Has it gone viral? - NewSouthendian

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Has it gone viral?

From the Editor Here we are, the fourth issue of New Southendian. I hope the newspaper is proving to be an enjoyable and useful resource, I would love to hear some of your feedback, so please let your form tutors know your views. This issue explores a wide variety of issues, with our cover article being one on the Zika Virus. Zika as this year's pandemic has struck fear into people across the world, causing world wide panic. Life in America has also been explored by Jonah who's article exposes the truth behind the American Dream. As we look forward to the Easter break, as a team we all hope exam preparations are gong well, stress at this time of the year is all too common! Thank you to those who take the time to read this issue, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed making it. Charlotte Parker Editor

Editor Charlotte Parker Lead Designer

Jack Duffield Geography Correspondent Tom Leigh Personalities Correspondent Josh Bolton History at a Glance Editor Lara Adamczyk Interesting Articles Corespondent Jonah Elvidge

History Correspondent Tom Poole Lead Interviewer James Green Economic Correspondent James Bowie Alt History Correspondent Annie Zykova Current Affairs Correspondent

Tommy Grant Guest Editor Tom Wood

Inside… All of these titles are clickable! Shakhtar Donetsk Football in the Ukraine has been blown wide open

Report: The Zika Virus Is the shady Zika Virus a cause for concern in the UK?

Population and Overcrowding NewSouthendian reviews the thick and thin of population

Obituary: Alan Rickman Remembering a legendary actor

The American Dreamers Is the US a utopia or dystopia?

England 1966 A look at Britain’s last World Cup, and their chances this time

Interview: Caretaker Kev The man, the legend—it’s Kev

The Yeti What truth is there to an ancient myth?

Demystifying Interest Rates Our go-to guide for an economic buzzword

Defining Evil We scrutinise those who have come to be called evil

Shakhtar Donetsk War and football in the Ukraine Picture the scene. It’s a rather mild May afternoon in the Donbass Oblast of Western Ukraine, and 50,000 passionate Shakhtar Donetsk fans are wildly celebrating their 3-0 victory over Oleksandria and consequently their 5th consecutive Ukrainian Premier League Victory, inside their magnificent Donbass Arena stadium, only completed in 2009 as part of Stadium developments across Ukraine to coincide with their joint hosting of Euro 2012 with Poland. The magnificent £85 million UEFA Category 4 stadium is literally rocking, however almost 3 years on; it’s an incredibly different sight to behold. The Stadium lies uninhabited. Shelling has damaged the outside of the ground significantly, and no football has been played in Donetsk for over a year now, Shakhtar moving to L’viv on the other side of the country. Arena L’viv is roughly 1,200 KM’s away from The

Donbass Arena, which is the equivalent of moving Tottenham Hotspur from White Hart Lane in London, to Napoli’s home ground of The Stadio San Paolo Stadium in Naples, Italy. Many complaints from the clubs fan base are labelled not only at the inability to travel to the new ground, but that the majority of the fans within the stadium actually support the away team. Since the Russian Military intervention began in Ukraine in 2014, football hasn’t really been the same, nor the main focus of actual football matches for that matter. The outrageous but strangely catchy “Putin – khuilo!" chant, which translates literally as “Putin is a d*ckhead” became prominent around the Ukraine, but most notably in Donetsk itself. Many of the clubs ultras, their seemingly most hardcore and committed fan base have openly sung the chant whilst supporting their team, many taking

a pro-Ukrainian/ EU stance, advocating the lessening of a relationship with Russia and improving relations with Europe. A Dinamo Kiev ultra, named Kirill, interviewed by journalist named Mark Bennett’s, explained some reasoning behind their stance. “We’d followed our club and the national side to Europe — to London, Berlin, Paris and so on — and we’d seen how people live there,” “It was a real eye-opener. Many of us asked ourselves, ‘How come living standards are so much better there?’ We wanted the same for our own country. When Yanukovych (former Ukrainian Prime Minister) decided to tear up the

ion has managed to penetrate effectively into politics. The “Putin Khuilo” chant was actually endorsed by the Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs, whilst interior minister Arsen Avakov published a Facebook post of the chant written on a bus stop in the city of Sloviansk in Eastern Ukraine, captioning the photo as “A private opinion some place near Slovyansk. Aligning myself”. Whilst David Cameron’s discussion of the appropriateness of Tottenham Hotspur supporters using the “Y word” was prominent for a period in England, it hardly compares to the Ukrainian politicians openly recognizing and endorsing the criticism of the most powerful man in any former USSR territory. Currently, Shakhtar’s fortunes domestically and in European Competition, currently topping the Ukrainian Premier Division and beating Schalke 3-0 in Germany and ensuring their progression to the Europa League last 16, are continuing as usual. However, off of the pitch, their club and their clubs support remains in turmoil. Supporters continue to take part in proUkrainian rallies and many are openly part of militia’s that are taking the fight to the pro-Russian separatists who continue to occupy the area. Viktor Yanukovych’s removal from power has encouraged a fledging sense of belief that Ukraine’s political system can be improved; however the DPR and LPR’s continued existence threatens any chance of a true conclusion to the conflict.

EU deal and take us closer to Russia, we realized we had to do something or slip back into the Soviet past.” Although Kirill and his fellow Kiev fans were once bitter rivals on and off the field with those in Donetsk, since 2013 the ultra-groups have declared an unofficial truce until the war in Ukraine has been resolved. It’s an incredible thing to see, even more so when you realise how the Ultra opin-

With war raging on, and a collection of Donetsk’s best players, notably Luiz Adriano, Douglas Costa and Alex Teixeira, choosing to leave the club and play football in countries that aren’t war torn, the return to the glory days of the late 2000’s, in which the club became the first Ukrainian team to win the European cup, and for that matter the return to the Donbass Arena, seem a very, very long way off. Tom Wood

The Zika Virus

Every few years a new virus spreads around the world causing unprecedented panic and concern, the Ebola break out of 2014 is an example of this. The outbreak of the Zika virus has now caused a similar degree of panic, currently found in Brazil and other South American countries. Immediately western citizens are asking if they are needing to be concerned for their welfare. For children and adults the Zika virus is not much of a concern, symptoms include fever, sores, headaches, joint pain and rashes- similar to a common flu virus, NOT fatal. Although there is no known cure through vaccination or drug treatments the virus eventually clears without treatment for children and adults. Why then is Zika such a concern? The Zika virus has been linked with microcephaly in unborn, developing babies. Microcephaly is a birth defect in which babies are born with unusually small heads. This means that the baby’s brain will not have developed properly. The severity of this can vary, but if the brain is so underdeveloped it will not be able to regulate functions vital to life resulting in almost instant death. For surviving children it results in learning difficulties and in many cases developmental delays. It has still not been confirmed that there is a link between Zika and microcephaly however the surge in microcephaly cases in time with the Zika

outbreak suggests that there is. Zika is mainly spread by Aedes mosquitos biting individuals infected with Zika and so becoming infected. These mosquitos will then bite individuals spreading the disease to them. These mosquitos are found throughout the Americas, excluding Canada and Chile, leading many experts to fear that Zika will spread from Brazil into the rest of South and North America having already spread to 20 different South American countries. It is feared that Zika may spread into Asia and so from there Europe and Africa, creating a world crisis. However, many experts see this as unlikely due to preventative measures that are taking place. The Brazilian authorities are seeking to destroy the mosquito’s breeding grounds in time for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as a way to prevent a crisis. The underlying question is however, should we be worried in the UK? Although there have not been restrictions on travel into South America there is not too much of a risk of Zika spreading into the UK. So far the only guaranteed method of spread is through mosquitos and all planes leaving North and South America are being sprayed with insecticide. It is also hoped that a cure will be found in the near future. Tommy Grant

Overcrowding There are over 7 billion people on the planet, a massive number that creates an image of human life living densely over the planet. But that picture doesn’t tell the whole story: humans are unevenly distributed across the planet, leaving some areas that are densely populated and others that are empty. The densely populated areas are, in themselves, uneven. Some imagine large cities like New York or Mexico City, but not all of the world’s most densely populated areas contain the kind of infrastructure that one would expect from a city. Slums often contain more people per square mile than the world’s most famous cities, yet contain little infrastructure to support them.

Where New York City has a population density of 69,000 people per square mile, Kibera, Kenya’s capital, houses 190,000-300,000 people per square mile, and many live in large slums without sanitation or water. By contrast, huge areas exist with nearly no human inhabitants. Take, for instance, the Australian Outback: though it physically covers over 75 percent of

Australia, only ten percent of its population lives there. Only one continent on the planet, however, has absolutely no permanent human residents: Antarctica. Estimates suggest the world will reach eight billion by 2025 and possibly ten billion by the end of the century. Within 40 years Asia and Africa will each add another 1 billion people to the planet, demographers have warned. It is important to consider how certain regions in these continents, particularly those which have been hit by famines and war will be able to cope with an additional 2 billion people to feed.

Despite massive growth in these areas there are others that will actually see a decrease in the future. Eastern Europe will actually see their population shrink and will shed 15 million people by midcentury. However this creates a lot less problems and many see it as benefit as it helps prevent congestion, overcrowding and, in my view, increases the quality of life for people in the area. It is therefore correct to say the world is both overcrowded and empty. Vast areas of earth are completely uninhabited and can no doubt be home to many more people. However there are clear issues of overcrowding in urban areas and this looks likely to continue as more and more people move into urban areas. Tom Leigh

Obituary

Alan Rickman 1946-2016

Alan Rickman’s villainous charm led him to become one of the most admired British actors of recent times. Rickman's most famous roles include Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series and Hans Gruber in Die Hard, roles that earned him large amounts of critical acclaim. Rickman passed away from cancer on Tuesday 12 January at the age of 69. Born in London in 1946 Alan Rickman’s originally persuade a career as a graphic designer but after 3 years decided to pursue acting professionally, applying to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art that he then attended from 1972 until 1974. During this time Rickman studied Shakespeare and later chose to join the Royal Shakespeare Company, which allowed to perform in the theatre after he graduated. His television breakthrough came in the 1985 Royal Shakespeare production of Les Liasisons Dangereuses that was

throughout the films his languid tone fitted the role perfectly as his character played the part of a villain despite his underlying goodness.

broadcast on the BBC and gained Rickman critical attention for his performance as the male lead, the Vicomte de Valmont. In 1988 Rickman’s performance as Hans Gruber in blockbuster Die Hard redefined action movie villains. In his Hollywood debut Rickman played an elegant villain who was as sly as a fox but with a snake like charm. He received huge praise for his role and was listed by empire magazine in their top 50 villains of all time. This proved to be another huge spark for his career as he went on to gain roles as a villain in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Rasputin. Rickman was then cast as Snape in the Harry Potter series,

Tributes from those who worked with him came flooding in after his death. JK Rowling said: “There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman’s death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man”, while Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore said: “Everybody loved Alan. He was always happy and fun and creative and very, very funny.” The wealth of respect that Alan Rickman earned from his peers was clear in these tributes, no more so than from Daniel Radcliffe who said ‘Film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man’. A great actor and man who will be greatly missed by film lovers and theatre goers alike. Josh Bolton

The United States Utopian or dystopian? The United States of America. Is it the land of freedom and opportunity, or a country built on hypocrisy? Does the American Dream live on, or has it shifted to a nightmare. Whether we should view America with pride or pity is a contentious issue, one which, with its ever-increasing tie in global politics, is in desperate need of resolving. As countries rapidly develop and look to emulate the models demonstrated by western MEDCs, America has been cited as the ultimate aspiration by some, while others see the high crime rates, major wealth disparities and lack of welfare state as a warning of what happens when a country leaves its people behind. In this article, I’ll attempt to give fair evaluation of America’s current state, and answer whether or not as a nation there are any drastic changes that need addressing.

of community. Of course, it’s rarely so simple. America, while a country of great wealth, also has instances of abject poverty, most commonly amongst those of Afro -Caribbean and Hispanic descent. This has led to well-documented racial tensions in the US, you’ll all remember the Ferguson shootings by police which sparked protests and riots against racially-motivated police brutality. The major gap between rich and poor makes tension inevitable, these are catalysed to a huge extent by the America psyche regarding gun control. The National Rifle Association has a reported 5 million members, although the real figure could be higher. In essence, Americans love their guns. The Second Amendment, admittedly written at a time when a bear attack at three in the morning was a real possibility, permits the holding of licensed arms by any American citizen over the age of 18, or 21 in the case of handguns. Unsurprisingly, by making weapons which simultaneously make killing both easy and disturbingly impersonal highly available, America suffers from an extremely high number of shootings in comparison to European countries. The lack of a state-run health service means that, if you are shot, you had best pray you invested in good medical insurance, or else face bankruptcy. It seems backwards that a country with the funds America possesses would not provide a safety-net for its less well off, but I think that this indicates a wider problem regarding American attitude.

Certainly economically, America seems to have got it right. With a GDP per capita rate of $53,000, it stands as a country with one of the highest standards of living in terms of material wealth, and is still the world’s largest economy. It retains an abundance of natural resources, with plenty of space into which it can expand as its population grows. Its armed forces mean domestic security, at least in the conventional sense, will never be a risk or issue. It offers top-rate higher education systems, rivalled only by the UK, and its number of domestic companies means a huge number of high paying job prospects. At least superficially, therefore, America looks to be a shining light of success, offering an idyllic lifestyle where hard work translates to wealth and a sense The American Dream is an idea iconic to American belief. It stipulates that

anyone can do anything if the effort is committed. America is said to be built on such principles, the emancipation of slaves means that the association with the US and equality is one deeply ingrained into the minds of citizens. This ultimately is the problem, I feel at least. Americans love America far too much. The vast majority of British people spend a good 85% of their time complaining about Britain, be it political, social, or most commonly the weather. We have our problems, but no-one is more willing to extoll them than us ourselves. This explicit self-deprecation is not mirrored across the pond. The American people continually have this concept of ‘land of the free’ drilled into them by their government, to the point they look at their lives as perfect, or at least the best it can be. Gun control would save lives in America, and yet such a measure would be deemed ‘un-American’ and hence will never happen. After the Sandy Hook shootings the number of NRA members rose 18,000 a day, instead of reacting to this horrific event by questioning the need for guns and the danger they pose, people instead invest money

in arming themselves in order to protect themselves from the increasing number of armed people. It seems ludicrous, but it happens, America is no longer so much a country as an ideology, one bought into by its people and re-enforced by its government. To conclude, it is important to note that America is a phenomenal country. In the space of 230 years it has achieved worldleading status, has become a haven of culture and has produced some of the greatest writers, artists and musicians the globe has seen. It is not the country, nor the people, which stop America achieving the utopian status you feel it desperately craves, it is the ideas it is built on. The constitution is inseparable from the country, it cannot modernise nor alter to keep up with the rapidly changing world. Ultimately, until America finds the strength as a nation to branch away from the roots set in stone in 1776, it will continue to be plagued by the problems it currently faces. Jonah Elvidge

England and Football

Dier Straits This July marks the fiftieth anniversary of England’s solitary success in international football competitions. The infamous World Cup win on home soil was watched by over 98,000 people at the old Wembley stadium, with millions at home watching on as the English red beat the German white 4-2. Football today is an entirely different game, but features of that World Cup success remain prominent in the nation’s collective memory - although of course none of SHSB’s pupils (or most of the staff!) will remember it. This summer England will be competing in the European Championships, hoping to emulate the success of the squad of yesteryear. The 1966 triumph is largely remembered not only for England’s success, but also the extraordinary goals scored by Sir Geoff Hurst, who remains the only man ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. It was his third goal, scored in extra time, that achieved notoriety, with references to it appearing in numerous forms (such as the Kit Kat advertising campaign of 2006). Much debate was caused over whether the ball, which struck the crossbar, ever actually crossed the line. The referee eventually gave the goal based on the opinion of the linesman, much to Germany’s distress. England went on to score again and secure the trophy.

The 1966 side consisted of many players considered to be among England’s finest, such as Hurst, captain Bobby Moore, Jimmy Greaves and the Charlton brothers. However, England have had dozens of top class players in the decades since, and yet the closest they have come to any kind of international success is a couple of semi-finals and Gary Lineker’s Golden Boot in the 1986 World Cup. Ten years ago, England’s ‘Golden Generation’ was tipped for World Cup success on the fortieth anniversary of 1966; but here we are ten years later, with what many see as a weaker squad, still with nothing to show for it. So what chance does this summer’s squad have? Are Shelvey, Colback and Ryan Mason likely to get anywhere if Lampard, Gerrard and Beckham couldn’t?

Aside from the clear differences in quality of some of the current and recent players, one key factor separates the groups of players. The 2006 squad, along with several other England squads of the past (such as the 1990s squads, which were chock-full of top class Premier League goal scorers), would have felt the pressure of the nation’s expectations. We expected these teams to do well, especially on anniversaries of the one international success we cling to. The retirements of the last generation saw a new outlook come to the fore - we no longer expect much of our national team. And yet here we are, with the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Eric Dier our best prospects who play for a Spurs side that can’t even top the table in the worst Premier League season to date. We know English football is in a terrible state when Shelvey and Andros Townsend can command transfer fees of £12 million and get into the squad. In the case of Dier, he wasn’t even developed at Spurs, but at Sporting Lisbon - and what hope do we have when we can’t even produce our own distinctly average players, but instead export them abroad and brainlessly pay exorbitant fees for them? All of this leaves us with a rather bleak outlook for this summer and the national team’s future as a whole. But there are some positives. I’m not Wayne Rooney’s biggest fan and still think he stops off for half a dozen cheeseburgers at McDonalds on the way back to his swamp, but at least he seems to be coming back into form in the run-up to the tournament. And the ‘diamond’ Ross Barkley has been excellent all season. However, in order to fulfil the squad’s (admittedly limited) potential, the likes of Sterling need to put down the laughing gas and pick up the WKD Blue, which seems to be working for this year’s one season wonder Jamie Vardy.

If I had to predict England’s fate in this summer’s tournament, I would say we’ll make the quarter-finals before being outplayed by a fairly average side and losing on penalties. French pubs will have to suffer the wrath of Beer Belly Bill in his two-sizes-too-small West Ham shirt that night, but unfortunately it is difficult to see any other outcome. The quarter finals of a major international tournament can’t be that bad when we have Eric Dier instead of Jack Charlton, Kane instead of Charlton, Greaves and Hurst, and Rooney as captain instead of Bobby Moore. Predicted First XI (if everyone is fit and in similar form): (4-4-2 diamond): Hart; Clyne, Smalling, Cahill, Baines; Carrick; Barkley,Sterling; Rooney; Vardy, Sturridge Tom Poole

Interview

Caretaker Kev Kevin Lilly - An Interview

Do you have a motto or quote? “This time tomorrow was this time How long have you been working yesterday”. I like it because I at SHSB? thought i invented it. It’s very witty 9 years in July. and I think it’s pretty humorous. What is your favourite thing about working here? The people, I get on well with everyone here. I love all of you guys, you make my job fun.

What is the secret to your youthful manner? I’ve been moisturising since I was 25, I drink plenty of water, I try not to stress and I suppose because I still live at home with my mum. I What is your favourite sport always keep a positive outlook on (although we can probably guess) life, and always try to be energetic and why? and funny, life’s boring otherwise. Obviously football. It's the best and most loved sport in the world, what else can I say? If you could have dinner with any famous figure throughout history or from the present day, who Who is your favourite sportsman would it be and why? and why? I think God, because he is the one Ian Right, former Arsenal Striker. big and shining bright light in my I’ve supported the team for many life! years and he inspired me to play football, all because of his ability What one thing is at the top of to play consistently well. your bucket list? To live as long as possible and to be as successful as I possibly can. It’s What is your life goal? pretty simple really to put on someTo be a successful DJ. Even though thing like a bucket list, but it’s still I’m 37, it’s still a possibility. important to me. James Green

The Yeti?

It is more than likely that most of us have, at least once in our lives, come across the term “Yeti”. The yeti, according to popular legend, is a humanoid creature; somewhere between a homo sapien and an ape, which is easily able to walk on two feet, exactly like a human being. Very closely related to similar creatures of popular legend (e.g. Bigfoot and Sasquatch), many have, over the years, provided some forms of evidence that may potentially prove that this mysterious creature may actually exist. Indeed, the yeti became a worldwide sensation after a team of British explorers encountered a trail of footprints whilst on an expedition in the Himalayas. Since then, many scientists and explorers had claimed to have found remains of the creature, such as skulls or bones, but the vast majority of these have now been attributed simply to other wildlife. However, in order to better understand what we are, as dedicated conspiracy theorists, looking to prove or disprove, we need to understand the origins of this legend. It has been discovered that rumors of the Yeti’s existence have been circulating for centuries in Nepalese folklore. Indeed, after numerous exhibitions to the Yeti’s supposed home of the Himalayas in Nepal, Western exhibitionists have managed to collect numerous tales and apparent sightings of the creature from locals that live in the region. Stories of the creature recount incidences ranging from murdering farmers’ livestock to raping young women. Although significantly variant in their circumstances and time periods, all of these stories portray the Yeti as a creature of danger and destruction.

the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Tibet. This has lead many experts to propose the idea that the legend of the yeti was created by these people themselves in order to warn future generations to be careful when approaching wild animals. Equally, there is no doubt that rumors of such a creature roaming around in your area is bound to attract a large number of curious tourists that are intrigued by the idea and attempt to catch a glimpse of it themselves. All of this, coincidentally, will greatly benefit your economy. Therefore, as a result of the aforementioned, many experts believe that there is no such creature in existence, and that it is merely a myth made up by the locals for their own aims. An alternative theory has only been proposed a few years ago, when some hair samples, alleged to belong to the yeti, were examined and were found to have a striking resemblance to the DNA of a breed of polar bear that was thought to have become extinct 40,000 years ago. On the other hand, some scientists refuse to accept the fact that there is an unknown breed of polar bear roaming the Himalayas and put the uncanny genetic resemblance down to the hairs being damaged.

In conclusion, it is simply impossible to full conclude whether or not there is indeed an abominable snowman roaming the Himalayas, whether he is simply made up or whether an unknown breed of polar bear that has mastered the art of walking on its’ hind legs is behind the whole thing. However, with ever advancing scientific technology, many reckon that we are not very far off of discovering what (if anyThe origins of the yeti and the tales about it thing) is behind this mythical creature that has are crucially important to note in order to been baffling human beings for centuries. weigh up the evidence. For instance, the fact that the original tales and “sightings” of the Annie Zykova yeti all came from rural villagers, primarily in

Interest Rates A Beginner’s Guide What are they? Interest rates are defined as the cost of borrowing and the reward for saving. This means that if the interest rate is 5%, you would have to pay back 5% of the amount you borrowed on top of the actual amount you borrowed, so you pay back 5% more than you took out. In terms of saving your money in a bank or building society, a 5% rate will mean that you get 5% of the amount you have in the bank added on to your balance, so your money increases by 5%. Who sets them? The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England (the UK’s central bank) sets the UK’s interest rates. However, the banks in the UK have some leeway and can therefore have different rates to the Bank of England’s rates. When should we borrow? It is best to take out loans when interest rates are low. This is because the amount you would have to pay back would not be much more than the amount you took out.

When saving, you should try and find higher interest rates because the higher the rate, the more your money will increase. Inflation It is important to look at inflation rates (the rate at which prices increase) when borrowing or saving. This is because if you save your money in a bank which has a rate of interest lower than inflation, your money will become less valuable relatively. In terms of borrowing, a higher rate of inflation than interest will cause the value of the amount you have to pay back to become relatively less. Negative rates It is also possible to have negative rates of interest. A negative rate will have the complete opposite effect. It is therefore possible that you would effectively have to pay banks to save your money and the amount of a loan you would have to pay back would be less than the value that you borrowed. Negative rates have actually been seen in Japan and in the EU. James Bowie

History at a Glance Defining Evil Evil is a prominent feature in much of history. From 1930s Nazi Germany to Pol Pot’s regime in Cambodia, actions of great and inhumane cruelty have taken place which modern-day historians would describe as “evil.” But how can one define evil when looking at several key, ruling figures in history? Are they all defined as such for similar reasons? And what is the root of this evil? Emperor Nero (b. AD 37 – d. AD 68) Nero was a Roman Emperor, famous for

During his reign, Nero actively persecuted Christians. Some historians have reported that he captured them and “turned them into human candles” to “place in his garden at night as a source of light.” It is also rumoured that he was responsible for the Great Fire of Rome (64 AD), which destroyed most of the city. Legend states that the Emperor “played the fiddle while the city burned.” Nero’s destructive reign finally came to an end in AD 68, when the Spanish and Gallic legions rose up against him, calling him a “public enemy.” Nero committed suicide as a result, and disputes over who would succeed him led to a civil war.

Ivan the Terrible (b. 1530 – d. 1584) Ivan IV of Russia (or Ivan the Terrible, as he is most commonly referred to) was a Russian tsar best remembered for his long reign of terror, during which he executed thousands of people. Ivan’s rapacious cruelty was arguably nurtured in him from his youth. Losing both his parents and witnessing a subseboth his successful war with the Parthian quent struggle for power between RusEmpire and for being a “compulsive and corrupt” ruler. Nero was adopted by his grand-uncle Claudius, and following his death became Emperor of Rome aged just 17. Early in his rule, it is believed that he was responsible for the poisoning of his stepbrother, Britannicus, thus showing a cruel personality even to those supposedly closest to him. Despite his marriage to his first wife, Octavia, Nero began a relationship with the wife of a friend, Poppaea. Nero’s mother sian noblemen at a young age took its toll opposed his affair with Poppaea, and ac- on him. By the time he was an adolescording to the historian Suetonius, Nero cent, Ivan was known to possess a cruel had her killed so that he could marry his streak. However, this cruelty was reined mistress. Nero did marry Poppaea, how- in following his coronation as Russia’s ever the marriage did not end successful- first official Tsar (Russian rulers before ly (he reportedly had her kicked to death). him were not referred to as such) and his marriage to Anastasia Romanov.

All changed following the death of his first wife. Building on the cruelty that had resided within him since childhood, Ivan channelled his anger, paranoia and bitter hurt into a reign of brutish governance. After threatening abdication, he gained absolute power over the region, thus allowing him to conduct his reign of terror. Ivan destroyed and displaced the Russian noblemen (whom he had distrusted and disliked since his youth) and their families, taking away their property and conducting mass executions. He is also credited with forming the first police force, the Oprichniki, as an aid to his destruction of the Russian nobility. Few were exempt from his cruelty – the Tsar’s own son, Ivan, was killed by him in a fit of rage. Eventually, Ivan IV would die during a game of chess. His tumultuous reign would leave Russia in a state of complete political and economic ruin.upon the world in its quest for power. Benito Mussolini (b. 1883 – d.1945)

A more contemporary example of evil is shown through the Italian fascist Benito Mussolini. Mussolini was born in a small town in northern central Italy. In his youth he supported socialist politics, however he broke with this drastically following the outbreak of the First World War and his drafting into the Italian army. He formed the National Fascist Party in March 1919 (which many former war veterans joined) that grew in number and power. By 1922, following the Fascist March on Rome, the King invited Mussolini to form a government. By 1925, Mussolini had effectively abolished democracy in Italy and had declared himself dictator under the title “Il Duce.” Mussolini ruled over Italy with an iron fist, crushing freedom of speech and expression with the aid of his secret police. In the 1930s, in an attempt to expand his newly created “Italian Empire,” Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (now Ethiopia), dropping tons of gas bombs upon its people whilst doing so. Later in the decade, the Italian government passed anti-Semitic laws which paved the way for the deportation of 20% of Italy’s Jews to German death camps during the Second World War.

Mussolini’s downfall followed a series of war defeats in North and East African countries and in the Balkans. He was overthrown by former colleagues, then placed in control of a new government, then fled to Switzerland after the Allies advanced in Italy. He was eventually captured by anti-fascist Italian partisans and shot dead.

How can evil be defined? Through exploring the stories of these three cruel rulers, a pattern of evil and the behaviours associated with it emerges. All hold similarities, such as a terrible bloodlust, a dictatorial style of rule and a tendency to commit murder. In spite of the gaps in time that separate them, these three rulers seem to display similar characteristics and similar actions (actions that we today would class as “evil”). However, the core reasons for these rulers’ evil deeds seem rather different. From Nero’s hatred of Christians, to Ivan IV’s troubled childhood, to Mussolini’s staunch belief in Fascism – one can see that the reasons for this evil are often diverse. Evil is defined in the dictionary as something “profoundly immoral and wicked.” The mass murder and cruelty exhibited by these three leaders would today be considered as such. And so, to conclude, evil can be defined through the actions of a few, key, powerful leaders. Lara Adamczyk