Xenophon's March: Into the Lair of the Persian Lion

by John Prevas

Book Overview

The year is 403 B.C. The Athenian philosopher Xenophon finds himself with an army of Greeks marching to what is now Turkey. Their mission: to aid the Persian pretender Cyrus in a war against his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306811170
• ISBN13: 9780306811173
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Intro to Xenophon

Coming from a place of little to no understanding of this period in history, I found this book exactly what I needed to spark my interest to explore further into Greek history. It was an exciting read and difficult to put down. Prevas did well to capture the motion of the story and keep the reader on track with the movement of the troops and how Xenophon reacted to various situation. I also thought the description of the geography and local cultures were fascinating. For a novice like myself I thought it was a great read, both informative and exciting.

The "Ten Thousand"

I must confess that my knowledge of classical Greek history is rather weak, so I was very pleased to purchase this book. The author takes Xenophon's "Anabasis" and tells the interested reader about the famed "March of the Ten Thousand" through the Persian Empire and the Anatolian area. It's quite an interesting work, and although at times the author puts out facts that don't really appear to be accurate, he is merely letting us know what Xenophon wrote those many centuries ago. As with all ancient Greek histories, there are extended speeches that were probably never made, but the author does explain that in his afterward, to my satisfaction. Brush up on your Greek history, and read this work.

Retelling the Anabasis

An incredible narrative that entertains those who read it. Retelling the Anabasis with great talent and thorough research. Recommended for those who have not read Xenophon in the original Greek.

Exciting general history

For those looking for an introduction to Greek/Persian history, or for those who have already read the Anabasis and wanted more historical context, this is the book to have. The beginner will find a guiding hand in the politics and intrigue of what Prevas calls the "tumultuous 5th century." This fascinating era of Western history witnessed a clash of civilizations and ethos that still reverberates today--a look at the contrasts between dictatorships and democratic countries is equally prevalent then and now. Prevas does an excellent job appealing to readers to see these parallels. Often he acts like the schoolteacher he is, imploring those unfamiliar with these classic stories to give them a second chance. His handling of Xenophon certainly merits such a return to the study of Greek culture.Xenophon's march is truly a harrowing adventure set among barbarians and tribal warfare. Prevas' ability to create a sense of forboding each time the Greek soldiers form into their war phalanx, raising their war paean in unison, helps to transport the reader to those long-lost battlefields. Coupled with the author's own travels to the area, the reader is left with a clear vision of what those vast, treacherous plains may have looked like to an ancient warrior. In particular, one should buy this book for the Olympic-like rivalry between the two foes that at one point turns a foot race to the top of a mountain into a race for life and death. The sheer brutality of these cultures is continually, and rightfully, brought to bear upon their contributions to our lives today.The reader already familiar with the Anabasis will find more than a simple retelling and synopsis of Xenophon's work. The conflicting forces that helped shape Xenophon's decisions along the path out of Persia are discussed as each event arises. One can see why this proven leader wishes to return to Athens despite his successes--and then why he returns to his army when they need him, time and again. Xenophon becomes a complex individual figure 2500 years removed from his own lifetime. That Prevas is able to so deftly show how one man affects and is affected by history is a testament to the strength of Xenophon's March.I'd heartily recommend this book to anyone with an interest in ancient warfare. Also, for those with only patchwork knowledge of ancient Greece, this will help fill in a few mental lacunae.

Experiencing Xenophon's March

John Prevas has done an excellent job of plunging the reader into the extraordinary exodus of the Greek mercenaries through the hostile territories of Persia to their return to Greece. His book provides a very interesting and lively introduction to the earlier Greek and Persian wars leading up to the mercenary involvement of the Greeks. He describes the motives of the Greek army in assisting Cyrus to overthrow his brother Ataxerxes, the "King of Kings". In addition the author describes his personal observations of the territories and villages transversed by Xenophon's army of the "Ten Thousand". His book is a read that describes the intrigues, deceptions and treachery that both Persians and Greeks endured. His description of the famous march incorporates his own vivid historical storytelling with the actual ancient accounts of the Xenophon's "Anabasis"