Athena Essays - Religion, Greek Mythology, Mythology,

Athena Athena Back in time when Greece was making its mark in history as one of the great civilization of the Ancient World, there was a great deal of emphasis on the Gods and Goddesses. To the Greeks the world was governed by the Gods and they were the reason many things happened in the world, mostly thing that where unexplainable. The goddess Athena was one of the many gods or goddesses that played a large role in Greek mythology. Even though Athena was the patron saint of Athens she supported other Greeks outside of Athens, such as, Achilles, Orestes, and especially Odysseus (?Athena?-1). Athena is know to be the goddess of war, guardian of cities, patroness of arts and crafts, and promoter of wisdom (?Images of Women...?-1). Athena's name actually came form the Cretan and Mycenean name Athene which predates the Greeks by about 1,500 years (Daly-20). The ending ?-ene,' was set aside for royalty and goddesses, like Helene (Harris-4). She was also called by some Greeks as Pallas Athena. Not many people know where the name Pallas came from. Some legends say she obtained it from the giant Pallas that she killed in the war of the gods and giants (Grant-Hazel 83). Another legend says that Athena accidentally killed her childhood playmate Pallas. By taking Pallas' in front of her own, Athena shows the grief that she endured for the loss of her friend (Daly-20). Athena had such an impact on the Greeks that the Romans adopted her and called her Minerva (?Minerva?-1). The origins of Athena's name is not the only discrepancy that historians have had. The origin of where Athena came form is also a discrepancy. Zeus feared that he would be overcome by a son greater than he born from the intelligent Metis. To prevent this Zeus ate Metis. There for, Athena, in the most common legend, was born fully grown out of Zeus's head after Hephaestus split it open with an ax. Another legend, this one form Crete, says Athena was hidden in a cloud. Zeus hit his head on the cloud and caused Athena to appear (Daly-20). Out of all the cities that Athena helped and protected Athens claimed her as there own. The Atheans believed that the first king of Athens, Erichthonius, was a descendant of Athena (Daly-20). Even though Poseidon was greedy of earthy kingdoms, he challenged Athena for the city. The both of them appeared before the court of gods and goddess to make a judgment. Poseidon presented water to be of use to the Atheans. But the water was salty. Athena presented the olive tree which gave fruit, oil and wood. The court judged that this was a more beneficial gift and let Athena have the city (Daly-100). To show their homage, the Atheans, built the Parthenon. The word Parthenon means virgin's place, for Athena was a virgin goddess (?Parthenon?-1). The east side of the building showed the birth of Athena and the west side showed the contest with Poseidon (?Athena?-1). Atheans, on the other hand, were not the only people Athena favored. According to Homer the Greeks were greatly benefited when Athena came down from the heavens and stopped Achilles of Phthia from killing Agamemnon. Achilles protested but Athena replied: Down from the skies I come to check your rage if only you would yield...Stop this fighting, now...Don't lay hand to sword...I know it is the truth-one day glittering gifts will lie before you, three times over to pay for all his outrage. Hold pack now. Obey... (Homer-104) Even though Athena was the patroness of war she also had compassion for the Greeks. Athena new if Achilles had killed Agamemnon that would certainly mean defeat for the Greeks. Athena was ruthless, manipulative, savage, and found delight in Trojan blood (?Athena, daughter of Zues?-1). Athena also is credited with helping a young man that was on trial in Athens for killing his mother. This young man was Orestes and his mother Clytemnestra, both form Argos. Athena having no mother had more compassion for the male figure than female. She considered the crimes of Clytemnestra (killing her husband, Agamemnon) more punishable than Orestes crime (Parada-2). Aeschylus seems to sum it up in Athena's speech to the court in The Oresteia. ?The Eumenides.? ...No mother gave me birth. I honor the male , in all things but marriage. Yes, with all my heart I am my Father's child. I cannot set more store by the women's death-she killed her husband, guardian of their house...(644) With this trial Athena presented a new

Segregation and Discrimination in My Left Foot

Segregation and Discrimination in My Left Foot This is a touching movie, and most people who have watched it will agree that the levels of commitment that are exhibited by the family members towards Christy Brown despite his disabilities are relatively high. In that era, the fact that most individuals who suffered from diseases such as cerebral palsy were institutionalized was quite depressing. It meant that the individuals encountered a lot of segregation and discrimination, and they were never given an opportunity to stay with their family members or to display their talents.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Segregation and Discrimination in My Left Foot specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The case of Christy Brown is one such example that shows that a person with disabilities can do many things. This is because Christy Brown is given the chance to stay with his family, and in due course, he shows how talented he is by making use of the only part of his body that h e can control, which is his left foot. This proved that individuals with the disease could do many things like the way Christy Brown painted with his foot. It is just that they never had the chance to stay with people who love them, thus encouraging them to show case their talents. The movie encourages people who have family members who are suffering from the condition to show them love, and offer them extra care since they are not altogether retarded. In the case of Christy Brown, his family members imagined that he was retarded, yet he was not. He managed to use his foot to communicate by writing on the ground, which stunned his family. The stigma that most people have about people with cerebral palsy ought to be done away with. There is a lot to be taught about the disease. The people who suffer from cerebral palsy can be taught how and encouraged to control their bodies including speech and muscle control. The most intriguing aspect about the movie is the love that the family me mbers exhibit towards Christy Brown. His mother shows exceptional love and so does the rest of the family. The movie also shows how individuals suffering from cerebral palsy have emotions such as love and hate. This is depicted when Christy falls in love with Dr. Eileen, who was his doctor. She had introduced him to a new program that had been launched for people with cerebral palsy. He shows severe levels of depression when she declares that she is going to marry someone else. Christy Brown is portrayed as a very emotional character who attempts to commit suicide, due to the heartbreak that he underwent when the woman he loved married someone else. However, the movie shows the great lengths that a family can go to in order to ensure that the family members’ interests are taken care of, and no harm comes their way. The way that Christy Brown grew up plays a significant role in molding his life. Christy Brown’s life was markedly influenced by the way that he grew up. He was considered as part of the gang. It made him confident, and he felt like a normal child although he had cerebral palsy. Christy was also able to work and earn money when his father died by writing an autobiography that managed to bring in income for the family. The movie shows that there is much more to individuals with cerebral palsy than meets the eyes.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Prompt 4 - Gentiva Health Services Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Prompt 4 - Gentiva Health Services - Essay Example This would ensure that the activities of the company remain profitable in both short-term and long-term basis. The company recorded a noticeable decrease in revenue in 2012. Previously, the company has made several acquisitions and dispositions. This is likely to have been one of the main attribute that led to this loss amidst other factors. This paper explores the financial trend in Gentiva for 2011 and 2012. Financial Performance In the past two years, Gentiva has experienced significance changes in its financial performance. This is largely dependent on the strategic changes that the organization has decided to implement. Considering the financial results of the 2011 and 2012 periods, the following analysis can be reached. The company registered a 6% decrease in revenue for the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period 2011(from $449.7million to $424.4 million). The loss from continuing operations decreased tremendously from $15.82 per diluted share in 2011 to $0.02 in 201 2 third quarter. The company recorded $19.1 million non-cash write-off in connection with a rebranding of its operations into one name. For the same period in 2011, the company registered a $643.3 million for a non-cash impairment of a failed test of its goodwill. The company sold 9 health branches and closed 25 home health branches as well as 9 hospice branches, all in different locations. This move was reached after a comprehensive structure analysis aimed at responding to challenging Medicare reimbursement rate environment. Moreover, the company closed four more home health branches in 2012. In response to these closures and sales, the financial results of the second quarter and the first six months decreased by approximately $22 million and $41million respectively in 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Though, the first quarter of 2012 represented 182 (29 days in February 2012) working days compared to 181 working days in 2011, the company revenues went down significantly in 2012 (Gentiva Health Services Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results). The company has maintained a good cash balance for the year 2011 and 2012. Its total assets reduced due to the sale of the 34 branches in 2011 and 10 branches in 2012. It is evident from the revenues accrued in first six months of 2011 and 2012, that the company has instituted measures to manage its costs. The sale and closure of the various branches has enabled the company to significantly cut-down its expenditures. With the reduced expenditures, the company has moved ahead to make more acquisitions to counter the reduction in revenue arising from the closure of the hospice and health care branches that took place in 2011 and early 2012. Its ability to record capital gains and huge profits is also an indication that the business has been able to control its costs. Nevertheless, the health care reform is a forceful measure that may affect many health service providers, Gentiva included. Thus, it is not satisfactor y to say that the company is able to totally manage its costs before the health care reform comes into force in 2014. Emerging Changes in 2011 And 2012 The Company received earnings amounting to approximately $5.9 million in the second quarter and recognized a receivable of about $0.5 million in 2012. In the second quarter of 2012, 8 home health branc