The prose prefaces of Martial and Statius : a study in literary purpose

Bibliography: pages 207-225.In this thesis I offer a detailed examination of the ten prose prefaces which head the Epigrams of Martial (AD c45-c96) and the Siluae of Statius (c45-c96). The most remarkable feature of these ten short pieces of prose lies in the field of literary history: these are the first extant instances of collections of verse which are headed with pieces of prose, and it is chiefly from this angle that the prefaces are studied. The body of the thesis (Section B) is devoted to a close thematic examination of the prefaces. Their content is discussed under three main headings, namely justification, information and request (chapters 5, 6 and 7 respectively). Within this framework the prefaces are examined in the terms suggested by the four chapters of Section A - the literary history of prefacing (both prose prefaces per se and proems to collections of verse), the production and dissemination of ancient literature, the patronage of letters, and the biographies of the two poets (chapters 1 to 4 respectively). All these topics are treated broadly in Section A and then with specific reference to the prefaces in Section B

Moral Objections to Pornography: Does the Reason for Opposition Affect Consumption?

Recent literature has suggested a link between self-described “problematic” pornography usage or pornography addiction and moral incongruence (Grubbs et al., 2022; Guidry et al., 2019). That is, when someone is morally opposed to pornography, they feel worse about their use of it. As of yet, however, no link has been established between specific reasons for objecting to pornography and their effects on consumption. Participants were 54 adults selected randomly using Amazon’s MTurk survey distribution platform. Respondents completed demographic questions and 6 scales measuring frequency of pornography use, objections to pornography, self-perceived problematic porn use, external and internal shame, God representations, and relationship with God. The hypothesis that distinct reasons for objecting to pornography would be negatively correlated with consumption was supported. Implications of the findings, limitations, and future directions are also discussed

THE PHYSICAL BEING Al\1]) CIRCULATION OF ANCIENT LITERATURE: AN INTRODUCTION

Among 20th-century classicists reacting against an overriding concern with Realien, so important to the scholarship of earlier generations, one topic which has suffered relative neglect is that of the physical being of ancient literature.! Yet it need hardly be stressed how important this topic is as background information to the study of classical literature. How did the Greeks and Romans record their literary works, and how did they "publish" them? What was the ancient notion of a collection of poetry? And was there an equivalent for our notion of a "second edition"? These are but some of the questions which may pertinently be asked. So with a view more to utility than originality I offer a survey of the more important recent critical writing on the subject, which I hope will serve also as a vade mecum outlining the basic details of the ancient book, as well as the processes by which it was circulated. The first part (sections I to III) surveys the physical being of Greek and Latin literature, concentrating on its materials and then format, and the second half is concerned with its dissemination

Resource booms leave regions worse off once they fade out.

Communities that enjoy well-paid jobs and low unemployment during a natural resources boom need to plan carefully for the serious economic hardships that will follow the inevitable bust. That is the key lesson from new research by Grant Jacobsen and Dominic Parker, which looks at what happened to ‘boomtowns’ in the American West during the oil drilling boom-bust cycle of the 1970s and 1980s

A paradox in action? A critical analysis of an appreciative inquiry

A journey comprised of three paths is the metaphor through which I i) reflect and report on my involvement with four New Zealand primary school Boards of Trustees (BOTs) investigating the emancipatory potential that applications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) may have on their governance processes, ii) analyse appreciative inquiry through application(s) of critical theory, with specific reference to the investigation above so as to deepen understanding of the research method, and iii) reflect on my personal development, as achieved through my engagement with participants and the research process. Stemming from an interest in improving school governance I was keen to identify current use of ICTs by BOTs and to work with them to identify potential applications. Appreciative inquiry with its focus on enhancing existing positive organisational attributes seemed to provide an appropriate structure for my investigation. At the back of my mind however, a concern was formulating: Does this method of research deliver the benefits the literature espouses? What influence would the positive orientation have on the research process and on the power dynamics within the research environment? Complementary streams of critical thinking and reflexivity were invoked to assist my analysis. Applications of ICTs which may appear 'helpful' to BOT governance processes are identified in this report. However, uncritical uptake of these applications may not necessarily be consistent with the emancipatory intentions I aspire to. Framed within Habermas' theory of communicative action, the potential colonisation of the BOT lifeworld by the system is considered. Domesticating influences may potentially constrain democratic processes at local school and societal levels. The participatory action research process undertaken facilitated a deepened understanding of governance for all involved. Identification of time and funding constraints indicates BOTs may be prevented from reaching their true potential. Attempts to enhance governance through additional applications of ICTs will be of minimal effect unless efforts are made to better understand and resource the governance efforts of Trustees. Purported empowerment of the community as mandated in the Education Act 1989 comes with a heavy cost, for schools and individuals. Care must be taken to ensure that 'efficiency' gains are not made at the expense of democratic processes. Critical analysis of appreciative inquiry as a research method highlights the influences of power and language use within the research process. Appreciative inquiry should be seen as a process for, rather than a master of change. The contribution of appreciative inquiry to organisational and personal transformation may be drawn from the ontological basis of the approach rather than from the technicalities of a specific form of implementation. I suggest the focus on what is 'good' be made more complex, to recognise that appreciation may also mean 'to know, to be conscious of, to take full and sufficient account of'. Application of an enhanced definition of appreciation has deepened my understanding of not only the situation under investigation but also the research process itself. Through my enhanced concept of 'appreciation' embedded and sometimes obscured influences were highlighted, better understood, and at times transformed to serve the emancipatory aspirations of participants. In keeping with the reflexivity mandated by my commitment to critical theory and action research, I applied this enhanced definition of appreciation to my personal development during my engagement with participants and the research process. My struggles to apply my chosen social constructionist and critical theory lenses to this work are evident in my attempts to work with the largely functionalist literature in this field and the influence of my undergraduate education. Recognising the theoretical and personal developments I gained as I travelled the three paths of my PhD journey, the scene is now set for me to challenge the predominance of functionalist, mechanistic metaphors which dominate organisational literature. In doing so, I seek an alternative approach to understanding organisational activity; and a new vocabulary through which I might extend my understanding, and negotiate new and emancipatory meaning(s) with others

Lime Based Materials in Construction: Experimental investigations for the development and validation of atomic models

Recent advances in computing power make atomistic modelling a viable approach for the study of complex chemical processes in a variety of applications. Atomistic modelling has, thus, the potential to explain some of the mechanisms of the most complex reactions occurring in construction materials such as carbonation of hydrates and the decomposition of carbonates. The research described in this paper seeks to highlight the potential of atomistic modelling applied to the materials used in the construction industry by investigating the decomposition process of dolomite. The paper, in particular, describes the results of experimental investigations that will be used to design and validate computational models. Studies undertaken using thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy suggest that dolomite decomposes through the formation of Mg-rich calcite phases that, in turn, decompose forming lime and periclase. Results suggest that the view held by some researchers which describe the decomposition of dolomite through the formation of both, Ca and Mg carbonates as intermediate compounds may not be completely accurate and consequently, this process can be disregarded in developing the computational models

PATRONAGE OF LETTERS IN THE EARLY ROMAN EMPIRE

In the sociology of literature over the ages, patronage is undoubtedly one of the most pervasive themes.! The late 1st century AD presents no exception. Though the early Empire lacked a patron having the renown of Maecenas (d. 8 BC), it is nonetheless eminently worthy of study in this regard in view of two contemporary writers - Martial (AD 40- c.103) and Statius (c.45- c.96). Despite manifest differences in style and temperament between these poets, both can be described as occasional poets (i.e. poets composing for specific social occasions) and this fact alone renders patronage highly apposite. Concentrating therefore on that period, I wish here to examine the phenomenon of literary patronage within the context of Roman mores. Broadly speaking, patronage of letters must be situated in the characteristically Roman system of patron-client relations. Topics to be discussed include its terminology and mechanics, origins, its purpose and value - material or otherwise - and the poet's economic position in society, and finally its continuity over Roman history. This study is undertaken in the form of a survey of some of the more important critical literature on the subject to have appeared in recent times, but i hope it can serve at the same time as a general introduction to the subject

India, Egypt and Parthia in Augustan verse: the post-orientalist turn

Orientalism, as a paradigm expounded by Edward W. Said, has been influential in literary studies. Here it is critically evaluated with reference to Augustan poetry, in relation to three different ethnic groups : Indians, Egyptians and Parthians. The shield of Aeneas is the point of departure. Some of the shortcomings of Saidian Orientalism can be circumvented by the adoption of concepts from human geography