pyramids and ziggurats Essays - 880 Words

There are many similarities (and differences) between Ancient Egyptian Pyramids, Mesopotamian ziggurats, and the pyramids of Pre-Columbian South America. All of them had major significance for their peoples cultures and religious beliefs, as well as having historic significance today. The greatest parallel between all of these ancient skyscrapers is that they were made for the upper echelons of these now defunct civilizations. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Egyptians built the most of these cultures. Over 90 royal pyramids were produced between roughly 2500 BC – 1500 BC. A daunting task considering that most of these pyramids were built nowhere near the supplies needed to make them. Giant stones were used, over a million for each†¦show more content†¦nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Paralleling the pyramids in Egypt were the ziggurats of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia (meaning between two rivers, the Tigress and Euphrates) began making these structures around roughly 2000 BC. They were made of bricks that they produced on the building’s work site. There were sun-dried bricks to make up the solid inside of the ziggurat, and there were kiln fired bricks that made up the structures faà §ade. These bricks were much smaller than the stones used in Egypt and also did not have to be brought from far away. Some of the ziggurats were built on top of older ones. Like Egyptian pyramids, the ziggurat was belie ved to be a kind of gateway between heaven and earth, but unlike the pyramids, the ziggurats where not tombs for kings. Rather they were believed to be the earthly homes of gods. Egyptians built their massive structures outside of major populated areas. But the ziggurats were in prominent areas. Cities had their own patron god or goddess (some places even had two ziggurats, one for a god of both sexes) and priests were the only ones allowed into these temples. They had the honor of catering to the needs of the gods and were powerful figures in their respective communities. Mesopotamians also built the Tower of Babel, which was supposed to have been built as bridge from earth to heaven. It was most likely located in Neo-Babylonia (home of the Hanging Gardens) and was also one ofShow MoreRelatedEssay about Ur and Djoser709 Words   |  3 PagesZiggurat of Ur and Stepped Pyramid of Djoser: A Comparison Joseph Katz Art History 100-26 Dr. Karl F. Schuler 10/6/11 Title: Ziggurat of Ur Period: Neo-Sumerian Provenance: Ur, Iraq Date: 2150 BC The â€Å"Ziggurat of Ur† was built in 2150 BC by the Gutians. First, let’s discuss what exactly a ziggurat is. A ziggurat is a superstructure built on top and around a mountain. On the very top was a temple. Ziggurats were made out of only mud brick. One may ask, why use mud brick? Compared toRead MoreThe Two Pieces Of Paintings963 Words   |  4 Pagesto compare were the Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq and the Great Stupa in India. The first piece of Artwork was originally located in the city of Ur, it is called the Ziggurat of Ur. The Ziggurat of Ur was built by the Sumerians. The Sumerians were the first group of people in Mesopotamia, known as the cradle of civilization. They invented the first form of writing known as cuneiform, along with the wheel. Sumerians worshipped many Gods and Goddesses in temples or located in ziggurats (Gateways to Art,Read MoreAncient Architecture : Ancient And Medieval Architecture1015 Words   |  5 Pagesinfluenced by many factors like e nvironment, politics, and culture. However, the greater factor that influenced Ancient and Medieval Architecture is religion. Religion, Gods, and the heavens where the key factors in creating Mesopotamian Ziggurats, Egyptian Pyramids, Greek Temples, Christian Basilicas, Islamic Mosques, and Romanesque and Gothic churches. The Deir el-Bahri and the Mortuary temples of Queen Hatshepsut are influenced by nature, since the temples lay adjacent to the Nile River. TheRead MoreAccording to the modern researchers, the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations likely seem very1200 Words   |  5 Pagesand Ancient Egypt have their impressive pyramid structures, but in Mesopotamia they are called ziggurats, and Sumerians is the people that built the ziggurats. For example, the Sumerians had built the first ziggurats in 3300-3000 BCE and it located at Ur, it contained the temple on top.The base shape of the ziggurats is rectangle and the its measures 140 by 200 feet . Additionally, the ziggurats are solid structures, it made of mud bricks. The ziggurats were used only for worship and not forRead MoreEgyptian Art vs. Sumerian Art Essay1165 Words   |  5 Pagesafterlife, or be condemned for all eternity, is completely up to the gods themselves. The pyramids of Giza are perhaps even more well known than the Egyptians hieroglyphics. These wondrous structures are thought to be based around the culture of the dead. A paragraph from Emmet Johns The Pyramid Age describes these structures as such; â€Å".. from the point of view of orthodox chronology, are the mastaba-tombs [pyramids] replaced. Similar to those used in Egypt.. they were a preferred type of funerary structureRead MoreHuman History and Egypt1422 Words   |  6 Pages The Ziggurat , was a massive terraced tower made of rubble and brick, and was a place of worship for the Mesopotamian city/state . It was a temple and shrine, and was possibly a burial site, because votive statues were left in many Ziggurat’s . These buildings also symbolized the sacred mountain that protected them and was also responsible for their survival. The temples were built high in the air because of this. Ziggurat at Read MoreThe Massive Mystery Essay1687 Words   |  7 PagesFor centuries people have given a diverse collection of theories as to how the ancient pyramids were constructed. The Great Pyramid of Giza is truly an incredible architectural accomplishment. This pyramid in particular is commonly referred to as the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Some believe that the Egyptians had developed technology that has simply been lost in time. Others think they had help from extraterrestrial beings. The reality of the construction relied on human laborRead MoreThe Egyptian Pyramids849 Words   |  4 Pagesengaged columns is means they are attached. The capitals are important because it is the earliest known stone columns in the history of architecture. 2. The Egyptian Pyramids were built as Pharaohs Burial Chambers. The pyramids were built out of solid blocks of quarried limestone of the Gizeh. The techniques of building the pyramid were hypothesize the work men had to cut into the rock and move large blocks roughly equal size using copper chisels and wooden mallets. They also cut deep into tunnelRead MoreEdifices to the Gods and Social Perception of A Nation530 Words   |  2 Pagesof the dynasty: Cheops, Khufu and Menkuare] focused on building projects aimed at edifying the political and religious power of the civilization (Wake 29). Indeed, one needs only consider the fact that while the pyramids of Egypt served as funereal complexes for their rulers the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia served as cultural museums and offices for their people. The period between 2112 B.C.E. and 2004 B.C.E. were the peak in Sumerian civilization’s development and were stereotyped by the constructionRead MoreComparing The Egyptians And The Mesopotamians Essay1449 Words   |  6 Pagesthe religion of both empires were polytheistic (Meaning â€Å"many gods†) (2). Because the gods controlled Egypt and Mesopotamia through land and power, people dedicated a large portion of their time to the gods. An example is that temples like Great pyramids and statues were made specifically for the gods. One thing that both civilizations had was a strong economy. The Mesopotamians economy was very alike to Egypt’s, with both empires contributing their taxes through forced labor and farming. They also

Corporate Social Responsiblity and Wal-Mart Free Essays

Corporate Social Responsibility and Wal-Mart Corporations deal with a wide variety of social issues and problems; some directly related to their operations, some are not. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be defined as â€Å"the actions of an organization that are targeted toward achieving a social benefit over and above maximizing profits for its shareholders and meeting all its legal obligations† (Ghillyer 78). If this is the case, establishing appropriate and practical ethical guidelines in the workplace seems to be a reasonable request as a basis for corporate operations. We will write a custom essay sample on Corporate Social Responsiblity and Wal-Mart or any similar topic only for you Order Now Wal-Mart should be an example in determining what constitutes the values associated with its fundamental purpose of Corporate Social Responsibility. The four components of CSR are financial, legal, ethical, and philanthropic (Barnett). These areas of CSR ought to exist within every company’s infrastructure; however, the organization’s primary focus is usually on performance and profit not on social conscientiousness. Financial being the first component of CSR is often the major factor in a company’s consideration of ethical standards. The main goal of any business is to keep its costs low and to earn a profit. Financial responsibilities in regards to CSR means that society expects that a corporation will produce needed goods and services that are desired by customers and sell those goods and services at a reasonable price while still earning a profit. The organization strives to be efficient and profitable along with keeping the best interest of the shareholders in mind (Barnett). Financially, the Wal-Mart Corporation is a multi-billion dollar industry with close to two million employees worldwide. On the positive side, Wal-Mart’s motto is â€Å"Always low prices. Always! They uphold this motto by providing low prices to consumers with a high return on investment to satisfy stockholders. On the negative side, with jobs currently being scarce, Wal-Mart seems to manage keeping costs low by demanding high productivity from their associates (employees) with seemingly low compensation. In addition, most associates cannot afford to be covered by health insurance. The consequence of this treatment of personnel is a high employee turnover rate, which seems to question management’s view that the organization is a family (â€Å"The NEW Age of Walmart†). The second component of CSR, which is representative of the legal standards and obligations, refers to the expectation that a corporation will follow the rules set down by society. This means the organization is to comply with government laws used to protect employees’, stakeholders, customers, suppliers, the community, and other competition in the marketplace. An individual business could have thousands of legal responsibilities governing almost every aspect of their operations, including consumer and product laws, environmental laws, and employment laws (Barnett). The legal challenges that face Wal-Mart are numerous. Before Wal-Mart decides to build a new store, it researches and visits specific site locations in conjunction with considering the neighborhood. It does so discretely as not attract attention attempting to protect against opposition to the development of a new store. Defenders of Wal-Mart propose the overall advantages to the community, which includes economic benefits and consumer choice. Opponents to a new Wal-Mart have concerns over traffic congestion, public safety, and competition to small business. Often there can be protests from labor unions, environmental groups, and other wary citizens (â€Å"The NEW Age of Walmart†). Ethics is the third component of Corporate Social Responsibility. The ethical responsibilities concern societal expectations that go beyond the law, such as the expectation that organizations will conduct their affairs in a fair and just way. This means that organization are expected to do more than just comply with the law, they are to do what is considered right by society’s standards. Organizations should make proactive efforts to anticipate and meet the norms of society even if the law does not formally enact those norms. Ethics are a necessary and critical ingredient in any business that wants to be successful (Barnett). Wal-Mart seems to address the fact that there should be a code of ethics. The application of corporate ethical behavior needs to be dealt with on a personal and professional level. The key for Wal-Mart is to help their associates indentify if their actions are right or wrong. They rely on a system of training and business practices started by its founder, Sam Walton (â€Å"The NEW Age of Walmart†). Lastly, one of the most overlooked areas of CSR is the fourth component of philanthropic and discretionary responsibilities. In other words, this means society expects that corporations be good citizens that they will show concern for humanity. It may involve such things as performing charitable actions, supporting programs that benefit a community or nation, and donating expertise time and/or services to worthy causes (Barnett). In this area, the future of Wal-Mart looks promising if it is willing to recognize their duty to society. With its tremendous size, the organization is faced with being an example to other corporations. It is trying to make efforts such as supporting the environment, but they have just begun to scrap the surface. It will require balance between profit and social responsibility (â€Å"The NEW Age of Walmart†). Works Cited Barnett, Tim. â€Å"Corporate Social Responsibility. † 2010. Reference for Business: Encyclopedia of Business, 2nd ed. Web. 27 Dec. 2010. . Ghillyer, Andrew W. Business Ethics: A Real World Approach, 2nd ed. New York: McGraw- Hill, 2010. Print. â€Å"The NEW Age Of Walmart. † CNBC Originals. 23 Sept. 2009. Video. 27 Dec. 2010. . How to cite Corporate Social Responsiblity and Wal-Mart, Papers

My Last Duchess, By Robert Browning, Is An Example Of A Dramatic Monol Essay Example For Students

My Last Duchess, By Robert Browning, Is An Example Of A Dramatic Monol Essay ogue. A dramatic monologue is a kind of narrative poem in which one character speaks to one or more listeners whose replies are not given in the poem. The Duke is speaking to an envoy about his first wife who is apparently dead. From what he is telling him, one can conclude that he is arrogant, domineering, and very insecure about his relationship. The Duke of Ferrara was a very arrogant man. He did not seem to care about the happiness of his wife, only his own. He did not like the fact that she found happiness in other places beside himself, as if he should be the only life in her life. He could not understand how she could rank his nine thousand year old name with more simpler things such as her white mule that she rode on the terrace, an act of kindness from an officious fool and the drooping of the daylight in the west. His wife, no doubt, had no idea he felt that way but he could not discuss it with her, blaming it on the fact that he had no skill in speech. He let the problem persist until he no longer could stand it and finally gave commands that in one way or another caused her death. Another problem that he had was that he was too domineering. This is evident in the fact that he went to the extreme and killed his wife just because she did not conform to his image of a perfect wife. He wanted things to be his way regardless of how she felt. He now talks about his last duchess as if she were simply a thing painted in a picture to be admired. Other evidence that supports the idea of him being domineering is shown when he told his envoy that no one but him could touch the curtain that covered the picture. It is almost as if he has marked his territory and if anyone crosses the line they would be dealt with accordingly. Lastly, on the way down to meet his company he proudly points out his bronze sculpture of Neptune taming a sea horse. This is probably the embodiment of his whole mentality. He wanted to tame his wives into perfect women. Insecurity is something that we all feel at one point or another in our relationships. The Duke, however, was too insecure. He thought very little of his first wife, believing her to be too childish and naive. He probably felt that she did not love him very much because of the fact that she put his favor at her breast in the same category as other peoples gifts. He said that when she passed him she always smiled, but to him it was nothing because who passed without much the same smile? She was a woman of obvious beauty for in the poem it started that there was depth and passion in her earnest glance. People would ask the Duke the origin of the glance and he would irately reply that twas not her husbands presence only that called that spot of joy into her cheek. It would appear after mere complements by Fra Pandolf or other such things. Being insecure about her love for him probably drove him to his last action, which was to get rid of the stress all together. The Dukes personality, although somewhat sinister, captures the readers attention. He reveals his true inner self by explaining the vices of his wife. A feeling of pathos occurs when the reader finally understands that the wife died innocently through no fault of her own, ultimately leaving the Duke the villain of the story. My Last Duchess is a pure testimonial to the fact that the main character in a story does not have to be a good person in order for it to be an enjoyable piece of art.