Medea VIII / Exposition

The Romans were so good at Empire that
we forget the Greek contribution to
the enterprise. In the majority
of Greek myths, the hero represents a great

civilizing influence, as he frees
the land of monsters. In the majority
of these myths, the hero is male, excessively
strong, and of course Greek. Except one: she who

was neither Greek nor male. She was alien,
an infiltrator of both city-state
and story. She usurped the hero’s position
through dint of skill and will. It was love that

impelled the start of her odyssey,
and loss of love that sent her wider to

those realms abetting her ability.