Achilles - Profile of the Greek Hero of the Trojan War

Achilles - Profile of the Greek Hero of the Trojan War Achilles is the quintessentially heroic subject of Homers great poem of adventure and war, the Iliad. Achilles was the greatest of the warriors famed for his swiftness on the Greek (Achaean) side during the Trojan War, directly competing with Troys warrior hero Hector. Achilles is perhaps most famous for being imperfectly invulnerable, a detail of his exciting and mythical life known as the Achilles Heel that is described elsewhere. Achilles Birth Achilles mother was the nymph Thetis, who had early attracted the wandering eyes of both Zeus and Poseidon. The two gods lost interest after the mischievous Titan Prometheus revealed a prophecy about the future son of Thetis: he was destined to be greater and stronger than his father. Neither Zeus nor Poseidon was willing to risk losing his position in the pantheon, so they turned their attention elsewhere, and Thetis ended up married to a mere mortal. With Zeus and Poseidon no longer in the picture, Thetis married King Peleus, a son of the King of Aegina. Their life together, although short-lived, produced the child Achilles. As was true for the most famous of the ancient heroes of Greek myth and legend, Achilles was raised by the centaur Chiron and taught at a school of heroes by Phoenix. Achilles at Troy As an adult, Achilles became part of the Achaean (Greek) forces during the ten long years of the Trojan War, which, according to legend was fought over the much-courted  Helen of Troy, who had been kidnapped from her Spartan husband Menelaus by Paris, the Prince of Troy. The leader of the Achaeans (Greeks) was Helens (first) brother-in-law Agamemnon, who led the Achaeans to Troy to win her back. Proud and autocratic, Agamemnon antagonized Achilles, causing Achilles to leave the battle. Furthermore, Achilles has been told by his mother that he would have one of two fortunes: he could fight at Troy, die young and achieve everlasting fame, or he could choose to return to Phthia where he would live a long life, but be forgotten. Like any good Greek hero, Achilles first chose fame and glory, but Agamemnons arrogance was too much for him, and he headed home. Getting Achilles Back to Troy Other Greek leaders argued with Agamemnon, saying Achilles was too powerful a warrior to be left out of the battle. Several books of the Iliad are dedicated to the negotiations to get Achilles back into battle. These books describe long conversations among Agamemnon and his diplomatic team including Achilles old teacher Phoenix, and his friends and fellow warriors Odysseus and Ajax, pleading with Achilles to get him to fight. Odysseus offered gifts, news that the war was not going well and that Hector was a danger that only Achilles should kill. Phoenix reminisced about Achilles heroic education, playing on his emotions; and Ajax upbraided Achilles for not supporting his friends and companions in the fray. But Achilles remained adamant: he would not fight for Agamemnon. Patroclus and Hector After he left the conflict at Troy, Achilles urged one of his closest friends Patroclus, to go fight in Troy, offering his armor. Patroclus donned Achilless armorexcept for his ash spear, which only Achilles could wieldand went into battle as a direct substitute (what Nickel refers to as doublet) for Achilles. And at Troy, Patroclus was killed by Hector, the greatest warrior on the Trojan side. Upon word of the death of Patroclus, Achilles finally agreed to fight with the Greeks. As the story goes, an enraged Achilles put on the armor and killed Hectorsignificantly with the ash speardirectly outside of the gates of Troy, and then dishonored Hectors body by dragging it around tied to the back of a chariot for nine consecutive days. It is said that the gods kept Hectors corpse miraculously sound during this nine-day period. Eventually, Hectors father, King Priam of Troy, appealed to the better nature of Achilles and persuaded him to return Hectors corpse to his family in Troy for proper funeral rites. The Death of Achilles The death of Achilles was inflicted by an arrow that was shot directly into his vulnerable heel. That story isnt in the Iliad, but you can read about how Achilles obtained his less-than-perfect heel. Edited and updated by  K. Kris Hirst Sources and Further Information Avery HC. 1998. Achilles Third Father. Hermes 126(4):389-397.Burgess J. 1995. Achilles Heel: The Death of Achilles in Ancient Myth. Classical Antiquity 14(2):217-244.Nickel R. 2002. Euphorbus and the Death of Achilles. Phoenix 56(3/4):215-233.Sale W. 1963. Achilles and Heroic Values. Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics 2(3):86-100.Scodel R. 1989. The Word of Achilles. Classical Philology 84(2):91-99.

Romanticism in the Early 19th essays

Romanticism in the Early 19th essays The United States was founded on the principles derived from the Enlightenment. Given that romanticism was a reaction against the Age of Reason, why did romantic ideas so capture the minds of Americans in the early nineteenth century? During the mid-1800s, a new wave of lifestyles was taking over in America. Romanticism, which brought about a new style of literature and art, was the new way of life. It came about in many different ways. But most important of the reasons would have to be the literature of the time. All of the sudden, there were many new faces among the countries top authors and writers. With the new faces, they brought their new style of writing. Most of these people were men who set out to foster American genius and to encourage the production of distinctly American literature. (Garraty p.266) Some writers chose to write about American life, like James Fenimore Cooper when he wrote The Pioneers and The Last of the Mohicans, which were about life on the frontier. Edgar Allen Poe, however, was the probably the best fit in this new era, because he caused the readers to use more imagination, paint mental pictures, and think more about what they were reading. He practically invented the detective story with his short story, The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Maybe this was the cause for more women to write stories of their own. Two of the better known female writers at the time were Maria Cummins and Susan Warner. These women wrote, as Garraty puts it, moralistic and sentimental domestic novels. This style of writing became the most popular in the 1850s. However, the men hated it, and put down the female writers. Schooling also had a large part to do with this period. Most of what was happening had to do with reading and writing and the arts. You have to learn to read and understand meanings of things so that you understand whats goin ...

The Failure of Circuit City Stores Research Paper

The Failure of Circuit City Stores - Research Paper Example The articles will be chosen from business journals or from some databases. Among the chosen journal, one with the most valuable information that reflects organization’s core business values and corporate culture will be selected to conduct the study. Through this report, the outlook of the author of some article will be presented and critical discussion about the same topic will be carried out. Finally the learning outcomes from the study and article will be illustrated. The company chosen to conduct the study is Circuit city Stores Inc. Before getting into any critical discussion about the area of study, a brief over view of the chosen company will be presented in the next section. Circuit City Stores: A Brief Overview Circuit city Stores Inc. was an US based retailer which was founded in the year 1949. The company used to sell branded products in the category of entertainment software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and also large appliances. It was headquartered at Richmond, Virginia, USA. However in the year 2009 the company was closed due to bankruptcy and failure to grab any customer (Wallace, Gifford & Dougias, 2004). During the time of its liquidation, the company was the second biggest consumer electronics retailer just after Best Buy. Throughout its lifespan the company had 567 Circuit City superstores nationwide. Initially 155 stores were closed during the time when it filed bankruptcy in 2008. Finally in the year 2009, lack of consumer demand and economic downturn has forced Circuit City Stores to completely shut down its operation (McCrorey, 2012). The company placed the headquarters for sale in the year 2010 and ultimately it was purchased by a New York-based Lexington Property Trust at a staggering $17 million. After its liquidation Systemax is the present owner of Circuit City Store. Systemax acquired the brand name, e-commerce business and trademark at a public sale or an auction which was held at the Circuit City Stores. Syst emax now uses the brand name of Circuit City as in order to sell consumer electronic online (Circuitcity, 2012). It has now become an online store and operates as circuitcity.com. The new online store sells various electronic products such as computer parts and accessories, camera, surveillance devices, audio, GPS devices, cell phones, software, toys and video games, and home & office essentials among others. Presently the company competes with Target Corporation, Walmart, Boater’s world and Best Buy among others (Plunkett, 2006). Selected Articles The articles which have been shortlisted for the purpose of the study are presented below in a tabular form. Name of the Article Author(s) The rise and fall of Circuit City Amy Hart, Erika Matulich, Kimberly Rubinsak, Kasey Sheffer Nikol Vann and Myriam Vidalon. Circuit City Gearing Up For Holidays Alan Wolf Circuit City to Close 69 Stores Erik Gruenwedel Circuit City Curbs Expansion, may Close Stores ALAN WOLF Why Circuit City Bus ted, While Best Buy Boomed Anita Hamilton Circuit City: A Brief History in Time Alan Wolf Closed Circuit Erik Gruenwedel Liquidation Of Circuit Enters Its Final Phase Alan Wolf All the articles provide some amount of information regarding Circuit City Store and how it gradually went down or rather was forced to put down the lid. According to the requirements, one article has to be chosen for the purpose of this study. Therefore, from the aforementioned journal articles, the one which has been chosen to perform the study is the rise and fall of Circuit City by Amy Hart, Erika Matulich, Kimberly Rubinsak, Kasey Sheffer Nikol Vann and Myriam Vidalon. The primary reason for choosing this article is the clarity of the article. This article clearly describes how the company went bankrupt in 2009 and what the

Global Environmental Impact Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Global Environmental Impact - Essay Example As the paper discusses an extensive review of the literature found out that series of climatic change agreements and institutions have taken place to reduce Global environmental impact by climate change. Man-made climate change was known to be a problem in the 20th century even though Green House Gases emissions effects on the global climate have been there since 19th century. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was established in 1988 to assess the scientific evidence. According to the research findings COP 15 in Copenhagen was established in 2009 to implement new climate agreement that would commit both developing and developed countries, an agreement that was post-Kyoto period. This conference resulted in a failure since it ended with a non-binding document mentioning 2oC target, a gaol was agreed to provide climate finance, and came up with Green Climate Fund in which countries made pledges up to 2020 that were not sufficient to meet the 2oC target In 2011, COP 17 conference was held in Durban. It establishes a mechanism of technology to expedite technology development and relocation. The conference also concluded that a new agreement to be adopted by 2015 and enter into force in 2020. The agreements was to be legally binding and applicable to all countries of the world and the Ad Hoc working group on Durban platform was to prepare it for an Enhanced Action. The US-China announcement on their intention to reduce climate change was made on December 2014 a head of the Lima conference.

Using examples, critically discuss the importance of gastronomy to at Essay - 2

Using examples, critically discuss the importance of gastronomy to at festivals - Essay Example Food festivals in the UK is a good example of food festivals where gastronomy can be used to benefit the tourism sector while improving culinary experience of many people who attend food festivals in the UK annually. Several regions of the UK offer food festivals in which all kinds of food from those regions are served, ranging from insects, oysters, mocktails and ales. Gastronomy in these food festivals enables locals and tourists to learn various types of food, share ideas about food, and build their nutrition knowledge (Smith & Costello, 2009). This improves relationships between people from different cultures, and enables them to enjoy their experiences together and build unity across UK and the world. This is also supported by Niester (2008), who suggests that food festivals such as beer festivals bring together visitors who come beer testing and experience, leading to strong relationships. People get to know each other as they test beer during beer festivals and beer shows held annually in Yorkshire, UK. Gastronomy also enables people to learn about sensory human nutrition. Visitors attending festivals do not just get the chance to enjoy beautiful sceneries and marvelous performances, but they also get to taste, discover, research and understand about food in a practical and enjoyable manner. For example, the Ludlow food festival in Shropshire is famous for modern food festival trend that involves preparation of sausage and ale trails (Lloyd & Johnson, 2009). The festival organizes an interactive event which allows participants to learn how to use their five senses when eating (Lloyd & Johnson, 2009). This event does not just promote relationships but also enables people to understand their sensory human nutrition. Gastronomy also enables people to learn and understand how food nutrition relates to culture (Katz & Weaver, 2003). As a

The Baroque and Rococo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Baroque and Rococo - Essay Example Rococo style of art emerged in France in the early 18th century as a continuation of the Baroque style. In contrast to the heavier themes and darker colors of the Baroque, the Rococo style was characterized by an opulence, grace, playfulness, and lightness. Rococo motifs focused on the carefree aristocratic life and on lighthearted romance rather than heroic battles or religious figures; they also revolve heavily around nature and exterior settings. Baroque derived from the Italian word barocco, which was a term used by philosophers during the middle Ages to describe an obstacle in schematic logic. Another possible source is the Portuguese word barroco (Spanish barrueco), used to describe an irregular or imperfectly shaped pearl, and this usage still survives in the jeweler's term baroque pearl. Rococo was an art style of 18th-century painting and decorations characterized by lightness, delicacy, and elaborate ornamentation. The Rococo period corresponded roughly to the reign (1715-1 774) of Louis XV of France. The term rococo comes from the French rocaille, "rock-work". Baroque in the 16th century up to the 18th century was considered to be loosely applied to European art. Based on Hauser, the painting of the Baroque period is so varied that no single set of stylistic criteria can be applied to it. The reason for this is that because currents of classicism and naturalism co existed with. According in the History of Art by Hauser, the catholic churches use this kind of art in order to invite the churchgoers. to enter their church. The churches that evolved from this program were both sensuous and spiritual, while the naturalistic rendered the religious image more comprehensible to the average churchgoer, dramatic and illusory effects were used to stimulate piety and devotion. According to Hauser the Baroque vision of the world is dynamic and dramatic. Hauser described the figures with utmost vividness and richness by using rich colours, dramatic effects of light and shade, and lavish use of highlights. Based on the Story of Art in 1950, Gombrich distinguished between representational art based on seeing and that on based on understanding. The story of the Art, is a story of a continuous weaving and changing of tradition in which each work refers to the past and points to the future. The baroque style according to Gombrich in the Story of the Art, should emphasized on unity among the arts. Gombrich description on baroque art is that the viewer tends to engage the viewer, both physically and emotionally. In painting and sculpture this was achieved by means of highly developed naturalistic illusionism, usually heightened by dramatic lighting effects, creating an unequaled sense of theatricality, energy, and movement of forms. Architecture, departing from the classical canon revived during the Renaissance, took on the fluid, plastic aspects of sculpture. Hauser and Gombrich on Rococo The Rococo style of art emerged in France in the early 18th century as a continuation of the Baroque style, but in

Leadership Profile second stage (Qaide azam Mohmad Ali Jinah) Essay

Leadership Profile second stage (Qaide azam Mohmad Ali Jinah) - Essay Example (Wolpert, 1984, p. 182) Adair, (2002, p. 3) concludes that no communities are identified that do not have leadership in several characteristics of their communal life, though numerous may not have a particular overall leader to make and execute decisions. National practicability depends in some measure on effective leadership. Successful leaders participate in both professional leadership activities (e.g. setting a chore, creating a process for attaining ambitions, lining up methods and routes) and personal leadership activities (e.g. building confidence, gentle for people, acting with integrity). Great suggestions proposed by the right being in the wrong situation, or to the immoral audience, or at the badly chosen time are meant to fail. Great leaders are those who employ and focus the appropriate combination of elements on the dot to impact their world in impressive ways. This idealism, combined with his feeling, dating back to the London days, that there was a role for him on Indias political stage, le d him to join the Indian National Congress in 1906 and, three years later, to make a bid, which proved successful, to enter the Imperial Legislative Council as the nominee of the Muslims of Bombay. At Congresss 1906 session, Jinnah acted as private secretary to the president, Dadabhai Naoroji. It was a landmark session: for the first time Congress asked, through its president, for "Swaraj," using the Hindi word for self-rule. Later, when Bal Gangadhar Tilak of Poona, famed for his assertion, "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it," was prosecuted by the Raj, Jinnah served as one of the Brahmin defendants lawyers. Remarkably, the majority of what we know about leadership derives from the observation of how folks relate to their immediate heads. Nonetheless, probing individual opinions of â€Å"leadership† at the national level is a striking intention (Meigs, 2001, p. 4).