Agesilaus: The Legendary King of Sparta: Military Campaigns, Political Maneuvers, and Personal Virtues in Ancient Greece
Nov 2019 · Good Press
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About this ebook
In 'Agesilaus,' Xenophon offers a compelling portrayal of the Spartan king Agesilaus II, weaving together a narrative that balances historical biography with moral philosophy. Written in a concise and elegant style, the text illuminates the complexities of leadership, virtue, and the responsibilities that come with power. Set against the backdrop of the Peloponnesian War and the shifting dynamics of ancient Greek politics, Xenophon'Äôs work grapples with the ideals of excellence in governance and the ethical dilemmas faced by rulers, employing a tone that is both reflective and instructive. Xenophon, a student of Socrates and an experienced soldier, drew upon his extensive observations of Greek political life and military strategy to craft this biography. His experiences in the Persian expeditions and the complexities of the Athenian and Spartan conflicts instilled in him a profound understanding of leadership and the personal qualities that define a great ruler. His admiration for Agesilaus highlights his existential belief in the fusion of virtue and power, rooted deeply in the philosophical tradition of his time. For readers interested in political theory, ethics, and isomorphic explorations of leadership, 'Agesilaus' is an essential read. It not only provides insight into one of Sparta's most illustrious leaders but also serves as a timeless reflection on the character and responsibilities of those who wield power. This text is indispensable for scholars and enthusiasts of ancient history, as well as anyone contemplating the nuances of effective leadership.
About the author
Xenophon's life and personality is better known to us, perhaps, than that of any other Greek who lived before Alexander the Great. Much of his considerable output of historical writing and essays is frankly or implicitly autobiographical. He reveals himself as one of those many Athenians and other Greeks who turned to autocratic political models, including admiration of Persia, after the excesses of the Athenian democracy led to disaster in the Peloponnesian War. He also reveals himself as much more than a literary man and a critic of his times. A gentleman adventurer and something of a professional soldier, he followed in turn the philosopher Socrates, the Persian prince Cyrus the Younger, and the Spartan king Agesilaus, all of whom he wrote about with an air of close personal knowledge. His works include the autobiographical Anabasis, an account of his service with a mercenary Greek army that marched from Mesopotamia to the Black Sea after the defeat and death of the younger Cyrus. It provides the most detailed single perspective on the military practices and military mentality of Xenophon's age. His Hellenica, by contrast, is an impersonal continuation to the end of the Peloponnesian War of the work of Thucydides and a patchy memoir that concentrates on Sparta's fortunes until the definitive end of its power in 362 b.c. Xenophon's other major works are the Cyropaedia and the rambling Socratic dialogues known as the Memorabilia. The Cyropaedia is a fictional idealization of the career of Cyrus the Great, the only great conqueror known to the Greeks before Alexander. Often regarded merely as a novel, it is a species of a priori historical reconstruction. A retrojection of the military science and political values of the day into a largely unknown Persia of the past, it is intended to explain Cyrus's success on rational principles. The Memorabilia and the Socratic Apology that comes down with them contain nothing of philosophical value but are thought by some scholars to offer a possible corrective to Plato's altogether too Platonic Socrates. Xenophon had a conventional and second-rate mind, but he is a valuable resource because of his mediocrity. He enables us to make contact with an ordinary intellect from a world that often seems dominated by geniuses.
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