The Rise of Gladiatorial Combat Essay Example For Students

The Rise of Gladiatorial Combat Essay Gladiatorial contests (munera gladitoria), hold a central place in our perception of Roman behavior. They were also a big influence on how Romans themselves ordered their lives.Attending the games was one of the practices that went with being a Roman. The Etruscans who introduced this type of contest in the sixth century BC, are credited with its development but its the Romans who made it famous. A surviving feature of the Roman games was when a gladiator fell he was hauled out of the arena by a slave dressed as the Etruscan death-demon Charun. The slave would carry a hammer which was the demons attribute. Moreover, the Latin term for a trainer-manager of gladiators (lanista), was believed to be an Etruscan word. (4:50) Gladiators of Ancient Rome lived their lives to the absolute fullest. We will write a custom essay on The Rise of Gladiatorial Combat specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Gladiatorial duels had originated from funeral games given in order to satisfy the dead mans need for blood, and for centuries their principle occasions were funerals. The first gladiatorial combats therefore, took place at the graves of those being honored, but once they became public spectacles they moved into amphitheaters. (2:83) As for the gladiators themselves, an aura of religious sacrifice continued to hang about their combats. Obviously most spectators just enjoyed the massacre without any remorseful reflections. Even ancient writers felt no pity, they were aware that gladiators had originated from these holocausts in honor of the dead. What was offered to appease the dead was counted as a funeral rite. It is called munus (a service) from being a service due. The ancients thought that by this sort of spectacle they rendered a service to the dead, after they had made it a more cultured form of cruelty. The belief was that the souls of the dead are appeased with human blood, t hey use to sacrifice captives or slaves of poor quality at funerals. Afterwards it seemed good to obscure their impiety by making it a pleasure. (6:170) So after the acquired person had been trained to fight as best they can, their training was to learn to be killed! For such reasons gladiators were sometimes known as bustuarii or funeral men. Throughout many centuries of Roman history, these commemorations of the dead were still among the principle occasions for such combats. Men writing their wills often made provisions for gladiatorial duels in connection with their funerals. Early in the first century AD, the people of Pollentia forcibly prevented the burial of an official, until his heirs had been compelled to provide money for a gladiators show. (1:174)It was in Campania and Lucania that the gladiatorial games came to their full development and took on their classical form. In these new surroundings they took root and flourished, as can be seen in fourth century BC, tomb paint ings. These pictures show helmeted gladiators carrying shields and lances, covered with wounds and dripping with blood. (2:84) For Rome a decisive moment in gladiatorial history was reached in 246 BC, the year when the first Punic War began. At the funeral of Brutus Pera, his two sons for the first time exhibited, in the cattle market, three simultaneous gladiatorial combats. By 216 BC the number of fights given on a single occasion had risen to twenty two.(14:16)In 105 BC the two consuls of the year made gladiatorial games official. There were no doubts of religious tendency, but the purpose of Roman spectacles, were a public display of power, that power was primarily military, and also to compensate the soft Greek culture which now was abroad. (8:98) The GladiatorsThose compelled to fight gladiator duels included prisoners of war, slaves and condemned criminals. Among them were numerous followers of the new Christian faith. During this time persecution fell heavily on their faith, many won immortal fame as martyrs. Fighting in the arena was one of the sentences earned by the sacrilege accused against members of the Christian religion because of their refusal to sacrifice to the emperor. It was written that these Christians were forced, as gladiatorial novices to run the gauntlet. At other times they were thrown to the wild beasts. Criminals that were used had committed crimes that carried a death sentence or harsh manual labor. The crimes which led to the arena were murder, treason, robbery and arson. Criminals sentenced to forced labor were often obliged to serve as gladiators, and were sentenced to three years of combat and two years in the schools. Sometimes penalties were differentiated according to social class, thus for certain crimes which in the case of slaves would involve execution, free men or freedmen (ex-slaves) were condemned to fight in the arena instead. This did not of course make them gladiators, unless they were trained first, as those req uired to provide this sort of sport not always were. And indeed as gladiators became more expensive in the second century AD the use of untrained criminals in the amphitheater increased.(7:537) Most gladiators, at Rome and elsewhere were slaves, but in addition there were always some free men who became gladiators because they wanted to. The profession was an alternative to being a social outcast. They were generally derived from the lowest ranking category of free persons, namely the freedman who had themselves been slaves or were the son of slaves. Free fighters were more sought after than slaves, presumably because they shower greater enthusiasm in the arena. Such a volunteer was offered a bonus if he survived the term of his contract, yet he still had to swear the terrible oath of submission to be burnt with fire, shackled with chains, whipped with rods and killed with steel like the rest of the gladiators. For the period of his engagement, he had become no more than a slave. (7 :539)Majestic Exhibitions and SchoolsThere seemed no end to public entertainments of one sort or another at Rome. First there were the regular functions. The number of days in each year given up to annual games and spectacles of one sort or another in the city was startlingly large, and increased continually. Already 66 in the time of Augustus, it had risen to 135 under Marcus Aurelius, and 175 or more in the fourth century. Gladiatorial amusement had become an essential feature of the services a ruler had to provide, in order to maintain his popularity and his job. Emperors themselves had to attend the shows. Emperors watching the shows were distinct, vulnerable, and subject to public pressures which could not be displayed elsewhere. That was why the games were not popular with a few rulers such as Marcus Aurelius. He directed that if a gladiator was freed as a result of popular outcry in the amphitheater the liberation was to be annulled. Aurelius found the sport boring and indeed he was unenthusiastic about Roman entertainment in general. (10:87)The teaching of gladiators was highly elaborate affair involving expertise appreciated by those members of the public who attended the games for something more than blood and thrills. Gladiators were trained at gladiator schools established during the late Republic at the time of Sulla 138-78 BC. (2:86) Novices practiced with wooden swords on a man of straw or a wooden post. The weapons used in more adept practice were heavier than those used in the arena. Discipline was severe, with ruthless punishments. The barracks they lived in were so low inmates could only sit or lie.(3:68) Breaking any rules was not tolerated and resulted in strict reprimanding: shackles, flogging or even death. (2:86) The main objective of the schools were to produce the best possible fighters for the arena, thus scrupulous attention was invested in gladiator health. Their schools were situated in favorable climates, and equipped with first class doctors. The schools were also provided with resident medical consultants to check the mens diet. Gladiators were called hordearii, barley men, because of the amount of barley that they ate, a muscle building food. (12:111)The Types of Gladiators From Republican times onward, foreign prisoners were made to fight with their own weapons and in their own styles. Many of these men, were merely prisoners herded into the arena, but various classes of professional gladiators likewise came from this category. Such, for example was the origin of the gladiators known as the Samnites. Generally regarded as the prototypes of all Romes gladiators, they are said to have come into existence after its Samnite enemies introduced a splendid new type of military equipment in 310 BC. Gladiators were ranked in different categories according to their fighting style and the type of weapon they used. These Samnites wore the heavy, magnificent armor of soldiers. It included a large shield (scutum), a leather or partly metal greave (ocrea) on the left leg, and a visored helmet (galea) with huge crests and plumes. To these were added sword (gladius) or lance (hasta), and the sleeve on the right arm which was part of a gladiators general equipment.(11:121) Sectores were armed with a sword and mace loaded with lead. Thraces carried a curved scimitar of varying shape, and a small square or round shield. Myrmilliones (Guals) carried a shield and a short scythe and wore a distinctive fish ornament on their helmets. The Retiarii were exceptionally uncovered, except sometimes for a head band. They carried a trident in one hand and a net in the other. Because the throwing of a net as a method of combat, was second rate the Retarii were inferior in status to the ranks, and thus had the worst living quarters. (2:86) The Myrmillo could fight against the Thracian or against the Retiarius or net fighter. But the principle opponent of the Retiarius was the Secutor.(12:109)The Procedure of the A renaGladiatorial shows were intensively promoted and advertised to raise public attention. Descriptions of upcoming contests, appeared on walls and on the grave stones beside main roads. The opening ceremonies began the day before the fights. It was then that the supporter of the show donated a splendid feast to the contestants about to appear on the following day. The proceedings of the murderous day began with a chariot drive and parade. Led and presented by the sponsor of the games. The gladiators displayed themselves in uniforms topped by cloaks dyed purple with gold embroidery. Climbing down their chariots, they marched around the arena, followed by slaves carrying their arms and armor. Gladiators, especially those who belonged to the emperors own troop, were often finely equipped. When the combatants arrived opposite the emperors platform, they extended their right hands towards him and cried Hail, emperor, greetings from men about to die! (Ave, imperator, morituri te salutant !) (7:538)The games often opened with a convicted criminal being thrown to a lion. The criminal was given a small sword, and if he could kill the lion his life was spared. Another way in which they opened the games was to tie the criminal to a pillar and lower him into a pit of hungry beasts. After these morbid killings took place, the animal events would take center stage. The most common of these fights would be a lion against bear. To make the beast ready for fighting they would starved the animals and poked them with sticks while in the cage.(5:17) These events were followed by a break, during this break Gladiatores Meridiane took place. This event consisted of a fully armed gladiator against an unarmed man. The object was simple, to kill your opponent, the winner went on to fight the next combatant. The overall winner was the person that was standing in the end.(2:88) The afternoon brought about the beginning of the gladiatorial events. Staged with a dramatic sense of climax, t he afternoon started with second rate displays that were bloodless. These mock fighters were called paegniarii.(1:176) After these mock battles came the real fights, the tamest of these would be the hand to hand combats with one opponent. However, most of the contests were worst, ranging from armed fighters against unarmed, two criminals versus a gladiator, and even a group of gladiators versus another group. .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 , .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 .postImageUrl , .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 , .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165:hover , .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165:visited , .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165:active { border:0!important; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165:active , .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165 .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua3b788fed9c9beb67b09950e3b000165:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Glass Ceiling EssayWhile the fighters were at grips, their trainers (lanista) stood beside them and hounded them on much like a modern boxers trainer would. Meanwhile the crowd shouted commands of their own including beat, kill and burn. When a man fell, the herald raised their trumpets, and spectators yelled Got him! Hes had it! (habet, hoc habet). The fallen fighter if he was in a state to move, laid down his shield, and raised one finger of his left hand for mercy. The decision whether his life should be spared, rested with the provider of the games, but he generally let the crowd make the decision. Thumbs up, and a waving of handkerchiefs, meant his life would be spare d, thumbs down and he would be killed without hesitation. While African boys raked over the bloodstained sand, fallen gladiators were taken away. A Charon would verify the gladiators death and finish him off it was necessary. The costumes of the Charon were designed to look like Mercury, divine guide of dead mens souls to the infernal regions.(10:167)If a fighters performance had not given satisfaction, or if he was a criminal whose survival was not desired, his life was sometimes risked again on the same day by orders for a repeat performance, against specially introduced understudies. When neither party won and both were spared, each was described as stans missus, and such a result was often recorded on inscriptions. The victorious gladiators were presented with palm branches as a prize, and in Greek lands of the Empire they were given a wreath or crown in addition or instead. Both palms and crowns are often shown on funeral monuments. The giver of the games also provided prize mo ney, according to scales stipulated in the gladiators contracts. (10:169)The Arenas In early times gladiators duels took place in whatever public places a town might posses. But then , under the emperors, the characteristic place for such a contest was the amphitheater. This was an oval auditorium surrounded by rows of seats facing on to the arena, as in modern bull rings, absorbing the blood of slaughtered men and beasts. The first permanent amphitheater known to us is not in Rome but in Campania, the country which inherited the gladiatorial games from Eturia and passed them on to the Romans. (13:225) The largest and most famous of all such buildings was initiated by the Flavian dynasty. Opened by Titus in AD 80, this Colosseum is one of the most marvelous buildings in the world. Its massive overall measurements are 187 by 155 meters, of which the space for the arena itself comprises 86 by 54 meters. There was accommodation for perhaps 45,000 sitting spectators and at least 5,000 m ore willing to stand. Underneath the arena is a labyrinth of passages for stage effects, pens for wild beasts, storage rooms and the mechanism by which scenery and other apparatus were hoisted into the arena. The emperors platform was at the center of one of the long sides, facing across to the portion of the auditorium reserved for magistrates and the holder of the games. There were also places for priests, who also attended these bloodthirsty sports. (13:227) The formula of the collosseum helped to mold renaissance styles. In the eight century they said that:As long as it stands,Rome will stand;when it falls, Rome will fall;when Rome falls, the world will fallThe colosseum has often been raided, but has never fallen. It has been made to serve many purposes, many of which are ironic. These have included sacred occasions, church services, and plays. Thus through all the depredation the colosseum has faced over the years inside and outside of the arena, this indestructible building s till towers over the city today. (13:230)The Gladiator in SocietyThe reputation of gladiators in the eyes of the public was curiously mixed. For one thing they were feared. Society was never able to forget for very long that the gladiators were a potential danger to society. So, of course were the masses of slaves in general, and that is why their crimes were so savagely punished, if one slaved murdered his master, the whole household had to die. But by training the gladiators they spared the rest of the slaves family, and forced him to fight for his life in front of the community he violated. Moreover their legal and moral position in the community was one of complete shame. When a gladiator was killed, his corpse was not permitted honorable to be buried, unless it was claimed by his family or a friend. (9:91)However there is ample proof of the admiration and indeed excitement that the gladiators aroused. Gladiators became so ingrained in the Roman mind and soul that they believed in superstitions that resulted from munera. It was believed that the warm blood of a slaughtered gladiator would cure epilepsy. When newly married women, parted their hair with a gladiators spear, it brought good luck if this had belonged to a man mortally wounded in the arena. (8:276) Gladiators were also seen highly upon by women, graffiti at the Pompeii amphitheater reveal that members of the profession were loved with the passionate infatuation which teenage females have for pop singers today.Although gladiators lived relatively short lives it was possible to win liberation and retire on receipt of the symbolical wooden sword (rudis). It was also noted that some ex-gladiators moved upwards into respectable smart circles of local bourgeoisies (9:96)Opposition and Abolition It was probably assumed that the munera would go on forever, and that nothing would stop their growth. With the rise of Christianity a religious presence lingered about such contests once again. The Roman rulin g classes began to view these contest with a favorable eye. The excuse of encouragement to warlike toughness continued to be put forward until the eve of the Middle Ages, although it started to become lame and inhumane. Another purpose present in the minds of Romes rulers was the desire that potentially unruly and dangerous city population should be amused and kept quiet. They should be given entertainment that they wanted, no matter how disgusting if might be. .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 , .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 .postImageUrl , .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 , .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49:hover , .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49:visited , .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49:active { border:0!important; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49:active , .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49 .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ufe7de07517029ab2a063cc7f0f28bf49:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Business ethics EssayThe games gradually lost its original intentions and connections to the earlier funeral games. Once defenseless human beings are thrown to wild animals, the original purpose is lost, the purpose now is blood-thirsty spectators viewing inhumane, unjust executions. (2:87) The new religion however ended them for good. With the rise of emperor Constantine and Christianity came the fall of the gladiatorial spectacles. In AD 326, Constantine abolished gladiators games altogether. He also stated that all criminals who would have in the past have been enrolled for thegames must in the future be condemned to forced labor in the mines instead. By the end of the fourth century, gladiatorial shows had disappeared from the Eastern Empire. (2:87)Bibliography1. Cowell, F. Everyday Life in Ancient Rome. London: B.T Batsford Ltd., 1961. 2. Dining, M. A History of Physical Education: Ancient Rome. Toronto: Captus Press, 1987. 3. Grant, M. The World of Rome. London: Trinity Press, 1960. 4. Hopkins, K Murderous Games. History Today v33 16-22 1983. 5. Harris, H. Sport in Greece and Rome. New York: Cornell University Press, 1972. 6. Hopkins, K. Death and Renewal. New York: Cambridge University Press. 1983. 7. Jory, E Gladiators in the Theatre. Classical Quarterly v36 537-9 1986. 8. Koestler, A. The Gladiators. New York: Macmillan, 1947. 9. Scullard, H. Festival and Ceremonies of the Roman Empire. New York: Cornell University Press. 198110. Whyte-Mellville, G. A Tale of Rome and Judea The Gladiators. New York: Longmans Green, 1989. 11. Mattingly, H. Roman Imperial Civilization. London: Edward Arnold publication. 195912. Weirdmann, T. Emperors and Gladiators. London: Routledge Press, 199213. Yonah, M Illustrated Enclylopedia of the Classical World. New York: Harper and Roe Pub, 1975. 14. Wilkonson, L. The Roman Experience, Anchor Press, 1975. 15. Comptons Interactive Encyclopedia, Softkey Multimedia, 1996.

elizabeth Blackwell essays

elizabeth Blackwell essays Elizabeth Blackwells Legacy: Advancements in Medicine and Womens Rights Elizabeth Blackwell has contributed greatly to American society by expanding womens rights through her courage and determination to become the first woman doctor in America. In the mid and late 1800s, there werent many choices for women in the professions. Women mostly became housewives or worked in factories, and they only dreamed of becoming doctors, but Elizabeth Blackwell changed it all. Blackwell was accepted to Geneva College in New York because the medical students there had thought her application was a joke from a rival school. However, she soon gained her peers respect by her competence and hard work. After she graduated, she wanted it to make it possible for others to become doctors as she had. As a result, Elizabeth Blackwell used her writings to support her ideas that women are equal if not superior to men, and that they should be allowed to practice medicine. Blackwell used both religious and historical allusions in one of her books, The Laws of Life with Special Reference to the Physical Education of Girls, to illustrate how women are equal to men. In the Greek Myth, Athena is the goddess of agriculture and wisdom. Blackwell argues: when agriculture and wisdom were of such great importance, why would men name a woman as a symbol of these coveted concepts? Blackwell writes, Her mother was the wisest, her father the most powerful...she was the protectress of sate and of social institutions, and of all that gives t society its highest prosperity...maintained law and justice...she was the protectress of the defences of the state... (Blackwell 10). Men created a woman in the image of all these designations, and they worship her as she is part of a great deity, so then men should treat the women beside them at least as their equals. Elizabeth Blackwell further proves that women are equal to men th...

Financial risk management in the financial institutions Dissertation

Financial risk management in the financial institutions - Dissertation Example Therefore, it is because of this trend there has been need for the risk management practices in the financial institutions. It has also forced the regulatory authorities and the bankers to improve the internal systems such as pricing, risk evaluation and control (Saita, 1999). It has been found that the traditional banking business of making loans and accepting deposits have declined in the United States in the recent years. People are switching from directly held assets to the pension funds and the mutual funds. In light of this issue, the banks are attempting to uphold their position relative to the GDP. They are putting emphasis on switching from their traditional business to fee-producing activities. It has been found that the household investors in the US and the UK bear more risk from their investment in comparison to the investors of Japan, Germany and France. However, according to few researchers it has been argued that intermediaries from Japan, Germany and France may be abl e to manage the risk by holding liquid reserves and intertemporal smoothing. On the other hand, the countries such as the US and the UK are not able to manage their risk because of the competition that they face from the financial markets. With the decline in the financial innovation and traditional banking business that is normally undertaken by the banks in the US, it can be described as a response to the competition that they face from the markets and the decline in the intertemporal smoothing (Allen & Santomero, 2001). Question Two The design in the new security, advances in the theory of finance along with the improvements in the computer and telecommunication technology have resulted in revolutionary changes in the overall structure of the financial markets and the institutions. Hedging versus equity has a role to play in managing the risk (Merton, 2000). The corporate hedging can help in reducing the volatility of the firm value. In this perspective, it is important to unders tand what the term corporate hedging denotes. It generally makes use of the off-balance-sheet instrument such as forwards, swaps, futures and options. For instance, if in case the value of the American manufacturing firm facing competition in the US markets from its foreign manufacturers are inversely linked to the value of the Dollars, then the manufacturing company can hedge the exposure by employing the off-balance sheet instruments. The exchange rate changes or volatility can be hedged in various ways. It can be done by selling the foreign exchange futures on the foreign currency, entering into the currency swaps, buying a put option or by writing a call option on the foreign currency. Therefore, it can be said that by utilising this tools the firm can hedge the risk. On the other hand, the firm can hedge by making use of the on-balance-sheet strategy (Nance & Et. Al., 1993). Credit options can also be used by the bond investors to hedge against the decline in the price of the b ond. The decline may be caused because of the downgrade in the company’s debt. Credit options are a second type of credit derivatives that can be used to hedge the risk of adverse changes brought about in the credit quality. The debt issuers can also make use of the credit-linked note which is a type of the credit derivative in order to hedge against credit risk. Therefore, it is evident that the conventional methods of managing the risk such as bank loan, assets securitisation and diversification can provide only a

Assistive Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Assistive Technology - Essay Example The chemical's usual routes of entry in the body is through the eyes, inhalation and skin contact. It is not advisable for consumers and workers to apply flame or heat products containing the aforementioned chemicals; instead, pressurized extinguishers must be stored away from high heat sources, poorly ventilated rooms and out of direct sunlight. If based on the arguments presented by DuPont (2008; p 1), stating that the total flooding is applied in fire suppression when other people are present during the application; aside from the fact that the application is generally, free of residues, non-corrosive, non-electrically conductive and has ozone depleting potential, the action involves greater than 90% of all commercial security or protection scenarios. Meanwhile, the system of local application is also a total flooding system, but, there is no complete enclosures surrounding applied, fire extinguishing concentration should be applied into the area as quickly as possible; otherwise will expose people to hazards longer. Therefore, local application seems more of a personnel hazard than total flooding.

The role of society in human life in the Confucian, and Taoist belief Term Paper

The role of society in human life in the Confucian, and Taoist belief systems - Term Paper Example Though quite alike, the differences in the role of society in Confucian versus Taoist beliefs are most strongly focused around how interpersonal relationships are cultivated, structured and developed. The basic notion of Confucianism is the achievement of jen, which is developing a sympathetic concern for other human beings in society. Loyal and moral relationships act as the foundation for quality socialization under this philosophy. The Confucian Golden Rule is to treat others as you yourself would be treated (Henslin, 547). These basic beliefs related to jen are noticeable in the professional and personal lifestyles of those who have molded their value systems around traditional Confucian beliefs. In the workplace, Confucian values drive progressive policies that gain commitment and support from lower-level employees through a transformational leadership design. For example, wise thought and action for leader roles includes corporate citizenship and philanthropy, democratization of the workplace through less control systems, and maintaining an ethical model of behavior (Hays, 78). In societies where business leaders maintain Confucianism as the heart of their lifestyle beliefs , decentralized decision-making hierarchies are present and employees are much more engaged in development programs, thereby being more committed to achieving business goals. At the interpersonal level, life in Confucian belief systems involves having a duty and responsibility for others. In particular, friendships and family are significantly important. In family and social relationships, tolerance, establishment of mutual dialogue, and new innovative thoughts in replacement of old methods are embraced (Zhang & Veenhoven, 428). To be actively involved in social relationships when carrying a Confucian value system means to reflect upon the self each day, searching for

Giving Up Smoking in Pregnancy

Giving Up Smoking in Pregnancy Health Promotion:SMOKING Giving up Smoking in Pregnancy Introduction The object of this assignment is to critically appraise a health promotion initiative related to midwifery practice. The initiative chosen Introduction The object of this assignment is to critically appraise a health promotion initiative related to midwifery practice. The initiative chosen is a NHS Health Scotland leaflet entitled Smoking: giving up during pregnancy: a guide for pregnant women who want to stop smoking (NHS Health Scotland 2003). It will be referred to as the initiative or the leaflet throughout this assignment. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identified that health promotion was a way of equipping people to have more power enabling them to make choices in regard to improving their well-being (WHO 1986). Ewles and Simnett (2003) determine from this, that the fundamental elements of health promotion are improving health and empowerment. The Scottish Office paper Towards a Healthier Scotland (1999) recommended making more health promotion available for pregnant smokers. This appraisal will systematically review the literature relating it to the health promotion initiative chosen using Ewles and Simnett (2003) Five Approaches to Health Promotion model. It will furthermore evaluate the midwifes role in promoting the issue highlighted and conclude with a summary and any proposals to improve future practice. Critical Appraisal The Scottish Office paper Towards a Healthier Scotland (Scottish Office 1999) recommends reducing the numbers of women smoking during pregnancy from 29% to 20% in the next 5 years. According to the Health Education Authority (1999) the rate for smoking in pregnancy in the UK was 30% however nearly 90% classified smoking as dangerous to their unborn child. Johnston et al (2003) point out that smoking is the main preventable cause of disease and disability in the fetus and newborn. Around 13 000 individuals die from smoking in Scotland each year (NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland 2004a). This initiative is based on the normative needs concept as it is influenced by expert opinion and government policies (Ewles and Simnett 2003). Epidemiological evidence in its favour allows the initiative to be evaluated by reduction in the mortality and morbidity (Naidoo and Wills 2000). This is cost effective because the initial resources for implementing the smoking cessation will be significantl y less than the cost of hospitalisation later in life (NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland 2003). The leaflet that will be critiqued (appendix 1) is aimed at pregnant women who currently smoke but who want to give up. It is split into five sections titled: pregnancy and smoking; stopping smoking; tips for stopping; stopping smoking is worth it and thinking about your smoking. The Ewles and Simnett (2003) model comprises of five approaches to health promotion; medical approach; behaviour change approach; educational approach; client-centred approach and societal change approach. The behaviour change approach is the main focus for this initiative, although it does utilise aspects of all approaches. The behaviour change approach as described by Ewles and Simnett (2003) is a way of encouraging changes in an individuals attitudes and beliefs to take up a healthier lifestyle. It is, however considered by some, to be more forceful depending on the degree of encouragement and persuasion utilised (Crafter 1997, Norton 1998). The behaviour change approach uses a number of models to guide health promoters to facilitate clients to achieve a positive outcome. The Stages of Change Model (Prochaska and DiClemente 1984 as cited by Ewles and Simnett 2003) is a five stage cyclical model that has been found to be particularly useful in work with addictive behaviours (Naidoo and Wills 2000). This cycle incorporates a pre-contemplation stage where the individual is unaware of any need for change or has no interest in changing (Ewles and Simnett 2003). At this stage the midwife would assess whether the woman is genuinely not interested in stopping smoking at present and respect this decision but inform her she will be asked throughout her pregnancy about her smoking status (Crafter 1997, Dunkley 2000). The leaflet may still be issued as having the information readily at hand may prompt the individual to think about stopping smoking. The advantages of leaflets mean they allow individuals to read through them at their own pace (Ewles and Simnett 2003). The second stage is the contemplation stage where the individual is motivated to consider changing their behaviour, maybe she reads the leaflet and attempts to seek information (Naidoo and Wills 2000). The role of the midwife at this stage would be to determine why the woman smokes and what barriers she may face in stopping smoking (Dunkley 2000). The leaflet facilitates this by allowing the woman to question why she smokes and how she feels about it. It also seeks to establish what the woman feels is good and bad about smoking and how she anticipates changing her behaviour towards smoking. It has been suggested (McLeod et al 2003) that some midwives find it difficult to broach the subject of smoking particularly with women who have no desire to stop and those who are still considering stopping. However McLeod et al (2003) found from their qualitative study that women expected to be asked about smoking during routine antenatal care and indeed they felt it was part of the midwives rol e to ask. The preparation stage is where the woman is committed to giving up smoking. She may seek extra help and is likely to attempt change soon (Dunkley 2000). If the woman is in this planning stage she may benefit from smoking cessation services, which the midwife can offer such as Smokeline, or other local services. Within the leaflet is a free phone number for Smokeline (HEBS 2003) who offer advice and issue the booklet Aspire to Stop Smoking (HEBS and Action on Smoking and Health Scotland 2001). This supporting information helps the woman to discover what she can do to help herself to stop smoking. NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland (2004b) challenge the reliability of answers to questions Midwives and other health promoters may be asking individuals with regard to their interest in stopping smoking as that individual may feel that agreeing is what is expected. Hesitancy in answering may be indicative of reluctance to commit to stopping at present, so ensuring they understand that the re are many options available in the future can enhance the chance of them stopping (NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland 2004b). The midwife would continue to support the individual during this time offering advice and encouragement (Crafter 1997) and also would remind the patient of the importance of social support from partners and friends (NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland 2004b). The findings from a study by McLeod et al (2003) concur with the need to have partner involvement. They found that although the women were supported by the midwives there was a failing in educating the partners to the womens needs while trying to stop smoking (McLeod et al 2003). Moreover Thompson et al (2004) would like to see this expanded out with the antenatal setting. This issue has been addressed in part by the initiative, which encourages the woman to seek partner involvement to support her at this time (HEBS 2003). The penultimate stage is the making the change stage this is when the woman is taking action (Naidoo and Wills 2000). NHS Lothian (2002) supports making a date to stop and sticking to it. One of the options is nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which has caused debates over its place in smoking cessation during pregnancy (Dunkley 2000, McNeill et al 2001). McNeill et al (2001) found that using NRT, although not recommended in pregnancy, could be beneficial, as all the pollutants from actual cigarettes would not be delivered to the mother or the fetus. The final stage is the maintenance stage. It is vital that the midwife maintains good support through the postnatal period as Pollock (2003) found that 60% of women who give up during pregnancy restart smoking within 1 month of birth. Encouragement from the midwife to eat a sensible a diet (Crafter 1997) and use diversionary tactics like regular brushing of teeth and saving cigarette money up for treats (NHS Lothian) helps the woman to stay stopped. The leaflet in its favour mentions how other smokers managed to stop and what they have done to help themselves. In this final stage there is room for relapse or slipping. The leaflet lets individuals know it is ok to relapse but encourages them to learn from this. It also mentions some of the side effects that women may experience from nicotine withdrawal. The medical approach to health promotion aims to ensure individuals are disease and disability free (Ewles and Simnett 2003). This approach could be viewed as paternalistic, where professionals decide what is best for an individual (Crafter 1997) and as pregnancy is not a state of ill health (Dunkley 2000) it brings into question its validity in midwifery care. However women could jeopardise the health of themselves and their unborn child if they are involved in risk taking behaviour such as smoking during pregnancy. The initiative mentions some of the health risks involved such as miscarriage and low birth weight babies (HEBS 2003) but favourably does not go into detail to avoid victim-blaming. Within the medical approach such initiatives as General Practitioners or other health professionals advocating smoking cessation during consultations is found to be more useful than no mention at all (HEBS 1998) resulting in approximately 2% of smokers stopping long term. Recommendation 1.2 o f the Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Scotland (NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland 2004a) states that a midwife should ascertain a patients smoking status and discourage them from smoking at the earliest opportunity. The midwife should also offer support and treatment to aid cessation (NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland 2004a). Crafter (1997) identifies the need for midwives to give unbiased information, however justifies the obligation to educate women about damaging behaviour such as smoking during pregnancy. Facts specific to smoking in pregnancy are not included in the leaflet such as smoking in the first 3 months of pregnancy accounts for a quarter of low birth weight babies (Scottish Executive 2001). An educational approach to health promotion is giving individuals information to discover the health benefits or detriments for themselves (Ewles and Simnett 2003). Crafter (1997) argues that there can be no true educational approach when it comes to smoking in pregnancy because midwives would be unable to remain neutral due to the fact that evidence is available that clearly shows smoking is detrimental. Naidoo and Wills (2000) explain that the educational approach differs from the behaviour change model, as the educational model does not use encouragement to achieve its aims. NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland (2004b) concur with this view advocating that it is not the role of the midwife to persuade but to inform. They go on to defend the use of facts in conjunction with the leaflet. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2003) also emphasise the need for women to be informed of the risks, which can make a purely educational approach unattainable in relation to smoking cessation. The information could be available to patient who enquire about if for them to discover the advantages and disadvantages for themselves with the midwife advising them of where to find resources. In a study by Pullon et al (2003) it showed how suitable resources helped educate women to stop smoking. Critically however it appeared that the midwives concerned were involved in a more behavioural change role as then conclusion commented on the midwives powerful influence (Pullon et al 2003). The client-centred approach facilitates health promotion of things that the client feels will be of benefit (Ewles and Simnett 2003), this could mean that an individual may not consider that smoking cessation is an issue they want to address and as such the topic may never be discussed. This model is said to facilitate autonomy (Dunkley 2000) but as such the leaflet may never be looked. If however the client felt that smoking cessation was something she was interested in, the midwife would be able to offer any help that was available to her to empower the woman to achieve her objective (Crafter 1997). The societal change approach focuses on changing the whole society not just individuals within it (Ewles and Simnett 2003). Implementation of changes at community level or above looks to bring about changes to the attitudes and beliefs about smoking during pregnancy to the population. This would include laws such as that to be introduced in spring 2006 banning anybody smoking in enclosed public spaces in Scotland (Scottish Executive 2004). The majority of pregnant smokers are age 16-24 and low socio-economic groups highlighting the important fact that deprivation and inequality increase the incidences of smoking and of teen pregnancy (Lazenbatt et al 2000, NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland 2003). Conclusion Midwives play an important role in promoting the health and wellbeing of individuals and their families and delivery of health education (Scottish Executive 2001). The initiative appeared to have some weaknesses as a stand-alone leaflet, however as part of a multi-dimensional approach it emerged favourably. The midwife must endeavour to gain trust and support to deliver the required service and promote empowerment (Dunkley 2000). She must take care not to alienate the women that require her help. There must be a trusting relationship built up between the midwife and the woman to achieve a positive outcome. Approximately 20% of smoking mums give up during pregnancy and of them over 50% who gave up attributed it to being pregnant (HEA 1999) this indicates further that women want to stop and indeed manage successfully to stop smoking.

Capital Punishment Essay: Should Execution of Inmates be Televised?

Should the Execution of Death Row Inmates be Televised?      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On discussing the appeal of the highly-rated CBS television show, "Survivor," host Jeff Probst said the "appeal of the show lies in the idea that it is truly a human experience" (Mason par. 3).   Now imagine a show in which American television viewers are permitted to watch the live execution of a Death Row inmate.   Would broadcasting a live execution have the same "appeal" as "Survivor"?   Or would televising an inmate's execution have horrific and harmful consequences on the American public, putting the issue of capital punishment, as well as their ethical standards, in jeopardy?      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Televisions are present in 98-99% of American households, (comma splice) basically they are present in every American house.   American viewers watch televisions frequently and for a long duration of time, regarding what is seen on television as the most "credible, complete, intelligent, and unbiased source of news" (Leighton par. 10).   Therefore, because of this fact, proponents of televising executions believe that in doing so, the public creates a deterrent, allowing the whole process of the United States criminal justice system to play out in front of the American public via the most popular medium for doing so, the television ("Debate Lives On" par. 3).   A deterrent is a notion that the pain of punishment, (in this case, the pain of execution), will prevent human beings from committing crimes.   Therefore, if the American public could bear witness to the execution of a convicted man or woman, the image would be so shocking t o that viewers mind that the ability or desire of that person to commit a "death penalty" crime would decrease.   In essence, proponents of te... ... 2 June 2000.   Online.   Internet.   Available:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/2000/06/02//fpl13sl-csm.shtml Miller, Matthew.   "Forget Conventions-televise executions."   Los Angeles Times Syndicate.   29 June 2000.   Online.   Internet.   Available:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.reporter-news.com/opinion/forgetconvensions/exe.htm Shapiro, Andrew L.   "State Killing: America's New Spectator Sport?"   Salon Magazine.   28 July 1997.   Online.   Internet.   Available:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.salonmagazine.com/mediacircus.html   "State Killing is Not the Answer."   Amnesty International-USA.   Press Release.   Guatamala.   26 June 200.   Online.   Internet.   Available:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.rights.amnesty.org/ainews.html White, James.   Contempory Moral Problems.   Fifth Edition.   West Publishing Company.   Minneapolis, 1997.