Tutorial 7 - Xenophon's Anabasis Flashcards
Who was Xenophon?
Born 430 to a well-off Athenian family
Living his early life through the war, might have fought in the war - don’t know much about the first 30 years of his life
What did Xenophon write about?
Writes about himself, describing his life and the people he met
Huge variety in his works; biographies, autobiographies, philosophy, didactic books
Why are Xenophon’s works often looked down upon?
His way of thinking is superstitious and refers to the divine, his place in modern classical writing is contested because his language is simpler and easier to read - viewed as a beginner’s text
What were the key themes of Xenophon’s writings?
Sparta, Persia, democracy and Socrates
Why and what did Xenophon write about democracy?
Fled Athen out of fear of the response to his association with the overthrown oligarchy, developed hostility to democracy after the death of Socrates and his continued friendship with the Spartans
Trial of the generals - takes place after the battle of Arginusae, a naval victory for the Athenians, despite many sunken ships
A storm prevented generals from rescuing the sailors from sunken ships, so many drowned, which the generals are blamed for
Xenophon talks of the monstrous behaviour of the mob who bay for the blood of the generals, egged on by the demagogues
Socrates spoke out against this, but the generals were executed (which was illegal)
Why and what did Xenophon write about Sparta?
5th century Greek history is Athenocentric
Xenophon has an insight into Spartan society
How Agesilaus is made king
Xeonphon’s own sons went through the Spartan agoge - education system - that focused on military training
Disillusioned conclusions to works on Sparta and Persia - he feels that both empires became decadent and failed
Why and what did Xenophon write about Persia?
5th century Greek history is Athenocentric
Xenophon has an insight into Spartan society
How Agesilaus is made king
Xeonphon’s own sons went through the Spartan agoge - education system - that focused on military training
Disillusioned conclusions to works on Sparta and Persia - he feels that both empires became decadent and failed
Why and what did Xenophon write about Socrates?
Socrates tied Xenophon to Athens
Asked Socrates for advice on whether he should become a mercenary and go to Persia, told to go to the oracle of Delphi
Xenophon gives us a closer account than Plato, as Plato uses Socrates as a way of presenting his own philosophical thinking
