Anabasis

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

1170

Title

Anabasis

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Xenophon's *Anabasis* chronicles the daring march of a Greek army through hostile Persian territory to aid Cyrus's rebellion, followed by their perilous return. Blending military history with personal memoir, this classic recounts leadership, camaraderie, and survival against overwhelming odds.

Summary up to 500 words

Xenophon's *Anabasis* chronicles the harrowing journey of a thousand Greek mercenaries who, hired by Cyrus the Younger, marched from Sardis to aid his rebellion against his brother, King Artaxerxes II. The narrative begins with Cyrus's secret recruitment of hoplites, peltasts, and light troops from across Asia Minor and Greece, utilizing pretexts like the siege of Miletus to assemble a diverse force. After marching through Lydia and Phrygia, the army engages local tribes, showcasing Cyrus's reputation for rewarding bravery and punishing cowardice. The campaign culminates in the Battle of Cunaxa, where Cyrus is killed fighting beside Xenophon. Following the battle, the Greek forces find themselves stranded deep in hostile territory without pay or supplies. Xenophon, elected leader, negotiates a difficult passage through enemy lands, securing provisions from local Thracian rulers like Seuthes. The text vividly describes the hardships of the march, including skirmishes with Persian cavalry and the capture of wealthy Persian nobles, such as Asidates. The journey concludes with the Greeks reaching the Black Sea coast and sailing to the Chersonese, having survived a grueling year and a half of travel, starvation, and combat. The work stands as a testament to Greek resilience and Xenophon's leadership, detailing the strategic decisions, moral dilemmas, and camaraderie that allowed the 'Ten Thousand' to escape against overwhelming odds.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1170.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg1170.epub

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Categories

• Classics
• History