From Troy to Trump: the ancient lessons we still refuse to learn

Dolly Parton and Donald Trump are same generation American entertainers. Self-made, a generous philanthropist, Dolly was smart, prolific musically, warmly loved. Trump, born to wealth, a wily taker, a prolific dispenser of apprehension. Having corralled Venezuela, he’s gauging oil leverage in the Falklands, and with Israel, rattling verbal swords at the UK. If need arose of armed protection for the islanders, it could possibly trigger distraction from and disruption of weapons to Ukraine. What’s changed since Homer wrote of warmongering men’s greed and expansionist ambitions facilitated by violence? Nothing, thus the work is timeless. Dolly Parton was outspoken on behalf of women; ancient Greek democracy did not include women. Their place was caring for the home and meekly obeying husbands, like Trumpian era tradwives.

Irish creative greats like Joyce and Heaney were inspired by the ancient Greeks. Now another Irish-origin name is placed in that realm – film maker Christopher Nolan. Nolan borrowed The Odyssey , added a few divergences of his own and gave Odysseus a conscience. Writing for the British Museum, Paul Cartledge wrote that in epics attributed to Homer, Greeks are not referred to as ‘Hellenes’ but as ‘Achaeans’, ‘Argives’ or ‘Danaans’. Irish myths tell Danaans came to Ireland, a people of wisdom and light. Is there a murmur of ancient Greeks in the inventive minds of creative Irish that draws them back to source? Homer’s Odysseus was a cunning, ruthless warrior who voraciously took part in the carnage of Troy following pent-up, frustrating years of siege. That ancient atrocious rape of women and girls, the killing of children, looting, enslaving prisoners, are still part of modern warfare terror tactics. The Trojan Royals were slaughtered, humiliated. By…