Issues that might affect the success and survival of SKF Essay

Issues that might affect the success and survival of SKF - Essay Example The bearings are used to reduce friction between moving parts of a motor, engine or a wheel. SKF operates across the globe in 70 countries with 110 manufacturing sites. It deals with a wide range of industries such as pulp and paper machinery, steel industry, construction equipment, medical instruments, food and home appliances and many others (Kashani & DuBrule, 2009). SKF majorly deals with the business to business markets which mean that the bearings produced by the company are used as a raw material in other businesses. These kinds of markets are generally more price sensitive as the prices of the raw material producer affect the prices of the end products that the consumers are going to use. The competitive edge of SKF had always been the superior quality products which meant producing bearings that were durable and reliable. With high quality meant high prices to be paid; premiums for premium products. SKF produced highly engineered bearings as they knew that the bearings were being used in critical applications such as jet engines and gas turbines, where a small mistake or malfunctioning could lead to disastrous failures. Service, whether they are post sale or presale are of utmost importance. This helps and ensures the building of goodwill of any organisation. (Vartanian, 2010).  SKF worked with the trained and authorized distributors as rapid fulfillment of orders, delivery and receivables from customers and their collection should be smooth for SKF to work efficiently. Pricing for the aftermarket services was decided in synchronization with distributors who were supplying products from other brands as well. All the post purchase services were provided through SKF’s 1200 distributors which reached out to 50 thousand end users. SKF’s business is divided into three divisions: Industrial, Automotive and Service, each serving different set of customer groups. Industrial served 30 different industries including machine tools’ oil and gas and mining accounted for 30 percent of the sales. Automobile served home appliance manufacturers and OEMs of cars and trucks and served the vehicle repair and maintenance aftermarket and accounted for 35 percent of the companies sales. Service division gave SKF one-third of its sales providing end users, mostly factories, with replacement bearings. It served the industry both directly (20 percent) and with the help of it distribution channels (80 percent) (Kashani & DuBrule, 2009). Developing a full awareness of your situation can help with both strategic planning and decision-making (Bhushan, N & RAI 2004).So doing a SWOT analysis of SKF could help understand the company and the environment it is operating in, better. A SWOT analysis guides you to identify the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities of an organisation. The value of a company doesn’t only lie in the hands of the assets a company own but the perspective of its customers are of utmost importance (L aw 2010).  .The strength of the company is that the SKF is a well established company which has developed to be a brand communicating high quality premium products. It has large customer base serving 2 million customers and it has a variety that no customer could match. The company is in the business for more than a hundred years now and has a global market share of 20 percent with net sales

Republicans and Democrats the U.S. deficit Research Paper

Republicans and Democrats the U.S. deficit - Research Paper Example Republicans on the other hand advocated for â€Å"sound finance† and decreasing taxes but also realized that there should be some form of deficit to support government programs in progress (Colander & Matthews, 59). The republican sound finance perspective is based on the economic view that if taxes are cut, there is an incentive to work harder, save and thus revenues are increased (Miroff, Siedelman, Swanstrom, & Deluca, 397). Therefore in addressing the growing national deficit, the Republican Party advocates for government spending habits to be curtailed, and also to amend tax legislation with a view to creating jobs and increasing salaries, reform Medicare and national security, and for the reformation of welfare programs (GOP.gov.com). The Democratic Party takes the position that the wealthy should be compelled to pay higher taxes, so that the government can fund programs meant to strengthen the middle and lower classes (Moving America Forward, 2012 Democratic National Pl atform). This paper evaluates how democrats and republicans propose to handle the current U.S. deficit and will determine which approach has more merit. During the 2012 Presidential elections, the Republican Party’s Presidential candidate Mitt Romney revealed a plan for dealing with the US deficit. The plan involved an eight-year program in which the federal budget would be balanced (Sahadi). The plan also included a promise that taxes would not be increased and at the same time, retiring Americans would be protected and more would be spent on defense (Rubin). This plan would obviously mean that other government programs would necessarily have to be cut. According to Rubin, we are at least assured by Romney that social security would not be subjected to cuts. However, other government programs could be vulnerable and this would include housing assistance, national parks, food stamps, and any other number of government programs. Wyler provides the details of the plans Romney h ad for the Republican Party’s approach to the U.S. deficit. To begin with, Romney planned to decrease income taxes by 20%. These income tax decreases would affect all Americans regardless of income status (Wyler). This of course is nothing new for the Republican Party. In 2001 and 2003, former republican president Bush introduced two successive tax cuts across the board which were primarily beneficial to the wealthy (Bartels). For the most part Americans are receptive to tax cuts because they are singly focused on their own â€Å"tax burdens† (Bartels, 15). The reality however was that 36% of the tax cuts would benefit the â€Å"richest 1 percent of Americans – a share almost identical to that received by the bottom 80 percent† (Hacker & Pierson, 33). It was estimated at the time that within 10 years, the income tax reductions would cost the U.S. $2.1 trillion in revenue (Hacker & Pierson). Middle and lower class Americans were sold on the tax reductions because in less than a month after the initial reductions, taxpayers were receiving rebate checks for at least $600 (Hacker & Pierson). This was one way of passing a policy that would primarily benefit the wealthy and yet

Theory and practices of negotiation Essay Example for Free

Theory and practices of negotiation Essay Definition When you hear the word negotiation, what comes first to mind? Negotiation is almost always an everyday transaction being dealt with by each and every one of us. Indeed, how often do you negotiate often, seldom, or never? Everything in life is negotiated, under all conditions, at all times: from asking your parents to bring you to the shopping malls to take out the morning garbage to driving in the express lane in rush-hour traffic, from determining what time to schedule an appointment with a client to deciding which tv show to watch with your family—to some extent, every facet of life is linked with one’s using of negotiation. Negotiation occurs whenever people exchange ideas with the intention of changing relationships or whenever they confer for agreement. Another definition expanding slightly the above meaning of negotiation is to note that negotiation is conducted neither to widen nor to breach the relationship, but to form a new or different configuration. In short, most of us are constantly involved in negotiations to one degree or another for a good part of any given day. Negotiation should be considered as a positive way of structuring the communication process. It is usually more than helpful in one’s work environment and in closing deals with new clients or prospects. Win-win negotiation skills are assets to a company especially if you will be in-charge of marketing new and pioneer products to the market. Effective negotiation helps you to resolve situations where what you want conflicts with what someone else wants. The aim of win-win negotiation is to find a solution that is acceptable to both parties, and leaves both parties feeling that theyve won, in some way, after the event. Preparing for a successful negotiation†¦ Depending on the scale of the disagreement, some preparation may be appropriate for conducting a successful negotiation. For small disagreements, excessive preparation can be counter-productive because it takes time that is better used elsewhere. It can also be seen as manipulative because, just as it strengthens your position, it can weaken the other person’s. However, if you need to resolve a major disagreement, and then make sure you prepare thoroughly. Using our free worksheet, think through the following points before you start negotiating: Goals: what do you want to get out of the negotiation? What do you think the other person wants? Trades: What do you and the other person have that you can trade? What do you each have that the other wants? What are you each comfortable giving away?   Alternatives: if you don’t reach agreement with the other person, what alternatives do you have? Are these good or bad? How much does it matter if you do not reach agreement? Does failure to reach an agreement cut you out of future opportunities? And what alternatives might the other person have? Relationships: what is the history of the relationship? Could or should this history impact the negotiation? Will there be any hidden issues that may influence the negotiation? How will you handle these? Expected outcomes: what outcome will people be expecting from this negotiation? What has the outcome been in the past, and what precedents have been set?   The consequences: what are the consequences for you of winning or losing this negotiation? What are the consequences for the other person? Power: who has what power in the relationship? Who controls resources? Who stands to lose the most if agreement isn’t reached? What power does the other person have to deliver what you hope for? †¢ Possible solutions: based on all of the considerations, what possible compromises might there be? Negotiating successfully†¦ The negotiation itself is a careful exploration of your position and the other person’s position, with the goal of finding a mutually acceptable compromise that gives you both as much of what you want as possible. Peoples positions are rarely as fundamentally opposed as they may initially appear the other person may have very different goals from the ones you expect! In an ideal situation, you will find that the other person wants what you are prepared to trade, and that you are prepared to give what the other person wants. If this is not the case and one person must give way, then it is fair for this person to try to negotiate some form of compensation for doing so – the scale of this compensation will often depend on the many of the factors we discussed above. Ultimately, both sides should feel comfortable with the final solution if the agreement is to be considered win-win. Only consider win-lose negotiation if you dont need to have an ongoing relationship with the other party as, having lost, they are unlikely to want to work with you again. Equally, you should expect that if they need to fulfill some part of a deal in which you have won, they may be uncooperative and legalistic about the way they do this.

Quality Assurance of Superficial Radiotherapy X-Ray Machine

Quality Assurance of Superficial Radiotherapy X-Ray Machine Study the Quality Assurance of Superficial Radiotherapy  X-ray Machine using some Techniques Abstract The aim of the present paper is to investigate some factors affecting on quality assurance of superficial radiotherapy x-ray such as reproducibility of dose out put, linearity, reference, entrance and some skin cancer doses were measured for hand, face and nose. Examinations of these factors are studied using Farmer dose master connected with 0.6 cc ionization chamber which was placed on the couch inside the selected field and contacted with an applicator to avoid any air gap inside a field size and 10 exposures were made. The measurements were carried out using an operating condition such as 50kV, 90mAs, 15mA 0.10 min, 6 sec. The tolerance limit for the reproducibility is equal to 0.2% , which is lower than the tolerance limit as mentioned. in American Association of physics in Medicine, AAPM . The relative Error for entrance skin dose equals 3%. The quality assurance tests of superficial radiotherapy x-ray machine are measured and compared with the international tolerance. Key words: Quality Assurance, Farmer dosemaster. .0.6 cc ionization chamber Introduction The principle goal of quality assurance of superficial x-ray machine is obtained accurately and timely assessment. The secondary goal is to maximize of radiation exposure and obtain high radiation quality. This can be assess by performance the x-ray machine by optimum operating parameters such as reproducibility of dose out put, linearity, Reference , Entrance and Exit dose measurements according to code safe of practice for use x-ray in medical diagnosis (NRL, 1994). [1]. Many associations reported work concerning quality assurance of superficial x-ray machine like , AAPM, [2,3] that describes quality assurance protocol for superficial radiotherapy x-ray equipment at the therapeutic technologist level. American Association of Medical Physicists in Medicine ~AAPM, [4] presents a new protocol, developed by the Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group 61, for reference dosimetry of low- and medium energy x rays for radiotherapy and radiobiology (40 kV(4) . Austerlitz C, et.al, 2008 mentioned that the beam outputs presented percent differences ranging from -13 to +25%.[5]. Mehran Goharian et.al , 2010 mentioned that The measured output showed an increase of up to 7.3% relative to the neutral position (0 ° in-plane and 0 ° cross-plane) over the possible range of angles of in-plane rotation for 75 kVp (half-value layer, HVL = 1.84 mm Al)[6]. Modern research indicated that the continued successful use of kilovoltage X-ray units for superficial therapy and their different design compared with linear accelerators indicates that specific advice for this type of equipment is required. Useful guidance on quality control of kilo-voltage units is also given in Klevenhagen.et.al [7] and Williams.et.al [8]. Paevans .et.al [9] mentioned that the applicator, system interlocks and dose monitor performance that used in check of Gulmay D3300 kilovoltage X-ray therapy unit were satisfactory and the tube leakage was below the UK recommended maximum (air kerma rate 300 mGy/ h at 5 cm from the tube head). The quality assurances of therapeutic x-ray are based on the Basic Safety Standard –BSS[10] and International Commission of Radiological Protection where they mentioned that there is no limit for medical exposure but they ensure that medical exposure have to decide by consultation between medical authorities and professional bodies . The aim of the present paper is to investigate some factors affecting on quality assurance of superficial radiotherapy x-ray such as reproducibility of dose out put, linearity, Reference, Entrance and Exit dose measurements. Material and Method The X-strahl superficial x-ray machine was investigated for some factors of quality assurance such as reproducibility and linearity . Reproducibility is one component of the precision of a test and reported as a standard deviation. Reproducibility of dose out put of X-strahl machine was measured with Farmer Dose master connected with 0.6 cc ionization chamber, which was placed on the couch inside the selected field and contacted with an applicator to avoid any air gap inside a field size and 10 exposures were made. The measurements were carried out using same operating condition such as 50kV, 90mAs, 15mA , 6 sec. The reproducibility Pz was calculated based on NEWZELAND Radiation Laboratory, NRL protocol (J.L.Plotti , 1995).[11]. Where: SD is the estimator of standard deviation of a series of measurements dose [mGy], Zap is the means value of the measured [dose [mGy]. Extensive measurements were made to assess of changes in mAs on reproducibility and linearity of radiation output. It formed over a range of clinical settings. Calibrated ionization chamber used to measure output expressed as ÃŽ ¼Gy per mAs, at a set distance, without backscatter. Linearity The linearity of superficial x-ray machine was studied using farmer dose master that connected with 0.6 cc ionization chamber above Perspex phantom. The linearity was checked using the next equation that stated by NEWZELAND Radiation Laboratory, NRL protocol (J.L.Plotti , 1995) .[11]. à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚ §X1-X2à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚ ª/X1+X2 à ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¼0.1 Where X1 and X2 are two successive readings. Applications of superficial x-ray machine Measurement the Surface Radiotherapy Dose for Hands, Face and Nose were conducted using suitable applicator for each case. The applicator for hand treatment was 5 cm diameter, 15 FSD , the applicator for face treatment was 3 cm diameter , 15 FSD and the applicator for nose treatment was 1.5 cm diameter, 15 FSD. Results and Discussions Reproducibility Dose reproducibility for repeated doses of superficial x-ray machine was measured using farmer dosemaster connected with 0.6cc ionization chamber on the surface of Perspex phantom as shown in table 1. In the present work the maximum value was 4.404 , the minimum value was 4.374 and mean doses and standard deviation of the measurements was 4.391  ± 0.008 . The machine reproducibility was found to be 0.2% which is lower than the tolerance limit as mentioned. in NEWZELAND Radiation Laboratory, NRL protocol (J.L.Plotti , 1995) .[11]. Table 1 the Dose reproducibility for superficial radiotherapy machine using an operating condition of 50kV, 90mAs, 15mA , 6 sec. For 0.6 cc Ionization chamber. Dose, cGy 0.6 cc Run No. 4.374 1 4.386 2 4.388 3 4.394 4 4.394 5 4.386 6 4.390 7 4.391 8 4.404 9 4.401 10 4.391  ± 0.008 Mean  ± Standard Deviation Linearity of X-ray Machine The dose output was measured as a function in miliamper second. These measurements were recorded at 25 cm source to detector distance using special applicator of diameter 25 x 25 cm2 as shown in table.2. The linearity of the superficial x-ray machine was given a result lower than 0.1 that means it lower than the tolerance level of the American Association of physics in Medicine AAPM[3] and NEWZELAND Radiation Laboratory, NRL protocol (J.L.Plotti , 1995) .[11]. Linearity was accepted that means the x-ray tube of a machine is calibrated. Table 2. Linearity of superficial X-ray Machine Dose, , cGy mAs Time, sec Setting 23 30 6 50 kV, 5 Ma 30 60 12 45 150 30 72 240 48 90 300 60 . Measurement the Surface Radiotherapy Dose for Hands, Face and Nose The X-ray tube of the X-strahl machine was located in middle of the room surrounded by one meter from each side. The focus to skin distance, FSD for each applicator under use was adjusted for surface radiotherapy treatment such as hand, face and nose of tissue equivalent phantom. The Ionization chamber was adjusted for operating conditions of the X-ray machine as filter 1, 50kV, 5 mA, 0.2 min, and 0.2 mmAl for different applicators. The Surface dose for skin, nose and hand were recorded as shown in table 4. X-strahl -100 x-ray system low energy X-ray for treatment a wide range of superficial dermatological condition including: basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma and dermatological conditions including psoriasis. Orthovoltage units continue to be used today to treat superficial lesions; in fact, they were practically the only machines treating skin lesions before the recent emergence of electron therapy. The maximum dose from any of these low-energy units is found on the sur face of patients; thus, skin becomes the dose-limiting structure when treating patients at these energies. The depth at which the dose is 50% of the maximum is about 7 cm. Therefore the physician can be calculate the treatment dose for superficial x-ray therapy for each case. Since the total dose is equal to dose rate times the time , so, the time of treatment can calculate easily . Table 4. Entrance patient dose measurements for face, nose and hand.. ESD, (cGy) Case Applicator dimensions 56.68  ± 0.307 Face cancer 3 cm diameter , 15 FSD 241.2  ± 2.15 Nose cancer 1.5 cm diameter, 15 FSD 58.8  ± 0.669 Hand cancer 5 cm diameter, 15 FSD Conclusion This work concluded that The machine reproducibility dose out put was found to be 0.2% so patient risk will decrease. Linearity was lower than 0.1 which is lower than the tolerance limit of the international publications. The maximum dose from any of these low-energy units is found on the surface of patients; thus, skin.X-strahl machine treating skin lesions, hand, face and nose. The treatment time for hand, face, and nose cancer calculated via the surface patient dose measurement.

Impact Of The Renaissance in Europe Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The impact of the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Renaissance on Europe   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jacob Burckhardt best describes the renaissance as the prototype of the modern world, for it was the period between the fourteenth and fifteenth century in Italy, when the base of modern civilisation was formed. It was mainly through the revival of ancient learning that new scientific values first began to overthrow traditional religious beliefs. People started to accept a new rational and objective approach to reality and most important of all to rediscover the importance of the individual. The result in Burckhardt words, was the release of the’ full whole nature of man’. However the Renaissance biggest contribution was the way different important individuals through their logical revelations managed to diminish the power of the Catholic Church. (Craig, Graham, Kagan, Ozment, Turner; The heritage of world civ; pg.493-494)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Medieval Europe before the Renaissance had been a fragmented feudal society with an agriculturally based economy, and its culture and dominated by the Church. After the fourteenth century was characterised by the growing national consciousness and political centralisation based on organised commerce and capitalism, along with the secular control of thought and culture.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was in Italy from around the time 1375 to the sack of Rome (1527) that the distinctive features and impacts of the renaissance era are revealed. (Internet 1)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Italy having a geographic advantage, laying in the centre of the commerce between the east and west. Due to this fact rich and urban cities were formed in Italy. There started to be more Italian cities than there were people in them. Trade monopolies were formed to ensure profitability of trade and manufacturing, but only those with sufficient capital could engage in either. For example, in Florence 10% of the families controlled 90% of the wealth. These wealthy families established power over these city-states (ju... ...Yet there has never been a controversial or important than Niccolo Machiavelli’s The prince. It’s vivid prose being-â€Å" Men must either be pampered or crushed â€Å" – has not stopped readers through the centuries devouring its every aspect. With Machiavelli begins the science of politics. (Internet 1)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another development was the perfection of the art of diplomacy. Constant warfare between city-states was aimless, and by the end of the fourteenth century city-states began the practice of keeping resident ambassadors at the major seats of power. At the same time this improved communication and provided leaders with accurate information about friends and enemies. Diplomacy became both an offensive and defensive weapon. (Kishlansky, Geary, O’Brien; Civ in the west; pg. 340) I would like to conclude with mentioning that Renaissance artists and philosophers did more than construct, adorn buildings or write books. Inevitably their work expressed ideals and the way their society worked. The emphasis was more upon the here and now rather than the hereafter; and most importantly, upon humanity and its capacity for growth and perfection.

how to listen to a driver :: essays research papers

I.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  WHAT IS A BUSINESS? Describe how businesses and nonprofit organizations add to a country’s standard of living and quality of life. A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  BASIC CONCEPTS 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A BUSINESS is any activity that seeks profit by providing goods and services to others. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  PROFIT is the amount a business earns above and beyond what it spends. CONCEPT CHECK 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Businesses also provide people with the opportunity to become wealthy. B.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  BUSINESSES CAN PROVIDE WEALTH AND A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALMOST EVERYONE. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ENTREPRENEURS are people who organize, operate, and assume the risk of starting a business. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Businesses are a part of an economic system that helps to create a higher standard of living and quality of life for everyone. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The QUALITY OF LIFE of a country refers to the general well-being of a society C.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS USE BUSINESS PRINCIPLES. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nonprofit organizations such as government agencies, public schools, charities, and social causes help make a country more responsive to all the needs of citizens. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION is an organization whose goals don’t include making a profit for its owners. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  You need the SAME SKILLS to work in nonprofit organizations that you need in business, including information management, leadership, marketing, financial management. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and volunteer groups often strive to accomplish the same objectives. I.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ENTREPRENEURSHIP VERSUS WORKING FOR OTHERS. Explain the importance of entrepreneurship to the wealth of an economy and show the relationship of profit to risk assumption A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are TWO WAYS TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One way is to rise up through the ranks of a large company. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The more risky path is to start your own business. B.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURS. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Millions of people have taken the entrepreneurial risk and succeeded. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Entrepreneurs have come from all over the world to prosper in America. a.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States grew by 76% in the 1990s. b.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increases have also been made by Asians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The number of women business owners has also dramatically increased. C.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MATCHING RISK WITH PROFIT 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Not all businesses make a profit; profit is revenue minus expenses. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  REVENUE is the money a business earns by selling goods and services. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A LOSS occurs when a business’s costs and expenses are more than its revenue, the money a business earns by selling its products. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  RISK is the chance you take of losing time and money on a business that may not prove profitable. CONCEPT CHECK 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Rewards and risk are related.

Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield Essay

I. In Greece the polis of Sparta was the number one military authority for the people and for the time period. There was nothing that the Spartans could not do when it came to war. From the time that Spartan men were born, they were evaluated for their future services to the Spartan society. Each baby was sent to have the ten, ten, one test done on them as explained in the novel, The Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. This test was to check and make sure that there were no deformities. If there were the children were killed because they could not help the military, therefore had no purpose in their society as a whole. Sparta was a militarist state. The other helots and Athenians and so on, looked to the Spartans for guidance and often for overall protection during the times of war. Their society as a whole was very separated from the rest of Greece though. For example in the novel when Xeones talks about his dreams to be a Spartan he knows that he would never be recognized, while hi s cousin Diomache wants to be an Athenian she knows that is it possible. One could only call himself a Spartan if he was born of a Spartan in Sparta. The polis also held itself high in importance. In the book, The Gates of Fire Rooster whose mother was a Messenian did not see a need to be honorable to Sparta and protect it either. Rooster would curse it and speak of the gods as if they were nothing. So in the novel Polynikes was going to kill Rooster because there is no need for someone who has no trust and honor for Sparta. The Spartan society was one of a kind. There was no other polis that was quite like Sparta in the matters of how they raised their people. The society had two kings, one military and one religious. They also had the council of elders that helped make decisions. In Pressfields novel Leonidas was the military king of Sparta during the times of the battle of Thermopylae. The polis of Sparta had a system, and overall it worked effectively. The men protected the city, and controlled everything through the council of elders. Then in the times of war when the men were away the women were in control. They took care of the cities everyday matters along with the helots from the surrounding polis. The mens duty to the country was to serve. In fact the  last paragraph of the novel does an excellent job in showing this by stating, Tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient to their laws we lie. This was referencing the fact that the 300 Spartans died as they were told to by their laws and way of life. Overall the polis of Sparta had an effective system. The military worked as it was supposed to, and most other cities and rulers feared the military of Sparta. The polis also had an effective trade and governing system overall. The women and helots more often than not dealt with the everyday trade and intercity dealings. The council of elders also was effective in governing the city. II. From the beginning of life perfection was the aim and the only way for Spartans. When the children had any imperfection they were either killed or adopted by the helots surrounding the Spartan polis. The men were put up to some of the toughest tests at extremely young ages. At the age of seven they were put into the agoge for their military training. This would prepare them for the military life that they would eventually lead. Pressfields novel explains some of the tests that these young boys were expected to perform. Xeones speaks of the pushing of the tree, in which the boys are expected to push down a huge, old tree with just their muscle and force. This is known to be quite impossible, yet it prepares them for the force needed to fight later on in life. These young boys had to enter this agoge. It was part of growing up in Sparta. They would also have to fight other boys about their age in fist of fist battles as Xeones and Alexandros have to do. The Spartan boys were expected to fight until they could not fight anymore. After these ring fights the boys would also often be whipped until their spines and muscles would show. The boys could tell them to stop, but this would show weakness, so they often would take the beatings until they passed out. This may have seemed harsh and often it was, but this training was what produced the strong military men that Sparta deeply depended on to keep its title as the military power house. Throughout the novel it shows Xeones struggle to be accepted as a Spartan man. This was his dream his entire life, because as  his friend Bruxieus stated, other cities produce monuments and poetry, Sparta produces men.Then men continued to serve in the military until they were thirty years old, when they were finally pardoned of their military duties. The elders in Sparta were upon the most honored citizens. Their age and wisdom were respected more than anyone else. In the novel Xeones honors Bruxieus as he should. Even though Bruxieus is only a slave, with many handicaps that hold him back, Xeones looks past all of this. He sees the knowledge and love that he offers to him and his cousin Diomache in their time of most need. Bruxieus guides and takes care of the children after their town is attacked and their parents and farms are destroyed. So when Bruxieus died Xeones kept his promise that he would go to Sparta and become a Spartan. The women of Sparta were unlike any women from the surrounding areas. The women of Sparta were allowed to be educated, dress as they pleased, exercise and work out, and did many of the tasks that the men did. This exercised the Spartan belief that a man was only as strong as the women that he was born of. The women were not considered equal with the men though. There were many examples of this is Pressfields novel. One being the fact that when Diomache was raped by the military men they told her it was nothing personal, but not to come back because it would happen again. Also it is seen in the fact that women such as Arete though strong in her overall beliefs and her speech she was only this way in the seclusion of her own dwelling. She often would talk to Xeones about personal matters or questions and she would state her opinion, but again this was in the privacy of her own home. Though women were restricted in their power as a gender, they were also greatly respected by the honorable men in their society. This was greatly explored when Dienekes was asking the question of what is the opposite of fear. Dienekes then states, Perhaps the god we seek is not a god at all, but a goddess. He goes on to state that women have more courage and less fear than the men themselves because of all they give to society, such as childbirth. They go on to later state that the opposite of fear is love, which the women show constantly. III.Pressfields novel explores the everyday lives of the Spartan at the time of the battle of Thermopylae. The frame story is a perfect way to tell Xeones story. The first chapter explores Xeones waking up after the battle of Thermopylae and slowly realizing the situation that has occurred. The novel starts out tell the life story of Xeones and how he ended up in the predicament that he did. Pressfield does an amazing job telling the history of Sparta through a personal story. The themes of war, love, society, and spirituality were explored and related to the history aspect of the book. When Xeones starts off his story as a child, the novel shows the harsh side of war. It is one thing for the soldiers themselves to be injured; it is another for a child to see his family and polis destroyed right before his own eyes. Xeones and Diomache then have to forage in the wilderness with Bruxieus, a slave of Xeones that also survived the attack on their polis. The brutality of war and the life Xeones had to live is explored throughout the next few chapters of the novel. The harshest was the rape of Diomache and the internal battle Xeones faces with himself. After being caught stealing his hands are nailed to a board, and Xeones believes they are ruined forever. Eventually he returns to Diomache and Bruxieus, yet he runs off to let himself die because he believes he will never be a Spartan now with his disability. At this point in the novel the spirituality of the time is seen. Xeones sees Apollo the archer who guides him to his chosen career by the gods. Love is seen throughout the entire novel as Xeones craves for his cousins love and acceptance. In the beginning she tells him that he would never be man enough for her to marry and that he is only a silly boy. Yet, throughout the book he seeks her and she could then see in the temple in Athens the real man that her cousin Xeones had become. He was a Spartan, and was a man. Though he loves Diomache and later it is seen she felt the same they both had children and a spouse that came first, before true love. Arete also speaks on the matter and difference of love and marriage to a Spartan when Xeones talks privately with her. She states that she always loved Dienekes even when she was married to Iatrokles his brother. Yet, the society deems arranged marriages more important than the love felt between two people. The battle of Thermopylae was brutal, and heart wrenching. Though only explained through words in this book the blood spill was so life like. The men of Sparta spent days upon days fighting Xerxes men, trying to keep their polis free. The saddest part was the fact that they were fighting so hard, knowing the whole time that they were fighting to just eventually die. They knew they would never again see the site of Sparta or the faces of their children or wives ever again. Yet, that was what kept them going; the love for their country and families and the hope that it would remain free for them and the future generations. So though Thermopylae was a battle of warfare and fighting, it was also a story of the Spartans fighting for what they loved and what they respected. So though the book as a whole focuses on the battle of Thermopylae, it also explores the Spartan society through the eyes of Xeones. He always loved the Spartans and their ways of life. The Spartans were war; it defined them and separated them as a polis. Xeones spent his entire life to become one of these elite men, and eventually through death did so. He died serving the polis that he wanted so bad to become a part of. Yet, through his death he did so. He served the polis and protected his people, and in the end Xeones dream came true, he was honored and named a true Spartan citizen.