The Cambridge Companion to Xenophon

Introduces Xenophon's writings and their importance for Western culture, while explaining the main scholarly controversies.

Michael A. Flower (Edited by)

9781107652156, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 December 2016

544 pages, 3 b/w illus. 4 maps
22.7 x 15.1 x 2.7 cm, 0.74 kg

'It fills a major gap in the literature by offering a conspectus of Xenophon's works and career that will both interest specialists and serve the needs of generalists. … The Cambridge Companion will render Xenophon more accessible and interesting to scholars who, despite the recent renaissance in Xenophontic scholarship, might still be put off by this Athenian stranger's stodgy reputation.' Martin Devecka, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

This Companion, the first dedicated to the philosopher and historian Xenophon of Athens, gives readers a sense of why he has held such a prominent place in literary and political culture from antiquity to the present and has been a favourite author of individuals as diverse as Machiavelli, Thomas Jefferson, and Leo Tolstoy. It also sets out the major problems and issues that are at stake in the study of his writings, while simultaneously pointing the way forward to newer methodologies, issues, and questions. Although Xenophon's historical, philosophical, and technical works are usually studied in isolation because they belong to different modern genres, the emphasis here is on themes that cut across his large and varied body of writings. This volume is accessible to students and general readers, including those previously unfamiliar with Xenophon, and will also be of interest to scholars in various fields.

Introduction Michael A. Flower
Part I. Contexts: 1. Xenophon and his times John W. I. Lee
2. Xenophon and Greek philosophy Louis-André Dorion
3. Xenophon and Greek political thought Sarah Brown Ferrario
4. Xenophon's place in fourth-century Greek historiography Nino Luraghi
Part II. Individual Works: 5. Xenophon's Anabasis and Hellenica John Marincola
6. Xenophon's Apology and Memorabilia David M. Johnson
7. Xenophon's Symposium Gabriel Danzig
8. Xenophon's Oeconomicus Fiona Hobden
9. Xenophon's Cyropaedia: tentative answers to an enigma Melina Tamiolaki
10. Xenophon: the small works John Dillery
Part III. Techniques: 11. Xenophon's language and expression Vivienne Gray
12. Xenophon's authorial voice Christopher Pelling
13. Xenophon's narrative style Tim Rood
14. The character and function of speeches in Xenophon Emily Baragwanath
Part IV. Major Subjects: 15. Xenophon as a historian Michael A. Flower
16. Xenophon on leadership Richard Fernando Buxton
17. Xenophon and Athens Christopher Tuplin
18. Xenophon on Persia Kostas Vlassopoulos
19. Xenophon's views on Sparta Paul Christesen
Part V. Reception and Influence: 20. Xenophon's influence in Imperial Greece Ewen Bowie
21. Xenophon and the instruction of princes Noreen Humble
22. Xenophon's changing fortunes in the modern world Tim Rood
Epilogue: 23. Xenophon: magician and friend Edith Hall
Important dates in the life of Xenophon.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Literature: history & criticism [DS]