Person Information

Biography

Xenophon of Athens was an ancient Greek philosopher, historian, soldier, mercenary, and student of Socrates. As a soldier, Xenophon became commander of the Ten Thousand at about 30, with noted military historian Theodore Ayrault Dodge saying of him, “the centuries since have devised nothing to surpass the genius of this warrior.” He established the precedent for many logistical operations and was among the first to use flanking maneuvers, feints and attacks in depth. He was among the greatest commanders of antiquity. As a historian, Xenophon is known for recording the history of his time, the late-5th and early-4th centuries BC, in such works as the Hellenica, which covered the final seven years and the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), thus representing a thematic continuation of Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War.

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
Xenophon of Athens was an ancient Greek philosopher, historian, soldier, mercenary, and student of Socrates. As a soldier, Xenophon became commander of the Ten Thousand at about 30, with noted military historian Theodore Ayrault Dodge saying of him, “the centuries since have devised nothing to surpass the genius of this warrior.” He established the precedent for many logistical operations and was among the first to use flanking maneuvers, feints and attacks in depth. He was among the greatest commanders of antiquity. As a historian, Xenophon is known for recording the history of his time, the late-5th and early-4th centuries BC, in such works as the Hellenica, which covered the final seven years and the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), thus representing a thematic continuation of Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War.
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://www.ancient.eu/xenophon/
Title of Webpage: 
Xenophon - Ancient History Encyclopedia
Website Viewing Date: 
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 - 14:15
Website Last Modified Date: 
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 - 14:15
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Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Xenophon
Title of Webpage: 
Xenophon | Greek historian | Brittanica.com
Website Viewing Date: 
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 - 14:15
Website Last Modified Date: 
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 - 14:15
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Xenophon
Title of Webpage: 
Xenophon | Greek historian| Brittanica.com
Website Viewing Date: 
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 - 14:15
Website Last Modified Date: 
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 - 14:15