Rembrandt a Religious Painter :: Essays Papers

Rembrandt a Religious PainterThe beauty of the images moves me to contemplation, as a meadow delights the eyes an subtly infuses the soul with the glory of God. (CCC 1162 found on Art as a form o Christian Meditation http//landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/Art_in_Meditation.html ) Rembrandt Harmenszoon avant-garde Rijn was born on July 15 of the year 1606 in the university metropolis of Leiden. His family was Catholic although his father was the only member of his family who converted from Catholicism to Calvinism in the late sixteenth century. His parents had 9 children, Rembrandt being the second youngest. At the age of seven, he was sent to the Leiden Latin School to prepare for the university as his brothers were sent out to learn a trade. This suggests that at an early age Rembrandt showed a more than average intelligence and that his parents were willing to educate him for a profession, very likely as a city administrator. (The new Encyclopedia Britannica 1974)Rembrandt left the Lat in School, at 14 he was very well trained in classical literature and a well-trained Latinist. Rembrandt indeed went to Leiden University were he found that his true love was for painting. His parents then removed him from the University and had him sent to a painter, Mr. Jacob Isaacxsz van Swanenburch. After three years with the painter his father took him to capital of The Netherlands to the painter Pieter Lastman where he became an apprentice. His parents did this because Rembrandt showed more a liking in drawing and painting historical and biblical scenes and images and there was no painter in Leiden who was salutary in religious subjects. 1624 Six months further education at Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam, perhaps also for a short while at Jacob Pynas. (Rembrandts Life- His memoir http//www.screendesign.de/remfus.htm) Rembrandt then returned to Leiden to become an independent painter. He then moved to Amsterdam and was paid high commissions to paint portraits. Rembrandt met a man named Hendrick van Uylenburgh an art corpus in Amsterdam. Rembrandt became an immediate success in Amsterdam. (The new Encyclopedia Britannica 1974) Rembrandt then married Hendrick van Uylenburghs cousin Saskia van Uylenburgh in June 22, 1634. His religious working were also in demand, and as early as about 1632 he received a commission from Prince Frederik Hendrik in The Hague to paint five scenes from the Passion of Christ, which was faultless in 1939. (The new Encyclopedia Britannica 1974)

Performance Measurement Essay

Nowadays, businesses operate in an uncertain environment and the managers can never know what will run across in the future (Arnold, 2005). Meanwhile, the economic crisis has turned that earth upside down it is a change for ever. The spheric economy was changed during the past two decades because of globalization, the firms are not only trade or invest in the companys domicile, but also trade or invest in other countries. Then circumspection will face a take of business risk in global economy. There are many different way to define risk simply, risks are opportunities to be seized. Risk management identifies risks with new opportunities to increase the probability of positive outcomes and maximize returns.The aim of this essay is identify the global challenges and risks and analyze the techniques available to financial managers to cut with risk when trade or investing in countries outside of the companys domicile. In the structure, firstly evaluate the current global economic situation and what is the challenge in this global economic situation. Secondly, identify the risks do companies face operation in uncertain global economy. Finally, it will consider and analyze the techniques available to financial managers to deal with risk when trading or investing in countries outside of the companys domicile. Outline of this essay,It is no doubt that today it is a globalization, however, due to the global economic crisis in 2008, the global economy is uncertainly and unstable. According to Arnold (2005) businesses operate in an uncertain environment and the managers can never know what will happen in the future. The global economy is divided into several situations.The one is low-income countries which CNI per capita of less than $936 and these countries have such serous social, political problems and economic that they represent limited opportunities for operations and investment.The next one is lower-middle-income countries which with a CNI per capita between $938 and $3705, such as Indonesia, Thailand and China. The consumer markets countries are increasing rapidly. Then is the upper-middle-income countries which with CNI per capita between $3706 and $11455, Such as Chile, Malaysia, Venezuela. In these countries, they have hefty education systems and high literacy rates, although wages are still significantly lower than in the advanced countries, it is rising rapidly. The last one is high-income countries which with CNI per capital higher or equal $11456. Such as Japan, Sweden, United States, Germany. (Keegan, Creen. 2011)However, the most representatives of current global economy situation are UE, USA, China

The article ‘Rebirth of a Profession’ discusses the new Codes of Practice for social care workers and their employers

The clause Rebirth of a Profession discusses the new Codes of Practice for genial wish well workers and their employers, together with the accomp eithering register, which were published in September 2002 by the General Social C ar Council (GSCC). It puts forward the view that this is the culmination of a twenty-year-old dream and the fulfilment of sociable workers hopes. Within this concession the causes reasons for this view and the quality of the argument will be analysed and evaluated using the processes of critical thinking.In order to do this thoroughly Damers (1995, cited by Gibbs & Gambrill, 1999, p206) four criteria of a substantially argument will be heeded. If any of these are violated, he states, then the argument is flawed. The criteria require that the reasons must be relevant, acceptable and constitute sufficient thousand for the truth of the conclusion. Finally the reasons should provide effective rebuttal to all reasonable challenges to the argument. Before th is can be achieved, consideration of what critical thinking is and its relevance to social work needs to be undertaken.Critical thinking involves the critical appraisal of beliefs, arguments and strikes in order to arrive at well-reasoned judgements. (Gibbs and Gambrill, 1996, p. 3). Whilst this definition is not absolute it provides a sound basis from which to commence and points to its application to social care. Social care lag frequently need to evaluate information to solve problems effectively and tell apart to well-developed decisions. Swartz & Parks (1994, p. 338) argue that assessing the reasonableness of ideas is crucial and failing to do so runs the risk of acting on ideas that are incorrect and may lead to harm.The article tries to convince the reader that the codes are a dream come true because they will give social care staff plusd status, raise standards of care and increase shared responsibility between workers and employers. The actual codes are not given, perh aps based on the assumption that readers of Community Care, a specialist magazine for social care staff, are already familiar with them. The reasons, given above, fulfil the relevance criteria in that if accepted they contribute to the truth of the conclusion. Whether they are acceptable will be examined later.The fifth paragraph offers an analogy with the Nurses Code, though the work of nurses is not strictly analogous to that of social care staff. Relevant similarities exist they both deal with under fire(predicate) people, are working to achieve the best possible outcome for the service user and in both cases a mistake could result in respectable consequences. The differences, however, question the value of the analogy as evidence (Brink-Budgen, 2000, p. 53). Nursing is a more structured profession and focuses on the medical model whereas social work deals with a number of different perspectives and models and thus is harder to define.Furthermore, as is stated in the article, the new social work code applies to a range of social care jobs. because it is dubious as to whether the nurses code is relevant or comparable. Fallacies and assumptions, apparent in the reasoning, detract from the acceptability of the argument. Emotional language is used to divert the readers attention from the true issues. This is illustrated in the first two sentences of the article the first sentence evokes feelings of pathos followed by the second, which raises the reader to a sense of elation and optimism on behalf of social care staff.In order for the claim that the code will increase successful recruitment to be true, it is necessary to assume that difficulties in recruiting social care staff are due to a previous lack of standards. However there is no consideration given to alternatives such as salary, nor is there evidence to halt this assumption. Brookfield (1987, p. ) states that identifying and challenging assumptions is central to critical thinking and develops our contextual awareness. Omissions in the article contribute to a permeating sense of vagueness and lack of clarity.Little evidence/ interrogation is presented for the claims made that could be considered to be of reliable quality or easily testable. Instead words such as many, often and most are used to precede a claim duping the reader into accepting the claim as truth. For example how many social workers see the nurses code as an enviable badge of professionalism? On what has the author based the claim that most social workers have this view? Likewise, nowhere in the article is evidence or service user perspectives indicated to support the claim that the code represents a major gain for them.Considering that the service user is central to social care and the current trend is towards increased service user consultation this is a glaring omission (Lloyd, 2002, p. 164). Compounding the tone of vagueness are unexplained terms and concepts, used within the article, which without resort t o further information, leads to a difficulty in deciding whether the premises are sound (Browne & Keeley, 2001, pp. 41-58). For example How will the special health hearings work? What sorts of health issues are included?Because this is not determined, it seems alarmist and raises questions of possible discrimination in the workplace. This is particularly damaging in that anti-discriminatory practice is a core value of social work, which should constantly underpin practice. The issue of accountability is also ambiguous and concerning what is meant by the term individually accountable? Davies (ed. , 2000) states that Accountability at first a simple concept, is in reality complex when applied to the practice of social work.There are a least four answers to the question to whom is the social worker accountable for her or his actions? . Accountability also holds connotations of blame (Banks, 2002, p. 30) which further demonstrates the importance of clear and compulsive language (Adam s et al. , eds. 2002). Having examined Damers (1995) first three criteria the rebuttal criterion will now be attended to. In order for this to be fulfilled the author should acknowledge any counter arguments and respond to them in a reasonable and straightforward way. Let us come back to the analogy with the nurses code.On the surface it appears to be a reasonable counter-argument, pointing out that the nurses code has not fulfilled expectations although it is a useful guide. In my opinion, however, it is a thinly veiled attempt to discredit the nurses code as inferior to the new social work code partly on the basis that the nurses code does not include employers (paragraph ten) although the previous paragraph seems to contradict this point. In paragraph eleven the author raises questions which allude to possible negative effects of the code but these are skimmed over and the information that follows seems purposefully vague.This denomination set out to examine the article using c ritical thinking skills and this has been achieved through the use of questioning and paying attention to problems in the reasoning, arguments and claims made. Unfortunately it has not been possible to raise everything discussed in the article. However, it has considered the strength of the article based on Damers (1995) four criteria and been found lacking. Therefore, without clarifications and resort to further information, I can only reason that the argument is flawed and, at this point, reject it as incomplete.

Poor nutrition and its effects on learning Essay

Picture yourself very hungry but struck in work, you will be dysphoric and very hard to concentrate on the job in front of you. If it is the case with us adults, just imagine how it would feel care if you were a louvre year old girl, melancholy and hungry just because your parents are not rich enough to feed you daily. This is the situation in most of the under veritable and developing countries. This is a reality, and a nightmare in the youth of many children and thereby impacts the learning ability of these poor and destitute future citizens. There is a correlation between viands and behavior of brain functioning, that has always been under-researched. Schools have the resources and ability to maintain a pivotal role in making and maintaining our childrens learning capabilities and helping them benefit socially by creating resources of healthy food as breakfasts and lunches in the schools working days.The idea of good nutrition is not limited to birth, Minimum nutritional re quirement becomes a necessity right from the moment she is in the mothers womb. It is regrettable and very sad to say that not every mother who will be conceiving is capable of giving her baby a better start. A teenager who doesnt hold the importance of minimum nutrition, a grownup who has to miss her lunch to spare a few dollars, a pregnant woman who doesnt feel like eating and doesnt consume enough vitamins, fats, minerals and nutrients are prone to higher uncertainty of conceiving low weight babies. It is the governments responsibility to give subsidies on daily cereals, vegetables and conduct camps where people under -the poverty line can have their nutritional requirements met.By providing the nations under-paid families and their youth with nutritious food and by making use of the vast farming lands owned by the government to cultivate the essential commodities so that they in turn help proscribe malnutrition children by providing nutritious meals, at least once a day. Finall y, it can be said that the most prominent of problems that poor face is Malnutrition, and it has been eating up the younger generation and thereby weakening the country. If the government is careful to see that the minimum nutrients are provided as a part of education, the problem can be reduced to a significantly lower stage.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome Essay

Should the drinking time be lowered? This question is one that has hounded us for decades. At age eighteen we are legal adults, we can join the military, vote, and anything else that any adult could legally do. So then why can we not drink work on age 21? In my opinion we should not lower the drinking age. If we keep the drinking age to 21 we can save lives, save tribe from becoming addicted to alcohol, and lastly our encephalons are not fully developed till at least age 21.We know through history that belongings the drinking age at 21 can save lives. In 1971, we adopted the 26th amendment and this not lonesome(prenominal) lowered the voting age plainly also began lowering the drinking age around our land. End result leading to 29 states lowering the drinking age. Immediately we began to see a assimilate increase to teen death in relation to alcohol. Shortly after 24 states rose the drinking age again and by 1984 there were only 3 states left with the drinking age of 18. Acc ording to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), increasing the minimum drinking age to 21 is credited with having deliver 18,220 lives on the nations highways between 1975 and 1998. intoxicant addiction is very serious. We say addiction runs in families and based on this I feel homogeneous most families have at least one relative addicted to alcohol. Alcoholism is a medical and social problem in our country. At least 75-80% of defendants involved in felony crimes or serious misdemeanors were either under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they committed their crime or committed their crime to curb money to obtain alcohol or drugs or to survive because they have lost their financial resources due to their addiction, Said by criminal justice experts. Alcohol addiction can lead to high divorce, suicide and dropping come out of school rates. We also know that teenagers can become addicted to alcohol fast (6-18 months) while adults can come addicted to as l ate as 5 years, this studied was conducted by Karen Burger. The longer we can postpone alcohol use, the discover the chance that a person will never have an addiction or problem with alcohol.Lastly and most importantly alcohol can involve your brain growth immensely if you are a heavy drinking or even drink at all before age 21. This is because the brain has not fully developed until you are AT LEAST 21. Alcohol affects the area of the brain that control judgment which is why people tend to do more immature things while intoxicated rather then when they have a good head on their shoulders. Drinking at younger ages makes you less(prenominal) appreciate the consequences for the risky actions that you are taking with drinking underage. It also slows perceptual and motor skills. Drinking in these formative years and cause irreversible abuse and the only person you would be hurting would be yourself.In conclusion, I believe the drinking age should not be lowered based on these very se rious reasons. We need to help our country stay in tact and create less crimes and deaths and more people who want to help our country prosper. All and all drinking at any age is bad for you until you learn how to handle it, only you can decide when that is. If you plan your life out intellectually you can all the time in the world to figure it out.

Analysis of the Twelfth Planet

The Myth of a 12th Planet A Brief Analysis of Cylinder legal tender VA 243 Michael S. Heiser Ph. D. dropdidate, Hebrew Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages University of Wisconsin-Madison Introduction Readers of Zecharia Sitchins books, particularly The 12th Planet, testament recognize the in a higher place postage of approval, VA 243 (so named because it is number 243 in the collection of the Vorderasiatische Museum in Berlin). This seal is the centerpiece of Sitchins theory that the Sumerians had ad trainced astronomical knowledge of the planetary bodies in our solar constitution.This knowledge was allegedly given to the Sumerians by extraterrestrials, whom Sitchin identifies as the Anunnaki gods of Sumero-Mesopotamian mythology. In the upper left- distri scarcelye corner of the seal, Sitchin argues, mavin sees the solarize surrounded by xi globes. Since ancient peoples (including the Sumerians according to Sitchin) held the solarize and moon to be planets, these el regu lar globes plus the sun add up to twelve planets. Of course, since we now know of nine planets plus our sun and moon, part of Sitchins argument is that the Sumerians knew of an extra planet beyond Pluto.This extra planet is considered by Sitchin to be Nibiru, an astronomical body menti unityd in Mesopotamian texts. Sitchins works detail his contention that Nibiru passes through our solar system e very 3600 years, and so some believers in Sitchins theory contend that Nibiru will return soon. Some followers of Sitchins sentiments also refer to Nibiru as Planet X. Is Sitchin define in whole or in part? Is Nibiru a 12th planet that will soon return? Does VA243 effort up his thesis? Unfortunately for Sitchin and his followers, the answer to each of these questions is no. This paper will focus on the heart of his theory, VA243.Nibiru is the subject of an early(a) paper on my website. regularity and Approach The study of cylinder seals is truly a very specialized sub-discipline dee p down Sumerology and Assyriology. a It is possible to determine, through the efforts of cylinder seal specialists of the recent recent and current experts, to decisively say that Sitchins interpretation of this seal is deeply flawed and lacks scholarly merit. In short, his theory is false and is unsupported by the seal itself. In the discussion that follows, I will demonstrate that VA243 in no way supports Sitchins ideas.My reasons / lines of argument for this are 1) The inscription on the seal (left hand and right hand sides which are non discussed by Sitchin) says nothing nearly planets or any element of astronomy. Rather than purport an independent translation, I will defer to authorities on Sumerian seal inscriptions in this regard to avoid any charge of bias. 2) The alleged sun figure on the seal is not the sun. We know this because it does not conform to the lucid depiction of the sun in hundreds of other cylinder seals and exercisings of Sumero-Mesopotamian artwor k.I will describe the typical depiction (determined with proof because it appears with texts about the sun god Shamash Akkadian, known as Utu in Sumerian) and provide image examples. Sources are provided for readers to check for themselves. The sun signism is actually a super champion (which in Mesopotamian art could cod six or, much super acidly, octette points). Lest the modern reader retort that well, the sun is a hero, I offer several images where the principal sum symbolism and the sun symbol (which again, is not that in VA243) are side-by-side and distinct from one another.The Sumerians and Mesopotamians distinguished the sun from confidential informations by using different symbols and associating each symbol with the sun god and other gods, respectively. There is simply no ancient Sumero-Akkadian evidence to support Sitchins identification. 3) If the sun is not the sun, then what are the dots? The dots are also stars, as is best illustrated by the Sumerian-Meso potamian depiction of the Pleaides (seven dots together with reasonable astronomical accuracy since they are visible to the naked eye). b The Pleaides are actually one of the most frequently depicted astronomical features in SumeroMesopotamian art.As Sitchin points out (and this is corroborated by actual scholars in the field its common knowledge), stars were associated with or considered to be heavenly beings gods. In Sumero-Mesopotamian artwork, a star represents either a god or an astronomical body. The very(prenominal) displace be said of the sun it can either recognition the literal sun or the sun god. There are three possibilities as to what VA243 is depicting (A) It is singling out a deity or special star and associating it with other stars in some sort of zodiacal representation. I dont consider this likely because there are other far clearer representations of zodiacal constellations.Unless there are clear zodiacal connotations, a star was symbolic of a deity, which b rings us to the second option. (B) More probable is the idea that the central star stands for a deity that has some association with fertility (as in crops) since the inscription describes an offering made by a worshipper (who is named) to a seated god who is associated in the seal with fertile harvest. Since there are two other figures in the seal in addition to the seated god, and one is the offerer, the remaining figure is likely a deity also associated with the offering. In favor of this possibility are the implements aAn excellent general introduction is Dominique Collon, Cylinder Seals. I am not saying the star is depicted amid the Pleiades, only that the artistic depiction of the Pleiades provides an excellent example of dots = stars. The Pleiadean depiction is endlessly seven dots/stars. b shown on the seal with respect to these two figures facing the seated god and the figures channelizedress. Also in its favor is the fact that there are literally hundreds of such offerin g seals, and many withstand a star in upper proximity to the figures heads, signifying the figure is a deity (see the example). C) Since the star is surrounded by eleven other stars (dots), the artistic depiction could stand for the lead god of the Mesopotamian divine council and its other eleven (upper tier) members. Recall that (as Sitchin again points out) the Mesopotamian council had 12 members. I have stockd before that the 12 member council isnt always consistent in Mesopotamian religion (at times eighter gods are considered the council), but 12 is the more prevalent number. This thesis is attractive, but I cant say there is much to commend it over option B.The reader might be thinking at this point, Well, isnt the sun god the leader of the pantheon so if this symbology points to the divine council the center symbol could still be the sun? This would be an ill-judged line of thought since in SumeroMesopotamian religion the sun god is NOT the high god the high god is Anu (later, Marduk), not Shamash. These options are admittedly subjective, but one thing is certain the sun symbol does not conform to the abundantly frequent symbol for the sun in SumeroMesopotamian art. We are not dealing with a depiction of the solar system.Astronomer Tom van Flandern pointed this out years ago anyway, since the sizes of the planets around the alleged sun do not conform to the correct sizes of the planets and there distances from the pseudo-sun are not depicted in such a way as to depict elliptical (or at least varying) orbits. The link to van Flanderns critique is on my website. 4) There is not a wiz text in the entire corpus of Sumerian or Mesopotamian tablets in the creation that tells us the Sumerians (or later inhabitants of Mesopotamia) knew there were more than five planets.This is quite a claim, but is demonstrable through the work of scholars who specialize in cuneiform astronomy. downstairs I list all the major works on cuneiform astronomy (catalogues of texts, discourses / books) and invite readers to check them out of a library and look for themselves. literally every cuneiform text that has any astronomical comment (even with respect to astrology and omens) has been translated, catalogued, indexed, and discussed in the available academic literature.The tablets are often quite detailed, even discussing mathematical calculations of the appearance of planetary bodies in the sky, on the horizon, and in relation to other stars. The field is by no means new, and is considerably developed. All of the above facets of the discussion are now offered in more detail with bibliography. I. The Inscriptions on VA 243 VA243 has three lines of text (line 1 is actually repeated on both(prenominal) sides of the seal)The seal is transliterated (the Sumero-Akkadian signs in English letters) and translated in the principal publication of the Berlin Vorderasiatische Museums publication of its seal collection, Vorderasiatische Rollsiegel (West Asia n Cylinder Seals 1940) by Mesopotamian scholar Anton Moortgat on page 101. This book is in German, so I offer the German and an English translation Line 1 = dub-si-ga Dubsiga a personal name of an apparently tendinous personc Line 2 = ili-il-la-at Ili-illat another personal name, this time of the seals owner dein Knecht German for your servantd Line 3 = ir3-suSo the full (rather boring) inscription of VA243 reads Dubsiga, Ili-illat, your/his servant. Nothing in the inscription suggests anything remotely to do with astronomy or planets. In an email correspondence with Dr. Rudi Mayr, whose dissertation was on cylinder seals, Dr. Mayr commented on the inscriptions and the seal and I interject a a few(prenominal) comments in blue The seated figure is a god the flounced garment is normal for deities (though kings start wearing them a little later) deities also have the distinctive headdress. nigh scholars call it a horned headdress, but Ive always thought it looked more like flames t han horns.Ancient texts often refer to deities having a bright, shining, brilliant aspect this is real across the ancient near east witness the shining one terminology I discuss in The Facade and in several cover on my website they dont mention horns . . . The introducing figure also has the horns of divinity this is a strong contextual argument that the symbol again, its not the sun to the upper left of the introducing figure is a star. Precisely because they SHINE, stars were associated with deities. Shamash, the sun god, had his own symbol of the sun.See below for what it looked like. c Personal email communication on Dubsiga with Dr. Rudi Mayr, whose dissertation was on cylinder seals. Dr. Mayr is also the source of the comment on the second line, which conforms to typical cylinder seal patterns. d Dr. Mayr noted to me in an email that the three line might also read his servant, which was his preference. II. The Sun Symbol This is perhaps the biggest problem with Sitchins interpretation of VA243 signifying the solar system. Simply put, if the central symbol in his solar system isnt the sun, the interpretation collapses completely.Theres actually a good deal of evidence to demonstrate decisively that Sitchin is wrong here. Toward offering that evidence, well first introduce a few general comments on Sumero-Akkadian symbols and move to the specifics. A. General Comments Like all ancient religions, Sumero-Mesopotamian religion had a great care with heavenly bodies that could be observed with the naked eye. In particular, the sun, moon, and Venus were important focus points because of their ease of visibility, and each was artistically symbolized and stood for a deity.In Sumer-Mesopotamian religion, the sun god symbology was very clear Sun god = Shamash (Utu in the Sumerian languagee) The symbol of the sun god in Sumero-Mesopotamian religion was a central circle with four all-embracing arms with wavelike lines in between each arm (most common), or a ci rcle with only wavy lines. The entire symbol was itself nearly always I dont know any exceptions, but there may be one comely being cautious here inside a circle, as belowf The reader should note immediately that this is NOT the symbol on VA243.VA 243s pseudo-sun lacks the wavy lines and is not set inside a circle. This sun symbol is ubiquitous in Sumero-Mesopotamian sacred artwork. The other common symbol for the sun god was the god in flight upon a set of go (a depiction akin to the winged disc in Egyptian religion). e See Jeremy Black, Gods, Demons, and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia An Illustrated Dictionary (University of Texas Press, in conjunction with the British Museum, 1992) 168. This is an excellent reference source. Dr. Black is a well known Sumerian scholar.He was formerly the Director of the British School of Archaeology in Iraq and is now university lecturer in Akkadian and Sumerian at Wolfson College, Oxford. f See above source, p. 168. The above classic solar di sk iconography in Sumero-Mesopotamian religion is contrasted with the star symbol, used to symbolize either stars in constellations, any deity (the star is either over the deitys head or above it to the left of right), or Ishtar (Sumerian Inana), who stood for Venus, the most visible goal in the sky aside from the sun and moong credit line that this example has eight points.This is the most frequently attested style in Sumero-Mesopotamian religious art. The star also is found with six (like VA 243) or seven points, and the points even vary within the same seal or stela carving. It wasnt consistent in points, but what the symbol stood for was consistent either a star, planet, or deity but NOT the sun. The star symbol is either set within a circle or, far more often, not within a circle. It is clearly distinct from the sun symbol. How do I know that the symbol of VA 243 is a star and not the sun disk?Other than the obvious noted above that VA 243 does not have the wavy lines betw een the arms of the symbol and is not set within a circle Sumero-Mesopotamian religion often grouped the symbols for the sun god with that of the moon god (Akkadian = Sin Sumerian = Nanna) and Ishtar (Sumerian = Inana). This isnt impress since they were so readily viewed. In short, they didnt confuse the symbols and neither should we. This grouped threesome is very prevalent in Sumero-Mesopotamian art, and compels the observation that the sun symbol and star symbol were distinguished from each otherSource Ursula Seidl, reveal Babylonischen Kudurru Reliefs, Tafel 11, Zweite Gruppe, stela a = The Babylonian Kudurru Reliefs, Plate 11, 2nd Group, stela a. pit the wavy lines and encircle sun symbol on the right. Ursula Seidl, Die Babylonischen Kudurru Reliefs, Tafel 19, Vierte Gruppe, stela b = The Babylonian Kudurru Reliefs, Plate 19, 4th Group, relief b. line of business the wavy lines and encircled sun symbol on the lower right. g See Black, 143. The symbols for sun and star/pla net are also distinguished clearly in zodiacal artwork from MesopotamiaThe sun symbol (Left) and star symbol (Right) are next to each other under the snake (Draco). Note the wavy lines of the sun symbol Source Ursula Seidl, Die Babylonischen Kudurru Reliefs, p. 47 = The Babylonian Kudurru Reliefs, p. 47 Here is a good-up of the sun (L) and star (R) symbol above. Note that the star in this case has eight points A second zodiac example The sun symbol (center) and star symbol (R of center) are next to each other under the snakes tail. Note the wavy lines of the sun symbol Source Ursula Seidl, Die Babylonischen Kudurru Reliefs, p. 0 = The Babylonian Kudurru Reliefs, p. 60 In the above example, note that (1) the star has seven points, and (b) the stars below it have six points. Note also that these smaller stars also LACK points they are just dots. This seven dot/circle arrangement is one of the most common motifs in Mesopotamian art, and denote the Pleiades. The point here is that dot s = stars in Mesopotamian art when in an astronomical context (or a context where a deity is identified with a star). This is important for our consideration of VA 243. Again, here is a close-up A third zodiac exampleNote that the star symbol here has six points as does the VA 243 star. Source Ursula Seidl, Die Babylonischen Kudurru Reliefs, p. 23 = The Babylonian Kudurru Reliefs, p. 23 Some commentary on this last example is in order. The previous two examples clearly are in zodiac context, as is this one. Those previous two examples clearly have the sun symbol drawn in a manner consistent with expected Sumero-Mesopotamian features (wavy lines, encircled) that unmistakably distinguishes the sun from the star symbol. The star symbol signifies the same astronomical body in each case, except the number of points varies.This means that the number of points is unimportant for identifying the star symbol as a STAR or planet, NOT the sun. Hence one cannot say, well the star symbol usuall y has eight points, and the Sitchin seal has six, therefore its not a star but the sun. This is erroneous because these examples demonstrate clearly that a star symbol can have 6, 7, or 8 pts. , and LACKS wavy lines. The symbol on Sitchins VA 243 is NOT the sun. It is a star, and thus denotes a star, a god, or a single planet. This isnt my opinion, its the Sumero-Mesopotamian art convention.Lets move on to some cylinder seal examples of star symbols. As noted above, the star was designed to signify a deity or literal star or planet. Heres an example of a cylinder seal with Ishtar signaled as the deity by a star Source Henri Frankfort, Cylinder Seals A Documentary Essay on the Art and Religion of the Ancient Near East (London MacMillan and Co. , 1939) Plate XXVI-seal L In this example, the obvious star symbol has eight points, and is very similar in design to the star symbol of VA 243. We know its a star and not the sun because the goddess depicted is Ishtar. Another star symbol of very similar design to VA 243 is shown belowi The upper left-hand side of this seal contains the winged sun disk above the head of what scholars refer to as a scorpion man (note his tail). Just to the right of the winged disk is our star symbol. This time the star has seven points, and is quite similar to VA 243. Note as well h See the discussion in Frankfort (pp. 177-178, 236, 254) and Black, p. 168. See also the magisterial survey E. Douglas van Buren, Symbols of the Gods in Mesopotamian Art, Analecta Orientalia 23 (Pontificum Institutum Biblicum, 1945) 8485. Frankfort, Plate XXXIII seal b. the far upper right corner the seven stars grouped together are the Pleiades (to which we will return in our discussion). on a lower floor are several examples of seals with six pointed stars (Frankfort, Plate XXXIII seal d) Comments Note the six-pointed stars in the upper left and upper right corners. In both cases, note the presence of accompanying dots in groups of seven again, the Pleia des (the extra dot over the head of the smaller standing figure denotes a deity as it is a star).The seven dots = the seven stars of the Pleiades (the dots were interchangeable with pointed stars to denote stars). As E. Douglas van Buren, an expert on Sumerian and Mesopotamian art comments In the earliest representations of the 7 dots as yet known it can be seen that . . . they formed a ring or rosette around a central dot . . . From the early Babylonian layover onwards it is increasingly common to find the 7 dots arranged like stars in the constellation of the Pleiades, and in the last quarter of the second millennium the dots are shaped for the first time as stars. j This observation is important because it demonstrates that the pointed star + Pleiades pattern does not require a certain number of points on the stars. Recall that the same situation was true with the zodiac it does not matter how many points a star symbol has its a star, not the sun. Another example j E. Douglas van Buren, The Seven Dots in Mesopotamian Art and Their Meaning, Archiv pelt Orientforschung XIII (1941) 277 see also E. Douglas van Buren, Symbols of the Gods in Mesopotamian Art, 74ff. and E.Douglas van Buren, The Rosette in Mesopotamian Art, Zeitschrift fur Assyriologie and vorderasiatische Archaeologie, new series, vol. 11 (1939, vol. 45 from old series) 104ff. (Frankfort, Plate XXXV seal h) In this seal the star has six points surrounding a central dot. Note again the Pleiades symbol (see below under the next point on the dots in VA 243). Before leaving the discussion of the star symbol, take note of the close similarity in style between the star on VA 243 that Sitchin says is the sun and the star symbols we have noted above Frankfort XXXIII-b VA 243Ishtar star Now compare these with the actual sun symbol III. The Surrounding Dots As I asked in the introduction to this paper, if Sitchins sun is not a sun, then what are the dots? The most apparent answer, based on the example s above, is that they too are stars. We have already seen that dots were used to depict the stars of the Pleiades, and showed that the seven dots = the seven star symbols elsewhere used for the same constellation. We also saw above in the seal of Frankfort Plate XXXIII-d that a single pointed star can be associated with dots which are also stars.It is most that the star + seven dots symbology is saying, constellation = Pleiades. There is therefore abundant precedent for asserting that these dots in VA243 are stars. It could be that this seal is saying Constellation = the one with 11 stars. Since I dont know astronomy well, Ill let the reader ponder that one. The introduction also noted that the symbology of the seal could just point to a deity and perhaps the divine council. Enough said on that. IV. On Sumerian or Mesopotamian astronomical KnowledgeIn this regard I offer the reader an opportunity to challenge my assertion above (and I am just quoting specialists in cuneiform astro nomical tablets) that there is not a single text in the entire corpus of Sumerian or Mesopotamian tablets in the world that says the Sumerians or Mesopotamians knew of more than five planets. Below are bibliographical references that anyone can access (the scholarly, dissertation level materials that one needs some knowledge of semitic languages and/or cuneiform, as well as a background in mathematics or astronomy, to really use are noted in their own category).In my paper on Nibiru (available on my website), Ill briefly go into what the Sumerians and Mesopotamians knew about the planets. For now, though, giving the reader these sources will suffice. General Sources Francesca Rochberg, astronomy and Calendars in Ancient Mesopotamia, Civilizations of the Ancient Near East, vol. III, pp. 1925-1940 (ed. , Jack Sasson, 2000) Bartel L. van der Waerden, Science Awakening, vol. 2 The Birth of Astronomy (1974) Technical but Still Readable Wayne Horowitz, Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography (1998) N. M.Swerdlow, Ancient Astronomy and Celestial Divination (2000) Scholarly (Technical) Resources Otto Neugebauer, The Exact Sciences in Antiquity (1953) Otto Neugebauer, Astronomical Cuneiform Texts (1955) Erica Reiner and David Pingree, Enuma Elish Enlil Tablet 63, The Venus Tablet of Ammisaduqa (1975) Hermann Hunger and David Pingree, MUL. APIN An Astronomical Compendium in Cuneiform (1989) Hermann Hunger and David Pingree, Astral Sciences in Mesopotamia (1999) N. Swerdlow, The Babylonian opening of the Planets (1998) David Brown, Mesopotamian Planetary Astronomy-Astrology (2000)

All About Eve

Ironically, we see the story repeating Itself at the end of the film. The story itself reflects a history that is as old as show business. Betty Davis plays Margo Changing, the champion of the film fears her stardom will soon fade do to her turning 40 years of age. Margo goes through a series of events were she panics do to her aging. In reality organism the age of 40 is not genuinely old. However, in film business actresses are unable to play various places. Ideally, most roles are created for pretty schoolgirlish woman, and after a certain age it is difficult to portray those oleos.Males however, are able to continue their advancing years In many roles. Marcos character Is egoistical, very demanding, and obsessed with stardoms. Her life revolves around theater. The numbers of roles that are offered to her are suddenly decreasing. Although her character shows confidence on the outside, in the inside she is full of insecurities. Betty Davis was the perfect scene for this role. D avis herself was a very famous Hollywood star whose career was going slew the drain due to aging. This movie put this aging actress back to the top.Ann Baxter plays the role of evening. This character plays a role of a star struck fan. At first Eve seems to be a very naive, and sweet. Eve Is dressed down at the beginning in an old trench coat and hat. She Is setting herself up for an Improvising soul who has to pay cheap for a ticket at a standing room giving the illusion that she is caught up with the cognize of the theater. She soon becomes Marcos assistant, and then understudy. Both actresses convey their roles in such a natural federal agency that it seems as if the roles were written for them.Actuality, there was other actresses who were noninsured for these roles, but the castings prevailed. In the film, Eve becomes Marcos understudy with the help, and Influences of great theater people. The film portrayed the rivalry and competition among actors. The movie was such a suc cess that it was nominated for many awards. This film put Betty Davis back on top. Her great performance got Betty nominated In the academy awards for best actress. But, her co-star Ann Baxter (Eve) insisted on being nominated for the same award.Rather than taking the award for supporting actress. This caused the votes for tooth actresses to cancel out whence, giving the award to the runner up. Eve later admitted her mistake In not accepting the supporting actress award. George Candlers plays a theater connoisseur named Addison De Witt. De Wits character is very egoistic, snobby, and believes he is the most important somebody in the theater world. His dialogue consists of sarcastic tones that set the films themes in perspective. His character represents the views of the director Amanuensis.In a theater community a well recognized critic can make a difference in an audience. Monger than Margo. Yet, he falls in love with Margo and marries her. In real life, Merrill did fall in love with Davis, and also decided to marry her. Along with the cast of this great film Marilyn Monroe is introduced. Marilyn plays the role of Miss Caldwell. Miss Caldwell is interested in meeting wealthy men, and therefore uses her assets like her body to attract them. In real life Marilyn did use her assets to accomplish her goals. The films dialogue sets the movie apart from any other film.The characters are incessantly lively, and clever. Their tone of delivering their lines makes the audience stop and pay attention. The films dialogue undertones all the hidden feelings that the characters are establishing. It reflects the backstabbing, and the means people will take in order to chip in stardom. The film director uses high key lighting in black and white in order to portray a flawless and glamorous look. This gives the delineation a clear and clean appearance. This choice of lighting smooths the characters flaws, and makes them appear younger than they are almost doll like.In the film the people that are involved in theater appear to be very wealthy. The characters are dressed formal, and glamorous. It appears that the world the characters inhabit is white segregated. The characters all obtain fur coats, and they appear to treat them as if they had no value. Birdie (the helper of Margo) makes Jokes of the bed looking like a dead animal when the coats are thrown on the bed. Small items like these maneuver wealthiest. The film All about Eve is a great representation of the behind the scenes of a theatre based environment.The film represent the secret feelings, envy, Jealousy, and backstabbing among friends, and colleges. This film is an insightful manipulation of art imitating life. The clever dialogue and sharp performances illustrate the plot of the story. The audience is introduced to the story of a young lady and her merciless way to rise in fame. Once she is an inspiring actress, we see the story repeat itself as a young lady enters the life of Eve cl aiming to be a star struck fan. The cycle repeats itself, and there are many women who are ready to take her spot.