The fabled hero may or may not come back in “Until Olympius Returns,” but the Romans aren’t here forever either way.

Track: “Until Olympius Returns”
Album: Songs for Pierre Chuvin (2020)

Olympius was a key figure in the execution of Stilicho, a powerful figure in the Roman Empire around the year 400. Stilicho has a lengthy, detailed Wikipedia page. Olympius does not. He also does not appear on Stilicho’s page, despite seemingly being the reason this powerful, world-defining figure died. It is fascinating to see how history is told. What matters for “Until Olympius Returns” is that Olympius is a symbol for rebellion.

The song functions as a sort of instruction manual for biding your time under hostile leadership. “Nod in agreement when the tyrant holds forth” is an obvious one, but it’s also about how you make time for yourself by spitting their food down your sleeve and wait for the world to change back. The Romans conquered the world, but then they lost it. You can’t know that when you’re in the middle of things, but Songs for Pierre Chuvin again and again reminds you that on a long enough timeline, it all goes away.

Olympius, supposedly, was “clubbed to death” by Constantius III, who only reigned for seven months and is one of hundreds of leaders over hundreds of years of various empires that came and went. What I love about “Until Olympius Returns” is the mix of dire need and vast perspective. This matters, right now, but largely, these guys are on the way out. Eat the food and look at the temple, sure, but you don’t really have to worry about this. Time will take care of it, whether the hero comes back or not.