Dear Sylvia

I was unaware of (and tantalised by) this idea of Greek origins for the Irish, but it is an interesting parallel to their alleged Scythian
(from Nennius onwards) and later Carthaginian origins
(notably Charles Vallancey in the 18th century 'proving' the link by
the 'similarities' of Punic in Plautus' Poenulus with Irish), both
of which were used at different times in very different ways by the
Irish themselves, and others, to contrast with the first Trojan, and
then Roman British. Interesting on this and its resonance in 20th
century Irish literature is Elizabeth Cullingford in PMLA 111 (1996)
222-39.


A little off the point, I'm afraid, but hopefully of interest.

Regards

Bob


From: "Sylvia Federico" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: VIRGIL: Re: Greek origins of the Irish?
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 12:30:49 GMT0BST

Dear Virgilians,
I hope this inquiry isn't too tangential for this list...  I am
looking at how the Troy story was invoked in later medieval Irish
adaptations of Virgil and Dares, and recently came across an
assertion that puzzles me.  Stanford, in his _Ireland and the
Classical Tradition_, maintains that the Irish "were encouraged to
see themselves as descended from the Greeks" (as opposed to the Roman
or Trojan origins claimed by the English and the French), but does
not supply specific bibliography to support this.  Does anyone happen
to know anything about the supposed Greek origins of the Irish, or
know where I might look to find out more about this?  Many thanks in
advance!  --Sylvia
Sylvia Federico
School of English
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT


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