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Cyrus The Great

Cyrus The Great

Cyrus the Great (ca.600 - 529 BCE) was a towering figure in the history of mankind. As the "father of the Iranian nation", he was the first world leader to be referred to as "The Great". Cyrus founded the first world empire - and the second Iranian dynastic empire (the Achaemenids) - after defeating the Median dynasty and uniting the Medes with the other major Iranian tribe, the Persians.

 The cylinder of Cyrus the Great
The Cyrus cylinder was discovered in 1878CE at the site of Babylon. It is inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform. Now housed in the British Museum, it includes a detailed account by Cyrus of his conquest of Babylon in 539BCE and his subsequent humane treatment of his conquered subjects. It has been hailed as the world's first declaration of human rights. The (incomplete) inscription on the cylinder starts by describing the criminal deeds of the Babylonian king Nabonidus; as well as how Marduk, the Babylonian god, had looked for a new king and chosen Cyrus. It continues with the famous: "I am Cyrus, king of the world, the great king, the powerful king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters of the world" After a description of Cyrus' ancestry and of royal protocol, it goes on to explain how Cyrus established peace and abolished forced labour: "The people of Babylon . . . the shameful yoke was removed from them" The inscription continues by detailing reparative building activities in Babylon as well as asking for prayers for Cyrus. It makes specific reference to the Jews, who have been brought to Babylon - and who Cyrus supported in leaving for their homeland. Further demonstrating his religious tolerance, Cyrus restored the local cults by allowing the gods to return to their shrines. The cylinder describes the Great King not as a conqueror, but as a liberator and the legitimate successor to the crown of Mesopotamia. The same text has also been found, in a more complete version, in an inscription discovered in the ancient city of Ur, in Mesopotamia. Both documents corroborate many of the details in Ezra 1:1-5 describing Cyrus supporting the Jews in returning to Judea from captivity to rebuild the Temple in 537BCE. Isaiah 45:1-13 also backs up the idea of Cyrus as a benign and chosen ruler. Before the discovery of the cylinder, many sceptical historians believed that the idea of a Zoroastrian emperor like Cyrus the Great allowing a conquered people like the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple was simply not credible and could only be Persian propaganda. Nevertheless, the Cyrus Cylinder, alongside the Biblical and other historical statements, seems to substantiate the idea that Cyrus not only allowed many of the nations he conquered to practice their various religious beliefs - an unprecedented tolerance - but that he even actively assisted captive peoples, including the Jews, to return to their lands of origin. This support was not only political but even financial - as he gave grants both from the Imperial treasury and also from his own personal fortune. The Cylinder has especial resonance for the Iranian peoples and is an integral part of Iran's cultural heritage and national identity. Antedating the 1789 French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizenby more than two millennia, it can also be considered as a world treasure - and the first international declaration of human rights. The text was translated into all the United Nations' official languages in 1971.

Simple trick to be successful in listenning English

Listenning skill is one of the most difficult among all other English learning skill because it gives you the least time for your brain to process. Speakers never stop and let you understand word by word before moving on to the next sentence.If they do the conversation is going to take a whole day. Moreover, there are hundreds different English pronunciation around the world. Even people in the same countries who speak the same language have different pronunciation. It is normal that American people from the north do not fully understand those from the south. The way of life, climate and everything all impact pronunciation.

So, how do you overcome those? How can you understand when people speak English? Well, it is not that difficult.

This article is not telling you to practice hard, listen to the conversation tape or watch hundreds of Hollywood movie. Those are the things that you need to do anyway and already described in other English learning articles.

This article will tell you one simple trick that will help you live in any English speaking environment happily. The secret is that.

Do not blame yourself.

Many ESL thought they don't understand native English speakers because their skill is not good enough. This may or may not be true but it is surely not a good attitude.

It will discourage you and destroy your confidence. Sometimes, those natives just speak too fast and that even the natives themselves do not understand them. Sometimes, they do not truely understand the topic or they feel nervous so they can't produce understandable sentences. Have you ever experience that when you talk to anybody in your own mother tongue language? I am sure you do.

Now, you realize that it's not your fault. Just keep thinking that "they speak too fast" or "what are they talking about?" NOT "oh I don't understand them at all" or "will they know my English is poor?"

After you have positive attitude, the next step is easy. You just simply ask a kind of sentences below.

"Excuse me. Can you repeat it again?"
"It is very noisy here. Can you speak slowly please?"
"Sorry I can't catch your word"

Clearly, the sentences above blame the others but you. At this point, 99% of the speakers realize something wrong with them and they will speak again in the new way to try to make you understand.

Again, the learning part is another story here. You may have to search for the meaning of vocabularies or do more practices later but just never lose confidence to ask speakers to repeat the sentences, when you don't understand.

Remember, it is not your fault.

http://www.kinglishschool.com

BUSINESS ENGLISH-INVESTMENT - STOCK MARKET Vocabulary

INVESTMENT - STOCK MARKET Vocabulary
Bid	The price a buyer is willing to offer for shares in a company.
Blue Chip Stocks	Stocks of leading companies with a reputation for stable growth and earnings.
Bond	Certificate issued by companies and governments to its lenders.
Capital	Money and other property of companies used in transacting the business.
Capital stock	All shares representing ownership of a company.
Commodities	Products such as agricultural products and natural resources (wood, oil and metals)   that are traded on a separate, authorized commodities exchange.
Dividend	A portion of a company's earnings which is paid to the shareholders/stockholders   on a quarterly or annual basis.
Equity	The value of stocks and shares;  the net value of mortgaged property.
Equities	Stocks and shares which represent a portion of the capital of a company.
Futures	Contracts to buy or sell securities at a future date.
Insider	All those who have access to inside information concerning the company.
Insider dealing/trading	Buying or selling with the help of information know only to those connected with the   business.
IPO	Initial Public Offering - selling part of a company on the stock market.
Issue	Put into circulation a number of a company's shares for sale.
Liabilities	The debts and obligations of a company or an individual.
Mortgage	Agreement by which a bank or building society lends money for the purchase of property,   such as a house or apartment. The property is the security for the loan.
Mutual fund	Savings fund that uses cash from a pool of savers to buy securities such as stock,   bonds and real estate.
Option	The right to buy and sell certain securities at a specified price and period of time.
Par value	Nominal face value.
Penny stock	Shares selling at less than $1 a share.
Portfolio	Various types of securities held by an individual or institution.
Securities	Transferable certificates showing ownership of stock, bonds, shares, options, etc.
Share	The capital of a company is divided into shares which entitle the owner, or shareholder,   to a proportion of the profits.
Share certificate	Certificate representing the number of shares owned by an investor.
Shareholder	Owner of shares.
Speculator	Someone who buys and sells stocks and shares in the hope of making a profit through   changes in their value.
Stock	Shares (portion of the capital of a business company) held by an investor.
Stockbroker	A licensed professional who buys and sells stocks and shares for clients   in exchange for a fee, called a 'commission'.
Stockholder	Person who owns stocks and shares.
Trader	Investor who holds stocks and securities for a short time (minutes, hours or days)   with the objective of making profit from short-term gains in the market.   Investment is generally based on stock price rather than evaluation of the company.
Trading session	Period during which the Stock Exchange is open for trading.
Venture capital	Money raised by companies to finance new ventures in exchange for percentage   ownership.
Yield	Return on investment shown as a percentage.

http://learn-english-today.com

Conditionals

What are conditionals in English grammar? Sometimes we call them 'if clauses'. They describe the result of something that might happen (in the present or future) or might have happened but didn't (in the past) . They are made using different English verb tenses.

There are four kinds:

The Zero Conditional:
(if + present simple, ... present simple)
If you heat water to 100%, it boils.

We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs (one in the 'if clause' and one in the 'main clause'):

• If + present simple, .... present simple.

This conditional is used when the result will always happen. So, if water reaches 100 degrees, it always boils. It's a fact. I'm talking in general, not about one particular situation. The result of the 'if clause' is always the main cluase.

The 'if' in this conditional can usually be replaced by 'when' without changing the meaning.

For example: If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils. (It is always true, there can't be a different result sometimes). If I eat peanuts, I am sick. (This is true only for me, maybe, not for everyone, but it's still true that I'm sick every time I eat peanuts)

Here are some more examples:

If people eat too much, they get fat. If you touch a fire, you get burned. People die if they don't eat. You get water if you mix hydrogen and oxygen. Snakes bite if they are scared If babies are hungry, they cry

The First Conditional:

(if + present simple, ... will + infinitive)

If it rains tomorrow, we'll go to the cinema.

The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then the future simple in the other clause:

• if + present simple, ... will + infinitive

It's used to talk about things which might happen in the future. Of course, we can't know what will happen in the future, but this describes possible things, which could easily come true.

• If it rains, I won't go to the park.
• If I study today, I'll go to the party tonight.
• If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes.
• She'll be late if the train is delayed.
• She'll miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon.
• If I see her, I'll tell her.

First vs. Zero Conditional

The first describes a particular situation, whereas the zero conditional describes what happens in general.

For example (zero conditional): if you sit in the sun, you get burned (here I'm talking about every time a person sits in the sun - the burning is a natural consequence of the sitting)

But (first conditional): if you sit in the sun, you'll get burned (here I'm talking about what will happen today, another day might be different)

The Second Conditional:

(if + past simple, ... would + infinitive)

If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.

The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive:

• if + past simple, ...would + infinitive

(We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'we'. It's strange, but correct!)

It has two uses.

First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true. Maybe I'm imagining some dream for example.

• If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.(I probably won't win the lottery)
• If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.
• She would travel all over the world if she were rich.
• She would pass the exam if she ever studied.(She never studies, so this won't happen)

Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible, because it's not true. Is that clear? Have a look at the examples:

• If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number now, so it's impossible for me to call him).
• If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.

How is this different from the first conditional?

This kind of conditional sentence is different from the first conditional because this is a lot more unlikely.

For example (second conditional): If I had enough money I would buy a house with twenty bedrooms and a swimming pool (I'm probably not going to have this much money, it's just a dream, not very real)

But (first conditional): If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes (It's much more likely that'll have enough money to buy some shoes)

The Third Conditional

(if + past perfect, ... would + have + past participle)

If I had gone to bed early, I would have caught the train.

We make the third conditional by using the past perfect after 'if' and then 'would have' and the past participle in the second part of the sentence:

• if + past perfect, ...would + have + past participle

It talks about the past. It's used to describe a situation that didn't happen, and to imagine the result of this situation.

• If she had studied, she would have passed the exam (but, really we know she didn't study and so she didn't pass)
• If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick (but I did eat a lot, and so I did feel sick).
• If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane
• She wouldn't have been tired if she had gone to bed earlier
• She would have become a teacher if she had gone to university
• He would have been on time for the interview if he had left the house at nine

Best Wishes Phrases

Good luck, good health, hood cheer. I wish you a happy New Year.
 
With best wishes for a happy New Year! 
 
I hope you have a most happy and prosperous New Year.
 
With the compliments of the season.
 
May the season's joy fill you all the year round.
 
Season's greetings and best wishes for the New Year.
 
Please accept my season's greetings.
 
To wish you joy at this holy season. Wishing every happiness will always be
with you.
 
Good health, good luck and much happiness throughout the year.
 
May the joy and happiness around you today and always.
 
Please accept my sincere wishes for the New Year. I hope you will continue
to enjoy good health.
 
Allow me to congratulate you on the arrival of the New Year and to extend to
you all my best wishes for your perfect health and lasting prosperity.
 
Best wishes for the holidays and happiness throughout the New Year.
 
With very best wishes for your happiness in the New Year.
 
Please accept our wishes for you and yours for a happy New Year.
 
May the coming New Year bring you joy, love and peace.
 
Wishing you happiness during the holidays and throughout the New Year.
 
A happy New Year to you.
 
Season's greetings and sincere wishes for a bright and happy New Year!
 
I give you endless brand-new good wishes. Please accept them as a new
remembrance of our lasting friendship.
 
Good luck and great success in the coming New Year.
 
On the occasion of the New Year, may my wife and I extend to you and yours
our warmest greetings, wishing you a happy New Year, your career greater
success and your family happiness.
 
May everything beautiful and best be condensed into this card. I sincerely
wish you happiness, cheerfulness and success.

Funny New Messages in Windows 7

The following are new messages that Microsoft have introduced with Windows 7:

1. This will end your Windows 7 session. Do you want to play another game?
2. Kennel stack overflow problem.  Your new Patch is now available.  Call at the vet's and collect your dog.
3. BREAKFAST.SYS halted... Cereal port not responding.
4. Suggested Action.  Emigrate.
5. Upon completion of this investigation, Microsoft will take action to help solve your problem.  This will involve remote execution of the user.
6. The media is corrupt.  Therefore, don't read the manual - bribe a reporter.
7. Windows Update Service Problem.  Waitress is sick.
8. A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.  Smash forehead on keyboard to continue.
9. Path not found.  Try the grass shortcut.
10. An operations error occurred. Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue.
11. Press any key to continue, or any other key to quit.
12. Press any key except... no, No, NO, NOT THAT ONE!
13. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del now for IQ test.
14. Windows 7 object doesn't support this property or method. Close your eyes and press escape three times.
15. Bad command or file name!  Go stand in the corner.
16. User Error: Replace user.
17. No network provider accepted the given network path.  In plain English, we have not got a clue what's wrong.
18. Windows 7 message: "Error saving file! Format drive now? (Y/Y)"
19. 'Known issue' - it's just the solution that is unknown.
20. This network connection does not exist, and neither does any help.
21. This is a message from God Gates: "Rebooting the world. Please log off." 
22. Object already non-existent. Are you sure you still want to delete?  (N/N)
23. The network location cannot be reached. To 'shutdown' your system, type 'WIN.'
24. COFFEE.SYS missing... Insert cup in cup holder and press any key.
25. CONGRESS.SYS corrupted... Re-boot Washington D.C? (Y/N)
26. File not found. Should I fake it? (Y/N)
27. Bad or missing mouse. Spank the cat? (Y/N)
28. Runtime Error 6D at 417A:32CF: Incompetent User.
29. Error reading FAT record: Try the SKINNY one? (Y/N)
30. Windows7_error 16547: LPT1 not found. Use backup. (PENCIL & PAPER.SYS)
31. Workaround.  The workaround does not work, but it makes us fell better to include it.
32. Windows VirusScan 1.0 - 'Windows7 found: Remove it? (Y/N)'
33. Welcome to Microsoft's World - Your Mortgage is Past Due...
34. If you are an artist, you should know that Bill Gates owns you and all your future creations. Doesn't it feel nice to have security?
35. Your hard drive has been scanned and all stolen software titles have been deleted. The police are on the way.
36. We are reading your error report, but we are not understanding.
37. Hold down the Numb Lock. Phone 555-1212-4590 and ask for Lulu.
38. You can provide feedback by completing the form.  However, you are wasting your time because it goes to a sink account that we never read.
39. Disclaimer: We would like to thank Bart Simpson, who had the least to do with these solutions and was therefore of the most help.