The Expedition of Cyrus'Men, the enemy troops you can see are all that stands between us and the place we have for so long been determined to reach. We must find a way to eat them alive!' The Expedition of Cyrus tells the story of the march of the Ten Thousand. The exploits of this famous army of Greek mercenaries in modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Iraq were described by one of their leaders, the Athenian historian and philosopher Xenophon. They were recruited at the end of the fifth century BC by a young Persian prince, Cyrus, who rose in revolt against his brother, the king of Persia. After Cyrus' death, the army was left stranded in the desert of Mesopotamia, a thousand miles from home. Their long march, across mountains and plateaux to the sight of 'The sea! The sea!', and back to the fringes of the Greek world, is the most exciting adventure story to survive from the ancient world. Xenophon's gripping narrative offers a unique insight into the character of a Greek army struggling to survive in an alien world. It is also the most sustained eyewitness account of the landscape of the vast and wealthy Persian empire. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
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already arms army arrived asked Athenian Athens attack barbarians battle began better bring brought called camp carried cavalry Chirisophus Clearchus company commanders cross Cyrus death decided Dexippus enemy expedition fact feet fight fire force formed friends gave give given gods Greece Greeks ground hands happened hear hill hoplites horsemen horses join journey keep killed king land later lead leave live look means meeting mentioned mountain night offer once parasangs passed peltasts Persian plain position possible provisions reached replied rest river road sail sent Seuthes shields ships side soldiers someone soon Spartans stay stop taken tell Ten Thousand territory things thought Thousand Thracians Tissaphernes told took troops trying turned villages wanted weapons Xenophon