A Source Report on Imperial Iconography Two Coins of Nero Essay Example

A Source Report on Imperial Iconography: Two Coins of Nero Paper Throughout history there has always been a need for trade. This has come in ways such as bartering or more commonly as time progressed, through the use of a currency such as coinage to pay for the goods. One potential issue with coinage is that it has in the past been regarded as non-primary evidence. This is particularly true with respects to coins of the Ancient World. However Roman coins, at the very least, can be seen as a great and permanent state institution (Sutherland, 1976, Preface) and as such we should treat coins as very much primary evidence. They provide a valuable insight into the way society was constructed and what was considered important. For example, Augustus began to appear on the Empires coins, when he effectively became emperor, whereas Early Republican coins rarely had the head of state appear on the obverse of the coin. (Sutherland, 1976, 9-10). It had become accepted that the head of the state should appear on the coin, after all, in theory they were the ones who controlled the mints. The two coins Ill be looking at were both struck at Rome. We know this as there isnt a globe underneath the neck of Nero at the bust-truncation on the obverse (Sutherland, 1976, page 63) and it is predominantly found in Western Europe. The differences between the coins struck at Rome and the other main Western European mint, which was probably based at Lugdunum, was this inclusion of the globe and the quality of the typeface and images. It is difficult for modern historians to know just how old the two coins are without conducting tests because they miss out the various powers and the year of that power that held by Nero. We will write a custom essay sample on A Source Report on Imperial Iconography: Two Coins of Nero specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on A Source Report on Imperial Iconography: Two Coins of Nero specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on A Source Report on Imperial Iconography: Two Coins of Nero specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer For example the tribunician powers were granted every year, therefore if we were to see a coin stating TR P IV we would know the year it was struck was A. D. 58 forth year as Emperor for Nero. It was after A. D. 63 this numbering disappears (Thornton, 1972, 163) making the coins from the last five years of Neros reign difficult to judge when they were struck. A final major issue with Coin A is that it is lacking a mark to denote their value such as the I on Coin B, making it an as. This leads to research having to be done on the coin to deduce what it is made of in order to get an understanding of what coin exactly it was: a sestertius according to the British Museum. The coins were widely circulated, with some of the images and messages on the reverses being re-minted several times (See Mattingly, plates 41-43). They were as Sutherland (1976, 119) says for genuinely informative purposes on a wide scale. This was a method of propaganda. By informing the masses within the Empire of what Nero had accomplished, he could show his power. It would have a positive affect on peoples opinions of him especially with his congiaria, as well as bringing of peace everywhere within the Empire. What is especially special about the coins of Nero is the radical change he brought about in their use. Prior to the middle to latter period of his reign as Emperor, Neros coinage had been conservative in nature; in A. D. 65 it became more untraditional and offensive with Nero wearing a radiate crown in observe imagines and in one particular reverse, being identified with Apollo (Warmington, 1969, 121; Grant, 1970, 207). Whilst the two coins above do not have these, it is significant nonetheless that these coins would have been deemed as the more conservative type. The coins are dated, from a period after a ten year cap in the issuing of the aes coinage. An issue that Thornton (1972, 155) finds surprising as the bronze [aes] coins are the lifeblood in the economy for the working people. They were released in line with the tenth anniversary of Neros assent and the 50th year since Augustus death, an important anniversary in Roman history. Grant (1954, 111) tells us that the new series was of unprecedented vanity, beauty and extent. This supports Warmington and could suggest as to why the coins began to show events like the congiaria and the closing of the Janus temple. It would show to the people that the Emperor had supreme power; he could bring peace throughout the Empire and afford to give out corn and money to the needy. Interestingly, we can compare these actions by Nero to the actions of Augustus as told to us by his Res Gestae divi Augusti (trans. Brunt and Moore, 1967). It could be said that the Emperors after Augustus wanted to live up to his name, a reason perhaps why many of the early emperors adopted the name Augustus. The Res Gestae (Chapter 13) tells us that within Augustus reign, the temple of Janus was thrice, whereas before his reign it had only been shut twice in the whole of Roman history. Whilst the Emperors pre-Nero and post-Augustus may have closed it at various points, it is nevertheless a major event in the history of Rome for there to be peace throughout the whole of the empire. The closing of the temple was an invitation for the people to regard Nero as a worthy descendant of the imperial founder Augustus (Grant, 1970, 206). A task any Emperor had to accomplish after the popularity of Augustus reign. Nero could make this claim by bringing the peace with Parthia. In fact, to reiterate that peace had truly come he closed the Temples door twice, according to Grant (1970, 228). This action alone shows what an important event the shutting of the Janus temple doors was. Henderson (1903, 191) dates the peace in A. D. 64 with a repeat of the event in A. D. 6. This date fits in with the coins, the asses depicting the Janus closure came from A. D. 64-5 (Mattingly, 1923, CLXXIV) and at the earliest we can roughly estimate that the temple closed that year. This has been argued by some historians, such as Thornton who argues that it came at a later date such as A. D. 66. This makes the coins vital to dating events. The asses show that the peace must have come in or befo re 64-65 otherwise the people would have lost all faith in Nero and the coinage as the temple was there to see in Rome and such a momentous event would be well known about. It is possible to see that Augustus carried out his own congiaria. Within Chapter 18 of the Res Gestae Augustus mentions the grain and money from [his] own granary and patrimony. Whilst it was necessary to do this in order for the people to survive, it is possible to see it as propaganda. By giving gifts in corn and in money to the people, Nero was catering for the peoples needs which would have won him popularity. We know that Nero conducted two different congiaria, one for corn and one for money; which would have been given continuously throughout his reign. There are two different coins with the legends Cong I Dat Pop- S. C. and Cong II Dat Pop- S. C. which Mattingly (1923, CLXXVII) has argued must have occurred at around the same time otherwise why would they have been numbered and struck around the same time? It is hard to tell which of coins depicts which of the congiaria; for neither of the images show the handing over of specifically grain or money. However, Sutherland and Carson (1984, 139) have said that signs such as the I (an as) and the II (a dupondii) denote the value of the coin. This brings into question what Mattingly has said about their being the two congiaria; despite the differing pictures it could be that the gift in grain and of money was seen as just the one congiarium. Then they could have been two different images on the coins to denote that there was the giving of both corn and money. Overall, coins can become a gateway into the past as well as making the past appear more inaccessible due to contradictions that they can throw up. However this does not mean that we shouldnt be looking at coins for sources of information. They could be used to influence the people by them having images of the closing of the temple of Janus and the congiaria. With people using these on a day-to-day basis they would remember them and possibly think about the person that brought it about at that specific time, the Emperor Nero. However we must be careful, we cant just use coins for our understanding of the past, just like with any ancient source. The imagines were set and chosen. We must use coins however in conjunction with our other sources to gain a better understanding of the chaotic world that was the Roman Empire.

Jones and Blair Company Essays

Jones and Blair Company Essays Jones and Blair Company Essay Jones and Blair Company Essay Blair Company distributes architectural, original equipment manufacturing (MEMO) paint and paint sundries under its brand name over 50 counties in 4 states of US while operating from its plant and headquarters in Dallas. Changing market and industry trends were posing a threat to many regional companies. JOB competed successfully with other national paint companies banking on its different paint formulation and readily available technology. However survival could be a challenge in future. The case reflects on the decision to be made in 2005 by J BC of where and how to deploy corporate marketing forts among the various architectural paint coatings markets served by the company. Market and Industry Analysis: In 2004 US architectural paint industry estimated 12 billion USED sales. Mature market with 1-2% growth pa. This was straining the survival of regional companies, leading to MAs. Major producers accounted for 60% market share. No. Of paint companies was at a decline of 2-3% pa. A trend towards do-it- yourself painting by household consumers was on an upsurge and contributed 50% sales. 0% architectural paints were sold by private store brands which major stocked market leaders. Specialty paint stores and Hardware Lumberyards contributed 36% 14% respectively. Apron. 50% of business for JOB comes from 1 1 counties of UDF and remaining from 39 non UDF counties. Evaluation of Alternative Courses of Action: Increasing the presence in UDF do-it- yourself market by spendi ng USED 350,000 on advertising on TV to increase awareness could be one option as this is a high growth segment. . Hence apart from advertising just in newspaper on floor (retail outlets) promotions will be more effective as the consumer decides the retail outlet to procure the paint first and following that the brand. Employing additional sales representatives to increase aggressive selling was another alternative suggested, but this would increase non capital cost. Reducing the contribution margin will reduce the prices of the paints, will benefit the consumers, however will lead to decrease in net profit. As a result so as to cover up for reduction in contribution volumes will have to be increased which is also not quite possible because the industry is more or less flat (mature stage). Conclusion and recommendations: So as to increase the sales JOB have to focus on both UDF and non UDF market. Since do-it-yourself painting by household nonusers is on an upsurge and they mainly procure their requirements from retail shops, this is an area that needs attention and can be tapped. The UDF market has been contributing significantly in terms of sales volume (50%). More emphasis should be given to the non UDF market as that market is not well penetrated yet. Awareness should created among the do-it-yourself market of the non UDF market by spending USED 350,000 on advertising in newspaper in store (retail outlets) promotions as it first and following that the brand. Price reduction is not a very feasible option as for this sales volume have to be increased significantly.

Managing and developing people Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing and developing people - Essay Example Usually, big organizations could have thousands of employees. To manage such a magnitude of employees requires expertise, skill and a deep knowledge of principles of management. Regardless of the size of the organization, human resources are what keep a company moving. This paper discusses the role of motivation in getting work done and especially in increasing employee job performance. The following is a report on the factors that affect motivation in an given organization. The report highlights different technique and human resources theory, which different organizations use to give rewards and maintain a well-motivated workforce. This section of the report analyzes the techniques and theories with an aim of evaluating their effectiveness as strategies made to assist the organization in achieving its goals. It is evident that the task of motivating workforce in an organization is not an easy one and requires that organizations evident enormous resources in the process. Cranny, Smith, and Stone, (1992), defines motivation as the process of empowering an individual to continue acting in a certain positive behaviour. Motivation in organizations is aimed at encouraging employees to take initiative in execution of their duties at the work place. Motivated employees exhibit self-drive and desire to willingly perform their tasks in accordance to the organization’s objectives (Cranny, Smith, & Stone, 1992). According to the Maslow’s theory, employees’ behaviour is influenced by wants and desires which unless satisfied, they continue to determine and influence how an employee will act. In a business organization, employees have their needs and wants, which make them to work. However unless their expectations are fulfilled they may under perform or function in less effective manner. Business organizations have come up with different ways of fulfilling human resource needs. The most important of them is the motivation of workers. Unless workers are