War from Myceneans to Rome Essay -- essays research papers

WAR FROM MYCENEANS TO ROME The modern day soldier did not arrive at the current level of training methods overnight. Throughout history warfare techniques and strategies have evolved from the earliest primitive battles to the latest technologies. The only way to learn about war is to study the past engagements and lessons learned. There are nine principles of war as follows: Objective, Offensive, Mass, Economy of force, Maneuver, Unity of command, Security, Surprise, and Simplicity. These are the areas of study in order to gain a better understanding of what to do and what to avoid during any engagement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The battles from yesterday differ from those in recent years and today, because the more primitive cultures fought under their leader for food, territory, or the domination of another group. Today’s motives are based more on economic, political, or social reasons regarded as appropriate by a group of individuals instead of the thoughts or intentions of one man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mainland Greece is the first study of warfare in the selected readings and by 1600 B.C. a civilization emerged from the Hellas culture and the Minoan culture. This group, known as the Myceneans, fought using chariots and armor made of bronze. By the eighth century B.C., the Myceneans art of war consisted of the phalanx. The phalanx was a solid rectangle of infantrymen carrying armor and spears eight deep. When an army approached another army the phalanxes of both sides would come head to head. The soldiers, who were normally citizens not professional soldiers, would find themselves in the midst of blood and sweat pouring out of the bodies surrounding them from the hand to hand combat. The only way of victory was to hold the lines strong and fight until the other side fled. The problems with this type of formation was that there was no overall leadership within the phalanx, no reserve was established to outflank the opposing army, and there was no way to pursue the fleeing enemy, left them capable to heal and fight another day.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The technique of phalanx had not changed for some time and the Greek warfare stayed the same due to no major opposition force that used different techniques against Greek system. The phalanx was also used because it was a proven technique that had been tested and used successfully. O... ...diterranean, Hannibal moved to engage the Romans and almost conquered them at Cannae (216 B.C.), where the largest Roman army was surrounded, enveloped, and destroyed. The Romans needed military leadership to outwit Hannibal and found it in Scipio.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scipio made the maniples stronger than ever and increased the amount of horsemen in the cavalry to solve the problem that the Romans had against Hannibal. By using adapting techniques to envelop and control sea power, Scipio was able to defeat Carthage at the battle of Zama (202 B.C.), and thus the Romans were ready to expand their empire from Spain to Asia Minor and from Britain to Northern Africa.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   SOURCES USED Preston, Richard A., Alex Roland, and Sydney F. Wise. Men In Arms: A History of Warfare and its interrelationships With Western Society. (Belmont, California:Wadsworth/ Thomson Learning, 2001). Chap 1-3 Warry, John. Warfare in the Classical World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons, Warriors, and Warfare in the Ancient Civilisations of Greece and Rome. (Norman, Oklahoma:University of Oklahoma Press, 1995). Chap 1-13

Religion Assignment

Religious Background My family is fairly religious and my views have certainly been influenced by their beliefs. I was brought up in a Christian household and the majority of my relatives are Christian as well. All throughout my life this has been the only religion that anyone in my family has followed. Most families have some sort of differing beliefs however mine lacks this and there is very little that differs in any of the family’s belief systems. Though my parents wanted me to attend church regularly I was never forced into anything whether it be attendance or belief and I truly appreciate that. Religion is not the center of my life but it still has a strong presence and influence on my life. Though my family does acknowledge most traditions we have never strictly adhered to them. Of course we celebrate the main events such as Easter and Christmas and partake in the events that go with them. My parents would make sure that we knew the reason that we were celebrating these holidays and though presents still seemed to reign supreme there was always the thought of something bigger. We would always attend the evening church services and the large (and usually dull) family gatherings on these special occasions. Going to church every weekend was not something that was a necessity for us however I believe most would still recognize us as regular attendees. It was always my belief that going to church was not an essential part of my religion and we would occasionally choose football or even sleep over the usual Sunday morning service. Earlier in my life we attended an Evangelical Christian church and my family agreed with the belief system for the most part though my parents seemed to have issues with some of the smaller aspects of the Evangelical church. It was at this church that I first began to form my set of beliefs and my opinion of religion. I have always been prone to asking questions and even at a young age I somewhat philosophical (now I realize that even though I have learned a lot over the years I am still asking some of the same questions that I was asking at the age of eight). My mother was raised in a Christian household but her family was more traditional than ours is. Both of her parents are Christians and that belief filtered down to their children. Overall they seem to be a bit stricter in their beliefs and going to church was emphasized much more than it is in my family now. It seems that with every generation gets slightly more liberal with their beliefs and morals. With my mother church was a large part of her youth and I was hardly involved. It seems to me as if there are three types of churchgoers, the ones who attend regularly (every Sunday), those who only go on Christmas and Easter, and those who live church. She was one of the people who lived church. My father grew up without a belief system but when his sister began searching for answers she became a Christian and that got him thinking and he joined a Bible study because of it. After a while it began to make sense to him and he accepted the religion as well. After both of his children had this new found faith my grandfather decided to â€Å"investigate† as he calls it. He was incredibly skeptical at first as religion had never been a part of his life, but he decided that the best way to find out would be to read the Bible. After much deliberation and consideration he decided that there was some truth to it and he became a Christian as well, with his faith based entirely off of the Bible. My grandmother followed suit and thus my aunts’ change in belief lead the entire family to reconsider their belief. In a way I dislike calling myself a Christian because of some of the connotations and countless different belief sets that the word Christian brings to mind (such as the people who stand at the street corner telling people that they are going to hell if they don’t repent their sins), and I feel as if labels can sometimes be problematic and inaccurate. The Bible is a large part of my belief system as it is one of the few things that make sense to me (if the Bible is the basis of the religion then I feel like it should be the basis of my faith). It seems as if so many different churches try to impose their own set of beliefs and morals on their attendees and it has always made sense (at least for me) to deduct things for myself through reading the Bible. Many of the main points of the Bible seem to get lost in translation and I have always disagreed with Churches that constrict themselves to a specific ideology and I prefer being a part of a non-denominational church or a ‘congregation' that is a little bit more open-minded than most. I base my beliefs off of the Bible and I feel that this is the inspired word of God. I believe that the main message in the Bible is one of love and that getting to heaven isn’t based on works but is instead based on faith. There will always be questions and many people with different viewpoints all believe that they have the answers. Religion interests me because it seems to me as if there will never be an positive answer to life and our purpose. Religion is one way to try to begin the attempt to explain what exactly life is. I think for many people religion is a way of coping with the fact that no one really knows for sure what death will bring. The search for meaning has always fascinated me and this drive reoccurs continuously throughout history. Many people devote their entire life towards finding the meaning of life and while it is not my intention to do the same, I still find it an interesting subject and I believe that studying the history of religion is a great way to expand your mind and gain some insight into what has unfolded in the past. I want to continue to learn about not only my own religion but other religions as well. It is my goal to keep an open mind about everything and really begin to understand and study all religions.

Computer support specialist

Dad we have fixed this issue before did you not take notes. â€Å", So as I talked him through the steps again we got it working. I have chosen to become a computer support specialist. Computer Support specialist Is a helpful type of Job. It can be very flexible. I got to thinking about the way things were going and wanted to start a real career. I did some research and found this Information maybe someone else could use it to help them.A computer support specialist helps all types of people with imputer problems. One can chose to help the regular Joe or a big corporation. One would be able to solve issues with the software of a computer. One could help setup a networking system to insure everything in the house is running properly. One can easily do these tasks from home if it were necessary, therefore allowing some extra flexibility. I don't know about any of you but helping someone out is a great feeling. The expected growth prospects for this field are to be faster than most pro fessions.Job prospects are expected to increase by around fourteen percent, since computer re more widely utilized both by businesses and Individuals. There will be a greater need for assistance by anyone that utilizes a computer. One can help the common household with a computer slow down Issue. Maybe one has gotten a virus on the computer, a computer support specialist could help to remove the virus or speed up one's computer. The workplace could be described in different manners depending on the company. One could actually be working in a single office environment. Some workers will be required to do onsite work.There are also some that even work in heir home. Typically the single office will be divided into cubicles. You will have a computer, phone and other standard office materials. (Bureau of labor Statistics, 2010-2011) A person can expect to earn around $26,580 to $55,990 a year. These numbers will depend on ones level of education and experience in the field. It could also depend on the company one choose to work for. (Bureau of labor Statistics, 2010-2011) A person can get by with a simple certification. Some companies will do specific software training once you start working for them.Some companies will quire a bachelor degree. A person will have to receive periodic update training. As the computer systems change you will need to keep up with the new programs. (.NET online, 2011) Setting up computer networks will also change. In order to do this job there are several qualities you need to possess. You will need to be able to listen actively. It is also required that you be able to communicate on several levels. There may be several Jobs to complete you will need to be able to manage your time. You will also need to be able to teach others how to understand the process you are doing.

Vivian Bearing: a Tragic Heroine That Triumph

Vivian Bearing: A Tragic Heroine that Triumph Margaret Edison’s play Wit is about Vivian Bearing, a professor of seventeenth century poetry, specializing in John Donne. She is a strong willed intellectual being treated for ovarian cancer. Vivian lives a very secluded life and avoids human emotional contact. Just like any tragic hero, Vivian has flaws that prevent her from human kindness, which leads to her downfall. Her treatment of cancer causes her to realize that she needs emotional connection, which she has missed her whole life.Although her flaws are her intellect and wit that cause her an inability to connect emotionally with people around her, she becomes noble because she begins to express her emotions and accept kindness. Vivian Bearing has lived an intellectual rather than emotional life. As a child, education was very important to her family. On her fifth birthday which she recalls as her best birthday she read a book (Edson 41). She would rather read a book than ha ve a party, cake or even having friends over.Reading a book during her birthday is very ironic because she claims this to be her best birthday which is really unique, because this is horrible as any standard for a fifth birthday. Most five year olds want a party and cake. Vivian takes the book and she reads its spine intently. Reading a book attentively on her birthday proves Vivian’s obsession with learning and expanding her horizons. She is only interested in learning, not worried about connecting with people her own age or even her family. While she is reading her book, her father sits on his chair â€Å"disinterested but tolerant† (Edson 41).Since her father does not pay any attention to her, Vivian is emotionally detached from her father. She only knows education and learning. She never mentions receiving any affection as a child. This is the only time she mentions her childhood. One can only assume that because of this the character’s own remote personalit y reflects that of her father’s. It is very likely that she never received the gentle touch of affection from her dad, the way she probably would have from her mother, if the mother had been in the picture.We know that her mother died at the age of forty, but other than that, nothing else is either mentioned or displayed regarding her. Vivian’s intellect and crave for knowledge continues to prevent her from human emotional connections. We meet Vivian as a student in a flashback. Her scholarship was her consuming and unrelenting passion, blinding her to other concerns of life like making friends. Despite being advised by her professor to enjoy life, she resorts to withdrawing into the library instead of going out (Edson 15).Her toughness and strictness towards her education blinds her treatment of humanity. She remains lonely and uses her education to cover her need for showing and needing emotional attachment. She does not enjoy her college life like most students do. Her intellect refuses her to show a need of emotional connection with students her own age. Her emotional detachment is apparent when she is told that she has ovarian cancer. Instead of crying and being afraid of death, she begins to analyze and think. â€Å"Must read something about cancer. Must get some books, articles.Assemble a bibliography,† she explains (Edson 8). The character’s excessive need for knowledge, which can be perceived as her tragic flaw, causes her to be oblivious to the reality of her diagnosis. Vivian is consumed with learning that she is unable to grasp with the reality that she has a disease that is slowly killing her. Her need for knowledge can be seen as a flaw because this prevents her from becoming psychologically attached to anything or anyone. Vivian thrives on knowledge and her ability to learn and understand things and uses her intellect to avoid human contact.The character’s addiction to intellect has shut down her need for any h uman emotions. Vivian’s wit appears as rude and uncaring when she uses her wit to push people away. Vivian’s smart remarks to everything cause people around her and also people that meet her to be unable to create a relationship with Vivian. When Vivian is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Dr. Kelekian uses the word â€Å"insidious† and defines it as â€Å"undetectable† (Edson 8). Vivian is unable to control her witty comments and could not resist the urge and decides to tell him the correct definition saying â€Å"treacherous†. Dr.Kelekian has a negative attitude towards her because of these corrections. Instead of treating her cancer, he decides to use her as research. Dr. Kelekian is unable to feel any compassion for her because she is rude. Vivian’s wittiness also appears as being uncaring. She is not liked very much by others, due to her unkindness. Previously, when a student asked for an extension on his paper, Professor Bearing rejects h is request with a heartless comment. â€Å"Don’t tell me, your grandmother died† (Edson 63). Then she goes on to say, â€Å"Do what you will, but the paper is due when it is due† (Edson 63).Instead of showing some sentiment for the student, she is inconsiderate and cold-hearted towards him. She is so evil towards the student that no other student is able to feel comfortable around her and even speak to her as a person. She terrorizes her students inconsiderately and dispassionately. Vivian Bearing uses her wittiness to push people away so she does create an emotional attachment. Being put in hospital causes Vivian to reflect on her life and to realize how much she needs kindness. She even admits to craving kindness.She wants Susie to come see her to the point where she creates an emergency (Edson 64). She begins as an intellect, witty professor who is lonely, but now she is thirsty for a drop of kindness. Vivian’s hunger for kindness becomes apparent when she allows her nurse to call her â€Å"sweetheart† (Edson 64) or â€Å"honey†(Edson 65). These are words Vivian has never been referred to in her life and she is comfortable with them. She realizes that it is acceptable to allow people to treat her like a person and be kind to her. Vivian starts to open up and shows her emotions without any problem or hesitation.At the end of the play when Vivian is lying in her deathbed, alone, shivering scared, and in pain, E. M. comes to her side. When her college professor Ashford comes to visit her, she asks Vivian if she wanted her to recite Donne, she replies â€Å"nooooo† (Edson 79). Vivian is finally realizing that her need for intellect and wit is not what she needs because she has received kindness. The emotional part of life is what she needs and not the complicated poems by Donne. As her time draws to a close, a sea change begins to work in the way Vivian thinks about life.As mentioned in the above paragraphs, Vivi an has devoted her life to education and it is only through suffering that she learns that being extremely smart is not enough. It takes our heroine fifty years, and an insidious cancer to realize that it does not matter in the end how much you know since knowledge cannot possibly comfort you in death. Vivian says this line in the play â€Å"And death shall be no more, death thou shalt die â€Å"(Edson 72-73). By these words she learns that â€Å"death is nothing but a breath, a comma that separates life from life everlasting†, Vivian’s last breath was nothing but a comma† and she has now moved on where she will live not by her knowledge, but by her heart. Though her body has died, her soul is awakened. Before Vivian’s final moments of life, she receives the attention and affection that she never had. She dies with a sense of peacefulness. Vivian Bearing is a very intellectual and witty individual who is dedicated to her love for knowledge. But because s he is consumed by her incredible love for knowledge she lives a secluded life. Her downfall is that she is incapable of showing any emotions to another person.The play did not leave the audience with a sense of sadness or remorse, but with hope and respect for Vivian Bearing. She lived the final eight months of her life in extreme pain so doctors could gain more knowledge for future cancer patients. In the process, she learns that life is about humanity. This is what brings the audience to believe that this individual is a tragic hero who triumph and leaves one not with a sense of pity but one of empathy for her suffering. Work Cited Edson, Margaret. Wit. Oxford: Faber & Faber, 1999. Print.

Bill Gates: a Man of Magnitude

Bill Gates: Man of Magnitude A man of magnitude is someone who has made an impact on society and has done something or created something for the greater good of the country or world. I think what best describes a great man, or woman is a quote from Bob Marley, â€Å"â€Å"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively. † This quote is close me because of the work my grandfather did with his business and providing work for those who would most likely not be hired.A great person is someone who does what they feel is right no matter what is thought of them. Bill Gates is what I would consider a â€Å"Man of Magnitude. † I chose Bill Gates as my man of magnitude because of all the things he has done for education, global healthcare, and extreme poverty stricken countries. What I relate to with Bill Gates is that technology has become so relevant in education. In schools that cannot ke ep up with the ever evolving technology, the students will fall behind and not have all the same opportunities that students in more affluent areas may have.Bill and his wife, Melinda, are the founders of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which gives many grants including the expansion for immunization for children, Improvements in seed and soil for African farmers, and multiple libraries. Greatness: The quality of being great, distinguished, or eminent. According to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website Fact Page, as of September 2012 there are 19 Grant Commitments throughout the world that total up to more than five billion dollars.Someone who grants that amount of money to people in need is my definition of greatness. Someone who uses their power and wealth is something that I find remarkably great. â€Å"Guided by the belief that every life has equal value† is a quote that is posted on every page of the Gates Foundation website. Only a person with the consider ation for others would commit their money to charity and to help end the extreme poverty. Bill Gates has contributed to the greater good by globally enhancing healthcare by providing more opportunities for immunization children, to educe extreme poverty in African countries, and to expand educational opportunities and access to technology. Bill Gates has also received numerous awards for philanthropic work. (â€Å"Bill Gates†). There have been many inventive entrepreneurs throughout history, but not many of them have applied their wealth to meet the needs of the less fortunate. Bill Gates and his wife Melinda have endowed a foundation with $28. 8 Billion. Through this foundation the Gates couple is able to funnel the enormous profits from Microsoft and other Gates' ventures to help attack global heath and education problems.Bill Gates has targeted AIDS in Africa as one of his major health causes. He is also known for providing large amounts of computer equipment to schools in low income communities to help bring children of impoverished families into the world of technical advance. Bill Gates is a man of magnitude who has contributed to the greater good because he has touched the lives of millions of people through his philanthropic initiatives. Men or Women of magnitude are people of honor, faith, substance. People who will do whatever they can to help those around them.Great people who also have the fortune to be very wealth are people who have even more power and opportunity to do great things for their country, and even many other countries. Great people are noble and kind, and they have compassion for those in need. Great people give their change to the homeless, or buy a candy bar for the Boys Club. Great people are visionaries, that believe in a brighter future. Bill Gates is among those great people. Works Cited â€Å"About the Foundation. † Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. N. p. , 1999. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. â€Å"Bill Gates. † 201 3. The Biography Channel. March 2011. Web. Feb 12 2013.

Effects of YPF Nationalization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Effects of YPF Nationalization - Research Paper Example The nationalization has also severed Argentina’s social relations with other countries that threatened to impose stringent political and economic sanctions on Argentina. Nationally, the social effects of the nationalization include an increase in the amount of taxes paid by Argentines (Cassidy, 2012). The government is also restricting currency flight, which is growing at an alarming rate as more and more Argentines lose faith in the country’s economic prospects. As a consequence, Argentines continue to encounter immense restrictions, particularly with regard to making investments. The Argentine President infuriated Argentina’s allies such as Spain but also won the favor of a massive portion of Argentines who consider the expropriation of Repsol as serving Argentina’s interests. The Argentine government’s decision to wrench control from Repsol continues to instigate fear amongst Argentines, as well as other people in the region. This is largely beca use YPF is a prominent company, which contributes substantially to the economy of South America. Therefore, other South American countries are bound to be adversely affected by Argentina’s move to nationalize YPF. As a consequence, these nations are likely to consider the Argentina government as irresponsible with the country’s and region’s wellbeing. ... In essence, the nationalization of YPF will cause detrimental effects to the government’s capacity to provide its citizens with proper social services. On the other hand, Argentina is likely to suffer fuel scarcity as a consequence of the nationalization. This is because the country does not have the capacity to explore its vast oil and gas resources. Oil and gas scarcity will, in turn, result in increased living costs on the people of Argentina. Effects of the Nationalization on society in Argentina The nationalization of YPF serves to move Argentina back to the status of a net energy exporter while at the same time having immense sovereign power over the country’s energy industry, as well as natural resources. This perception towards the effects of YPF’s nationalization on Argentina’s social environment is quite distinct from the former signals, which indicated that the Argentine government was moving towards a wholesome nationalization of the countryâ⠂¬â„¢s oil and gas resources. As a consequent, the nation recognized that it its domestic investor pool was quite inadequate, and the country seriously required foreign expertise, as well as foreign investments to enable it tap its energy resources (Romero, 2012). This was especially the case regarding Vaca Muerta’s immense shale oil and gas reserves. In essence, all these moves signify Argentina’s growing appreciation for its sovereignty both socially and economically as the country is no longer afraid to invite a clash with other nations in its fight for its rights. Reception YPF’s nationalization was warmly welcomed by Argentines who thought that the government could have expropriated 100%, not just a portion of it. Most Argentines believe that the

Strategy Development in the Global Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industry Essay

Strategy Development in the Global Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industry - Essay Example However, with the passage of time, the company realised that they had to compete with other companies in the global arena. Oil companies such as Exxon were giving Shell a run for their money because they were globally managed. In order to respond to this trend, the company opted to change its corporate governance style. They opted to control almost all their downstream sectors through their headquarters in London and The Hague. (Shell, 2008) Corporate governance within Shell had been carried down from almost a century of its existence. In certain scenarios, some critics have argued that this form of structure has cost the company in a number of ways. This is largely because shareholders in the company do not have as much clout as members of the board. The disadvantage of this structural approach can arise when the shareholders feel that their rights are in danger but can do very little to protect it. Bp has been faced with a number of corporate governance challenges. First and foremost, the company grappled with accusations from critics who claimed that it was doing business with a group that had been responsible for human rights abuses in the Baku Ceyhan pipeline. To add insult onto injury, BP was also faced with huge problems in its pricing strategies. This was especially seen in the United Kingdom. In Colombia, the Company was confronted with a law suit where it had been accused of colluding with terrorists to protect their clients. It lost millions of pounds in paying off that settlement. This goes to show that when companies make miscalculations and fail to implement ethical codes, they are the ones who pay for it through expensive law suits and tarnished images. Business ethics Companies need to have specified code of conduct and ethics principles that will guide their day to day practices. Shell as a company has well written down rules that assist employees in sticking to the company's goals and principles. Some of these codes of conduct include; honesty, trust and integrity. While stakeholders and employees may be well aware of rules, abiding by them is another issue altogether. (Zenobank, 2008) The enormity of this matter came to fore during the 2004 business ethics disaster; at that time, the company announced that twenty percent of all the oil reserves that it claims to have a hold to were overestimated. The revelation of such a matter brought shock waves within the Oil trading sector and even resulted in the company's poor performance. In response to this issue, the company changed its leadership structures. This business dismissed its managing Director - Sir Philip Watts and also changed their management structures. Besides this, the company also responded by providing opportunities for whistle blowers to report any irregularities through an official company website. (Beasnat & Cummins, 2005) BP also has a valid code of ethics and its company purports to a sound code of conduct. However, much like its counterpart Shell, the company seems to have fallen short of these high expectations. An example of how the company did this was when it hired an expensive public relations manager to create an Image of an