Friday, May 8, 2020
Essay about The Life of Garibaldi - 705 Words
The Life of Garibaldi Giuseppe Garibaldi was born in Nice, France in 1807. He spent most of his youth as a sailor on Mediterranean merchant ships. In 1883 he joined Young Italy, the movement organised by the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Mazzini. He believed that all Italian people should be free and that Italyshould not only be independent, but also an integrated republic. Italyhad been left completely fragmented by the settlements reached at Congress of Vienna in 1815. The congress had divided territory among the victors of the Napoleonic Wars. Italy was divided up, but most people wanted to see it re-united as one country, including Garibaldi. In 1815, Italyfaced three obstacles toâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦He later returned to Italy in 1848, when the revolution that swept across Europe arrived in Italy. Garibaldi took part in the movement for Italian Unification. He organised an army of about 3000 volunteers, most of whom were in the service of the Piedmontese ruler Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, who had unsuccessfully fought the Austrians in Lombardy. In 1849 he led his Volunteers to support the Roman Republic established by Mazzini and others. Garibaldi successfully defended the city against attack by superior French forces for thirty days. But was finally compelled to make terms with the French. He was allowed to depart from Rome with about 5000 of his followers, but as the larger part of his force were killed or captured. Garibaldi had to flee Italy to save his life. Garibaldi went to the United States in 1848, and worked as a candle maker. He later returned to Italyin 1854 and bought a house on the Island of Sardinia. At that time Garibaldi had separated from Mazzinis Political views. Garibaldi believed that the road to freedom and unity for Italy lay in alliance with the King of Sardinia, Victor Emmanuel. Garibaldi was deeply involved in the complicated military and political struggles that took place in the following years. Garibaldis goal was to create a united Italy. InShow MoreRelatedBiography of Giuseppe Garibaldi Essay993 Words à |à 4 PagesGiuseppe Garibaldi never lacked admirers. In my eyes he is one of the best world leaders because he was a great man and unified many places like Italy. For a period of time he was the most widely known person in the world, as an Italian revolutionary Garibaldi became a worldwide celebrity even before he succeeded in uniting Italy. He was an Italian general and politician who played a large role during the creation of Italy as the country we now know it to be. He helped free Italy from foreign ruleRead MoreThe Success Of The Unification Of Italy1472 Words à |à 6 Pageswillingness and cooperation are needed. All of those were crucial for the unification of Italy, but moreover it was the two men that have contributed the most; Count Camillo di Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi. They were completely different. Cavour was the leading strategic power behind the unification and Garibaldi was th e national hero inspiring the masses. It cannot be denied that the success of the unification of Italy depended on both of them. Although Cavour was the leading figure in the Italian UnificationRead MoreItalian Unification Essay1186 Words à |à 5 PagesUnification Count Camillo Benso di Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi can be seen as a contrast between two inspirational and great leaders during the time of the Italian Unification. Cavour was a nobleman, always calm and well educated while Garibaldi was a rough passionate soldier with little education. Though these men both contributed greatly to the unifying of Italy, they are very different in their accomplishments as well as their motives. Garibaldi had been a republican, under the influence of GiuseppeRead More Giuseppe Garibaldi Essay2444 Words à |à 10 Pages Giuseppe Garibaldi ââ¬Å"The Swordâ⬠of Italian Unification â⬠My goal, which was, I believe, shared by most italians at that time, was to unite the country and rid it of foreign powers. Those who gave Italy her freedom would earn her peopleââ¬â¢s gratitudeâ⬠(Garibaldi, page 6). During the age of Italian unification, there were three men who fought for her (Italyââ¬â¢s) freedom. Those men were Cavour the brains, Mazzini the soul, and Garibaldi the sword (Chastain). Giuseppe Garibaldi was born in Nice in 1807Read MoreNationalism in Europe Essay913 Words à |à 4 Pagesfrom Austria was able to develop into an industrial base for further operations. The actual, boots on the ground venture was led by Garibaldi who recruited many young men to serve in ââ¬Å"The Expedition of The Thousand.â⬠The rising nationalism of the time period, as well as the efforts of Mazzini stirred these young middle and working class men to join arms with Garibaldi as he ventured south to reunite Italy. Garibaldiââ¬â¢s military prowess would serve him and his men well as they successfully lead a campaignRead MoreHow Significant Was The Role Of Modern Italy During The Period C1800-1900?1934 Words à |à 8 Pages1848-1849, the significance of individuals in the making of modern Italy had drastically changed. As Mazzini had managed to claim some presidency over Rome, giving Italy a taste to how life would be under nationalism rule, other key individuals had star ted to emerge from amongst the crowds for unification such as Garibaldi and Cavour. It is fair to say that Mazzini significance was the highest at this point of time throughout this career because after substantial amount of time, he had managed to winRead MoreAthletes and Steroids Essay1014 Words à |à 5 PagesIf Rob Garibaldi had one wish it would be to play major league baseball. Growing up he played baseball throughout high school and college. There was one problem. He wasnââ¬â¢t as big as the other players. Beginning in his junior year of high school he was strongly influenced to take supplements to increase his strength. A few years later, after continued use of steroids, his life started to spiral out of control. He was feeling very depressed, struggling academically, and had become very aggressiveRead MoreGraduation Speech : My Sister And Her Daughter1635 Words à |à 7 PagesOrvieto; BB Garibaldi In January, my sister and her daughter came from Connecticut to help celebrate my sixtieth birthday. It was more than wonderful to have them in our home. Ellen had not been to visit since our mother died, almost four years ago and I was elated to have her and Meghan in our surroundings. Vince made dinner reservations at the Vanââ¬â¢s Restaurant; one of my favorite restaurants nearby. Larry and Marla, Stan and Carole and Vinceââ¬â¢s mother joined in the celebration. After dinnerRead MoreDescribe the process of Italian unification in the 19th century1899 Words à |à 8 PagesItaly and France. France pulled out of the war early by declaring an early peace and took more land then was originally agreed upon. The kingdom of Piedmont still gained a significant amount of land though. Eventually through the efforts of Guiseppe Garibaldi, a popular Italian leader, all Italian areas except Austrian Venetia and the Papal States were secured for Piedmont. There were some attempts mad e on annexing this land, but unfortunately the Papal lands were under French protection, and AustriaRead MoreThe Effects Of Rising Tuition On Students Choice Of Future Career Field1308 Words à |à 6 Pagespublic college would have been $2,052 (Evans, 2013). In 2010, the average cost of tuition at public colleges and universities was $6,695 (Evans, 2013). The cost of earning a degree is remaining constant while earning a degree is taking more time (Garibaldi, Giavazzi, Ichino, Rettore, 2012). An analysis revealed that since the 1970s, the economic returns show the benefits of a college degree outweigh the costs; earning a return of about 15 percent (Abel Deitz, 2014). Tuition increases are being
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Multiple Intelligence Theory and Its Application to Education Free Essays
The discourse surrounding multiple intelligence theory (MI) and its integration into education has been that of much debate. Written as an opposition to IQ testing, MI was originally developed as an alternate account of cognitive function, initially identifying seven distinct intelligences (verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal and musical), and later acquiring two more (naturalist and existential). Applied to an educational context, the main aim of MI theory is to demonstrate the insufficiencies of IQ measurements and traditional testing methods as evaluations of student intelligence and the grounds for planning programs and curricula suitable for all students (Moran, Kornhaber, Gardner, 2007). We will write a custom essay sample on Multiple Intelligence Theory and Its Application to Education or any similar topic only for you Order Now MI theory is attractive to many because it offers ââ¬Å"a more pluralistic cognitive universeâ⬠(Gardner, 1995b, p. 16). However, vigorous debate challenges MI theory, whilst the lack of clear instruction for its integration into pedagogy has led to misconceptions and unfaithful application of its key elements. Some of the arguments pertaining to the integration of MI in schools, and in art and design classrooms in particular, will be explored below, firstly examining critiques of the theory itself. The first debate considers the empirical aspects of MI. In Frames of Mind (1983), Gardner presents his investigation of numerous empirical studies, from which he identified the initial seven intelligences. Thus, it can be said that MI theory is formed solely on empirical evidence. Since there can be no permanence to any empirically based theory, MI can be modified in accordance to new studies, openly allowing for discussion and constant reconceptualisation (Gardner, 1995a). Whilst Kevin Williams (2000) highlights the intuitively appealing natureof MI theory, Robert J. Sternberg identifies the need for a basis for testing and comparing these ââ¬Å"attractiveâ⬠empirical theories (1984, p. 700). Klein (1998, p. 06) points out that Gardner, whilst expanding the claims of MI theory, ââ¬Å"provides no evidence for them,â⬠but further demonstrates the virtually ââ¬Å"untestableâ⬠nature of MI theory that continued to exist over a decade after Sternbergââ¬â¢s critique. This means that whilst it difficult to prove that MI is wrong, it is equally difficult to prove that it is correct, which questions the validity of the theory in educational contexts. Secondly, MI theory has been accused of confusing intelligence with domain and discipline. Gardner (1995a, p. 02) explains that on the contrary, ââ¬Å"an intelligence is a biological and psychological potentialâ⬠¦ capable of being realizedâ⬠¦ as a consequence of the experiential, cultural, and motivational factors that affect a person. â⬠This definition is dissimilar to that of ââ¬Å"domain,â⬠which is a cultural concept, relating to culturally organized activities, in which individuals are involved. In the art and design context, sculpture, painting and woodwork would be examples of domains, which, according to MI, can be accomplished through the utilization if intelligences such as spatial, bodily-kinesthetic and logical mathematical. In saying that, Gardiner argues that intelligences can operate in many diverse domains(Gardner, 1995a; Gardner, 1998). Logical mathematical intelligence must be applied in planning and constructing a table, for instance, to attain correct measurements and angles. Perry D. Klein accuses MI of linguistic redundancy on the basis that each intelligence is defined ââ¬Å"as an ability in a corresponding set of domains,â⬠and an ability in each domain is explained ââ¬Å"with reference to the intelligenceâ⬠(Klein, 1997, p. 103). Gardner (1998) believes that Klein has confused these concepts, as each domain involves several intelligences, not just one by which it is defined. For example, a student who possesses high spatial intelligence might not necessarily produce an effective poster design without also incorporating a degree of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, cultural support, practice and good instruction. Gardner strongly disagrees with a third critique that MI theory ââ¬Å"so broadens the notion of intelligence that it includes all psychological constructs and thus vitiates the usefulness, as well as the usual connotation, of the term,â⬠(Gardner, 1995a, p. 03). His argument stems from allegations that the traditional definition of intelligence provides a thin and incomplete observation of its nature, touching on only psychometric capacity and disregarding other cognitive aspects. MI deals only with matters of the intellect and Gardner believes that a more useful comprehension of cognition can be gained by considering multiple semi-independent intelligences than what is offered by the hypothesis of a single ââ¬Å"bell curveâ⬠model of intelligence. Conversely, some critics show concern that MI regiments the variety of human intelligences due to the restriction of categories. The formation of categories and intelligences they include is, in the opinion of John White, based ââ¬Å"on Gardnerââ¬â¢s own value preferencesâ⬠(White in Williams, 2000, P. 107). Williams (2000), however, asserts that White may have misjudged the way in which MI can allow for the diverse combinations of intelligences in the classroom. MI encourages that key concepts or disciplines be approached in a multiple ways to enhance a students experience of ideas and implications in a way that is familiar to them. In art and design, topics can be taught using a range of approaches, from narration of an artists or designers experience (interpersonal), class discussion (verbal-linguistic) and individual reflection (interpersonal and intrapersonal) to practical experimentation or stimulation (logical-mathematical, spatial and bodily-kinesthetic). By approaching content from different perspectives, teachers can increase their access to the intelligences of more students and allow students to see that they are capable of representing content and their knowledge in different ways (Gardner, 1995a) A fourth concern takes the form of what Gardner (1995a, p. 203) deems a myth: ââ¬Å"MI theory is incompatible with g (general intelligence), with hereditarian accounts, or with environmental accounts of the nature and causes of intelligence. â⬠His response is that MI theory is primarily concerned with exploring the intelligences and intellectual procedures that g does not take into account. MI examines the scope of g, not itââ¬â¢s actual existence. Similarly, MI theory focuses on exploring the interaction between genetic and environmental elements, impartial on the issue of whether particular intelligences are heritable. MIââ¬â¢s exploration of the unique intelligences of individuals allows them to understand that they have potential to be ââ¬Å"intelligentâ⬠in multiple ways and are no longer restricted to the ââ¬Å"smartâ⬠or dumbâ⬠categories that are often ascribed to g (Moran, Kornhaber, Gardner, 2007). Considering the above arguments, MI practice should not be considered in separation of MI theory and teachers should be aware of the discourse surrounding MI theory in order to make a more educated integration of its principles into their classrooms. The almost immediate attempt to integrate MI theory into educational contexts has generated positive results in its development. However, Burke (2007) also notes that many teachers have acquired information about MI that is in contradiction to what the theory actually suggests. Written in the context of psychology, Frames of Mind relates only six paragraphs to MI practice in education (Burke, 2007). Gardner denies that MI attempts to instruct pedagogy and sees it as the educatorââ¬â¢s role to decide how MI will best serve students (Gardner, 1995a). Considering MI theory is not the result of standardized tests, any testing that claims to be MI based, should use an ââ¬Å"intelligent-fairâ⬠method, as opposed to linguistic or logical methods of pen and paper testing, so that each individual intelligence is directly examined. For instance, if a student is to be assessed in aspects of spatial intelligence, it should be done based on their practical interaction with and application of visual arrangements and materials, rather than written assessment. Gardner points out that the assessment of MIââ¬â¢s is not always a main concern in education, but if it is appropriate for testing to occur, it should exist within an environment where the student feels comfortable and is provided with familiar materials (Gardner, 1995a). Misguided notions of MI have led to the concern that teachers need ââ¬Å"to plan eight or nine different entry points or approaches for each lessonâ⬠(Moran, Kornhaber, Gardner, 2007, p. 26). Burke (2007) reports that in art classes where teachers attempted to teach to every intelligence, students began to complain about far-fetched lessons. It is not always feasible, nor appropriate to attempt to conduct lessons in this way, and Gardner (1995a) agrees that to do so would be a waste of time and effort. Klein points out that the complication of growing class sizes combined with the ââ¬Å"supposed existence of eight intelligencesâ⬠and their various levels of operation, would result in an ââ¬Å"explosion in the workload of the teachers who would have to plan and deliver these programsâ⬠(1997, p. 38). Whilst the identification of ââ¬Å"strongâ⬠areas of intelligence in individuals can be beneficial, Klein (1997) predicts that this could also mean that students will avoid areas where their intelligence is deemed ââ¬Å"weak. â⬠Within an art program, for example, a student with strong verbal linguistic intelligence and weak spatial intelligence might f ocus their efforts more heavily in developing a written report on an artist case study and avoid tasks that require them to create or interpret compositions or work with 3D modeling. Furthermore, if a student ascribes their strong logical-mathematical intelligence to an ability such as the careful planning of measurements for a project, and the calculations prove to be more difficult then they expected, Klein suggests that they often quit as they ââ¬Å"interpret failure as a lack of this abilityâ⬠(1997, p. 389). MI has also been applied to classrooms in trivial ways. This includes the practices that exercise aspects of particular intelligence without cultivating the mind (Gardner, 1995a). An example of this would be to have students thrash their limbs about to make random marks on a surface without informing them of what energized mark-making is about and how it is relevant to art. In order to achieve deep learning, applications of MI should be student-focused, considering the intellectual attributes of each individual in order to plan educational programs that are relevant, appropriate, fair and engaging (Gardner, 1995b). Understanding the dynamics of intelligences within a classroom can assist teachers in their provision of rich learning experiences. This means understanding which intelligences, both on an individual and class level, will create interference, compensation or enhancement (Moran, Kornhaber, Gardner, 2007). Having students work collaboratively on projects can allow for intelligences to operate ââ¬Å"across studentsâ⬠¦ to build shared strengthsâ⬠(Moran, Kornhaber, Gardner, 2007, p. 28). In concluding, Gardner (1998) maintains the position that MI theory can provide a rich, flexible and useful set of tools and ideas for teaching that allow educators to meet the needs of increasingly diverse classrooms by utilizing knowledge of and tapping into the specific intelligences and ubskills of individual students. MI can be useful in explaining the behavior of individuals and identifying obstacles in their learning with the aim of making teaching and learning relevant for more students in order to achieve deeper learning. However, to avoid misconception and subsequent misapplication of MI theory, educators must b e aware of the debate that surrounds it and its progress as a continually developing empirical theory. How to cite Multiple Intelligence Theory and Its Application to Education, Papers
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Kudler Fine Food Essay Example
Kudler Fine Food Essay The most important tasks for an HR person are the recruitment and hiring selection of employees. That is why the Human Resources department plays a very important role in the company. The company success is directly connected with the ability of the HR person to hire the right staff and to assign the right positions. For HR representatives there are always a couple of questions in their minds at the moment they start sourcing and selecting talents. Questions such as, what are their values and strengths? Will they be able to carry out the companyââ¬â¢s mission and visions? Are they able to bring fresh ideas to the company? Are they ready and open to be trained? Questions like this are not usually answered directly, because it can differ based on the ability of the applicant that is trying to impress the recruiter and obtain the position. At that time the ability of the interviewer comes out, analyzing body languages, personal presentation, and the ability to respond. That is why HR departments use different methods to identify attracting potential talents analyzing and evaluating them to be part of the company. Once the talents or candidates are identified, the HR personnel can start with the selection process. This includes evaluation, collection, and measurement of the qualifications of the possible candidates for the specified position, looking for the person with the right skills to succeed. ââ¬Å"Better recruitment and selection strategies result in improved organizational outcomes. The more effectively organizations recruit and select candidates, the more likely they are to hire and retain satisfied employees. â⬠(Sheila M. Rioux, Ph. D. , and Paul Bernthal, Ph. D. ). We will write a custom essay sample on Kudler Fine Food specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Kudler Fine Food specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Kudler Fine Food specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Analyzing Kudler Fine Foods and its recruitment and selection practices it is easy to identify good methods that Kudler Fine Foods are using to recruit, giving the opportunity to their employees to succeed starting with the hiring process internally before having to look outside for possible candidates. In addition Kudler Fine Foods is advertising in internet using Monster. com which is one of the most popular sites in the internet. Moster. com is one of the largest job search website in the world with over million jobs posting and more than 150 million resumes ( www. osnter. com) . This said so much about the recruitment system in this company because it shows that the HR team is up to date with new recruitment technology. Technology allows organizations to be more proactive and to collect lager amounts of information in less time which gives the company better opportunities to find the right candidates. Kudler Fine Food HR department also does not ignore traditional methods such as job posting in newspapers which help to extend the information to those groups of people who have not been reached through internet postings.
Friday, March 20, 2020
Turabian Style
Turabian Style Modern day language has been revolutionized by the use of Turabian style. From its roots in the Chicago Manual of Style, this guide has become standard use for students and professors today. With a hard slant towards academia, the Turabian style has become one of the most widely used methods of documentation. Perhaps one of the most important features of the Turabian Style is the Turabian manual itself. With its simple, straightforward language and comprehensive research paper guide, the manual is a universal resource for the modern writer. In fact, the Turabian manual guides the student through the entire process of writing, from start to finish. Critically Acclaimed Style Turabian style has also garnered acclaim as one of the best methods of documentation. Every solid academic paper needs sources, and Turabian style has one of the best methods of citation. In fact, the Turabian style has two alternatives for implementing documentation, to better suit the needs of the writer. If you are interested in learning more about Turabian style, you would benefit from purchasing Turabian style software. These computer programs and templates take the guesswork out of conforming to the Turabian method. You can begin learning as you perfectly format your papers, to one of the most widely used styles in academia.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Calculating Area - A Primer
Calculating Area - A Primer Understanding how to calculate area is important to understand at the early age of 8-10. Calculating area is a pre-algebra skill that should be well understood prior to beginning algebra. Students by grade 4 need to understand the early concepts of calculating the area of a variety of shapes. Formulas for calculating area use letters which are identified below. For example the formula for the area of a circle will look like this: A Ãâ¬Ã rà 2à This formula means that the area is equal to 3.14 times the radius squared. The area of a rectangle would look like this: A lw This formula means that the area of the rectangle is equal to the length times the width. Area of a triangle - à A ( b x h ) / 2. à .( See Image 1). To best understand the area of a triangle, à consider the fact that a triangle forms 1/2 of a rectangle. To determine the area of a rectangle , we use à length times width ( l x w ). à We use the terms base and height for a triangle, but the concept is the same. (See Image 2 ).à Area of Sphere - à ( the surface area ) à The formula is 4 Ã⬠r 2 à For a 3-D object the 3-D area is termed as the volume.Area calculations are used in many sciences and studies and have practical daily uses such as determining the amount of paint required to paint a room. Recognizing the various shapes that are involved is essential to calculating area for complex shapes.à à (See images)
Sunday, February 16, 2020
OCA2 Gene - Hair Color Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
OCA2 Gene - Hair Color - Essay Example I will analyze the Oculocutaneous Albinism gene type 2 (OCA2) and its effect on color change of the hair and how different individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds are affected. Oculocutaneous Albinism Type II and Hair Color Changes Identification of OCA2 may have the following implications on a child or individual: A change in the color of the hair or an elevated color levels in hair, the iris is normally translucent, dancing eyes that may lead to impaired vision, or a general eye complication that makes it difficult to have a normal vision. OCA is normally diagnosed in a child or an adult with poor vision or reduced visual contact. In addition, these individuals often have a change in skin complexion and a different hair color that is considered not normal. In dark skinned affected individuals, it is easier to identify OCA2 because the skin may lighten and the color of the hair changed. In light-skinned individuals however, it may be more difficult; hence, there is need to conside r the other symptoms like a change in iris color. Albinism does not discriminate and affects all races. Our case type 2 is mostly evident in individuals in African and African American population. It however affects both male and female sexes with it being more evident in male persons female because albinism is sex linked. Albinism is often more evident in individuals during childhood stage where the characteristics mostly witnessed are a change in skin pigments and a change in hair color (Peracha). Individuals having Oculocutaneous albinism because of mutation in the OCA2 gene often depict traits of blond, light brown or light yellow hair. There is often reduced coloring in the skin, hair and the eyes sometimes impaired vision. The key cause of these traits is always a reduction in the production of melanin that is responsible for the normalcy in the color of these components. Several mutations exist in individuals with OCA2, some of which I have listed above. The commonly found mu tation is the complete absence of the gene responsible for normal coloring. This is usually evident among occupants in sub- Saharan Africa where extreme cases of albinism are witnessed, among African Americans and in Native Americans. These genes are inherited from our parents and mostly are not noticeable in the carrier parents until passed on to the children where they are now more evident. In OCA2, individuals from European Ethnic origin often experience a light yellow color change often evident during birth. In some cases, the hair may have white pigments and may darken with time. This group of Oculocutaneous albinism normally shows much lighter symptoms as compared to the first group. Caucasians with OCA2 have red hair in place of blonde while in most Africans and African Americans, the hair color is light brown complemented by light skin. In another instance, individuals from Asian and northern European origins are found to have a normal skin and hair complexion and only stand out when they are compared to their family members. Their skin complexion is normally lighter when compared to that of individual members of their family who are unaffected. It is evident that the skin color in OCA2 is not as affected as the one in Oculocutaneous albino group one that has a very sharp distinction in pigment alteration. This is evidence that the melanocytes in this
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Mystery religions of the Hellenistic era Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words
Mystery religions of the Hellenistic era - Essay Example Although the religions were present several years before the Hellenistic era, their popularity increased significantly during this period and even spread through the entire Mediterranean region (Ferguson, 1980, p. 157). The mystery religions were created in several diverse geographical areas including India, Iran, Egypt and Greece, yet all of the mystery religions were based on myths that were very similar to each other. Although they were diverse in geographical origin, heterogeneous in historical development, and theological orientation, during the Hellenistic period the various mysteries shared a similar response to the religious needs of the day, and they resembled each other sufficiently to warrant being classified and discussed togetherâ⬠(Meyer, 1987, p. 4). This paper will mainly focus on the Greek mystery religions in the Hellenistic period. The mystery religions, which were often considered cults, promised their followers good things although most of these promises wer e never fulfilled. Examples of the mystery religions were the worship of single deities like Demeter, Kore, Orpheus, Isis and Cybele (Grant, 1962, p. 98). These figures were taken from ancient myths and legends, telling stories of Demeter, the goddess of grain, and her daughter Kore, also known by the name Persephone, Orpheus and his lute and other major figures. (Tripolitis, 2002, p. 17) They mingle stories about the world of men and the home of the gods on Mount Olympus, relating natural events like the passing of the seasons to myths about the underworld. By attaching stories to these things, people gave meaning to their lives, and through rituals and gifts, felt that they could have some influence on how their crops would turn out, or how they would get through the darkness of winter. Although literature and history do not always recognize the importance of the mystery religions in the Hellenistic era, they were a significant part of the Greek culture and without a doubt influen ced many aspects of life. As a result of this they also affected history and there is plenty of evidence in the form of statues, ritual objects, paintings and other relics which show how these divine figures were part of daily life. Of further importance is the legacy the mystery religions left, and how they affected subsequent religions. It appears that the mystery religions had great similarities with early Christianity. This paper will therefore discuss what the mystery religions were during the Hellenistic era, how much we can find out about them and what they had in common with early Christianity. The background of the mystery religions In comparison to the previous Hellenic culture the Hellenistic society was multicultural, open, and tolerant (Mathews and Platt, 2008, p.87). Before, and during the Hellenistic period the Greek citizens worshiped the Olympian gods and goddesses. Greek religion was an indispensable part of private and public life and the polis and religion could not be separated (Mathews and Platt, p.43). The Hellenistic period, from the time of Alexander the Great through the Ptolemaic, Seleucid, and Antigonid Kingdoms established by his successors, witnessed the transformation of the polis (city-state). It can be argued that Alexander the Greatââ¬â¢s conquest of 336-323 B.C.E. was a main factor that initiated the profound changes to the values of the old Greek polis and the Olympian gods and goddesses linked to the polis (Meyer, 1987, p.2). These changes most likely began because of the growing contact with other civilizations, including Egypt and the New East. During this time Macedonia overtook and philosophy, religion and every other aspect of life began to change. Although heirs of the
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