, although it
is typically considered as a present-day issue. Moreover, the prevailing narrative of Europe depicts
migration as a looming threat ("Fortress Europe"). Because of that, one specific incident was frequently
identified from the late antiquity, the Age of Migrations and the "barbarian invasions" that led to the
downfall of the Roman Empire. Aside from that, wars continue to be a crucial component of this account
of history, which always involves the history for struggles for territory, economic power as well as
religious authority. This is very evident in the world because Europe comprise of powerful countries that
way back before some European countries colonized some undiscovered and unexplored territories.

Furthermore, asylum seekers, refugees and migrants move to Europe in order to seek protection
and an enhanced and greater life. Europe aids the integration of refugees in European societies in
addition to asylum policies, border protection programs and humanitarian assistance for instance
through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Even the International law safeguards the
rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers regardless of how or why they enter a country. The
following are the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers: The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (Article 14); The 1951 UN Refugee Convention (and its 1967 Protocol); The 1990 Migrant Workers
Convention; and Regional Refugee law instruments (including 1969 OAU Convention, 1984 Cartagena
Declaration, Common European Asylum System and Dublin Regulation). Hence, they enjoy the same
rights as everyone else as well as special or specific protections.
 Discuss comprehensively the effect of Hellenistic Culture to modern Europe in terms of
education, culture and Law.

A mixture of Greek culture, known as Hellenistic culture, includes elements from the Diadochi,
Ptolemy One Soter, Cassander, and Lysimachus kingdoms, which represent the height of Greek
dominance in antiquity from 323 and 146 BC. When the Greeks first encountered foreign people during
the Hellenistic Age, their classical, Hellenic civilization merged with cultures from Asia and Africa to
produce a hybrid culture. This merging of civilizations was ushered about by one man, the Greek-
speaker Alexander, King of Macedonia. Moreover, trade and cultural exchange throughout the
Mediterranean and southwestern Asia produced the initial link in the chain. Greeks and other
individuals who resided near the Mediterranean Sea began connecting their city-states via sea travel
and trade in the 8th century BCE.

Greece's cultural impact and dominance flourished during the Hellenistic era, dominating most
of West and Central Asia along with sections of the Indian subcontinent. The Greeks also made
significant progress in the arts, astrology, exploration, and literature during this epoch. Besides, there
was an unprecedented boom in the fields of architecture, mathematics, and literature throughout the
Hellenistic Period. The development of Ancient Greek speculated towards the emergence of philosophy
and science. An example of this is the Egyptian pyramids that were shaped by Hellenistic culture in
terms of structure. In terms of educational systems of ancient Greece are still utilized in modern
education. Greek mapmakers produced precise ancient world atlases that historians have been using
today. Greek scientists shared their specialized knowledge with conquered territories. Europe modern
day education differs significantly from that of the past. A greater emphasis on obtaining an education in
order to qualify for employment than on shaping the culture. Hence, the primary goal of education
remains the same which is to educate the mind and body of the individual and to become a good citizen
of the country.

During the Hellenistic period, Greek law pertains to the legal systems of the ancient Greeks,
among the most well-known of which is the law of Athens. Positive law in ancient Greece had little
impact on subsequent events. Of course, its principles and approaches influenced the laws and practice
of Hellenistic monarchy, and a few Greek institutions, such as the "Rhodian" maritime law of jettison or
some systems of documentation, were adopted by the Romans. But, in the contemporary world,
European law denotes to laws and legal traditions that are inherent or unique to European countries. As
well as, European law refers to supranational law, notably that of the European Union, which
incorporates most of Europe's national legal systems. Europe's diverse countries cover a wide range of
legal traditions, including civil law and common law, as well as less prominent systems like Scandinavian
law. Therefore, an individual human person as the bearer of legal rights and obligations is perhaps the
most fundamental feature of European law.
 Vatican has been recognized as a state by the UN considering that it is located within the state
of Italy and has a few people living in this territory. Discuss the bases of its recognition.

When you hear the name Vatican City, we would think first of the magnificent and excellent
structures of the church located in that state. Vatican City is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. In
order to be called as a country, one should have a territory with its own government. In fact, most of the
nations across the world either they are independent or dependent to each other. In the case of Vatican
City, it is the world’s smallest fully independent nation-state. For the longest time (200 years), this
region was a part of Rome, but it obtained independence in 1929 and has already been governed as an
absolute monarchy with the pope as its leader.

The Roman Catholic Church was appointed to the United Nations as the "Holy See." The "Holy
See" is the Catholic Church's primary instrument of government, with the pope recognized as its head
under the Code of Canon Law, and indeed the Vatican City regarded as its "vassal" territory. However,
the Holy See's existence as a state under International Law was in controversy since it did not adhere to
the current definition of a nation, which incorporates: 1) a permanent population; 2) a defined territory;
3) a government; and 4) the ability to engage in contacts with other states. And yet, there’s a need to
examine the prerequisites in the context of the Vatican City, a country located within the city of Rome,
Italy. Why is Vatican City considered as a state? First, it has a territory that is internationally recognized
even if Vatican City is located entirely within the city of Rome. As such that, it has a sovereignty that no
other states should have the power over the country’s territory. Since 1929, when an agreement was
made between the Kingdom of Italy and the Catholic Church, the Vatican City has been recognized as a
Sovereign State. Second, it is a home for residents who maintain passports from their home country
along with the diplomatic passports from the Vatican. Third, it has a government that promotes and
provides public services and police power. Lastly, it has external recognition. The Holy See is
acknowledged as an independent body by all international organizations, and it has observer status at
the United Nations. The Vatican was accredited to the United Nations as a Non-Member State in 1964,
permitting it to vote in various UN conferences and participate in General Assembly discussions and
consensus accords. The Holy See is tasked a permanent observer Mission at the United Nations. It also
preserved delegates at specialized agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the
Council of Europe's Council for Cultural Cooperation. Hence, the Vatican City does meet all the
prerequisites for independent country.

The Vatican City still serves as a religious and historical landmark nowadays, as important as it
was then. Millions of visitors from across the world come to witness the beauty of the city, to discover
about its history and culture, and to profess their faith in the Catholic Church. Obviously, Vatican City
become one of the most popular tourist sites in the world and the world’s smallest state.
Discuss the causes of the intense Christian persecution during the Roman Empire. What were the
causes of such holocaust to Christianity?

Christ organized His church, atoned for our sins, died and was resurrected, and completed the
establishment of His church. The gospel was taught by Christ's apostles, and even as they perished, the
Christian message spread throughout the Roman Empire. But sad to say Christians were persecuted
throughout most of the Roman Empire’s History. Persecution of Christians in Rome began during
Emperor Nero's reign in AD 64 and endured around 250 years until Constantine recognized Christianity
in 313. When Christianity spread throughout the empire, it struggled ideologically with the imperial
religion. The ancient Romans were pagans, which meant they worshiped multiple gods. And, unlike
today, there was no separation of church and state in Roman government. The Romans deemed
Christians as an eyesore because they believed only in God and refused to adhere to paganism and
emperor worship.

Diocletian was the Roman Emperor who tormented Christians the most viciously. In 303,
Diocletian issued an order labeling Christians who refused to pay tribute to the emperor's statue as
traitors and confiscating their property. Not only were they regarded as disloyal to the Empire, but their
reluctance to worship Roman gods was interpreted as perilous since it would invoke the wrath of those
gods. As a result, whenever something horrible happened, this new religious sect became an easy
target. Persecutions of Christians by the Romans occurred for a diverse range of reasons and methods,
depending on the rulers and circumstances of the time, and the ten major persecutions led by the
emperors are representative. Moreover, Nero prohibited Christian gatherings, destroyed all church
structures, and ordered the burning of Christian manuscripts and Bibles. He severely tortured and killed
them if they did not comply with the order to sacrifice to pagan gods. According to the Roman historian
Tacitus, suspicions circulated that Nero had caused the fire, so he accused the Christians and ordered
their arrest and execution. What’s more is that, Nero tortured Christians by nailing them to crosses,
burning them like torches after sundown, and wrapping them in animal skins so that wolves could eat
them. Unfortunately, life was not simple for the early Christians.

Furthermore, Christian persecution didn’t only happen during the time of Nero; 2 nd persecution
under Domitian; 3rd persecution under Trajan; 4th persecution under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus; 5 th
persecution commencing with Severus; 6 th persecution under Maximus; 7th persecution under Decius; 8 th
persecution under Valerian; 9th persecution under Aurelian; and 10th persecution under Diocletian.
Persecution continued in different degrees under various Emperors all throughout century. What
commonly happened to Christians during their reigns is that Christians are being deprived of their rights
and were torture to death without any mercy. The following are the reasons why the Christians were
persecuted during the times of the Roman empire; ideological conflict; privatizing of religion; the
inclusive nature of Christianity; the disregard of traditions; and rejection of pagan beliefs and practices.
Christians during this period did not agree with the belief system of the Roman Empire and because of
that they were often persecuted by the government. The Christians did not only face persecution from
the government but also a competition from other religions such as Judaism and Islam. These religions,
which were much more popular than Christianity because it shared similar beliefs and doctrines. During
this period, there was a growing movement of Christians who sought to isolate themselves from the
Roman Empire's paganism. This resulted in conflict between Christians and the government. Thus,
Christians were brutally punished by the Romans because they posed a threat to the government and
the Roman way of life. Christianity experienced multiple obstacles throughout its tenure in the Roman
Empire, yet it survived and thrived. Christianity's influence may still be observed today throughout
Rome. Despite the Roman Empire's demise, Christianity's legacy continues.