Xenophon

The First Four Books of Xenophon's Anabasis (eBook, ePUB)

A Journey Through Ancient Warfare and Leadership Strategies
Übersetzer: Watson, J. S.

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In "The First Four Books of Xenophon's Anabasis," the author chronicles his remarkable journey through hostile territories as part of the Greek mercenary army known as the Ten Thousand. Written with a clear and engaging prose style, the text combines elements of adventure narrative, military manual, and philosophical reflection, operating within the broader context of Greek historiography. Xenophon employs a first-person narrative voice that exemplifies both his meticulous attention to detail and his skillful portrayal of the struggles and triumphs faced by his fellow soldiers, enriched with vivid descriptions of landscapes and encounters. This intriguing blend of personal experience and broader historical events provides readers with unique insights into the complexity of leadership, loyalty, and resilience in a time of turmoil. Xenophon, a student of Socrates, was not only a soldier but also a historian and philosopher, offering a rich background that informed his writing. His firsthand experiences of the perilous retreat from Persia sought to examine not only the external conflicts but also the inner moral dilemmas of leaders and warriors. These perspectives reflect the philosophical values of his era, emphasizing both practical wisdom and ethical considerations in times of crisis. I highly recommend this seminal work for both historiographers and casual readers alike, as it not only serves as a gripping tale of survival and camaraderie but also as a foundational text for understanding themes of leadership and the human condition in ancient warfare. The insight provided by Xenophon is timeless, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences while immersing themselves in the captivating narrative of his journey.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Good Press
• Seitenzahl: 233
• Erscheinungstermin: 27. November 2019
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 4057664612946
• Artikelnr.: 58501323

Autorenporträt

Xenophon of Athens (c.¿431 BC - 354 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher, historian, soldier, mercenary, and student of Socrates. As a soldier, Xenophon became commander of the Ten Thousand at about 30, with noted military historian Theodore Ayrault Dodge saying of him, "the centuries since have devised nothing to surpass the genius of this warrior." He established the precedent for many logistical operations and was among the first to use flanking maneuvers, feints and attacks in depth. He was among the greatest commanders of antiquity. As a historian, Xenophon is known for recording the history of his time, the late-5th and early-4th centuries BC, in such works as the Hellenica, which covered the final seven years and the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), thus representing a thematic continuation of Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War. As one of the Ten Thousand (Greek mercenaries), Xenophon participated in Cyrus the Younger's failed campaign to claim the Persian throne from his brother Artaxerxes II of Persia. He recounted the events in Anabasis, his most notable history. Like Plato, Xenophon is an authority on Socrates, about whom he wrote several books of dialogues (the Memorabilia) and an Apology of Socrates to the Jury, which recounts the philosopher's trial in 399 BC. Despite being born an Athenian citizen, Xenophon was also associated with Sparta, the traditional enemy of Athens. His pro-oligarchic politics, military service under Spartan generals in the Persian campaign and elsewhere, and his friendship with King Agesilaus II endeared Xenophon to the Spartans. Some of his works have a pro-Spartan bias, especially the royal biography Agesilaus and the Constitution of the Spartans. Xenophon's works span several genres and are written in plain-language Attic Greek, for which reason they serve as translation exercises for contemporary students of the Ancient Greek language. In the Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, Diogenes Laërtius observed that, as a writer, Xenophon of Athens was known as the "Attic Muse," for the sweetness of his diction.