Shane Brennan

Xenophon's Anabasis has engaged and entertained readers from antiquity to the present day. Through his telling of the story of Cyrus the Younger's attempt on the Persian throne and its aftermath, Xenophon integrates many of the prominent themes and concerns in his writings, including leadership, panhellenism, Sparta and apologia. Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective, Brennan offers a fresh reading of the text which originates in a broad-ranging consideration of Xenophon's aims in writing the book some thirty years after the event. The central argument brings the presence of Socrates into relief and demonstrates how the author, representing himself in the story as a model pupil of the philosopher, perpetuates Socratic teachings and values through 'Xenophon's' leadership. Ultimately, Anabasis is revealed to be a 'Socratic history', a narrative rooted in a historical event or period and in which the author embeds a reflection of the philosopher and his values.

Xenophon's Anabasis has engaged and entertained readers from antiquity to the present day. Through his telling of the story of Cyrus the Younger's attempt on the Persian throne and its aftermath, Xenophon integrates many of the prominent themes and concerns in his writings, including leadership, panhellenism, Sparta and apologia. Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective, Brennan offers a fresh reading of the text which originates in a broad-ranging consideration of Xenophon's aims in writing the book some thirty years after the event. The central argument brings the presence of Socrates into relief and demonstrates how the author, representing himself in the story as a model pupil of the philosopher, perpetuates Socratic teachings and values through 'Xenophon's' leadership. Ultimately, Anabasis is revealed to be a 'Socratic history', a narrative rooted in a historical event or period and in which the author embeds a reflection of the philosopher and his values.

The ancient classic--also known as The March of the Ten Thousand or The March Up Country--now in an elegantly designed, newly translated, definitive edition that features illuminating annotations, and copious maps and illustrations. Xenophon's Anabasis is one of the greatest true-life adventure stories ever recorded. Ten thousand Greek soldiers were stranded deep in hostile Persia and their commander was dead. They appointed Xenophon as their new leader, and he chronicled their harrowing journey as he led the "marching republic" north to the Black Sea. As with the other volumes in the Landmark series, this edition--edited by Robert B. Strassler and Shane Brennan--supplements the text with detailed maps, images, and annotations that place the work in historical context. With its stunning endpapers and enlightening illustrations, this beautifully produced, large-format hardcover will make a perfect gift for history buffs and all readers of the classics.