Odysseus & Aeneas Essays - Odyssey, Trojans, Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Odysseus & Aeneas If there is any possibility that a comparison could be made with the famous journeys of Odysseus and Aeneas, it must be known that Aeneas is actually a hero in search of his own soul while Odysseus is a hero trying to find his old life and in a sense, his old soul. The Aeneid is very much of a spiritual quest, which makes it unique in ancient literature and in contrast with the Odyssey. Only Virgil admits to the possibility that a character can change, grow, and develop. In the story's earlier stages, the character of Aeneas is obviously unsure of himself, always seeking instructions from his father or from the gods before committing himself to any course of action. In the underworld he sees a perspective of the future history of Rome down to the time of Augustus, and that vision gives him the self-confidence to act on his own initiative. Comparatively, Odysseus is driven though his journey beginning with apparent self-confidence and continuing with a vengeful vigor. While reviewing the myth's fantastic journey, I wondered if Aeneas was great because his fate made him great or was he great because he had the courage and determination to live up to the role fate handed him? There is a side to Aeneas, I noticed that is not very impressive, even when I could almost understand why he feels the way he does. He is sad, tired, always waiting for his father or the gods to tell him what to do. But Aeneas always fulfills his duty to his family, to his country, and to the gods, even when he is depressed. He is never selfish. He always puts his responsibility to others first. In that way, his actions throughout his journey to the underworld were somewhat different that Odysseus'. In Aeneas' case, he too was as great of a survivor as Odysseus. In fact, he at least matches him in the way that he is one of those people who can lose everything and still start all over again. Aeneas goes from being a victim of the Greeks at Troy to becoming a conqueror in Italy. Virgil's Aeneas is the first character in Western literature who actually changes and develops. His struggles help him discover who he is and what he thinks is important. If I had to name one quality that defines Aeneas throughout his journey, it is his devotion to duty, a quality that the Romans called pietas or piety. This quality keeps him going even when he would rather forget about his fate. Ultimately, this same quality makes him accept, even welcome, that fate. Because, when Aeneas finally realizes that all his efforts will make the glorious Roman Empire possible, his love of his family and his country are fulfilled. The result is that the Aeneas we see at the end of the Aeneid is determined, sure of himself, and confident that he knows what is right. He has become a great leader who is able to impose order on people who display more selfish and unruly emotions. Odysseus, as the classic definition of his name suggests, is truly and individual who causes great trouble. Throughout the Odyssey, there are many direct and indirect circumstances in which Odysseus wreaks havoc upon others. He leaves Troy, fights at the island of Ismaros, and witnesses the sleepy life of the Lotos Eaters. He blinds and then tricks the one-eyed cannibal, Cyclopes, the son of Poseidon. Eventually, he even buries Elpenor, one of his crew members who was killed during all this trouble. Never does he begin nor end with a lack of self confidence anywhere close to the one exhibited by Aeneas at the commencement of his journey. After his first stage of havoc, Odysseus resists the song of the Seirenes, and sails between the whirlpool and the cliff, personified by the names of Skylla and Kharybdis. But his men make the mistake of eating the forbidden cattle of the sun god, Helios. So Zeus wrecks Odysseus' ship, drowning all of his men. Odysseus manages to survive Skylla and Kharybdis again, and washes up at Ogygia Island where he stays eight years with Kalypso. After all that, he is still able to build a ship and set out again for Ithaka, but he becomes shipwrecked by Poseidon and swims to Skheria, where Nausikaa, King Alkinoos' daughter, finds him. Homer seems to purposely intrigue us by having other characters describe Odysseus, ?He had no rivals, your

The Invention and Development of the Wheel

The Invention and Development of the Wheel The oldest wheel found in archeological excavations was discovered in what was Mesopotamia and is believed to be over 5,500 years old. It was not used for transportation, though, but rather as a potters wheel. The combination of the wheel and axle made possible early forms of transportation, which became more sophisticated over time with the development of other technologies. Key Takeaways: The Wheel The earliest wheels were used as potters wheels. They were invented in Mesopotamia about 5,500 years ago. The wheelbarrow- a simple cart with a single wheel- was invented by the ancient Greeks. Though wheels are mainly used for transportation, they are also used to navigate, spin thread, and generate wind and hydroelectric power. When Was the Wheel Invented? Though often thought of as one of the earliest inventions, the wheel actually arrived after the invention of agriculture, boats, woven cloth, and pottery. It was invented sometime around 3,500 B.C. During the transition between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, the very earliest wheels were made of wood, with a hole in the core for the axle. The wheel is unique because, unlike other early human inventions such as the pitchfork- which was inspired by forked sticks- it is not based on anything in nature. The Inventor of the Wheel The wheel is not like the telephone or the lightbulb, a breakthrough invention that can be credited to a single (or even several) inventors. There is archaeological evidence of wheels dating back to at least 5,500 years ago, but no one knows exactly who invented them. Wheeled vehicles appeared later in various areas across the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The invention of the wheelbarrow- a one-wheeled cart used to transport goods and raw materials- is usually credited to the ancient Greeks. However, earlier evidence of wheeled carts has been found in Europe and China. Wheel and Axle The Bronocice pot is the earliest depiction of a wheel and axle. Â  Silar/Wiki Commons The wheel alone, without any further innovation, would not have done much for mankind. Rather, it was the combination of the wheel and axle that made early forms of transportation possible, including carts and chariots. The Bronocice pot, a piece of pottery discovered in Poland and dating to at least 3370 B.C., is believed to feature the earliest depiction of a wheeled vehicle. The evidence suggests that small wagons or carts, likely drawn by cattle, were in use in Central Europe by this time in human history. The first carts featured wheels and axles that turned together. Wooden pegs were used to fix the sledge so that when it rested on the rollers it did not move. The axle turned in between the pegs, allowing the axle and wheels to create all the movement. Later, the pegs were replaced with holes carved into the cart frame, and the axle was placed through the holes. This made it necessary for the larger wheels and thinner axle to be separate pieces. The wheels were attached to both sides of the axle. Finally, the fixed axle was invented, wherein the axle did not turn but was solidly connected to the cart frame. The wheels were fitted onto the axle in a way that allowed them to freely rotate. Fixed axles made for stable carts that could turn corners better. By this time the wheel can be considered a complete invention. Following the invention of the wheel, the Sumerians invented the sledge, a device consisting of a flat base mounted on a pair of runners with curved ends. The sledge was useful for transporting cargo over smooth terrain; however, the Sumerians quickly realized that the device would be more efficient once it was mounted on rollers. Modern Uses of the Wheel VISUAL ART PHOTOGRAPHY/Getty Images While the basic function of the wheel is unchanged, modern wheels are much different from the simple wooden wheels of the past. Innovations in materials science have made possible all kinds of tires for bicycles, cars, motorcycles, and trucks- including tires designed for rough terrain, ice, and snow. While primarily used for transportation, the wheel also has other applications. Watermills, for example, use water wheels- large structures with a series of blades along the rim- to generate hydropower. In the past, watermills powered textile mills, sawmills, and gristmills. Today, similar structures called turbines are used to generate wind and hydroelectric power. The spinning wheel is another example of how the wheel can be used. This device, invented in India over 2,500 years ago, was used to spin thread from natural fibers such as cotton, flax, and wool. The spinning wheel was eventually replaced by the spinning jenny and the spinning frame, more sophisticated devices that also incorporate wheels. The gyroscope is a navigational instrument that consists of a spinning wheel and a pair of gimbals. Modern versions of this tool are used in compasses and accelerometers.

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 41

English - Essay Example Young managers are vulnerable to make wrong decisions if they do not work with educated and ready-to-learn employees. As they are educated and with open minds, freshmen employees at the workplace are easiest to work with. They have innovative minds influenced by academic experience they have regarding the application of logic and proper management of resources. Operations managers do not hire workforce within the corporate environment. However, they have to work with the workforce hired and assigned to them by the human resource department. For employees with higher education, the process of selecting the most suitable option becomes complicated as possession of knowledge in different areas allows each employee equal chances of performing as good as the other. In this case, operations managers supervising employees with higher education experience develop reliable operations teams. As much as higher education provides opportunities to the student for getting well-paying job, it also complicates the operations’ manager’s ability to make decisions. With equally qualified employees or prospective workforce, it is the manager’s nightmare in decision making especially in promotion recommendations. However, the effect of higher education to the employees is that any given recommendation for promotion is likely to be a wise decision regardless of the fact that better options can be at disposal. In all industries, tech or otherwise, operations management is likely to be deemed inefficient if it cannot meet deadlines on projects and other duties. One major problem associated with the challenge of not meeting deadlines is having to deal with non-cooperative employees. It is not the duty of modern manager to micromanage (supervise the least of activities per individual employee) employees or to follow each around reminding them of their duties. Employing employees with higher education experience makes it possible for the

The Bureaucratic Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Bureaucratic Model - Essay Example There are usually rules that govern the conduct of individuals at all levels, which are important in enhancing harmonious relations in the workplace and the maintenance of justice and equality not considering a person’s background. Lynn (1998) observes that consistency is maintained while on the other hand it is possible to avoid and deal with potential risks. People are safe guarded against injustices.Bureaucracy tends to help people to accomplish tasks in a well designed and organized way. In its perfect form, it can lead to efficiency in operations while on the other hand, people respect the rules involved and therefore it is possible to maintain high efficiency with minimal supervision. Farrell & Morris (1999) argue that the system presents people with chances to serve the nation and also to learn ways of coping with challenges. Honesty and reliability are the basis for bureaucracy and the members who are involved in the system are expected to maintain competence and to en sure that their clients’ needs are satisfied.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Even though bureaucracy presents a systematized way of delivering services, it is associated with a number of inefficiencies. Seitel (2006) argues that for decisions to be implemented there are certain rigid procedures that have to be adhered to, which leaves no room for improvement. The public administration involves extensive write-ups and documentation, and is prone to hindrances due to red-tapes. India is one of the countries where bureaucracy is pronounced.

The white mountains Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The white mountains - Essay Example Surprising tones were displayed among the bands of earth made visible by road cut-throughs. These bones of the mountains, the strata that reveal their core construction, only serve to heighten our perception of the volume of rock we’re seeing and the weight of patient time it has taken for wind and weather to sculpt the billowing rounded crests we see emerging around every angle we look. Even the chatter in the car during the drive takes on new dimensions with the changing scenery. While we start with discussions of a suitably frivolous nature, by the time we’ve hit the true mountains our conversation has taken on new weight and purpose. We begin discussing our destination point, The Old Man of the Mountain, and how it came to be. This was a rock formation chiseled out of a cliff’s edge by wind, water, weather and the natural rock fracturing that occurs as a result of constant changes in temperature. The formation closely resembled the features of a craggy old man in profile. The formation collapsed in 2003, the year after our visit. Our stories of how we’d first heard about the Old Man and how we eventually came to the decision to visit slowly began to taper off as the grandeur of the mountains surrounding us began working on our subconscious. With the revelation of each new vista, we began losing track of our conversation, allowing sentences t o dangle without completion as we were struck silently breathless at a new view. Then, suddenly, we were there, at the lookout point just off the freeway that affords a perfect view of the Old Man in profile as he gazes over a spectacular view of Profile Lake. The lake isn’t often mentioned in descriptions of the site and makes a stunning and sometimes surprising counterpoint to the face. He exists in awesome, mystifying reality, poking out from the side of the cliff in perfect detail. It is surprising to us how

Roles and Activities of a Manager- Comparison of Theories

Roles and Activities of a Manager- Comparison of Theories Hayley Work    The main roles and activities of a manager are: Managers should run an organisation by organising structures, people and finances. Peter Drucker identified five activities of a manager, these are; Setting objectives- Robin Fraser is responsible for all production and quality assurance he aims to make processes less labour intensive and more automated. In order to achieve this, he has secured a investment from the bank and plans to use these funds to increase automation.[1] Organising- Hazim Khan analyses sales trends of different products and after assessing customer feedback in order to make sure that the company keeps with the changing market. Hazim is in charge of a team of chefs who develop new products and recipes.[2] Motivating and communicating- Hazim also demonstrates this activity, he allows his team of chefs to work independently on their ideas but regularly meets with them to discuss any problems and ideas.[3] Measuring- Laura Bolton is focused on the companys finances and keeps an eye on the cash flow of the business. [4] Developing- Kathryn Hannah encourages staff to undertake training in order the ensure that staff have all the skills that the business requires.[5] Henry Mintzberg identified ten management roles which are then divided up into three categories. Category Roles Manager Interpersonal Figurehead Leader Liaison David Fraser Informational Monitor Disseminator Spokesperson Kathryn Hannah Laura Bolton Hazim Khan Decisional Entrepreneur Disturbance Handler Resource Allocator Negotiator Robin Fraser Hazim Khan Measuring managerial effectiveness Fraser Foods can measure managerial effectiveness by motivation and morale of the staff, this would be put to good use in the shop floor. Here the work is repetitive and can be challenging due to the temperatures needed to produce hygienic food. The teams are set targets but have the freedom to decide how they will achieve this, working this way has increased staff morale and flexibility. [6] Another way to measure managerial effectiveness would be by the level of complaints. Fraser Foods could distribute anonymous feedback forms asking questions about how the staff feel about the manager and why. The company would then be able to grasp how well the manager is performing. Behavioural theory of leadership. Macgregors Theory X and Theory Y both assume the behaviours of different management styles. A Theory X manager assumes that staff dislikes work, need directed, avoid any responsibility, dull, uncreative, have no desire, see money as the only motivation for work and view goals and objectives as caging. [7] David Fraser could be described as a Theory X manager, David also felt it was his role to make all the decisions affecting production. He didnt see the need to involve staff and believed they preferred to be told what to do and didnt want the responsibility that was the managers job, not theirs. He believed staff were motivated by money and should be paid bonuses if targets were exceeded[8] Contingency theory of leadership A contingency theory is based on the belief that there is no style of leadership that is applicable to all situations that may arise within a company. Hersey and Blanchards theory was based on the leader adopting an appropriate style of leadership depending on the members in the team and the situation they have found themselves in. In accordance with their theory a leader can adopt one of four styles depending on how much support the team requires and the amount of direction.[9] The four styles (known as S1-S4) are: Telling- This leadership style is categorised as giving a lot of direction to team members. This style is recommended for use when dealing with new staff or where the work can be tedious and repetitive. Selling- This is sometimes known as the coaching approach. It is used when team members are motivated to carry out the work but dont quite have the needed maturity to complete the task. Participating- This style encompasses high support but hardly any direction, it is used when team members are able to do the tasks required but maybe lack the confidence. Delegating- The responsibility for carrying out the task is given to team members, this style requires high levels of maturity and competence. David Fraser mostly adopts the telling style (S1) as he felt it was his role as the boss to make all decisions. Hazim Khan style of leadership fits into S2-S4 he does this by allowing his team of chefs to use their talents to create new products for the company. He regularly meets with his team of chefs to discuss and help to solve any issues that have arisen. Theories of leadership and the proposed expansion plans Bennis and Nanus state that there is no one right way to being a leader, but that each has to find their own style. They did however, identify common characteristics: A visions to focus minds Communicating the vision Consistency and honesty Awareness of weakness Bennis and Nanus also state that effective leadership can move organisations from current to future state, create visions of potential opportunities for organisations.[10] The managers of Fraser Foods must ensure that they effectively and clearly communicate to the staff, the vision that they have for the company such as reducing their heavy reliance on the supplier, Perkins. [11]Robin must also effectively communicate his vision for increasing automation as the staff feel anxious about the impact this will have on their jobs. He must also be honest with the staff in order to ease their worries and make them feel involved in the process. [12] Bibliography   Case study paragraph 24 2 Case study paragraph 13 3 Case study paragraph 13 4 Case study paragraph 14 5 Case study paragraph 15 6 Case study paragraph 16 7 Student notes 8 Case study paragraph 12 9 Student notes 10 Student notes 11 Case study paragraph 18 12 Case study paragraph 24 [1] Case study paragraph 24 [2] Case study paragraph 13 [3] Case study paragraph 13 [4] Case study paragraph 14 [5] Case study paragraph 15 [6] Case study paragraph 16 [7] Student notes [8] Case study paragraph 12 [9] Student notes [10] Student notes [11] Case study paragraph 18 [12] Case study paragraph 24

Personal Selling & The Marketing Concept Essay

Personal Selling – A Definition and a Philosophy Personal Selling is a process of developing relationships; discovering needs; matching the appropriate products with these needs; and communicating benefits through informing, reminding, or persuading. The development of a personal selling philosophy for the information age involves three prescriptions: 1) Adopt marketing concept. 2) Value personal selling. 3) Assume the role of a problem solver or partner in helping customers make buying decisions. Personal Selling as an Extension of the Marketing Concept When a business firm moves from a product orientation to consumer orientation, we say that it has adopted the marketing concept. This concept springs from the belief that the firm should dedicate all of its policies, planning, and operation to the satisfaction of the customer. Promotion can be further subdivided into advertising, public relations, sales promotion, and personal selling. Personal selling is the major promotional method used in business. Evolution of Consultative Selling Consultative selling emphasizes need identification, which is achieved through effective communication between the salesperson and the customer. The salesperson establishes two-way communication by asking appropriate questions and listening carefully to the customer’s responses. The salesperson assumes the role of consultant and offers well-considered recommendations. Transactional selling is a sales process that most effectively matches the needs of the value conscious buyer who is primarily interested in price and  convenience. This approach to selling is usually used by marketers who do not see the need to spend very much time on customer need assessment, problem solving, relationship building, or sales follow-up. 4 Major Features of Consultative Selling are: 1) The customer is seen as a person to be served, not a prospect to be sold. 2) The consultative salesperson does not try to overpower the customer with a high-pressure sales presentation. Instead, the buyer’s needs are identified through two-way communication. 3) Consultative selling emphasizes information giving, problem solving, and negotiation instead of manipulation. 4) Consultative selling emphasizes service after the sale. Evolution of Strategic Selling A strategic market plan is an outline of the methods and resources required to achieve an organization’s goals within a specific target market. The strategic market plan should be a guide for a strategic selling plan. This plan includes strategies that you use to position yourself with the customer before the sales call even begins. The strategic/consultative selling model features 5 steps: Develop a relationship strategy. Success in selling depends heavily on the salesperson’s ability to develop, manage, and enhance interpersonal relations with the customer. A relationship strategy is a well-thought-out plan for establishing, building, and maintaining quality relationships. Develop a product strategy The product strategy is a plan that helps salespeople make correct decisions concerning the selection and positioning of products to meet identified customer needs. Develop a customer strategy Customer strategy is based on the fact that success in personal selling depends on the salesperson’s ability to learn as much as possible about the prospect. When developing a customer strategy, the salesperson should develop a broad understanding of buying behaviors, discover individual customer needs, and build a strong prospect base. Develop a presentation strategy The presentation strategy is a well-developed plan that includes; i) Preparing the sales presentation objectives ii) Preparing the sales presentation plan that meet these objectives iii) Renewing one’s commitment to providing outstanding customer service. Interrelate the basic strategies The relationship, product, and customer strategies all influence development of the presentation strategy. For e.g., one relationship-building practice might be developed for use during the initial face-to-face meeting with the customer and another for possible use during the negotiation of buyer resistance.Another relationship-building method might be developed for use after the sale is closed. Evolution of Partnering Partnering is a strategically developed, long-term relationship that solves the customer’s problems. A successful long-term partnership is achieved when the salesperson is able to skillfully apply the four major strategies and thus add value in various ways. Successful sales professionals stay close to the customer and constantly search for new ways to add value. Many companies today are using some form of sales automation to enhance partnerships with customers. Sales automation is the term used to describe those technologies used to improve communications in a sales organization and to enhance customer responsiveness. Strategic Alliances – The Highest Form of Partnering The goal of a strategic alliance is to achieve a marketplace advantage by teaming up with another company whose products or services fit well with your own. 1) Building an alliance to learn as much as possible about the proposed partner. 2) To meet with the proposed partner and explore mutual benefits of the alliance. Building win-win partnerships requires the highest form of consultative selling.