Xenophon
Xenophon of Athens was a Greek military leader, philosopher, and historian. At the age of 30, he was elected as one of the leaders of the retreating Greek mercenaries, the Ten Thousand, who had been part of Cyrus's attempt to seize control of the Achaemenid Empire. As the military historian Theodore Ayrault Dodge wrote, "the centuries since have devised nothing to surpass the genius of this warrior". Xenophon established precedents for many logistical operations and was among the first to describe strategic flanking maneuvers and feints in combat.
Hiero
A powerful ruler admits his life is miserable, sparking a debate about power, happiness, and what it means to truly lead.
By Xenophon
The Symposium
At a festive banquet, famous thinkers trade witty banter and examine the meaning of love, beauty, and morality.
By Xenophon
The Cavalry General
In ancient Greece, a leader must master horsemanship, strategy, and the art of command to forge an elite cavalry force ready for any battle.
By Xenophon
The First Four Books of Xenophon's Anabasis
In ancient Persia, a prince amasses an army to dethrone his brother, leading his Greek mercenaries into a treacherous war for power.
By Xenophon
Cyropaedia: The Education of Cyrus
Witness the ascent of a young prince as he masters the arts of war and diplomacy to forge an empire.
By Xenophon
Hellenica
Witness the clash of mighty city-states and the rise and fall of influential figures, as a soldier-historian recounts Greece's turbulent era following a devastating war.
By Xenophon
On Revenues
Explore how one of history's great thinkers believed a city could secure its future through clever economics and resourceful planning.
By Xenophon
Agesilaus
Witness the story of a Spartan king celebrated for his battles, fairness, and respected leadership during a powerful empire’s reign.
By Xenophon
The Project Gutenberg Works of Xenophon: An Index
Explore the writings of a historical figure to learn about ancient Greek politics, philosophy, military strategy, and more.
By Xenophon
The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates
Witness a wise man's defense against accusations of impiety as he shares his profound thoughts on virtue, ethics, and the divine.
By Xenophon
On Horsemanship
Discover the secrets to selecting, training, and bonding with horses from an ancient expert, revealing timeless wisdom for riders and cavalrymen alike.
By Xenophon
The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians
Witness the clash of civilizations as one writer analyzes the radical differences between a democracy fueled by its common people and a society strictly ruled by its warriors.
By Xenophon
The Memorabilia
Accused of corrupting minds, a wise philosopher faces trial as his student recounts his teachings on virtue, piety, and the pursuit of knowledge.
By Xenophon
The Apology
Watch as a philosopher bravely faces death rather than give up his beliefs, showing that a life of goodness is its own reward.
By Xenophon
The Economist
Witness a lively philosophical discussion where two thinkers unpack what it truly means to be wealthy and manage resources responsibly in the home.
By Xenophon
Anabasis
Stranded far from home after their leader falls in battle, a band of Greek soldiers must fight their way through enemy territory, testing their loyalty and resilience to survive their long and perilous return.
By Xenophon
The Sportsman: On Hunting, a Sportsman's Manual, Commonly Called Cynegeticus
Discover how ancient Greeks believed hunting, guided by gods and mythical mentors, could sculpt young men into paragons of physical strength and moral virtue.
By Xenophon