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Complementary shields and their symbolism: from Aeneas' to Sam Houston’s

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Throughout human history, the shield has been a vital piece of military equipment. Everyone, from the quiet peasant to the highest Nobel would have used or had access to one (Kelly). In Roman culture, the shield is especially important since it was the mark of a warrior and trumped the sword and spear. The importance of shields to the Romans is even seen in the Aeneid, through Virgil’s lengthy description of Aeneas’ shield . However, Aeneas’ shield in particular, differs from most Roman shields because of its symbolism, brought by both the usage of the shield and the unique selection of decorative and historical scenes. Having a shield with many symbols also raises the question of what a shield would look like for a warrior like General Sam Houston. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to first, describe the symbolism of Aeneas’ shield and why some of the images were chosen, and second, to illustrate an Aeneas-styled shield for Sam Houston. As stated previously, symbolism within...
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Culture and Architecture: Pre-Greeks and Now

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John Lautner would argue that the purpose of architecture is to “Improve human life. To create timeless, free, joyous, spaces for all activities in life...” (Lautner). Others may add that architecture is a product of the culture that it was designed for, and that architects seek to design spaces for the times and people who will use them (“Architecture Reflects Culture”). One may see this philosophy of architecture within the pre-Greek civilization (Minoans, Mycenaeans, and Athenians) which effortlessly displays the connection between a society’s culture and its buildings. These civilizations created the foundation of classical architecture which has dominated the western world for centuries and continues to influence modern architecture today. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to explore how the architecture of the ancient Greeks reflects the culture of their civilization, and how they compare with modern governmental buildings in Washington D.C. Palace ...
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Epithets

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My name is Patricia Ascanio-Pellon and I'm a senior studying Geology.  Since I am a fairly private person, I don't really have a lot to say about my life and i'd rather talk to people through a face-to-face conversation. However, since this assignment is mandatory, I'll go ahead and give 4 epithets that help describe the kind of person I am. Rock-Hound Since I am a Geology major, I absolutely love rocks. I started to seriously collect rocks and minerals after my freshman year of college, and my collection is easily worth over $1000. I obtained most of my rocks either through field trips to canyons or mines or by attending rock and gem shows. My favorite rocks are metamorphic rocks. I love how it is possible to decipher their origins just by observing the type of minerals present along with their orientation. Unfortunately, metamorphic rocks are the most complex type of rock to study, so I prefer to just admire their beauty from a non-academic perspective.  ...
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