
The Expedition of Cyrus tells the story of the epic march of the Ten Thousand, an army recruited at the end of the fifth century BC by a young Persian prince, Cyrus, who rose in revolt agains his brother, the King of Persia. After Cyrus' death, the army is left stranded in the desert of Mespotamia, a thousand miles from home. Their long march, across mountains and plateaus to the sight of "The sea! The sea!," and back to the fringes of the Greek world, is the most excititng adventure story to survive from the ancient world.This new translation of Xenophon's most famous work offers a gripping narrative and a unique insight into the character of a Greek army struggling to survive in an alien world.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
This work investigates the survival and strategic decision-making of the Ten Thousand, a Greek mercenary army stranded in hostile territory following the death of their employer, Cyrus the Younger. Xenophon, a participant in the expedition, provides a firsthand account of the military maneuvers, political negotiations, and logistical challenges faced by the soldiers. The text serves as both a historical record of the Persian Empire's internal conflicts and a study of Greek military leadership under extreme duress. By documenting the retreat from Mesopotamia to the Black Sea, the author illustrates the resilience and tactical cohesion of the mercenary force.
What You Will Find
Scholars and historians regard this text as a foundational primary source for understanding ancient Greek military practices and Persian political dynamics. Readers frequently note the clarity of the prose, which remains accessible despite the historical distance of the events described.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
2009-11-02
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0199555982
ISBN-13:
9780199555987
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!