Roman and Byzantine Essay Example for Free

Roman and Byzantine Essay Between 200 B.C.E. and 1100 C.E. some aspects of cultural and political life changed between the Roman and Byzantine Empire while, other aspects continued. The aspects that continued politically are strong centralized political system, with an emperor overseeing. The aspects that changed politically are the way provinces of the empire were ruled. The aspects that continued culturally are the wealth, trade dependence, and pride. The aspects that changed are the religion, language, and military defense. Political aspects continued between the Roman and Byzantine Empire. The aspects that continued are the bureaucratic government and centralized political system with the emperor ruling everything. The Romans started this slightly during the reign of Julius Caesar, Caesar became a dictator and started this type of government in 47 B.C.E. after he was assassinated by his enemies. Julius’s grand-nephew Octavian Caesar rose up, defeated Julius’s enemies, and took over as the first emperor of Rome, renaming himself Augustus Caesar in 27 B.C.E. Augustus continued the type of government his uncle started where he as the emperor oversees all social, political, economic, religious, and military. The Byzantines took this cue from their predecessor and continued it by having such great emperors such as Justinian (527-656 C.E.) or Constantine (306-337 C.E.) who oversaw the whole Byzantine Empire and made decisions that allowed the empire to prosper. Another political aspect the Romans’ started was the standard of law which was continued by the Byzantines. Although the Byzantine Empire continued these political aspects of the Roman Empire, they changed some aspects.

Dropping the C-bomb Essay -- Feminism

It’s one of the oldest idioms that inevitably the majority of us have heard as a youth on a playground: â€Å"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.† Unfortunately, this old phrase isn’t entirely true—it doesn’t define which words are hurtful, the context they are used in, or its historical context. In fact, words can be powerful. There are a number of words in language, that are both negative and offensive, that have been used to oppress a specific group. Their history has produced such a negative symbolic power and creates such a stigma, that they possess the ability to harm or injure. â€Å"Cunt† is such a word. The word â€Å"cunt† used in modern language carries a heavy offensive potency in just one syllable. Saying phrases such as â€Å"You’re a cunt!† â€Å"Stop being such a cunt† or â€Å"You fucking cunt† for those with more gusto for its use, reveals the misogyny that the word possesses. After all, â€Å"cunt† is another, albeit derogatory, word for vagina and (most) females have a vagina; and the vagina is the central powerful symbol for femininity. What does it mean then to essentially be a â€Å"vagina† (read cunt)? Furthermore, as a woman, what does it mean to have such a pejorative word aimed towards you with the intent to offend, harm, and essentially oppress one’s own femininity? Yet, as British journalist Zoe Williams states, the word â€Å"vagina† is not used to insult women; however, cunt† is. To be called a â€Å"cunt,† then, suggests that the offender is attempting to dishonor this very symbol of womanhood, by scandalizing the word in attempt to claim and perpetuate its pejorative power, thus diminishing the woman, and inadvertently her power. Attitudes towards the usage of the word â€Å"cunt† reveal its pejorative power and the ... .... . Hunt, Matthew. "Cunt: Etymology." The Works of Matthew Hunt. Web. Dec. 2010. . Muscio, Igna. "Cunt: A Declaration of Independence." Share Book Recommendations With Your Friends, Join Book Clubs, Answer Trivia. Web. Dec. 2010. . "TV's Most Offensive Words | Media | MediaGuardian." Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk. 25 Nov. 2005. Web. Dec. 2010. . "Zoe Williams: The Feminist Mistake | Comment Is Free | The Guardian." Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk. 14 June 2006. Web. Dec. 2010. .

Domains Of Culture Essay

1. When you think about the origins of Religion and Spirituality in American culture, a lot of different ideas, stories or parables come to mind. But one question is hardly ever asked or even thought of. Does American culture have a religion? More to the point, is there a religion that can solely be sourced to origins on American soil? The answer is yes. Both Mormonism and Scientology have roots deeply planted in American culture. However, around 25,000 Americans practice Scientology and an estimated 6.1 Million Americans practice Mormonism. That makes up 1.8% of Americans, in addition to that most Americans don’t recognize Scientology as a real religion and Mormonism falls under the Christianity branch of belief. So what ideas are truly native the country. I believe you must add Native American Spirituality to this argument as a source of religion truly sourced and founded in America as it is still practiced by a vast majority of living Native Americans. But in order to get t o that we must first talk about the origins of Christianity as it stands with Americans today. 2. As it is true that Christianity is the most prevalent religion in America, It is also true that Christianity was brought to this soil with the first settlers. In England you had two choices for worship, The Roman Catholic Church and The Church of England. Both Christian churches, and theses settlers knew nothing but that so it comes to no surprise that those are the two major influences on American religion and spirituality. It should also be noted that those settlers wanted to distance themselves from England’s brand of religion so badly that the First Amendment of the Constitution explicitly lays out the separation of Church and State1. Christianity then splintered off into the various denominations that we have today, yet all of those styles still have the same foundation that can be traced back to Rome or England. Native Americans on the other hand don’t have those same beliefs. While Christianity focuses on a One true Higher Power, Native Americans look more to selection of Spiritual figures known as Deities. 3. Native American culture focuses more on the Earth, Weather, Sky and Sprits who manifest physical form as Deities. Depending on the culture these beings can be attributed to almost everything that is possible or could be possible. In most Native American Cultures there is  always one deity that creates man but, they are not always benevolent. The Abenaki and the Algonquian tribes believe that life was created out wood, stone and other earthly elements by Tabaldak so that the earth could be full. If you follow the Navajo the Earth itself was created by AsdzÄ…Ì Ã„…Ì  Nà ¡dleehà ©, she was also responsible for the stars and sky2. So who is right and who is wrong? No one can say. Most of these deities are created in myths and stories passed down from generation to generation. But the message is the same across the tribes, Give thanks for what we have for it is not always promised. Now that we have an idea as how Native American Culture sees religion, let’s see if matches up with how American Culture sees it. 4. In Conclusion, we have seen how the most prevalent form of spirituality in American in not was actually brought in from England. That religion lays out the idea of a Supreme God who commands from Heaven and is omnipotent. While the Native American Culture has its religious and spiritual roots found on American soil. They champion multiple deities who are responsible everything from creation to the basic things like food and water. The one thing they both have in common is you are expected to be a good wholesome person or you will be judged for you actions. In the afterlife for the Christians or when you just so happen to come across whatever deity you have offended with the Native American Culture. So no matter what you happen to believe in remember to be a good person and be ready to be responsible for your actions. 1 United States History website, http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h3787.html 2 Wheelwright, Mary C. (2008) [1942]. Navajo Creation Myth: The Story of the Emergence. Forgotten Books. p.17

The Misunderstanding About Native Americans And Americans

The Misunderstanding About Native Americans and Americans Within the nineteenth century, many Americans saw Native Americans as heathens that occupied land. These people saw the land as theirs because of how they fought to become independent. They also claimed that the Native Americans did not claim land or have a concept of property. Others understood that it was wrong to take the land forcefully. These people understood the land was not rightfully theirs for the taking. It is also perceived that all Americans disliked Native Americans. When in fact there were people who sympathized the natives. They wanted to live in peace and not war. Although, they still believed Indians were below them and had ideas of reserves. Looking at history,†¦show more content†¦That the United States should not come barging in. Another suggestion was reserves. People on both sides, whether they supported or opposed Native Americans, tended to support this. They did not know this would be bad. In July 1847, Henry Nagle wrote a letter and he said,  "I would respectively call your attention to the necessity of publishing some decree forbidding all persons from trespassing upon the indians†. It does not say anything about a reserve or even hint at one, but it shows how Americans would cause problems with Indians. Because of these issues, some felt it necessary to move Native Americans to this land that had been set aside and out of their way. Reserves, in a way, were the easiest and simplest way to deal with them. Another letter comes from, Edward A. Stevenson, an Indian Agent in 1855 who said, â€Å"Their situation as it is is truly a pitiful one, and calls aloud for action on the part of the Government. They are desirous to know when the policy of the U.S. will be extended to them, and I think there will be no trouble in removing them to reserves†. The situation he is referring to is one of Native Americans living horribly and hopes to help them. It seems the some report is true on the behalf of him specifying an actual location. Again, while Stevenson is not trying to move them out of the way, he is trying to help them. Stevenston believes this is the best way since they cannot help themselves. It is ironic since Indians live off the land, andShow MoreRelatedMascots : An Honor Or An Insult?1352 Words   |  6 PagesMascots: An honor or an insult? The idea of using Native American names and images in sports has been a topic of public controversy in the United States since the 1960’s. Sports mascots that continue to promote racial, cultural, or bias slurs should be changed so that racial discrimination can be stopped and everyone can be treated equally/fairly. 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