Roman Republic free essay sample

Its shifting montage of abstractions from human appearance and character forms a language in which the history of a whole society can be read. Beginning in the first century B. C. , Roman artists invented a new kind of portraiture, as unlike that of the great tradition of Greek Hellenistic art (whence the Romans had ultimately derived the idea of portraiture itself and a highly developed vocabulary of formal devices for its realization) as it was unlike that of their own previous Italo-Hellenistic local tradition. This new conception, conferring upon the portrait an unprecedented capacity to articulate and project the interior processes of human experience, made possible the achievement in the ensuing six centuries of what is surely the most extraordinary body of portrait art ever created, and forms the indispensable basis for the whole of the later European portrait tradition, from its rebirth in the 13th and 14th centuries to its virtual extinction in the 20th. No clear account of the nature of this reformulation of the structure of representation or of its historical significance has so far been given. That the portraiture which it engendered is strikingly â€Å"realistic† in the sense of evoking the presence of an astonishingly concrete and specific individuality, to a degree previously unknown and rarely equaled since, has been the universal experience of every observer. But this question-begging term (first used to characterize Roman portraiture, in opposition to the â€Å"idealism† imputed to the Greeks, three quarters of a century ago by Franz Wickhoff, at the inception of modern critical studies of Roman art and not yet effectively superseded in modern scholarship) tells us nothing of the specific nature of the innovations responsible for this effect. Indeed, aside from the inadequacy in principle of such a term as applied to works of art, it seems particularly inappropriate to a form of portraiture such as the Roman, in which, as can easily be shown, abstract and conventional lements play so large a part. In sonic important respects Roman portraiture, like Roman art in general, can fairly be described as a system of signs. Both the idea of deliberate address to the spectator with the aim of arresting his attention, and the intent to convey a message, a meaning, are contained in the Latin word signum, one of the commonest terms used to des ignate an iconic statue. The will to reach out actively into the world of on-going life and to accomplish specific purposes within it through psychological modifications imposed upon the observer is the central organizational principle of Roman art, notable, for example, in the condensed and forceful propagandistic language of the imperial reliefs and in the elaborate manipulation of the spectator’s movements through spatial pressures in architecture. Since the dominant function of the monumental portrait in Roman antiquity was the public commemoration of civic distinction, it is natural to search the realm of contemporaneous political and social ideas for themes which may enter into the context of particular portrait modes. These are regularly to be found. III this regard it is instructive to consider the so-called â€Å"veristic† portraiture of the first century BCE, in which, in fact, the new portrait conception makes its premier appearance, and which is usually considered both quintessentially Roman as a social expression and as the example par excellence f Roman â€Å"realism. † This class consists exclusively of portraits of men in later life, often balding and toothless, upon whose faces the creases, wrinkles and blemishes inflicted by life upon aging flesh are prominently and harshly displayed with a kind of clinical exactitude which has aptly been called â€Å"cartographic. † The insistent presentation of unflattering physiognomic irregularities, apparently, from their diversity, highly individualized, extends also to the representation of emotional states: the expressions of these faces are without exception grim, haggard and ungenerous, twisted by used muscular contractions. The emphasis accorded these contingencies of physiognomy and the resolute refusal of any concession to our or, so it would appear, antiquity’s ideas of desirable physical appearance lead one easily to the conclusion that those portraits are uncompromising attempts to transcribe into plastic form the reality of what is seen, innocent of any â€Å"idealization† or programmatic bias. These are the portraits of the conservative nobility (and of their middle-class emulators) (luring the death-agonies of the Roman republic. There is no need to doubt that much of their character refers to quite real qualities of their subjects. These are men in later life because the carefully prescribed ladder of public office normally allowed those who followed it to attain only gradually and after many years to such eminence as would allow the signal honor of a public statue. One may well suppose that these hard-bitten and rather unimaginative faces closely reflect the prevailing temperament of the class and society to which they belong, and the twisted and pained expressions surely testify in similar fashion to the terrible emotional strains of a society torn apart in the chaos of civil war. FIGURE 1 Unknown Republican (nose restored), First Century B. C. , Marble (Torlimia Museum. Poise) Nevertheless, a moment’s reflection upon veristic portraits as a class reveals such an insistent pattern of recurrence in the selection and handling of particular physical and characterological traits that all these apparently so individualized portraits finally look very much alike, and it becomes clear that we are dealing with ii conventional type, whose properties are dictated by ideological motives and given the political function of the portrait statue-by the intent to convey a clearly drawn and forceful polemical content. The nature of this content becomes clear as soon as the context of meanings available in the wider range of contemporary portraiture is examined. Through emphasis on the marks of age, these men call attention to their long service to the state and their faithfulness to constitutional procedures, in intended contrast to the meteoric careers and dubious methods of the individualistic faction-leaders – men like Marius and Sulla, Pompey and Caesar, later Antony and Octavian-whose ambitions and rivalries in the quest for personal power were rending the fabric of the republic. The portraits of these duces, when we can identify them, betray rather different tendencies than do those of the veristic group, drawing heavily upon Hellenistic elements for the dramatization of their personalities and the suggestion of a godlike superiority to circumstance. The seeming frankness and air of indifference with which the subjects of the veristic portraiture cknowledge-or, rather, proclaim-their physical ugliness is surely a defiant arid formalized response to the propagandistic glamorization of physiognomy and character in the portraits of the quarrelling war-lords whose aspiration toward personalized, tyrannical power and brutal disregard of traditional constraints were scandalous affronts to inherited values. Against the portraits of the duces, the veristic portrait asserts a self-conscious pride in down-to-earth pragmatism, an absence of illusions, a contempt for vanity and pretense. The grim restraint which twists these features and the harsh suppression of feeling stand in programmatic contrast to the emotional pathos, the exaltation of spontaneity which had illuminated Hellenistic royal portraiture and which the duces had in modified form incorporated into their own images. It is not individuality, imagination and daring which are celebrated here but stem self-discipline, shrewd calculation, unbending resolution, unquestioning acceptance of social bonds, painstaking conformity to those ancestrally sanctioned rules of conduct which the Romans called the mos maiorum.

Social Change and Modernization free essay sample

Social change is the transformation of culture and social institutions over time and is the result of invention, discovery, social conflict, and cultural diffusions. Society is constantly changing to conform to our way of living and will continue to change as new technology is introduced to our world. Some countries change faster than others but the entire world is subject to social changes. Along with the changes come social movements that either encourage or discourage social change such as the civil rights movement of the 1950-60’s. During the time of the civil rights movement African American men and women protested against segregation and racial discrimination they faced. Other movements include the women’s rights movement that began in 1848 which fought for women’s rights and the labor union movement which has been around since 1607. Worker who belong to a union are able to fight for better pay and or better working environment. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Change and Modernization or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A modern day movement is the LGBT movement that fights for social acceptance of lesbians, gays, bi-sexual, and transgendered citizens. Modernization is the process of social change begun by industrialization and the key features of modernization are the weakening of traditional communities, expansion of personal choice, increasingly diverse beliefs, and a keen awareness of the future. Examples of modernization are the use of auto mobiles which takes us to destinations faster than before. Computers and phones help us communicate with people from all over the world without even leaving our home. Even the way people are treated for health care facilities is changing and people are living longer. Social change and modernization go hand in hand. One can’t function without the other because conforming to changes needs to be established to make sure the changes last.

Escaping a Protectionist Rut Policy Mechanisms for Trade Reform in a Democracy

The article â€Å"Escaping a Protectionist Rut: Policy Mechanisms for Trade Reform in a Democracy† by Blanchard and Willmann published in Journal of International Economics in March 2011 offers a two period overlapping generations (OLG) model for discussing the mechanisms of trade liberalization and the main influential factors affecting them.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Escaping a Protectionist Rut: Policy Mechanisms for Trade Reform in a Democracy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The authors distinguish between the two main mechanisms of trade policy reforms, including those of protectionist and liberalization strategies which can be chosen by decision makers, depending upon the levels of their awareness and skills. By using a historical perspective, Blanchard and Willmann provide the historical examples of protectionist and liberalization mechanisms which were used by different countries, analyzing the consequences of these decisions and making reasonable conclusions concerning the effectiveness of each of them. For example, Jefferson’s Trade Embargo of 1807 is mentioned as an example of a protectionist legislation mechanism used for restricting the trade. Taking into account the fact that this experiment failed and became one of important predictors of war between the United States and Britain, this historical example demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the protectionist route as compared to the strategy of liberalization of trade. The article under analysis can be related to the class material because it applies a theoretical framework to the historical analysis of the Embargo Act of 1807, explaining the main causes of its failure and role in establishing protectionist constituency in the country. This generalization-based approach is valuable for understanding the main factors affecting the choice of the mechanisms of the trade reform in comparison to other examples f rom the world and national history. Additionally, applying the conclusions of the historical and theoretical overviews to the modern context, the authors shed light upon the historical lessons which should be learnt from Jefferson’s Embargo Act of 1807 and other examples for avoiding similar mistakes in the future. Works Cited Blanchard, Emily and Gerald Willmann. â€Å"Escaping a Protectionist Rut: Policy Mechanisms for Trade Reform in a Democracy.† Journal of International Economics 85.1 (2011): 72-85. Web.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This essay on Escaping a Protectionist Rut: Policy Mechanisms for Trade Reform in a Democracy was written and submitted by user Reece Diaz to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Organizational Structure Article Review

Review The purpose of this paper is to briefly summarize the article, â€Å"The manager’s role in building an innovative organization†. I will give a brief description of the organizing function of management. I will also relate the concepts to Aearo Company, while including my recommendations based on the article. Summary The article discusses how organizations must change to survive in a competitive market. Companies must change how they gather information, implement the information, and support the employees that acquire the information. Gathering Information Management should use their employee’s ideas as a resource, not only because it is less expensive than outside information, but also it supports employee involvement. Using teams that include people from different divisions can increase communication and perception when pursuing a goal. Implement Information An organization that can make decisions faster, and change direction at the â€Å"drop of a hat†, is more versatile and will most likely survive longer. â€Å"Old time† decisions that were made by top management or a board of directors, could take a while to trickle down the ranks and actually be implemented in the process. Teams that are given the authority to make quick decisions can get things done faster, and are more responsive to the customer. Support the Employees Structure 3 An organization’s culture is vital to the success of any change or structure. It is a manager’s duty to create, support and strengthen the environment of a workplace. If the people are not susceptible to change, then a new idea will be very difficult to implement. Employees need to own some portion of the new idea, whether it is the layout, financing, time-line, etc. Organizing Function of Management When an organization makes a plan of action it needs to include the proper tools to help accomplish their goal. The managemen... Free Essays on Organizational Structure Article Review Free Essays on Organizational Structure Article Review Review The purpose of this paper is to briefly summarize the article, â€Å"The manager’s role in building an innovative organization†. I will give a brief description of the organizing function of management. I will also relate the concepts to Aearo Company, while including my recommendations based on the article. Summary The article discusses how organizations must change to survive in a competitive market. Companies must change how they gather information, implement the information, and support the employees that acquire the information. Gathering Information Management should use their employee’s ideas as a resource, not only because it is less expensive than outside information, but also it supports employee involvement. Using teams that include people from different divisions can increase communication and perception when pursuing a goal. Implement Information An organization that can make decisions faster, and change direction at the â€Å"drop of a hat†, is more versatile and will most likely survive longer. â€Å"Old time† decisions that were made by top management or a board of directors, could take a while to trickle down the ranks and actually be implemented in the process. Teams that are given the authority to make quick decisions can get things done faster, and are more responsive to the customer. Support the Employees Structure 3 An organization’s culture is vital to the success of any change or structure. It is a manager’s duty to create, support and strengthen the environment of a workplace. If the people are not susceptible to change, then a new idea will be very difficult to implement. Employees need to own some portion of the new idea, whether it is the layout, financing, time-line, etc. Organizing Function of Management When an organization makes a plan of action it needs to include the proper tools to help accomplish their goal. The managemen...

Problem solving Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Problem solving - Case Study Example The CEO, Dirk Henry, should be advised to resign because of the bad image he lends to the company by calling the activists tree-huggers, as well as failing as a CEO to upgrade their fleet of ships. As a CEO, he should take charge of making decisions like that. The best punishment for them would be to serve the community that was affected by the oil spill. They should contribute a large sum of money for the clean up. It is a punishment because they would lose a lot of money, but then again they would earn positive public image for it. External problems of this company involve their image: they are now seen as a passive company without really caring for its staff and employees. They are also seen as non-environmentally friendly company. Extensive PR campaigns, as well as community work should take care of this, and possibly by sacking their CEO. Internal problems are rooted to the external problems. The employees are now demoralized (it’s their 50th anniversary after all) and they are probably confused. They are also burdened with the weight of the problem that was produced by the ship mishap. Their stocks would definitely fall, and their company would probably have a financial setback. PR campaigns, and proper forums should take care of the employee’s doubts. The organizational culture surely helped because they knew their roles as members of the company (except for the CEO). They knew that their actions would reflect to the corporation and they did well. They knew how to act as a unit. The moral reasoning reflected in the discussions, I believe, is the â€Å"caring ethics†. The posts revolved about caring for the company, caring for the environment and caring for the employees of the company. The plan of action revolved around the community and the environment. The reasoning behind it is this: when the company shows that it cares for the community and the environment, people would believe that they are not negligent about their

Internship monthly report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Internship monthly report - Assignment Example I participated in several activities like; preparing several master programs. I was briefed on the idea before I began doing it. I also took part in the view and price analysis of the Baltimore house project. It was fun as well as challenging as I had to do it on my own and later explain why I thought it was so to the rest. Another challenging activity I did was to participate in a meeting representing one of my supervisors who was on holiday. I had to report to representatives from other departments on issues concerning the Baltimore project plan of the Wing Hong Street project. It was very exciting since I had to contribute to the meeting alone. I gained the essential knowledge concerning the job nature of building and construction. For this second month, I learnt how to co-operate with diverse parties from a customer perspective. I established that problems in communication were the most tricky to address in property management. Junior, Ricardo  M., Josà ©Ã‚  R. Quevedo, Civil Engineer, Jorge  M. Jr, and Paulo  S. Fontoura. "THE NECESSARY BACKGROUND FOR IMPLEMENTING AND MANAGING BUILDING DESIGN PROCESSES USING WEB ENVIRONMENTS."  (2007):

Survivors' reactions to organizational downsizing Essay

Survivors' reactions to organizational downsizing - Essay Example Each organizational downsizing event could result to predictable outcomes in terms of having similar issues related to the feelings of betrayal, loss of trust in the management of the company, and experiencing internal conflicts between the corporate management and employees in line with retaining and losing their job. (Strom, 2008) As a result, the lack of organizational commitment among the stakeholders of the company becomes a major problem that top management needs to solve. For this study, the researcher will first discuss the theory and concept behind the organizational downsizing. Aiming to address whether the implementation of organizational downsizing could create a positive impact to the business, the researcher will discuss the possible effects of implementing organizational downsizing in terms of the long-term profitability of the firms and employee performance. Prior to the conclusion, the researcher will discuss the proper handling of ‘resistance to change’ particularly on the affected employees. organization’s conscious use of permanent personnel reductions in order to improve its efficiency and/or effectiveness.† In other words, the main idea of an organizational downsizing is intentionally and permanently reduces the number of employees within a business organization. (Budros, 1999; McKinley et al., 1995; Mishra and Mishra, 1994) Organizational downsizing is related to the increase in the managers’ compensation in terms of having a positive growth in sales. (Jensen, 1986; Murphy, 1985) This strategy could enable the company to eliminate unnecessary levels needed to enhance the overall effeciency required to keep the business competitive in the markets. (Koretz, 1997; McKinley et al., 1995; Bryne, 1994) Basically, cutting down the operational cost by reducing the size of the work force could increase the profitability of the