Abstract This paper will discuss Palladio's life and art with respect to his interest in the architecture of classical Roman antiquity. It will be argued that from his earliest encounters with the monuments of classical Rome while a young apprentice, to his renewed engagement with classical forms as a mature architect, Palladio's work was profoundly influenced by the architecture of antiquity. Beginning with an analysis of Palladio's first contact with the antique, the application of his acquired knowledge in this regard will be studied with respect to some of his major works.
Abstract This paper explains that poetry, pottery and philosophy leave no doubt as to the acceptability of homosexuality in antiquity; however, it is difficult to estimate just how much it was valued. The author points out that the sexuality of the Roman male centered on three traditional protocols governing sexual practices: (1) A self-respecting Roman man must always give the appearance of playing the insertive, and not the receptive, role in penetrative acts; (2) apart from his wife, freeborn Romans were officially off-limits as sexual partners for a Roman man and (3) there was a noticeable proclivity toward smooth young bodies. The paper suggests that homosexual affairs took place between men of comparable age and some of them lasted many years; however, it is not clear if affairs continued after either party married: Other men were for emotional relationships but alliances and children depended on women.
From the Paper "The Romans were living before either a sin or medical model of homosexuality and while aware of differing inclinations did not consider these important enough to establish a separate social category. Exclusive preference for one sex or the other was not an issue and most men we hear about liked both. In Rome of the early Empire, there were many men who threw off the conventions of traditional Roman manhood and instead assumed an "effeminate" appearance and manner, thereby, in the usual case, advertising their eagerness for sexual encounters with other males. These were the molles and the cinaedi. Their numbers cannot even be guessed, but, in a city of a million persons, they might easily have numbered in the tens of thousands. The Apostle Paul, with his usual provincial primness, adduces overt homosexual behavior as his chief example of the capital's decadence."
This paper discusses the continuity of technique and style in traditional sculpture, from Antiquity to the Baroque and Neo-Classical periods, specifically in the sculpture of Italians Gianlorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) and Antonio Canova (1757-1822).
Abstract This paper explains that the mythical antique sculptures initially seem to have more features in common than differences with those of Bernini from the Baroque era and Canova from the Neo-classic era; but, upon closer examination of Bernini's 'Apollo and Daphne' and Canova's 'Cupid and Psyche', they are steeped in the attitudes and values of their own periods. The author points out that Bernini's 'Apollo and Daphne' reflects the religious emotionalism and exuberant decorative richness that spread all over Europe from Rome, while Canova's 'Cupid and Psyche' demonstrates the fusion of Christian values and Eighteenth century sensibility. The paper relates that, in classical art, the greatly prized qualities of nobility, grace, beauty, supreme physical strength, virtuosity and heroism is expressed in sculpture: Bernini and Canova seem to use the Antique period as an inexhaustible source of human qualities and emotions.
From the Paper "Bernini's 'Apollo and Daphne' exemplifies sculpture from the Baroque period, and Canova's 'Cupid and Psyche' is a prime example of Neo-Classical sculpture. The very title 'Neo-Classical' suggests a strong identification with ancient art, but the movement was perhaps more of a reaction against the Baroque style. It sought to combine Christianity with the general sentiments and principles of the time. The Neo-Classicists condemned Baroque art for its excessive detail and lack of 'meaning'. John Flaxman once criticised the extravagance of Baroque sculpture, describing it as all about 'twisted heads, full bodies, fluttering draperies; all wrists and ankles and bombastic attitudes'. In comparison to Bernini's Daphne and Apollo', Canova's 'Cupid and Psyche' is an unadorned sculpture."
Abstract This paper examines Albert Camus's novel "The Rebel". The paper discusses the philosophical concepts that are present in Camus's writing and supports these ideas with other philosophers' writing, such as Thomas Paine and Nietzsche. This paper is well-researched and written at a high level by bringing together philosophy and literature.
Table of Contents
I. A Child Prometheus: The Irrelevancy of Antiquity II. The Post-Apocalyptic Reflecting God
III. The Monkey, the Man, Then the Gun: A Perusal of Modern Philosophy
IV. The Meridian: The Atom of Eden
From the Paper "The Rebel, by Albert Camus, is a distinctly modern book. There is very little written here that would have been defensive, or even coherent, in the light of the world as it was just 200 years ago. This is a book illuminated by the informed by the libraries of Nuremberg and illuminated by the fires of St. Petersburg and Hiroshima. It takes most of its subject matter from the intelligent and passionate perusal and perusal of the greatest works of romanticism, nihilism, and revolution in philosophy, art, and history. It seeks to comprehend and encompass physical and metaphysical history, yet with the entire goal of transcending it. Hence there is no set of teachings presented, no artwork or philosophy portrayed, which is not taken with a lovingly ironic grain of salt, approached not only with awe but also an expression of trembling hesitation. This transcendent discrimination is applied as surely and gently to Nietzsche and the Bible, and even extends its light to the classical works of which Camus is obviously so fond."
Abstract This paper provides a brief discussion of Greek history and Cretan art. The paper examines the phenomenon of looters and theft from Greek archaeological sites. The on-going battle against looting and smuggling antiquities is described, including an overview of international laws.
From the Paper "Looters can be dated as far back as 134 B.C. when the Romans originally stole from the Greeks. Only during the last century did countries such as Greece become concerned about their cultures, since the high prices of the artifacts have lead to more of their treasures being stolen. In the 1960?s, the popularity of marble statues encouraged thieves to loot the Aegean Islands for statues produced by the Cycladic culture during the Bronze Age. The looters destroyed over 12,000 graves in the course of their thefts. While many of these statues are in private collections, few have been recovered by archaeologists."
Abstract This paper examines the issue of status in ancient Rome, Athens, and Sparta in terms of how it evolved and its similarities to the world today. The thesis is that modernity is not far removed from antiquity.
Abstract This paper explores the book "In an Antique Land" by Amitav Ghosh in which the author searches for information on a twelfth century salve while traveling through the same regions in Egypt and elsewhere and shows connections between the ancient and modern worlds.
Abstract This undergraduate level research paper examines the lives of the female Biblical and Martyrs of Christian antiquity and their significance to Christianity, literature, and history. It utilizes both scholarly and Biblical sources to describe such Martyrs as Perpetua and Felicity. The paper concludes that there was, indeed, special significance attached to the gender of the martyrs.
Abstract This paper explains that, in their haste to introduce market reforms and efficiencies into their antiquated agricultural systems, many emerging nations have sacrificed their environment and citizens' health in exchange for some well-intentioned but misguided short-term gains in productivity. The author points out that past agricultural practices were based on tradition and spiritual concepts; however, many emerging nations have succeeded in overcoming these constraints through innovative policies and initiatives. The paper stresses that modern western agricultural practices rely heavily on heavy and expensive equipment as well as industrial pesticides and fertilizers to wrench continued high yields from the soil are not readily transferable to many emerging nations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Existing Agricultural Practices in China Today
Innovative and Sustainable Agricultural Practices
Current and Future Trends
What Can Be Done?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Within rural sociology, sustainable agriculture is frequently considered to be a mutually exclusive "competing paradigm" that challenges conventional agriculture on environmental, economic and ideological grounds. As a result, much of the research on identifying sustainable agricultural practices has been focused on understanding the characteristics which differentiate conventional and alternative farmers, as well as the conditions that serve to constrain or facilitate the development of alternative practices and ways of thinking among farmers and agriculture more generally. For example, researchers have examined a variety of farmer and farm attributes such as age, education, orientation to risk, perception of environmental problems, farm size, and profitability; the impact of agricultural markets and prices and state policies, programs and services have also been examined extensively."
Abstract This paper examines how although both religious drama in Ancient Greece and Medieval England stage dramatic performances around religious festivals, the antique and medieval periods are characterised by radically different scenic conventions. It compares the English "mystery plays" centered around the Feast of Corpus Christi with the Greek mystery plays from the previous millennium which were also based around religious festivals.
From the Paper "The audience would watch from the theatron, a tiered seating area set into the side of the hill with large seating capacities. This brings us to the question of audience experience: how would someone fifty rows up experience the action taking place in the orchestra or on the skena? The first matter is that of acoustics; the structure of the theatre provides for sound to travel to the uppermost rows, ensuring that the audience does not miss the dialogue wherever they sit. Brightly colored costumes, as well as large masks, allow the audience to track the characters easily from large distances, and to tell the difference when the same actor plays multiple characters. "
This paper explores the concept of management style by examining past antiquated styles, the definition of management and a variety of current adaptations.
Abstract This paper explains that an antiquated management style, once typical of the the old "Rust Belt Industries", is the "Top-Down Autocratic Style", in which there is a rigid, established hierarchy, ruling with an iron fist and giving little concern to middle-management who carried out the orders of the Baron types owners. The author points out that a manager must posses the skills of leadership along with the intelligence, fortitude and willingness to apply this leadership to accomplish a task no matter how the task is defined. The paper relates, after reviewing many contemporary management styles, such as "Management by Objectives" and "Management by Walking Around", that, because today businesses are rapidly expanding globalization and are subject to constant technological changes, management styles must be flexible.
From the Paper "The old Soviet Union under Communist Rule is another classic example of the failure of the autocratic top down approach to management style. In this case, all incentives were removed from middle management and in there place was a quota system thereby producing their iron-fisted control of workers which in turn produced a total collapse of their economic system in spite of appearing to compete favorable with other nations of the world. This also produced many unsavory characters willing to take about any chances to cheat the system and this not to mention the damage this management style did to the population as a whole from a sociological point of view."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at miracles from classical antiquity through the Old and New Testaments. The writer presents a definition of miracles. Further, the writer discusses particular acts in the Old Testament that are considered as miracles. The writer also looks at miracles that are considered to have occurred in the life of Jesus.
From the Paper "A miracle is defined as 'a special manifestation or sign of the presence and power of God in human history'. While miracles are generally most likely to be associated with the Christian Church and faith including the miracles that are identified in the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible, miracles were not unknown in pre-Christian classical antiquity. Among the ancient Greeks for example, miracles often were observed as a result of the interaction of one of the Gods in the lives of humans."
Abstract This paper presents many reasons for the failure of the American public education system. The author believes that it is only a matter of time before this antiquated and destructive way of conducting the educational business of America's students forces the United States to seek other ways to educate their children. The paper concludes that the educational system as it exists today is in so much trouble that the federal and state governments must quickly and deliberately seek new options to alleviate this frightening social condition.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Major Disruptive Influences
Outside Influence
Traditional Values
Television and Other Technologies
Teaching Methods
Uncreative Behavior
Negative Reinforcement
Conclusion
From the Paper "An additional factor which has greatly led to the breakdown of the American public educational system is the teaching methods and pedagogical philosophies applied by teachers and educators. Dr. Wilson lists three primary traits which have decreased the functionality of the public school system--first, "a highly authoritarian system that forces children to learn at a pace, a time and in an order determined by the teacher's convenience" (2006, Internet) which indicates that teachers rely much too heavily on antiquated teaching methods and naturally assume that all students learn best in a classroom environment with their peers."
Abstract This art study examines the classical influence that resides within the works of Donatello and Andrea Mantegna. By observing the sculptures of Donatello, one realizes how classical antiquity is represented through content and form in composition. Andrea Mantegna also uses this classical approach to Grecian antiquity within the various paintings this artist produces in the same time period as Donatello. In essence, both of these artist are comparable, since they observe the compositional classical qualities that were the norm of their times in artistic mediums. The paintings of Andrea Mantegna are examples of a return to classical antiquity found in ancient Greek culture. The painting "St. Sebastian" (c.1480) relies on composition that is at once Greek.
Abstract As the health and stability of our natural environment becomes threatened due to the relentless increase in demands we place on it, the importance of finding new alternatives to antiquated waste management practices and antiquated modes of resource use, becomes more and more imperative. This paper will examine the ethical aspects of this key issue facing all societies today in the global village, focusing on the role of pollution and consumption as it relates to two major world cities, Toronto and Los Angeles.
