Agesilaus

by Xenophon

Agesilaus summarizes the life of King Agesilaus II (440 BC – 360 BC) of Sparta.

Genres: History, Classics, Philosophy, Biography

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 360

About the author

Xenophon (Ancient Greek Ξενοφῶν, Modern Greek Ξενοφώντας; ca. 431 – 355 BC), son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, was a soldier, mercenary and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates. He is known for his writings on the history of his own times, preserving the sayings of Socrates, and the life of ancient Greece.

Historical and biographical works:
Anabasis (or The Persian Expedition)
Cyropaedia
Hellenica
Agesilaus

Socratic works and dialogues:
Memorabilia
Oeconomicus
Symposium
Apology
Hiero

Short treatises:
On Horsemanship
The Cavalry General
Hunting with Dogs
Ways and Means
Constitution of Sparta

Reviews

[Cassandra Kay Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a short, and almost sappily sweet tribute to Agesilaus by Xenophon. He has literally next to nothing bad to say about this man. It reads as if reading out someones obituary that highlights every good and major event, in a short almost detached but still glowing sort of way. It's not bad, I had a hard time picturing some of the city states he was referencing but other than that it was good.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of pithy, quotable pronouncements on the admirable character of the Greek king Agesilaus II, as the pinnacle of human emulation, naturally enhanced by the translation by British translator Henry Graham Dakyns (1838-1911).

[Chris Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book on Leadership

[Enrico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book aims to describe the virtues of king Agesilaus, of whom there is also a biography in Plutarchs Lives. Xenophon knew Agesilaus and they were good friends so it shouldn't be a surprise that there are no negative sides of Agesilaus described in here. The anecdotes which highlight his virtues are worth reading.

[Borna Cetinić · Rating 2 out of 5]

Completely devoid of any criticism, it seems like Spartan general paid him to write this book in his own praise.

[Santiago González · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un encomio narrando los hechos y virtudes de Argesilao (sin mencionar defectos), no es nada que te vaya a cambiar la vida pero como encomio está bien.