Biography of Amalasuntha, Queen of the Ostrogoths

We have three sources for the details of Amalasunthas life and rule: the histories of Procopius, the Gothic History of Jordanes (a summary version of a lost book by Cassiodorus), and the letters of Cassiodorus. All were written shortly after the Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy was defeated. Gregory of Tours, writing in the later 6th century, also mentions Amalasuntha. Procopius version of events, however, has many inconsistencies. In one account Procopius praises the virtue of Amalasuntha; in another, he accuses her of manipulation. In his version of this history, Procopius makes the Empress Theodora complicit in Amalasunthas death -- but he is often focused on depicting the Empress as a great manipulator. Known for: ruler of the Ostrogoths, first as regent for her sonDates: 498-535 (reigned 526-534)Religion:  Arian ChristianAlso known as: Amalasuentha, Amalasvintha,  Amalasvente, Amalasontha, Amalasonte, Queen of the Goths, Queen of the Ostrogoths, Gothic Queen, Regent Queen Background and Early Life Amalasuntha was the daughter of Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths, who had taken power in Italy with the support of the eastern emperor. Her mother was Audofleda, whose brother, Clovis I, was the first king to unite the Franks, and whose wife, Saint Clotilde, is credited with bringing Clovis into the Roman Catholic Christian fold. Amalasunthas cousins thus included the warring sons of Clovis and Clovis daughter, also named Clotilde, who married Amalasunthas half-nephew, Amalaric of the Goths. She was apparently well educated, speaking Latin, Greek, and Gothic fluently. Marriage and Regency Amalasuntha was married to Eutharic, a Goth from Spain, who died in 522. They had two children; their son was Athalaric. When Theodoric died in 526, his heir was Amalasunthas son Athalaric. Because Athalaric was only ten, Amalasuntha became regent for him. After Athalarics death while still a child, Amalasuntha joined forces with the next closest heir to the throne, her cousin Theodahad or Theodad (sometimes called her husband in accounts of her rule). With the advice and support of her minister Cassiodorus, who had also been an advisor to her father, Amalasuntha seems to have continued a close relationship with the Byzantine emperor, now Justinian -- as when she permitted Justinian to use Sicily as a base for Belisarius invasion of the Vandals in North Africa. Opposition by the Ostrogoths Perhaps with Justinians and Theodahads support or manipulation, Ostrogoth nobles opposed Amalasunthas policies. When her son was alive, these same opponents had protested her giving her son a Roman, classical education, and instead had insisted that he receive training as a soldier. Eventually, the nobles rebelled against Amalasuntha, and exiled her to Bolsena in Tuscany in 534, ending her reign. There, she was later strangled by relatives of some men she had earlier ordered killed. Her murder probably was undertaken with her cousins approval -- Theodahad may have had reason to believe that Justinian wanted Amalasuntha removed from power. The Gothic War But after Amalasunthas murder, Justinian sent Belisarius to launch the Gothic War, retaking Italy and deposing Theodahad. Amalasuntha also had a daughter, Matasuntha or Matasuentha (among other renderings of her name). She apparently married Witigus, who briefly reigned after Theodahads death. She was then married to Justinians nephew or cousin, Germanus, and was made a Patrician Ordinary. Gregory of Tours, in his History of the Franks, mentions Amalasuntha and tells a story, which is most likely not historical, of Amalasuntha eloping with a slave who was then killed by her mothers representatives and then of Amalasuntha killing her mother by putting poison in her communion chalice. Procopius About Amalasuntha An excerpt from Procopius of Caesaria: The Secret History How Theodora treated those who offended her will now be shown, though again I can give only a few instances, or obviously there would be no end to the demonstration.When Amasalontha decided to save her life by surrendering her queendom over the Goths and retiring to Constantinople (as I have related elsewhere), Theodora, reflecting that the lady was well-born and a Queen, more than easy to look at and a marvel at planning intrigues, became suspicious of her charms and audacity: and fearing her husbands fickleness, she became not a little jealous, and determined to ensnare the lady to her doom.

Renaissance And Discovery Of The Renaissance - 4916 Words

Chapter 10 Outline: Renaissance and Discovery The Renaissance in Italy Jacob Burckhardt, a Swiss historian, described the Renaissance as the â€Å"prototype of the modern world† in his book Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy (1860). People became to approach the world empirically and draw rational conclusions based on observation. Burckhardt saw the emergence of the modern world emerge from that of the pre-modern, or medieval, period. Some criticize Burckhardt for overlooking the continuity between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance . Scholars agree that the Renaissance (1375-1527)was a transition from medieval to modern times Different from the feudal fragmentation of medieval times, Renaissance Europe was characterized by growing national consciousness and political centralization, an urban economy based on organized commerce and capitalism, and growing lay control of secular thought and culture The Italian City State When commerce revived in the eleventh century, Italian merchants mastered the organizational skills needed for trade: book-keeping, scouting new markets, securing new markets, and banking. During the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, trade-rich cities became powerful city-states, dominating the political and economic life of the surrounding countryside. 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The Serotonin Syndrome Essay Example For Students

The Serotonin Syndrome Essay Even the most clueless among us know about ecstasy today; thanks to news and the media who have labeled it a thrill pill and love drug, and proclaimed it Americas newest drug problem. Although many therapists are praising it, researchers are also knocking it. All together, they have found that ecstasy, a drug similar to MDMA, has short and long term effects on the brain that vary from person to person. Ecstasy is a street term for a range of drugs that are similar in structure to Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as MDMA. Ecstasy is similar in structure and affect to amphetamines and hallucinogens. Amphetamines, or speed, are stimulants that speed up activity in the nervous system. Hallucinogens, such as LSD, typically affect perception and can cause things to be seen or heard that dont really exist, or things that are distorted. Ecstasy is illegal, and its ingredients are often hard to get. Therefore, manufactures my substitute a wide range of substances when making the drug. There is a chance that when you buy ecstasy it will contain little MDMA. Like other illegally manufactured drugs, such as speed, there are no controls of factors such as strength and hygiene of the drug. The increases the chances of a person overdosing, being poisoned or experience other adverse reactions after taking the drug. Swallowing ecstasy is the most common way to use it, even though it can taste foul. Ecstasy tablets can be various sizes, shapes and designs such as playboy bunnies or tulips. The tablets can be crushed and snorted. They may also be inserted into the anus from where the drug is absorbed. This way is often referred to as shafting or shelving. Today, injecting ecstasy is becoming more popular. The immediate effects usually begin within 20 minutes of taking the drug and may last up to 6 hours. Some people have reported some symptoms persisting for 32 hours after using ecstasy. Many people have experienced effects such as increased heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. The user also experiences increased confidence and feelings of well being. Jaw clenching, teeth grinding and anxiety are also common. Symptoms on nausea and a loss of appetite are sometimes more likely to occur than thought of. These effects usually come up in a course of three phases: coming up, the plateau and coming down. In coming up, the effects can be smooth and bumpy and users may feel a rush. The plateau consists of the user feeling good, happy and relaxed. While coming down, the user may feel physically exhausted, depressed and irritable. Higher quantities of ecstasy dont appear to enhance the desirable effect and may cause convulsions, vomiting, floating sensations, irrational or bizarre behavior, and hallucinations. In the come down, insomnia, depression, anxiety, paranoia, fatigue and difficulty concentrating are many common effects. These effects usually begin the day after taking the drug and can last for several days. After the come down from the synthetic drug, many problems users encounter with ecstasy are similar to those found with the use of amphetamines and cocaine. Some of the short-term effects are very similar to the immediate effects of ecstasy. They include increases in heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills, sweating, and such psychological problems as confusion, depression, sleep problems, craving, severe anxiety, paranoia, and psychotic episodes. Ecstasys chemical cousin, MDA, destroys cells that produce Serotonin in the brain. These cells play a direct roll in regulating aggression, mood, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. Methamphetamine, also similar to ecstasy, damages brain cells that produce dopamine. Scientists have now shown that Ecstasy not only makes the brains nerve branches and endings degenerate, but also makes them regrow, but abnormally failing to reconnect with some brain areas and connecting elsewhere with the wrong ar eas. These reconnections may be permanent, resulting in cognitive impairments, changes in emotion, learning, memory, or hormone-like chemical abnormalities. .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 , .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 .postImageUrl , .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 , .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126:hover , .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126:visited , .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126:active { border:0!important; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126:active , .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126 .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u32a4e76f37bbc0ca59f923b95f142126:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Formation of An Individual: Cases, Terms, To Essay The effects of long-term MDMA use are just beginning to undergo scientific analysis. In 1998, the National Institute of Mental Health conducted a study of a small group of habitual MDMA users who were abstaining from use. The study revealed that the abstinent users suffered damage to the neurons

Critical Analysis of Phillis Wheatley free essay sample

The Life and Literature of Phillis Wheatley Phillis Wheatley holds the accomplishment of being the first published African American writer. Her story is very different from the other published African American writers. Unlike most of the writers to follow her she was not born into slavery and she is not of a mixed race. Phillis Wheatley was abducted from her parents and her home in West Africa when she was around seven years old, she was named for the slave ship The Phillis that delivered her into slavery. I was surprised to learn Phillis Wheatley viewed slavery as an opportunity rather than a cruel and dehumanizing system. Her works differ from the writers to follow because she does not openly discourage slavery. As a child Phillis showed that she had a great aptitude, her owners took an interest in her education and began to teacher her to read and write. She was a fast learner and soon began to study Latin and literature. We will write a custom essay sample on Critical Analysis of Phillis Wheatley or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Her early education is reflected in her complex works, even at a young age she mimic Pope and Milton in her writing style. Her first poem was published when she was just twelve years old. Her writings shocked white America and spoke for itself. Although she did not advocate for the freedom of her people. She had laid the ground work in displaying that African American were just as capable and in her case more of being as intelligent as anyone else. Wheatley’s works began to become more noticed. However publishers refused to acknowledge Wheatley and denied that she had actually written her own poems. Wheatley’s case went to trial to eventually and she eventually received credit for her writing. Although she finally received the credit she was unable to find a publisher who would publish her works in America. One of her works â€Å"Coming to American from Africa † a poem that she is famous for and that speaks reflects her opinion of slavery and the plight of her people. Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand. † The first two lines of the poem set the tone of the poem and show her opinion of African Americans and and there status when compared to Whites. These line from her poem she describes the pillaging of Africa and the kidnapping of her people as â€Å"mercy. She also refers to Africa as a Pagan land and insinuates that that its inhabitants were not able to learn and to function. She actually addresses slavery in a positive light because it introduced her to Christianity. Then she actually pleads with the white viewers not to be to disgusted with her savage race of people because throught slavery and white teaching they too have the chance to become Christian . â€Å"Some view our sable race with scornful eye, Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refind and join thangelic train. † The last line employs the White Christian audience to remember that despite their savage was there is still hope of civilizing African Americans. She also uses a metaphor to compare the African race to Cain the root of all evil. Wheatley wrote passionately about America’s independence but not however about the independence of her people. Her sentiments actually adopted and promoted the majority of White opinion of African Americans. Although she did not intentionally advocate for African Americans she served as an example and proof that African Americans possessed the intelligence and ability and laid the way for many others.