Xenophon: Anabasis (Loeb Classical Library) (English and Greek Edition) by Xenophon

by Xenophon

Genres: Nonfiction, History

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1702

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

[Andreas]

Xenophon really liked writing about himself in third person. Fun book detailing the exploits of a 10,000 strong army stranded in the middle of the persian empire after their benefactor's attempted coup goes wrong. I assume Xenophon exaggerated his own contributions (did he really spit out 10 page long speeches off the cuff?) but an entertaining read and it shows what was and wasn't accepted in society back then.

[Alistair Antonopoulos]

An excellent introductory text for learning ancient Greek. Xenophon writes in very clear and comprehensible language that is perfect for learners.

[Spencer]

If only there was an essay on the presentation of Spartan characters in this...

[Megan]

Still reading, but I'm giving a review for the introduction... it would be kind of odd to give a review for a primary source/historical text such as this one lol.

I'm new to reading historical sources, and am not exactly an academic. But in my opinion, the introduction to this edition gave a lot of very interesting and insightful historical to this story, and really makes the whole of this text more accessible and understandable. Loved it!

[Jonathan Mundschau]

Xenophons Anabasis is fascinating for the level of detail and depth it affords the reader into a series of events which, in any comprehensive history of the Achaemenid Empire and/or the Greek city states of the time, would have been probably nothing more than a footnote or a paragraph long description of a relatively unremarkable failed military campaign. The candid descriptions of life in the ancient Near East alternate from mundane and relatable to almost fantastical and alien. One moment the army is taking stock of rations, voting on their next course of action, or negotiating with local officials, the next they're pillaging towns and seizing "good looking lads" as concubines or documenting the discovery of even more ancient Assyrian ruins that Xenophon was unable to recognize the significance of in his time. Anyone interested in Classical Greece, or the Achaemenid Empire, or even just the ancient Near/Middle East in general should read this.

[MacQuaid Hiller]

Ideal day:

Get hired as mercs

March 50 miles in one day

Destroy your boss's enemies

He doesn't pay you

Pillage all of his towns and enslave his people

Repeat until home

[Alexander Edmonds]

HE THALATTA HE THALATTA HE THALATTA!

[Obnoxious White Male]

This should be one I will read many times again.