I just finished re-reading the #Iliad
Or rather, I read @stephenfry’s highly enjoyable version “Troy”
Here are a couple of points with some relevance to today’s war in #Ukraine
A short 🧵(with some classical art)
/1
Or rather, I read @stephenfry’s highly enjoyable version “Troy”
Here are a couple of points with some relevance to today’s war in #Ukraine
A short 🧵(with some classical art)
/1
Who is to blame for the war, and at what point did it become inevitable?
Was it the Trojan abduction of Helen, the judgement of Paris, the lottery Odysseus organised, Paris’ and Antimachus' undermining of the Greek ultimatum?...
/2
Was it the Trojan abduction of Helen, the judgement of Paris, the lottery Odysseus organised, Paris’ and Antimachus' undermining of the Greek ultimatum?...
/2
Or was it the challenge Troy presented to Agamemnon’s hegemony as “king of men”....
... or the Greek pursuit of Troy’s spoils?
In the case of Russia vs Ukraine, we also see multiple reasons being debated, some more realistic than others.
(Did someone say 'Mearsheimer'?)
/3
... or the Greek pursuit of Troy’s spoils?
In the case of Russia vs Ukraine, we also see multiple reasons being debated, some more realistic than others.
(Did someone say 'Mearsheimer'?)
/3
2. Allied cohesion is always, always a critical factor of success. Avoid infighting.
See the clash between Achilles and Agamemnon, which nearly led to a Greek defeat.
/4
See the clash between Achilles and Agamemnon, which nearly led to a Greek defeat.
/4
3. Wars take on a dynamic of their own. They always last longer than you think. The Greeks expected to be “home by Christmas” (Ok, well, not really Christmas, but soon)
It took them 10 years
/5
It took them 10 years
/5
4. Symbols matter.
See Pseudo-Achilles or Neoptolemus carrying the shield of #Achilles, which roused the Greeks and boosted morale
Compare it to #Ukraine’s fight for Snake Island or the sinking of the Moskva
/6
See Pseudo-Achilles or Neoptolemus carrying the shield of #Achilles, which roused the Greeks and boosted morale
Compare it to #Ukraine’s fight for Snake Island or the sinking of the Moskva
/6
5. As the fighting endures, emotions and wishful thinking tend to challenge objective and rational decision-making.
When a stalemate ensues, small things can snowball to have a major impact.
Events that you think are side-shows may turn out to be of central importance.
/7
When a stalemate ensues, small things can snowball to have a major impact.
Events that you think are side-shows may turn out to be of central importance.
/7
6. Technology can make a difference
See Heracles’ envenomed arrows, which we today might call #HIMARS
/8
See Heracles’ envenomed arrows, which we today might call #HIMARS
/8
7. A strong military industry is a prerequisite for success
See Hephaestus and his rapid production of Achilles’ new shield and sword, which turned the battle in favour of the Greeks
/9
See Hephaestus and his rapid production of Achilles’ new shield and sword, which turned the battle in favour of the Greeks
/9
8. No party in a conflict is immune to atrocities. But some atrocities are worse than others.
/10
/10
9. Heed the warnings of those that dare speak against the established consensus.
The Trojans were hopelessly susceptible to #groupthink, and failed to take the words of #Cassandra or #Laocoon seriously.
/11
The Trojans were hopelessly susceptible to #groupthink, and failed to take the words of #Cassandra or #Laocoon seriously.
/11
10. False flags, deception and trickery are a common element in all wars.
**Murmurs something about Sinon and a big horse**
/12
**Murmurs something about Sinon and a big horse**
/12
11. And finally, and perhaps most relevant to Europe today, why did Troy’s allies – like Memnon or the Amazones – show up so late?
Troy had been more or less routed by the time they appeared.
Lesson for today: support your allies, when it matters, not when it’s too late
/13
Troy had been more or less routed by the time they appeared.
Lesson for today: support your allies, when it matters, not when it’s too late
/13
I'm sure there are many more lessons and parallels.
But these are some that came to mind.
And be sure to read @stephenfry's highly accessible Illiad.
/n
But these are some that came to mind.
And be sure to read @stephenfry's highly accessible Illiad.
/n
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
