75. Q. Of what have these dialogues been the original? A. Of several
justly admired imitations.
76. Q. In what direction did Lucian exercise his wit? A. In ridiculing
paganism.
77. Q. What are some of the kinds of other matter that goes to make up
the Greek reader? A. Bits of natural history and fragments of mythology.
78. Q. From what work of Xenophon do Greek readers often embrace
extracts? A. His “Memorabilia of Socrates.”
79. Q. What was the design of this work? A. To vindicate the memory of
Socrates from the charges of impiety and of corrupting influence exerted
on the Athenian youth, under which he had suffered the penalty of death.
80. Q. What is the plan of the work largely? A. To relate what Socrates
did actually teach.
81. Q. What work by a Christian writer did pagan Socrates in large part
anticipate? A. “Natural Theology,” by Paley.
82. Q. What was the chief characteristic trait of the method of Socrates
in teaching? A. His art in asking questions.
83. Q. What is the book usually adopted in sequel to the reader for
giving students their Greek preparation to enter college? A. Xenophon’s
“Anabasis.”
84. Q. In what two respects is this work highly interesting? A. First, as
a specimen of literary art, and second, as strikingly illustrative of the
Greek spirit and character.
85. Q. What is the meaning of the word “Anabasis?” A. “A march upward,”
that is, from the sea.
86. Q. Of what is the book an account? A. Of an expedition by Cyrus the
Younger into Central Asia, and the retreat of the Greek part of his army.
87. Q. Who accompanied Cyrus on this expedition? A. An oriental army of
about 100,000, and a body of Greeks numbering about 13,000.
88. Q. What was the object of this invasion on the part of Cyrus? A.
To obtain possession of the Persian throne, occupied by his brother,
Artaxerxes.
89. Q. In what does the main interest of the Anabasis as a narrative lie?
A. Rather in the retreat than in the advance.
90. Q. From what does the whole matter of the famous advance and retreat
of the ten thousand derive grave secondary importance? A. From the fact
that it resulted in revealing to Greece the essential weakness and
vulnerability of the imposing Persian empire.
91. Q. When was Xenophon, the author, born, and with whom was he not far
from contemporary? A. He was born about 431 B. C., being thus not far
from contemporary with the Hebrew prophet Malachi.
92. Q. What did Xenophon’s presence of mind and practical wisdom give
him in the retreat? A. A kind of leadership which he maintained until a
prosperous issue was reached on the shores of Greece.
93. Q. Among the other chief works of Xenophon what one is prominent? A.
The “Cyropædia.”
94. Q. What was the starting point of the expedition related in the
Anabasis? A. Sardis.
95. Q. During the march what city did the army plunder where four hundred
years later the Apostle Paul was born? A. Tarsus.
96. Q. When they reached the river Euphrates what did Cyrus openly tell
the Greek captains as to the object of the expedition? A. That he was
marching to Babylon against the great king Artaxerxes.
97. Q. What was the result of this disclosure when made to the men? A.
They felt, or feigned, much displeasure, but by lavish promises the
majority were prevailed upon to adhere to Cyrus.
98. Q. What Persian commander among the forces proved a traitor and met
with a tragic death? A. Orentes.
99. Q. Where did the armies of Cyrus and Artaxerxes finally encounter
each other? A. At Cunaxa.
100. Q. In what way did Cyrus meet with his death? A. While engaged in a
personal contest with Artaxerxes Cyrus was struck with a javelin under
the eye and slain.