Mind-Benders of Greek & Roman History
The philosopher's student who led an army's escape out of Persia
Xenophon, a student of Socrates now known for his histories, joined a force of Greek mercenaries hired by the Persian prince Cyrus the Younger. After the prince fell and the Greek commanders were killed deep inside the empire, Xenophon — then about thirty — was elected one of the leaders of some ten thousand men and helped steer them on a fighting retreat back to the sea, a march he later recounted himself in the Anabasis.
How we know
Xenophon c. 430–354 BCE; after the Battle of Cunaxa (401 BCE) he was elected a leader of the “Ten Thousand” in the retreat of 401–400 BCE, recounted in his Anabasis.
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