XENOPHON.
Xenophon was an Athenian who lived about four hundred and fifty years
before Christ. He was a celebrated general, historian and philosopher.
He was a learner at the school of Socrates, and counted as one of his
most gifted disciples. The life and the teachings of the great
philosopher have been given to us by the writings of Xenophon, and his
sober and practical style gives a good idea of the original. Quintilian,
a Roman orator and critic, says of Xenophon, "The Graces dictated his
language, and the Goddess of Persuasion dwelt upon his lips."
His style is pure and sweet, and he seems to have been a man of elegant
tastes and amiable disposition, as well as extensive knowledge of the
world.
Perhaps his greatest exploit as a general was the leading of the Greek
troops across the mountain ranges and the plains of Asia Minor. This
was after the battle of Cunaxa, where the younger Cyrus was defeated and
slain. Xenophon had joined this expedition against the brother of Cyrus,
Artaxerxes Mnemon, with ten thousand Greek troops. After the defeat many
of the Greek leaders were treacherously murdered in the Persian camp.
The Greeks were almost in despair. They were two thousand miles from
home, surrounded by enemies, and the only way of retreat lay across
mountain ranges, deep and rapid rivers, and broad deserts. It seemed as
if fatigue and starvation and the hostility of those whom they must
encounter would effectually prevent their return to their native land,
but Xenophon roused them from their despondency, rallied the forces, and
they began the march. It was a time of great suffering, for they had
literally to fight their way. But when they reached a Grecian city after
untold peril, it was found that of the ten thousand led forth, eight
thousand and six hundred still remained. During the latter part of his
life he lived at Corinth, having been expelled from Athens. Though the
decree of banishment was revoked, he never returned. His literary work
was mostly performed during these later years. Of all his writings, his
Anabasis has been pronounced the most remarkable. It is a work giving an
account of the nations in the interior of Asia Minor, and of the Persian
Empire and its government.
He died at Corinth, in his ninetieth year.
THE ROUND WORLD SERIES
The Full Stature of a Man. By Julian Warth.
Grafenburg People. By Reuen Thomas.
The Rusty Linchpin and Luboff Archipovna. By Mme. Kokhanovsky.
The Romance of a Letter. By Lowell Choate.
Dorothy Thorne. By Julian Warth.