Why do Americans think that they’ve been to Ireland after visiting Dublin. Yes, it’s the capital but it is not Ireland. The city was founded by Norsemen and then was the seat of English dominion on the isle. And Ireland, so we are told, is a Celtic nation. Then again, I may be off the…

While reading Strabo’s geographic tour de force, I chanced upon the following passage on Ierlen: It does seem to lay it on a bit thick. Perhaps all that is said about oi barbaroi is just fanciful chimera. Of course, no one wants to say they are fighting pussillanimous enemy; it would reflect poorly on them.…