For at least two millennia, it has been debated whether Xenophon was first and foremost a general, historian, or philosopher. For the majority of time in the past two millennia, Xenophon was recognised as a philosopher. Quintilian in The Orator's Education discusses the most prominent historians, orators and philosophers as examples of eloquence and recognises Xenophon's historical work, but ultimately places Xenophon next to Plato as a philosopher. Today, Xenophon is recognised as one of the greatest writers of antiquity. Xenophon's works span multiple genres and are written in plain Attic Greek, which is why they have often been used in translation exercises for contemporary students of the Ancient Greek language. In the Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, Diogenes Laërtius observed that Xenophon was known as the "Attic Muse" because of the sweetness of his diction.
Life and Career
Despite being born an Athenian citizen, Xenophon came to be associated with Sparta, the traditional opponent of Athens. Much of what is known today about the Spartan society comes from Xenophon's royal biography of the Spartan king Agesilaus and the Constitution of the Lacedaemonians. The sub-satrap Mania is primarily known through Xenophon's writings. Xenophon's Anabasis recounts his adventures with the Ten Thousand while in the service of Cyrus the Younger, Cyrus's failed campaign to claim the Persian throne from Artaxerxes II of Persia, and the return of Greek mercenaries after Cyrus's death in the Battle of Cunaxa.
Xenophon wrote Cyropaedia, outlining both military and political methods used by Cyrus the Great to conquer the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 539 BC. Anabasis and Cyropaedia inspired Alexander the Great and other Greeks to conquer Babylon and the Achaemenid Empire in 331 BC. The Hellenica continues directly from the final sentence of Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War covering the last seven years of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC) and the subsequent forty-two years (404–362 BC) ending with the Second Battle of Mantinea. Xenophon's writings on military strategies remain influential and are believed to be among the first to utilise and describe flanking manoeuvres and feints in military tactics.
Key Facts
- Born: January 1, 430 in Athens
- Died: 354
- Field: Art
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Xenophon extends far beyond his own lifetime. He fundamentally shaped visual arts and creative expression, and his works and artistic innovations remain foundational to this day.
Though he passed away in 354, his ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
Xenophon remains one of the most celebrated minds to emerge from Greece, a testament to the rich intellectual heritage of the region.
Notable Geniuses from Greece
Greece has produced many remarkable minds. Alongside Xenophon:
View all geniuses from Greece →
Discover more brilliant minds in Art
Explore Art GeniusesRelated Articles
Explore More
Read the full profile of Xenophon
View Xenophon's Profile →