Lysander I: Who Was This Man Called Lysander?

Starting off a blog-site, it of course suits a proper and reasonable man to introduce himself. I comply willingly, and in doing so will I explain 'who I am' as explained by my name. That surely sounds farfetched and far-out doesn't it? Let's have a look.

Etymology
"Lysander" is a name originating from the ancient Greek-Spartan civilization. It constitutes of two parts:
1) -Lysis
2) Aner

1) "-Lysis" is a 'combining form' with the meaning “breaking down, loosening, decomposition” used in the formation of compound words like 'analysis', 'electrolysis', 'paralysis'. It is a conjugation from the verb 'lyein' which means 'to separate'.

2) "Aner" means "man". The part 'ander' of 'Lysander' comes from 'andros' (the genitive of 'aner'), meaning "of a man".

Taken together "Lysander" literally means: "a broken man", "a decomposing man", "a separated / split up / divided man" - yet it can also mean "a loosened man", "the release of a man", "a liberated man" and "liberator".

History
Historically the name 'Lysander' comes from a Spartan admiral and general who fought many battles and who started and ended wars. He was instrumental in the starting of the Corinthian war (395 BC) and fought in the Peloponnesian war, which he ended by forcing the Athenians to capitulate (406 BC). After the capitulation of Athens, Lysander marched into the city and did not hesitate to install a puppet government known as 'the oligarchy of the thirty tyrants'. Lysander gained a reputation for a fiery personality, daring strategies, and a ruthless treatment of prisoners and subject cities.

Literature
Lysander is one of the main characters of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (depicted in the picture at the top of this blog). He is a lot like Romeo - of Romeo and Juliet. Although Lysander faces some major obstacles in his pursuit of love, he is a hopeless romantic. He also happens to be the most poetical of all the lovers:

Ay me! for aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth

Taken together, this background story of my name "Lysander" is highly illustrative as it summarizes neatly how I pursued things in life and how I saw (and lived) myself. It was as if I was somehow 'programmed' or 'destined' to live this exact 'historical' / 'etymological' characterization. Now, let's get into the details.

Continue reading the next blog: Lysander II: "The broken  / Decomposing / Divided Man"