Ancient Mayan Warriors and Warfare

Ancient Mayan Warriors and Warfare The Maya were a mighty civilization based in the low, rainy forests of southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize whose culture peaked around 800 A.D. before going into steep decline. Historical anthropologists used to believe the Maya were a peaceful people, who warred upon one another rarely if at all, preferring instead to dedicate themselves to astronomy, building, and other non-violent pursuits. Recent advances in the interpretation of stonework at Maya sites have changed that, however, and the Maya are now considered a very violent, warmongering society. Wars and warfare were important to the Maya for a variety of reasons, including subjugation of neighboring city-states, prestige, and capture of prisoners for slaves and sacrifices. Traditional Pacifist Views of the Maya Historians and cultural anthropologists began seriously studying the Maya in the early 1900s. These first historians were impressed with the great Maya interest in the cosmos and astronomy and their other cultural achievements, such as the Maya calendar and their large trade networks. There was ample evidence of a warlike tendency among the Maya - carved scenes of battle or sacrifice, walled compounds, stone, and obsidian weapon points, etc. - but the early Mayanists ignored this evidence, instead of sticking to their notions of the Maya as a peaceful people. As the glyphs on the temples and stelae began to yield their secrets to dedicated linguists, however, a very different picture of the Maya emerged. The Maya City-States Unlike the Aztecs of Central Mexico and the Inca of the Andes, the Maya were never a single, unified empire organized and administered from a central city. Instead, the Maya were a series of city-states in the same region, linked by language, trade, and certain cultural similarities, but often in lethal contention with one another for resources, power, and influence. Powerful cities like Tikal, Calakmul, and Caracol frequently warred upon one another or upon smaller cities. Small raids into enemy territory were common: attacking and defeating a powerful rival city was rare but not unheard of. The Maya Military Wars and major raids were led by the Ahau or King. Members of the highest ruling class often were military and spiritual leaders of the cities and their capture during battles was a key element of military strategy. It is believed that many of the cities, especially the larger ones, had large, well-trained armies available for attack and defense. It is unknown if the Maya had a professional soldier class as the Aztecs did. Maya Military Goals The Maya city-states went to war with one another for several different reasons. Part of it was military dominance: to bring more territory or vassal states under the command of a larger city. Capturing prisoners was a priority, especially high-ranking ones. These prisoners would be ritually humiliated at the victorious city: sometimes, the battles were played out again in the ball court, with the losing prisoners sacrificed after the â€Å"game.† It is known that some of these prisoners remained with their captors for years before finally being sacrificed. Experts disagree about whether these wars were waged solely for the purpose of taking prisoners, like the famous Flower Wars of the Aztecs. Late in the Classic period, when the warring in the Maya region became much worse, cities would be attacked, looted and destroyed. Warfare and Architecture The Maya penchant for warfare is reflected in their architecture. Many of the major and minor cities have defensive walls, and in the later Classic period, newly-founded cities were no longer established near productive land, as they had been previously, but rather on defensible sites such as hilltops. The structure of the cities changed, with the important buildings all being inside the walls. Walls could be as high as ten to twelve feet (3.5 meters) and were usually made of stone supported by wooden posts. Sometimes the construction of walls seemed desperate: in some cases, walls were built right up to important temples and palaces, and in some cases (notably the Dos Pilas site) important buildings were taken apart for stone for the walls. Some cities had elaborate defenses: Ek Balam in the Yucatan had three concentric walls and the remains of a fourth one in the city center. Famous Battles and Conflicts The best-documented and possibly the most important conflict was the struggle between Calakmul and Tikal in the fifth and sixth centuries. These two powerful city-states were each dominant politically, militarily and economically in their regions, but were also relatively close to one another. They began warring, with vassal cities like Dos Pilas and Caracol changing hands as the power of each respective city waxed and waned. In 562 A.D. Calakmul and/or Caracol defeated the mighty city of Tikal, which fell into a brief decline before regaining its former glory. Some cities were hit so hard that they never recovered, like Dos Pilas in 760 A.D. and Aguateca sometime around 790 A.D. Effects of Warfare on Maya Civilization Between 700 and 900 A.D., most of the important Maya cities in the south and central regions of the Maya civilization went silent, their cities abandoned. The decline of the Maya civilization is still a mystery. Different theories have been proposed, including excessive warfare, drought, plague, climate change and more: some belief in a combination of factors. Warfare almost certainly had something to do with the disappearance of the Maya civilization: by the ​late Classic period wars, battles and skirmishes were quite common and important resources were dedicated to wars and city defenses. Source: McKillop, Heather. The Ancient Maya: New Perspectives. New York: Norton, 2004.

Elephant Toothpaste Chemistry Demonstration

Elephant Toothpaste Chemistry Demonstration The elephant toothpaste chemistry demonstration is a dramatic demo which produces copious amounts of steaming foam that sort of looks like the toothpaste an elephant might use. Heres how to set up this demonstration and a look at the reaction behind it. Elephant Toothpaste Materials The chemical reaction in this demonstration is between the hydrogen peroxide and the potassium iodide solution. The detergent captures the gases to make bubbles. Note the hydrogen peroxide solution is much more concentrated than the kind you can buy at a pharmacy. You can find 30 percent peroxide at a beauty supply store, science supply store, or online. 50-100 ml of 30% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solutionSaturated potassium iodide (KI) solutionLiquid dishwashing detergentFood coloring500 mL graduated cylinderSplint (optional) Safety Wear disposable gloves and safety glasses. Oxygen is evolved in this reaction, so do not perform this demonstration near an open flame. Also, the reaction is exothermic, producing a fair amount of heat, so do not lean over the graduated cylinder when the solutions are mixed. Leave your gloves on following the demonstration to aid with cleanup. The solution and foam may be rinsed down the drain with water. Elephant Toothpaste Procedure Put on gloves and safety glasses. The iodine from the reaction may stain surfaces so you might want to cover your workspace with an open garbage bag or a layer of paper towels.Pour ~50 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide solution into the graduated cylinder.Squirt in a little dishwashing detergent and swirl it around.You can place 5-10 drops of food coloring along the wall of the cylinder to make the foam resemble striped toothpaste.Add ~10 mL of potassium iodide solution. Do not lean over the cylinder when you do this, as the reaction is very vigorous and you may get splashed or possibly burned by steam.You may touch a glowing splint to the foam to relight it, indicating the presence of oxygen. Variations of the Elephant Toothpaste Demonstration You can add 5 grams of starch to the hydrogen peroxide. When the potassium iodide is added, the resulting foam will have light and dark patches from the reaction of some of the starch to form triiodide.You can use yeast instead of potassium iodide. Foam is produced more slowly, but you can add a fluorescent dye to this reaction to produce elephant toothpaste that will glow very brightly under a black light.You can color the demonstration and make it into an Elephant Toothpaste Christmas Tree for the holidays.There is also a kid-friendly version of the elephant toothpaste demo that is safe for hands. Elephant Toothpaste Chemistry The overall equation for this reaction is: 2 H2O2(aq) → 2 H2O(l) O2(g) However, the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen is catalyzed by the iodide ion. H2O2(aq) I-(aq) → OI-(aq) H2O(l) H2O2(aq) OI-(aq) → I-(aq) H2O(l) O2(g) The dishwashing detergent captures the oxygen as bubbles. Food coloring can color the foam. The heat from this exothermic reaction is such that the foam may steam. If the demonstration is performed using a plastic bottle, you can expect slight distortion of the bottle from the heat. Elephant Toothpaste Experiment Fast Facts Materials 30% Hydrogen PeroxideConcentrated potassium iodide solution OR packet of dry yeastLiquid dishwashing detergentFood coloring (optional)Starch (optional) Concepts Illustrated This demonstration illustrates exothermic reactions, chemical changes, catalysis, and decomposition reactions. Usually the demo is performed less to discuss the chemistry and more to raise interest in chemistry. It is one of the easiest and most dramatic chemistry demonstrations available. Time Required The reaction is instantaneous. Set-up can be completed in under half an hour. Level The demonstration is suitable for all age groups, particularly to raise interest in science and chemical reactions. Because the hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer and because heat is generated by the reaction, the demonstration is best performed by a science teacher with chemical experience. It should not be performed by unsupervised children.

Marketing Management - Today's business environment Essay

Marketing Management - Today's business environment - Essay Example This is so because success is based on an organisation's ability to create, rather than predict the future by developing those products that will literally transform the way the world thinks and view it self and the needs (Kanter 1995:71). Within the context of today's global competition, businesses and firms no-longer compete as individual companies but try to corporate with other businesses in their activities (Wu & Chien 2007:2). These researchers went further to argue that, this strategy has become quite common in many businesses including the retail clothing chain stores. The conventional vertical integrated company based business model is gradually being replaced by collaborative relationship between many fragmented, but complementary and specialized value stars and constellation (Wu & Chien:1). This paper argues for the importation of a new technological home entertainment product Nintendo into the Australian market. The paper seeks to asses the product, the market positioning and competitor's analysis of the new products. According to Johnson et al (2007), the SWOT Analysis, or sometimes known as the TOWS Matrix, is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved in a project or in a business venture or in other situation of an organization or individual requiring a decision (Johnson et al 2007). Market analysis of competitors, suppliers, customers and potential opportunities has long been a competitive preparation of the staple firm (Johnson & Scholes 2007). Strengths High Growth Industry Few direct competitors Beautiful location Stores will be located on short drive from populated areas Distribution channels and resources already in place with hotel A must have household products My personal background in home entertainment and household name of the distributive channels in Australia Wise environmental practices and community citizenship Sustainable supply 5% of the products profit will be used to support community organization Self directed teams self responsibilities Haven entertainment for families Unique service and product offerings Weaknesses Seasonal Fluctuations Refurbishment costs Insurance Safety concerns Others competitors such as Sony and Microsoft improving on their product chain everyday. Opportunities Expansion within grounds Franchise possibilities Strategic alliances Technology Extensive customer base It is a must have household entertainment product that has made a name in Europe and the United States Threats Criticism Poor public relations development Rising interest rates on

Global warming and automobile industry Term Paper

Global warming and automobile industry - Term Paper Example It was determined that motor vehicles contributed a very small amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Hence it was correct to conclude that global warming caused by motor vehicles is a myth. In recent times and modern day world, there has been a lot of concerns on the environment. It is true that the environment is critical for mankind to survive because environment provides most of the resources needed for daily activities. A region’s environment is, to a large extent, determined by the climatic conditions. Climatic conditions are purely determined by nature. There has been claims that mankind is contributing to changes in climatic conditions. Human activities are said to upset nature’s critical balance as far as carbon dioxide emissions are concerned. A lot of blame for global warming has been directed on the transportation sector of the economy. Is it really true that global warming exists because of motor vehicle emissions? The reason for this research is the belief that the automobile industry is the global suspect for global warming. According to Automotive News, this is not true. Research done by climate scientists indicates that global warming was even experienced centuries ago (Brown, 2007) . Evidence has been produced to show that the global temperatures were increasing even before the era of motor vehicle travel. This allegation has created discomfort among players in the automobile industry with some viewing it as a way to control the motor vehicle industry. In an interview with Automotive News, Bob Lutz, the vice chairman of General Motors argues that motor vehicle emissions account for a very tiny percentage of the total green-house gases emissions (Brown, 2007). According to the article automobile manufacturers read a sinister motive from the government. The manufacturers feel that the government wants to blame their industry for global warming so that they can introduce regulations on the s ame and in effect

Essay --

Analyzing the Feminine Macbeth is a play where female characters have a big influence in terms of the direction of where the male characters will end up. Male Characters such as Macbeth build desperate ambition that leads him into a path full of consequences based on prophecies, and influences enforced by women. This desperate ambition makes a big influence on the path of the play. Female characters such as the three witches and Lady Macbeth play around with characters such as Macbeth who is probably the most important character in the play. By encountering, telling him seductive prophecies and manipulating him, to make sure that Macbeth overcome his obstacles; While Macbeth not knowing that later on in his life these prophecies will become true but with full of consequences. These three Agents of fate whose prophecies hold the inevitable and this cruel and highly ambitious Lady Macbeth use female methods such as, manipulation to achieve power; which shows that in the play women can be far more frightening and ambitious than the male characters because of the paths available to them due to gender The three witches also known as â€Å"the three weird sisters† are three witches with dark thoughts and unconscious temptations to evil. Although the witches are servants of Hecate, These three seem to be very independent and very powerful; in fact the three witches are the most dangerous characters in the play, being both very powerful and wicked. Through the play these three speak in in rhyming lines, their most famous and most repeated line is â€Å"Double, double, toil and trouble, / Fire burn and cauldron bubble† which is said in most of the scenes in which they ... ...proved that they can be as ambitious and as violent as men through their actions and intentions. Nunez #7 Works Cited Page 1) Allcock, Bradley . "The Roles of Masculinity and Femininity in Macbeth". 12. 2009. Web. 12. 2009. 2 ) Asp, Carolyn. "BMCC Library: Remote Access." BMCC Library: Remote Access. N.p., 1981. Web.11Dec.2013. 3) Daniel, Albright. "BMCC Library: Remote Access." BMCC Library: Remote Access. N.p., 17 Mar. 2005. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. .

American Pie. Coercive Sexuality

Coercive Sexuality By Diep Chu FS 337 March 2013 Coercive Sexuality Coercive sexuality is an important factor in American Pie movie. In this movie, audiences can see different pictures of teenagers trying to experiences sexual intercourse for the first time in their lives (Zide, Perry, and Weitz, 1999). And the more aggressive they are, people can see coercive sexuality involved in different scenes. Coercive sexual behavior among students has been an area of concern to society.At the time when human sexuality topic becomes so popular in teenagers’ world, those students in the movies let people understand more about their points of views about sexuality. The question that I want to address in this paper is: Do we as a society treat some coercive sexuality as acceptable, or even desirable? In what way do the attitudes towards these mirrors the attitudes of our society in general? It would shocked some people how teens think about sex so openly and wrongfully, which against many basic human morality. Do we as a society treat some coercive sexuality as acceptable, or even desirable?We as a society don’t treat coercive sexuality as acceptable. We live in a society in which individuals form intimate relationships and shape their roles within authentic needs and desires rather than as a result of pressures to conform to any model. In this society, people are educated and empowered to make sexual decisions based on the safety, consent, and desire of all parties involved rather than based on an externally imposed morality. As youths in the movie do not have prepared much knowledge with technique in relationships, they had some sexual actions to force the girls have sex with them. Zide, Perry, and Weitz, 1999). In return, the girls reject it. When Oz asks the college girl: â€Å"Suck me, beautiful†, she was laughing and told him the he had to pay attention to pay attention to the girl and be sensitive to her feeling. Kevin’s first motivation i s to get laid with his girlfriend, Vicky. She refuses him few times until she feels totally ready. Jim did not aware that he broadcast Natalie’s sexual image to whole school. But on her side, she sure will not be happy to have him do that without her consent (Zide, Perry, and Weitz, 1999).In what way do the attitudes towards these mirrors the attitudes of our society in general? For many years society tried to control sexual behavior in youth by citing the traditional negative consequences of sexual experiences and community disapproval. Television, being the highly influential, has been both part of the solution and part of the problem in the area of sex and youth. At the beginning, Jim was watching porn and his parents notice it (Zide, Perry, and Weitz, 1999). This would happen to many families in our society today when kids are in puberty. Those entertainments affect teen’s sexual behavior heavily.They will copy those disapproval contents in it. At almost the end of the movie, those youth figured out they want to experience sex only because of peer pressure. They finally understand sex had no meaning without love or the girls’ willingness (Zide, Perry, and Weitz, 1999). Public education has had some major problems in this area and few schools have any real programs in sex education. Many parents do not want their children to learn about sex early. But the more they avoid it, the more kids want to learn about it. This movie indicates good pictures of how teens nowadays think about sex.The sexual values are much different in them nowadays. Male youths try to have the girls get laid with them just to show off with friends. Those aggressive attitudes sometime lead to unwanted sexual situations with their girlfriends. And society will determine it as coercive sexuality. These raise high concern to society today. In fact, schools should teach them more about human relationship and right technique in sexuality. References Zide, W. and Perry, C . (Producer), & Weitz, P. (Director). (1999). American Pie (Universal Picture). United States.

The Rise Of Christianity During The Roman Empire - 2111 Words

The rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire, was by far not a simple one. The Roman Empire was generally quite tolerant in the treatment of other religions. So why did they persecute the Christians, and how did this all begin? These persecutions mainly started in 64 A.D when a great fire broke out under the rule of Emperor Nero. In order to deflect the public s opinion on him, he blamed the Christians and this blame then allowed, and paved way for the aggressive persecutions of Christians in the Roman Empire for the next two centuries. After Nero, the first imperial persecutor, then comes in the age of Trajan (98-117 A.D.). After receiving a letter from Pliny the Younger, the governor of Bithynia in the north of Asia Minor, to the Emperor Trajan, tells us about the view and executions of Christians in his province. This primary source holds to be very valuable when researching the relationship the Pagan Romans had with the Christians. All throughout the history of the Roman Empire, Christians have been persecuted and treated terribly due to the view of them as mysterious or â€Å"unknown†. The view of the Christians was mainly due to the ethnocentrism that went on in Rome during this time. Persecution was inevitable for these Christians and went on for centuries. The accusations they received were that they were atheists, cannibals, practiced incest, and all together these accusations showed how misunderstood the Christians really were. As a result of Trajan’s laws on theShow MoreRelatedThe Rise And Fall Of Empires1580 Words   |  7 Pagesthesis that the rise and fall of empires was due to tolerance, inclusion, difference, and diversity is shown to be true of the Roman Empire because of the way that tolerance allowed and caused the empire to rise, enter its golden age, and fall. The Roman Empire was a â€Å"hyperpower† that lasted from 44 BCE to 476 CE. 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