Very interesting, although it is a mistake to say that Socrates was dead when Xenophon left for Persia. He tried to dissuade him, but failed. This is a very funny scene in Xenophon's account.
As is well known, the word "startup" comes from the word "satrap," who would be funded with venture capital etc.
The Afghans, Arabs and modern day Persians very likely got their homosexual proclivities from the Greeks who had settled among them even before Alexander's conquests.
You should review the first couple of books of Maccabees to see the Greeks from the other perspective.
1. Concerning "Capital Allocators" and Finance Bros - we have something like a planned economy, or at least like socialism, for the rich. Austerity for the peons.
2. I would say that it was no secret that the Ancient Greeks were a society of war crazed, boi crazed assholes, but I'd be wrong. Years ago, I read an asinine article in "The American Conservative" to the effect that "America Must Reclaim Its Spartan Heritage".
My response was - "by 'Spartan heritage', are you referring to the exposure of infants, the caste system enforced by massacres of helots at spearpoint, the mania for pederasty, or just the slavery?"
"The American Conservative" published some good and a lot of stupid articles, but one thing I did appreciate about them was that their comment section allowed criticism, even criticism far more scathing than mine.
3. "I’m sure some of this is an unfair comparison because the Persians we meet are closer to the median Persian whereas the Greeks are an all-male band of elite mercenaries, and Bronze Age gonna Bronze Age."
Pretty sure the Anabasis took place in Iron Age Greece.
Great piece. I was just a bit disappointed that you did not read it in the original. We used to be told at school that Xenophon was among the ‘easiest’ authors.
In modern slavic cultures, sneezing is *still* viewed as a sign that "правду говоришь!" (you speak truth).
"Je to pravda!" in Czech ("It is true!")
Very interesting, although it is a mistake to say that Socrates was dead when Xenophon left for Persia. He tried to dissuade him, but failed. This is a very funny scene in Xenophon's account.
"median Persian"
I laughed at this unintentional pun.
Are you *sure* it was unintentional? ;-)
Not at all.
Wow, I just got the feeling that I should visit Psmiths and I can see a new article being fully 2 minutes old.
Pallas Athena must have called me here.
As is well known, the word "startup" comes from the word "satrap," who would be funded with venture capital etc.
The Afghans, Arabs and modern day Persians very likely got their homosexual proclivities from the Greeks who had settled among them even before Alexander's conquests.
You should review the first couple of books of Maccabees to see the Greeks from the other perspective.
1. Concerning "Capital Allocators" and Finance Bros - we have something like a planned economy, or at least like socialism, for the rich. Austerity for the peons.
2. I would say that it was no secret that the Ancient Greeks were a society of war crazed, boi crazed assholes, but I'd be wrong. Years ago, I read an asinine article in "The American Conservative" to the effect that "America Must Reclaim Its Spartan Heritage".
My response was - "by 'Spartan heritage', are you referring to the exposure of infants, the caste system enforced by massacres of helots at spearpoint, the mania for pederasty, or just the slavery?"
"The American Conservative" published some good and a lot of stupid articles, but one thing I did appreciate about them was that their comment section allowed criticism, even criticism far more scathing than mine.
3. "I’m sure some of this is an unfair comparison because the Persians we meet are closer to the median Persian whereas the Greeks are an all-male band of elite mercenaries, and Bronze Age gonna Bronze Age."
Pretty sure the Anabasis took place in Iron Age Greece.
Great piece. I was just a bit disappointed that you did not read it in the original. We used to be told at school that Xenophon was among the ‘easiest’ authors.
It was interesting to read this after https://secretaryrofdefenserock.substack.com/p/the-triumph-of-the-operator .