The Persian Expedition

In"ThePersianExpedition",Xenophon,ayoungAtheniannoblewhosoughthisdestinyabroad,providesanenthrallingeyewitnessaccountoftheattemptbyaGreekmercenaryarmy-theTenThousand-tohelpPrinceCyrusoverthrowhisbrotherandtakethePersianthrone.WhentheGreekswerethenbetrayedbytheirPersianemployers,theywereforcedtomarchhomethroughhundredsofmilesofdifficultterrainnadriftinahostilecountryandunderconstantattackfromtheunforgivingPersiansandwarliketribes.Inthisoutstandingdescriptionofenduranceandindividualbravery,Xenophon,oneofthosechosentoleadtheretreatingarmy,providesavividnarrativeofthecampaignanditsaftermath,andhisaccountremainsoneofthebestpictureswehaveofGreeksconfrontinga'barbarian'world.