Expédition Des Dix Mille

A historical account written in the 4th century BC. The book chronicles the journey of the Greek mercenaries known as the Ten Thousand, who found themselves stranded in enemy territory after the death of Cyrus the Younger during a failed expedition against his brother, King Artaxerxes. It explores themes of leadership, military strategy, and survival, highlighting Xenophon’s own role and experiences as part of this remarkable journey. The opening of this work sets the stage for the narrative, outlining the background of the conflict between the Persian brothers, Cyrus and Artaxerxes, that leads to the central military campaign. It introduces Cyrus’s ambitions to claim the throne, the formation of an army comprising Greek mercenaries and various course of events that leads up to the conflict. Key figures such as Tissapherne, who acts as a double agent, and Xenophon, who will later emerge as a key narrator, are introduced, establishing the military and political dynamics at play. This opening sets the groundwork for the ensuing struggles and challenges that the Greek forces will face as they navigate their way back to safety after the chaos of battle.