Thucydides died before completing his History of the Peloponnesian War. This is Xenophon's continuation. I would recommend that you read Herodotus, Thucydides and then Hellenica. You get the grand sweep of Greek history from pre-history, via greatness, to the petty infighting narrated here. Rather poignant: they didn't, but we know that Alexander the Graet was about to sweep it all away.

This appears to be a political address to reinvigorate Athenian public finances following their utter defeat at the hands of the Spartans. Reading this gives me the impression that Xenophon may not be quite right in the head. He’s a clear writer; there’s no doubt about it. He’s recommending that Athens buy tens of thousands of slaves and force them to work in the silver mines. Surely they’d be better off freeing the slaves and at a stroke create a huge consumer market? I like Xenophon but he really could be a muppet at times. Highly recommended as an insight into ancient Athens.

I found the details on armour particularly interesting. And apparently the Greeks didn’t shoe their horses. I never knew that. I really know nothing about horses but there’s lot that would be of interest to a modern horse handler. I don’t know if methods are still the same today. He held my attention and I have really no inherent interest in horses.

I recently read Arrian’s Anabasis where the cavalry is often mentioned but never described. I wish I’d read this book first as it would have made the battle scenes even more vivid in my imagination. There are also some heartfelt passages of real feeling. You needn’t have any prior interest in the subject to get something from this book.

I know nothing about hunting and hate dogs so I didn’t expect much of this; however there are some heartfelt passages of great beauty. Loved his argument for why hunting makes a good citizen. I use a similar drift when arguing for more chess playing.

If this were published today it would be termed a historical novel – and an extremely bad one. It strays so far from the known facts of Cyrus’ life that if he were unnamed in the text there’s no way his identity could be determined. Xenophon of course has an ulterior motive in writing it: he wants to draw a picture of the perfect ruler. Unfortunately, and not for the first time, Xenophon shows himself to be an absolute plonker, God love him. What he gives us is a picture of smug princeling surrounded by sycophants.
Interesting as a sort of Greek proto-novel, but not otherwise.

Since this translation was published it has been shown, on the internal evidence, that Polity Athenians is not by Xenophon. They call the author pseudo-Xenophon or The Old Oligarch. And indeed, even I can see that the authors approach is noticeably different; Xenophon is clear and methodical in his structure but what we have here is a rant. The author is Tory Boy, complaining about the working class and expressing his outrage that it’s frowned upon to assault other peoples’ slaves in the street! You couldn’t make it up. Proof that human nature hasn’t changed and a fascinating insight into Athenian culture.

Polity Lacedaemonians is a fascinating picture of a disturbed and doomed society. Lycurgus is of particular interest. Today we might call him a cult leader, or a prophet. He actually got divine sanction for his laws.

Both works highly recommended.

This is a great book. I really can't recommend it too highly. Not just an exciting story; also a fascinating insight into the ancient world.

A work unworthy of preservation. No doubt it’s only Xenophon’s name that has saved it from oblivion. I know he was friends with Agesileus but there’s no place for this outside the funeral service. If he had still been alive when it was written it would be nothing but unsophisticated propaganda.
Agesilaus doesn’t even sound like a competent commander. Either he’s gone off to fight in Asia and left an enemy at his back or he’s done a half-arsed job in Asia, of which nothing comes but death. No wonder he’s later passed over for command in the international force. Not due to his age, I think.

I can cheerfully say that this is the worst novel ever written. I thoroughly recommend it to everyone who likes a laugh. I re-read several passages in astonishment at their awfulness. She has heard about adjectives and alliteration and uses the two devices endlessly. Unfortunately she hasn't heard of dialogue or characterisation. She also appears to lack a normal sense of right and wrong. Go on, treat yourself: download it.