Hellenica (ePub)

Xenophon (c. 430 - 354 BCE) was an ancient Greek historian, soldier, mercenary, and a disciple of Socrates. Born in an Athenian suburb, his works span a panoply of subjects covering history, biography, and philosophy. Xenophon's 'Hellenica' serves as a primary historical source for events in Greece from 411 to 362 BCE, acting as a continuation of Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War'. 'Hellenica', covers the closing years of the Peloponnesian War and its aftermath, and is particularly valued for its firsthand accounts of military engagements in which Xenophon himself participated. Beyond 'Hellenica', his notable works include 'Anabasis', a thrilling recount of the expedition of the Ten Thousand, and the Socratic dialogues such as 'Memorabilia'. His literary style is characterized by straightforwardness and a lack of rhetorical flourishes, which makes his writing clear and accessible. A man of practical intellect, Xenophon's works have been influential in both military theory and in the revival of interest in Socrates' philosophy in later centuries. His treatises on leadership and governance, 'Cyropaedia', are considered precursors to modern leadership studies. In sum, Xenophon's contributions to history and literature render him a significant figure within the canon of Classical Greek literature.