The Persian Expedition

Xenophon’s Persian Expedition, or Anabasis, is the main ancient source for Cyrus the Younger’s expedition against Artaxerxes II, the Battle of Cunaxa in 401 BCE and the retreat of the Ten Thousand. It follows the Greek mercenaries from their march into the Persian interior through command crisis, negotiation, hostile terrain, river crossings, mountain peoples and the long movement back toward the Black Sea. It is especially useful where a reader wants places, routes, military decisions and day-to-day survival rather than only a summary of the campaign.