Xenophon’sAnabasis of cyrus

Joseph PecsenyickiCOMP 261Amanda McGuireNov 20, 2013[2, 3]

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401 B.C.

The 30-year war between Athens and Sparta is over.

Greece lies in ruins.

An entire generation of men has been schooled in war.

General Clearchus of Sparta has brought ten thousand of these desperate mercenaries to what is modern-day Turkey.

They are to raid a rebellious tribe for a Persian governor, Cyrus the Younger.

But Clearchus has not yet told them their true mission ―

It is the only profession they know.

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Medusa Octopus Snake

Triskelion

Typical Shield Emblems

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20 thousand Persian troops join Greek mercenaries

But:• Troops march past their

objective!

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Clearchus now tells truth Real mission:

1. Overthrow King of Persia!2. Install employer (Cyrus the

Younger) on throne

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Cyrus the Younger = King’s brother

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Follows example of father• He killed own brother to

become king, too! [9]

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1. Ten Thousand want out Much riskier than original job Pay too low

2. But don’t leave Potential loss of reputation Shamed into staying Offered more money

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March 1,700 miles (through Turkey, Syria & Iraq) [11]

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Meet King’s army near Babylon, Iraq

Outnumbered 2:1 [13]

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Aftermath: Employer – dead No hope of collecting salary 1,700 miles behind enemy lines And...

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Greek generals soon dead, too1.Call a truce2.Try to negotiate withdrawal3.Killed by Persians

Clearchus among the dead

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Ten Thousand response:

Elect new generals!

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New generals decide:

Not to go back the same route• Persian cavalry can pick them off on

flat land

Head north, through Armenian mountains

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The Ten Thousand fight a number of battles• Lose very few men

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High point of story:

Eventually reach the Black Sea• Out of reach of

Persian Empire

“The sea! The sea!”

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One interesting event:

Honey from one mountain village caused violent illness in most of men.

Small amount of honey:•Vomiting•Diarrhea•Inability to stand•Drunkenness [19]

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Large amount of honey:• Mad raving• Victims near death [19]

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Cause?

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Rhododendron luteum

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(All recover within 3 days)

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ConclusionThe Anabasis of Cyrus by Xenophon: Exciting story About leadership & human nature Historically-significant

• Used as blueprint for invasion of Persian Empire (70 yrs later)...

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M-M-M-Macedonia!

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