Anabasis (Loeb Classical Library)

by Xenophon; Carleton L. Brownson; John Dillery

Genres: Nonfiction, History

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Andreas · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Jonathan Mundschau · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

HE THALATTA HE THALATTA HE THALATTA!

[Alexander, Roy d'Urville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be one I will read many times again.