Tag Archives: Heroism

2 Battles: Thermopylae and Mariupol

By Robin Bates | Published: April 26, 2022

The Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol resemble the Greeks fighting at Thermopylae, bringing to mind an A.E. Housman poem.

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They Fell with Their Faces to the Foe

By Robin Bates | Published: April 24, 2022

Binyon’s “To the Fallen” is often cited at war memorials. It is only too applicable to those Ukrainians opposing the Russian invasion.

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Epic vs. Ironic Heroes

By Robin Bates | Published: June 10, 2010

On Monday I described my friend Alan as an Odysseus figure for the way he has coming back, time after time, in his battle with his cancer.  He appreciated the article but was taken aback by the comparison and asked why I hadn’t compared him instead with someone like Holden Caulfield.  He said he didn’t […]

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