<< Back to message board

 

Re: Waiting for the Barbarians

Posted by Kevin on July 3, 2003, 9:22 pm
Message modified by board administrator July 3, 2003, 9:52 pm

My wife and I are 2nd generation here in the States. My family is from Navarre and my wife is Calabrian. If we are barbarians and you our ancestors, that makes you Barbaros Abelos. On a serious note, if I remember my history correctly, Rome's greatest strength was her ability to tolerate other cultures and traditions along side her own, and adapt and incorporate the best parts of those "barbarian" cultures into her own civilization. Only when they ceased toleration and emphsized exclusion did they stagnate and evenually die as a people. I was planning on taking holiday in Crete, specifically Loutro. Does this mean that my family and I are not welcome? KSantos --Previous Message-- : : : : Waiting for the Barbarians : : : : Konstatinos : P. Kavafis wrote his poem - Waiting for the Barbarians in 1904, before the two World Wars. : :   Waiting for the Barbarians : K. P. Kavafis : : :  What are we waiting for, all gathered in the public square ? : : Because the the barbarians are to arrive today. : : Why is the Senate so idle, the Senators all in their places passing no laws ? : : Because the barbarians are to arrive today, when they come, they will make the laws. : : Why has our emperor risen so early, to sit at the principal gate of the city  in state, on his throne, wearing his crown ? : : Because the barbarians are to arrive today and the Emperor is waiting to welcome their chieftain.  Indeed, he has made ready a parchment to give him, on which are inscribed lots of titles and names of honour. : : Why have our consuls and praetors appeared, so early  wearing their best embroidered togas; : : Why are their armlets encrusted with amethysts, and their rings bright with glistening emeralds and why are they bearing their sticks of office, exquisitely chased in silver and gold ? : Because the barbarians are to arrive today, and things like that dazzle barbarians. : : Why don't the eminent orators turn up as usual, to make their speeches and have their say ? : : Because the barbarians are to arrive today and they get bored by such eloquence and public speaking. : : Why this sudden uneasiness and confusion? (The faces - how serious they have become.).  Why are the squares and the avenues emptying, everyone turning so pensively homeward? : : Because night has fallen and the barbarians have not come.  Some people : have come from the borders who say that there are no barbarians left any more. : : And now what is to come of us without any barbarians ?  These people were a : kind of solution. : : For Europeans, the barbarians have arrived yet again - only this time they are holding office in Washington D.C. - and they are the problem, not the solution. : Â

---

Message Thread: Waiting for the Barbarians - M April 17, 2003, 12:34 pm Re: Waiting for the Barbarians - Kevin July 3, 2003, 9:22 pm Re: Waiting for the Barbarians - Cretan July 3, 2003, 11:03 pm Re: Waiting for the Barbarians - Leco April 20, 2003, 2:34 pm « Back to thread

---

Post a Response