The Significance of Women in the Imperial Family Essay -- Roman Histor

The Significance of Women in the Imperial Family During the time of the Roman Empire women were not allowed to play any part in the political life of the empire. However women were still able to influence powerful men and manipulate them to use their power for the wants of woman. The most powerful woman in the roman society was either the wife of a principate or the mother of one. Examples of influential woman in the imperial family include Livia Drusilla, Julia Agrippina and Octivia. The only woman that seemed to have a stable position with both power and security was the wife of the emperor. For example the Livia Drusilla (58 BC-29 AD), an influential consort of Augustus, who was depicted in imperial propaganda as the embodiment of womanliness and dedication, while her enemies believed her to be a ruthless seeker of power. Through the example of Livia it can be seen how influential a wife of a powerful man can be. Augustus married her when she was very young taking her away from her first husband Tiberius Nero. From then on, Augustus’ affection was fixed on her. They stayed together till the end, despite certain insecurity from not giving Augustus an heir. Livia was the most powerful woman of her time and Augustus appeared to have taken most of her advice. She sometimes accompanied him from Rome and always served as a trusted confidante and advisor. When a beloved great grandson of Augustus’ died (a son of Germanicus’), she saw to it that the child’s statue was placed in his private quarters, demonstrating power she did contain. However modestly she presented herself, Livia's life was showcased by Augustus from the first ... ...members.aol.com/zoticus/bathlib/nero.htm http://www.travel-italy.com/ct/agrippina.html http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Thread/116676 Books 1. Author: Bartman, Elizabeth. Title: Portraits of Livia : imaging the imperial woman in Augustan Rome / Elizabeth Bartman. Publisher: New York : Cambridge University Press, 1998. 2. Author: Barrett, Anthony, 1941- Title: Livia : first lady of Imperial Rome / Anthony A. Barrett. Publisher: New Haven : Yale University Press, c2002. 3. Author: Wood, Susan (Susan Elliott), 1951- Title: Imperial women : a study in public images, 40 B.C.-A.D. 68 / by Susan E. Wood. Publisher: Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 1999. 4. Author: Barrett, Anthony A. Title: Agrippina : mother of Nero / Anthony A. Barrett. Publisher: London : Batsford, 1996.

Recruitment, selection and training in the service sector Essay

1. Introduction Organisations have changed and are changing as a result of a focus on the customers. It is now recognized that meeting customer needs is the base of any successful organisation. There may be a pressure to improve shareholders value, increase profit but it has recognized that the key is to achieve these objectives is to satisfy the customers. As W R Scott (1987) pointed out ‘However, organisations are not closed systems, sealed off from their environments but are open to and dependent on flows of personnel and resources from outside.’ Managers need to understand their customers in order to meet those customers’ needs better. To meet customer needs as well as possible a company needs to provide goods and services: †¢At lower cost †¢At maximum customer satisfaction †¢With competitive advantages. The guest satisfaction starts at recruitment with: †¢Recruit the right staff †¢Train and motivate them †¢Empower them to deliver guest satisfaction †¢Appraise, develop and incentive them. 2. Service industry characteristics The service industry is special because: †¢The service is delivered by people to people †¢The service is produced and consumed at the same time †¢Customer’s perception of service quality linked to morale of front-line staff. Characteristics of services: †¢Perishability †¢Contact dependency †¢Inseparability †¢Variability †¢Lack of ownership †¢Intangibility †¢Simultaneity As Macken (1997) suggests: ‘Recruiting people who are wrong for the organisation can lead to increased labour turnover, increased costs for the organisation, and lowering of morale in the existing workforce.’ 3. The Recruitment and Selection process The process of recruitment and selection are closely linked. Both activities are directed towards obtaining employees with the requisite competencies and attitudes, and recruitment activities lay the groundwork for the selection process by providing the pool of applicants from whom the selectors may choose. According to Foot and Hook (2008, p.142-143) Recruitment can be defined as: †¢All activities directed towards locating potential employees †¢Attracting applications from suitable candidates Aims of the recruitment process: †¢To obtain a pool of candidates for vacant posts †¢To use a fair process and be able to demonstrate that the process was fair †¢To ensure that all recruitment activities contribute to organisational goals and a desirable organisational image †¢To conduct recruitment activities in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Most human resource management issue can be analysed in terms of legal, moral and business consideration: †¢Legal – to comply with anti-discrimination legislation ?Sex and race ?The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (amended 1986) ?The Race Relation Act 1976 (amended2003) ?The Employment Equality Regulation 2003 ?Disability ?The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 ?Age Diversity ?The Employment (Age) Regulations 2006 †¢Moral – to avoid unfair discrimination for moral reasons as well as legal reasons †¢Business – to ensure that all effort is directed towards achieving corporate goals. A planned and systematic approach To be able to select the best available staff in the first place and to retain them we need a planned and systematic approach. By Mullins (2002, p.739) such an approach involves at least five main stages: †¢The need to know about the job to be filled †¢The need to know about the type of person to do the job †¢The need to know the likely means of best attracting a range of suitable applications †¢The need to know how best to assess the candidates’ likely suitable for the job †¢The need for induction and follow-up. The first step in the recruitment procedure is the job analysis, which is a process of gathering together all data about an existing job, which activities are performed and what skills are needed. There are some basic data to include by Foot and Hook (2008, p.147): †¢A description of the duties performed †¢The most important or responsible duties †¢Time spent on each duty †¢How often each duty is performed (daily/weekly/monthly/annually) †¢Levels of supervision/independence †¢The skills and skill levels needed to perform each task †¢Any special conditions related to the performance of these tasks. The collected data are then structured to create job descriptions and person specifications. These documents are essential as a basic framework for recruitment and later selection; as the basis of employment contract; as the evidence of a fair process. The job description explains the total requirements of the job; sets out the purpose of a job, where the job fits into the organisation structure, the main accountabilities and responsibilities of the job and the key tasks to be performed. Commonly used elements are: †¢Job title †¢Reporting structure: ?Responsible for ?Reports to †¢Nature and scope †¢Purpose of the job †¢Principal accountabilities †¢Major duties and responsibilities †¢Employment conditions Each organisation can decide what factors should be included depend on the nature of the business. The person specification is a document that outlines the knowledge, skills, personal attributes or qualities a person need to be able to perform well. Requirements can be categorised as ‘essential’ or ‘desirable’. Several models of person specifications are available. Most widely known are Alec Rodger (1952) and Munro Fraser (1978). Rodger’s seven point plan which describe people in terms of: †¢Physical make-up (physical requirement) †¢Attainments (education and training) †¢General intelligence †¢Special aptitudes ( verbal, numerical and diagrammatical abilities related to the job) †¢Interest †¢Disposition (job related behaviours such as persuasiveness) †¢Circumstances (only job related such us availability for shift work) The criteria suggested by Fraser’s five-fold framework: †¢Impact on others †¢Qualifications and experience ( education, training and skills developed through work experience) †¢Innate abilities (Similar to intelligence in Rodger’s plan) †¢Motivation †¢Flexibility and emotional adjustment. It is very important to know where suitable applicants are likely to be found and how to make contact with them. The attracting of suitable applicants will depend on the nature of the business, the position to be filled and the urgency of need. Potential sources: †¢Employment service job centres †¢Career advisory offices †¢Private employment agencies/ recruitment agencies †¢Professional and executive appointments registers †¢Ã¢â‚¬Å"Headhunting† or executive search †¢Internet recruitment/ recruitment websites †¢Advertising The form of applications will vary from organisation to organisation and with the nature of the position to be filled. Examples: †¢Letters of application †¢Handwritten submission †¢Curriculum Vitae (CV) †¢Specially design application †¢Standard application form †¢Personal call †¢Preliminary interview. Selection is the assessment of candidates for vacant jobs and the choice of the most suitable people. The methods of selection involve the short-listing of applicants and it should include an interview. The face-to-face interviews still the most popular method of selection, even though research studies have found interviews to be poor predictors of future performance in a job (Makin and Robertson, 1986).

Biography of John Milton, Author of Paradise Lost

John Milton (December 9, 1608 – November 8, 1674) was an English poet and intellectual who wrote during a period of political and religious turmoil. He’s best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost, which depicts the fall of Lucifer and the temptation of mankind. Fast Facts: John Milton Full Name:  John MiltonKnown For: In addition to his epic poem Paradise Lost, Milton produced a considerable amount of poetry, as well as major prose works defending republican virtues and some degree of religious tolerance during the English Civil War.Occupation: Poet and authorBorn: December 9, 1608  in London, EnglandDied: November 8, 1674 in London, EnglandParents: John and Sarah MiltonSpouses:  Mary Powell (m. 1642-1652), Katherine Woodcock (m. 1656-1658), Elizabeth Mynshull (m. 1663-1674)Children: Anne, Mary, John, Deborah, and Katherine MiltonEducation: Christs College, Cambridge Early Life Milton was born in London, the eldest son of John Milton, a skillful composer and professional scrivener (a professional who wrote and copied out documents, as literacy was not widespread), and his wife Sarah. Milton’s father was estranged from his own father, since the older generation was Catholic and Milton Sr. had become a Protestant. As a boy, Milton was privately tutored by Thomas Young, a well-educated Presbyterian whose influence was likely the beginning of Milton’s radical religious views. After leaving private tutoring behind, Milton attended St. Paul’s, where he studied classical Latin and Greek, and eventually Christ’s College, Cambridge. His first known compositions are a pair of psalms written when he was only fifteen years old. Although he had a reputation for being especially studious, he came into conflict with his tutor, Bishop William Chappel. The extent of their conflict is disputed; Milton did leave the college for a time—either as punishment or because of widespread illness—and when he returned, he had a new tutor. Portrait of John Milton at age 21, circa 1731.   Vertue/Getty Images In 1629, Milton graduated with honors, ranking fourth in his class. He intended to become a priest in the Anglican church, so he stayed at Cambridge to get his master’s degree. Despite spending several years at the university, Milton expressed a fair bit of disdain for university life—its strict, Latin-based curriculum, the behavior of his peers—but did make a few friends, including the poet Edward King and the dissident theologian Roger Williams, better known as the founder of Rhode Island. He spent some of his time writing poetry, including his first published short poem, Epitaph on the admirable Dramaticke Poet, W. Shakespeare.† Private Study and European Travel After acquiring his M.A., Milton spent the next six years in self-guided study and, eventually, travel. He read extensively, both modern and ancient texts, studying literature, theology, philosophy, rhetoric, science, and more, mastering several languages (both ancient and modern) as well. During this time, he continued to write poetry, including two masques commissioned for wealthy patrons, Arcades and Comus. In May 1638, Milton began traveling through continental Europe. He traveled through France, including a stop in Paris, before moving on to Italy. In July 1683, he arrived in Florence, where he found welcome among the intellectuals and artists of the city. Thanks to his connections and reputation from Florence, he was also welcomed when he arrived in Rome months later. He intended to continue on to Sicily and Greece, but in the summer of 1639, he instead returned to England after the death of a friend and increased tensions. Engraving of John Milton, circa 1887. 221A/Getty Images Upon returning to England, where religious conflicts were brewing, Milton began writing tracts against episcopacy, a religious hierarchy that places local control in the hands of authorities called bishops. He supported himself as a schoolmaster and wrote tracts advocating for the reform of the university system. In 1642, he married Mary Powell, who, at sixteen, was nineteen years his junior. The marriage was unhappy and she left him for three years; his response was to publish pamphlets arguing for the legality and morality of divorce, which brought him some major criticism. Ultimately, she did return, and they had four children together. Their son died in infancy, but all three daughters lived to adulthood. Political Posting and Pamphleteer During the English Civil War, Milton was a pro-republican writer and defended the regicide of Charles I, the right of citizens to hold a monarchy accountable, and the principles of the Commonwealth in multiple books. He was hired by the government as Secretary for Foreign Tongues, ostensibly to compose government correspondence in Latin, but also to act as a propagandist and even a censor. In 1652, Milton’s defense of the English people, Defensio pro Populo Anglicano, was published in Latin. Two years later, he published a pro-Oliver Cromwell follow-up as a rebuttal to a royalist text that also attacked Milton personally. Although he had published a collection of poems in 1645, his poetry was largely overshadowed at the time by his political and religious tracts. An engraving depicts Milton playing piano for Oliver Cromwell and his family. Stock Montage/Getty Images That same year, however, Milton became almost entirely blind, mostly likely due to bilateral retinal detachment or glaucoma. He continued to produce both prose and poetry by dictating his words to assistants. He produced one of his most famous sonnets, â€Å"When I Consider How My Life Is Spent,† during this era, musing on his loss of sight. In 1656, he married Katherine Woodcock. She died in 1658, months after giving birth to their daughter, who also died. The Restoration and Final Years In 1658, Oliver Cromwell died and the English Republic fell into a mess of warring factions. Milton stubbornly defended his ideals of republicanism even as the country shifted back towards a monarchy, denouncing the concept of a church dominated by the government and the very concept of monarchy. With the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Milton was forced into hiding, with a warrant out for his arrest and orders for all his writings to be burned. Eventually, he was pardoned and was able to live out his final years without fear of imprisonment. He remarried once more, to 24-year-old Elizabeth Mynshull, who had a strained relationship with his daughters. A cover page for the first edition of Paradise Lost, published in 1667. Heritage Images/Getty Images During this final period of his life, Milton continued writing prose and poetry. The majority was not overtly political, save for a few publications arguing for religious toleration (but only between Protestant denominations, excluding Catholics and non-Christians) and anti-absolute monarchy. Most crucially, he finished Paradise Lost, an epic poem in blank verse narrating the fall of Lucifer and of mankind, in 1664. The poem, considered his magnum opus and one of the masterpieces of the English language, demonstrates his Christian/humanist philosophy and is famous—and, occasionally, controversial—for portraying Lucifer as three-dimensional and even sympathetic. Milton died of kidney failure on November 8, 1674. He was buried in the church of St Giles-without-Cripplegate in London, after a funeral attended by all of his friends from intellectual circles. His legacy lives on, influencing generations of writers who came after (especially, but not solely, due to Paradise Lost). His poetry is as revered as his prose tracts, and he is often considered, alongside writers such as Shakespeare, to be up for the title of the greatest English writer in history. Sources Campbell, Gordon and Corns, Thomas. John Milton: Life, Work, and Thought. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.â€Å"John Milton.† Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-milton.Lewalski, Barbara K. The Life of John Milton. Oxford: Blackwells Publishers, 2003.