Book 3 · Chapter 1

After the generals were captured, and the captains and soldiers who were guarding them were killed, the Greeks were totally lost - they were drowning in worry. They were at the king’s gates, surrounded by tons of enemy cities and tribes. Who was going to supply them now?

More than a thousand miles from Greece, they didn’t even have a map. Huge, impossible rivers blocked their way home, trapping them. Even the Asians, who they’d marched alongside with Cyrus to attack, had turned on them, leaving them isolated.

Without a single horseman to chase down their enemies, it was obvious: if they won a battle, their enemies would escape completely, but if they lost, nobody would survive. Haunted by these thoughts and full of despair, barely anyone ate that night.

Few even built a fire, and many didn't even make it to camp, crashing wherever they happened to be. They couldn't sleep, their hearts aching for their homes, their parents, their wives, or children they probably wouldn't see again. That's how desperate everyone was, trying to find some rest.

Now, there was a guy in that army - an Athenian named Xenophon - who had come with Cyrus. He wasn't a general, an officer, or even a regular soldier, just invited by an old friend, Proxenus.

This friend had sent for him, promising that if he came, he’s introduce him to Cyrus, saying, "I think Cyrus is worth more to me than my own country." Xenophon read the letter and asked Socrates the Athenian if he should go or not.

Socrates, suspicious that Athens might not like his friendship with Cyrus - who had worked closely with Sparta against Athens in the war - advised Xenophon to go to Delphi and ask the god for guidance.

Xenophon went and asked Apollo which gods he should pray to and make sacrifices to, so he could safely complete his journey and return home. Apollo told him: "Pray to these specific gods. When Xenophon returned home, he told Socrates what the oracle said.

But Socrates scolded him for not first asking if he should go, and instead asking how to have a successful journey. "Since you asked that," Socrates continued, "you should do what the god told you. So, Xenophon made sacrifices to the gods Apollo named, and set sail.

He caught up with Proxenus and Cyrus at Sardis, just as they were about to march inland, and was immediately introduced to Cyrus. Proxenus eagerly asked him to stay - a request Cyrus enthusiastically supported, adding that as soon as the campaign was over, he’s send him home.

The campaign they were talking about was against the Pisidians. That’s how Xenophon joined the expedition, tricked, though not by Proxenus, who was just as clueless as everyone else - except for Clearchus - about the planned attack on the king.

Even though most people were dreading the journey, they kept following Cyrus, partly out of shame and partly because of Cyrus himself, and Xenophon went with them.

Right now, everything’s messed up, and he was stressed out like everyone else, totally unable to sleep. Then, he dozed off and had a dream. It seemed like a massive thunderstorm, with lightning crashing down and hitting his dad’s house, which immediately burst into flames.

He shot up in terror, and after thinking about it, he figured part of the dream was actually a good sign: he’s seen a bright light from Zeus, right in the middle of all the hard work and danger. But he was also freaked out, because it clearly came from Zeus, the king.

And the fire spreading everywhere - what else could that mean but that he was surrounded by problems and couldn’t escape the king’s country? But the real meaning would become clear later. Here’s what happened. As soon as he woke up, his first thought was, Why am I lying here?

Night’s getting late; by morning, the enemy will be here. If we get caught by the king, what’s left for us but to face the worst possible horrors, endure the most awful pain, and then die, humiliated and disgraced? Should we fight back - avoid that fate?

But nobody’s even moving; nobody’s getting ready, nobody cares; we’re just lying here like it’s time for a nap. Me too! What am I waiting for? A general to lead the charge? From where? Am I waiting to get older and wiser? I’ll never get older if I betray myself to my enemies today.

So, he got up and called together Proxenus’s officers. When they were all gathered, he said, "Guys, I can’t sleep, and I don’t think you can either, or we’d be doing something about it, considering how bad things are."

"Our enemy, we can be sure, didn’t start a war until he felt totally prepared; but none of us seems to have the same urgency to fight back bravely. "And let’s be real, if we surrender and fall into the king’s hands, do we even need to ask what’s going to happen?

This guy, who wasn’t even satisfied when his own brother, his dad’s son, died, chopped off his head and hands and nailed them to a cross.

What chance do we have, who don’t even have family ties with him, but marched against him, intending to make him a slave instead of a king - and to kill him if we could? What’s likely to happen to us?

Won’t he go to any lengths to inflict the ultimate shame and torture on us, just to scare everyone else into never challenging him again? There’s no doubt that we need to avoid getting caught by him at all costs.

"Honestly, during the whole truce, I kept feeling sorry for us and congratulating the king and his people, as I watched how great their land was, how much food they had, how many people depended on them, their animals, their gold, and their clothes."

Then, I’d think about our soldiers, who didn’t have any of those good things unless they bought them. I knew few of them could even afford it anymore, and yet we were stuck there, bound by our oath, forced to buy everything we needed.

"I’m telling you, there were times when I dreaded the truce more than I dread war now."

"Okay, so now that they suddenly ended the truce, their arrogance and our suspicion are both over. Everything they own is now up for grabs for whoever wins. Whoever proves to be the better fighters will get it all - and the gods are the judges of this fight."

They’re definitely on our side, seeing as our enemies are the ones using their names falsely. We, though we had plenty to tempt us, stayed away, honoring our oath and the gods who witnessed it. So, honestly, I think we have every right to go into this fight with a lot more fire than our enemies.

Plus, we’re physically stronger - better able to handle the cold, heat, and hard work. And we have better, braver souls, thanks to the gods. Even their soldiers are more vulnerable, more human, than us, if the gods give us the victory again.

"I’m sure people are having similar thoughts elsewhere, but no matter what happens, let’s not wait for anyone else to come and challenge us to do great things. Let’s take the lead and inspire everyone else to be brave."

Show yourselves to be the best officers, and among all the generals, the most worthy to lead. If you want me to start this quest, I’ll follow. Or, if you want me to lead, my age won’t stop me from following your orders. I’m definitely old enough to protect myself, at least. Those were his words.

The officers, when they heard, all, except one, asked him to lead them. That one was Apollonides, who spoke in a Boeotian accent. This guy thought it was ridiculous to think they could get safe unless they asked the king for help - if he had the power to make it happen.

"He started going on and on about how difficult everything would be. But Xenophon cut him off. "Seriously, dude? You can see, but you don’t get it? You can hear, but you don’t remember?

You were with the rest of us here when, after Cyrus died, the king bragged about it and sent word to tell us to lay down our arms. But we didn’t give up our weapons - we put them on and camped near him.

He was totally lost, sending us messengers and begging for a truce, even providing food, until he got it. Or, what about just now? Our generals and captains, trusting the truce, went unarmed to a meeting with them. What’s happening right now?

They’re getting beaten, poked, and insulted - poor guys, they can’t even die with dignity. Death would be a relief, I think. And you, who know all this, how can you say it’s crazy to talk about defending ourselves? How can you tell us to try persuading them again?

"I think we shouldn't even rank this guy with us; we should strip him of his position and make him carry heavy packs - treat him like a nobody. He’s a disgrace to his own country and to all of Greece, being Greek and being what he is."

"Hey, hold up! Agasias from Stymphala shouted. "This guy isn't from Boeotia or even Greece. I noticed his ears are pierced like a Lydian’s. And that's exactly what it was. So, they kicked him out. Then, the rest of the crew went around, finding the generals wherever they were.

If a general was gone, they found the lieutenant. And if only a captain was left, they found the captain. Soon, all about a hundred generals and officers were sitting in front of the parade ground. It was almost midnight.

Then, Hieronymous from Eleia, the oldest of Proxenus’s captains, started talking: "Generals and captains, we thought it was a good idea to get everyone together and figure out what to do, given the situation. Xenophon, could you repeat what you said earlier?"

Xenophon spoke up: "We all know the king and Tissaphernes have grabbed as many of us as they could, and it's obvious they’re planning to get rid of the rest of us if they can. Our job is simple: avoid getting captured by the enemy. Instead, if possible, let's get them in our power."

Listen up, everyone here: this is our chance. The soldiers outside are watching you. If they think you’re scared, they’ll lose their nerve. But if you show them you're getting ready to fight back and leading the way - they’ll follow you, trust me.

You're generals, you're commanders - you’re supposed to be a step above. You’re wealthier and more important than the average soldier, so now, in wartime, you need to step up, think for them, and work for them when needed.

"Right now, you could really help the army by appointing new generals and officers to replace the ones we’re missing. Without leaders, nothing good ever happens. That’s especially true in war - discipline is key, and without it, many have been destroyed."

So, once you’re done appointing commanders, it would be a good time to gather the rest of the soldiers and give them a pep talk. I’ve already noticed how down they’re feeling coming into camp and doing guard duty. Unless things change, I don’t know what we’ll use them for - not even at night.

We need to get them focused on what they’re going to do, not what they’re going to suffer. If we do that, their spirits will bounce back fast.

You know, it’s not numbers or strength that win battles; it’s when one side is just a little braver and charges with more heart - most of the time, the other side won’t even meet them. I’ve also realized that those who try to save their lives at all costs usually die dishonorably.

"But those who accept that death is inevitable and strive to die bravely - they often live longer or, at least, have happier lives. Let’s all remember that today, because we’re at a critical point in our fate. Now's the time to be brave ourselves and inspire everyone else with our actions."

He stopped talking then. After him, Cheirisophus said, "Xenophon, I only knew you before as an Athenian, but now I’d totally commend you for your words and how you handled things. Seriously, I hope there are more leaders like you - it would be a huge win for everyone."

He turned to the officers: Okay, let’s not waste any time, he said. Go ahead and pick your leaders where you need them. Once you’re done, come back to the center of the camp and bring the new officers with you. After that, we’ll call a big meeting of all the soldiers.

"And Tolmides, the messenger, should be there too. He finished speaking and stood up, wanting to get things moving quickly. Then, the generals were chosen. Timasion from Dardanus took over for Clearchus. Xanthicles, from Achaea, replaced Socrates. Cleanor, an Arcadian, stepped in for Agias.

Philesius, also from Achaea, took Menon’s spot. And Xenophon the Athenian replaced Proxenus.