Ancient Soldier Gives Epic First-Hand Account of Ancient Warfare

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Extracts taken from:
The Anabasis by Xenophon - translated and edited by the legendary Dr Raoul Mclaughlin - please please check out his fantastic work: @drraoulmclaughlin7423
Image Editing by Manuel Rubio - check out his amazing channel: @ArtandContext
Music from Epidemic Sound and Artlist
Thumbnail Art by Ettore Mazza
Art by Alex Stoica
Image Credits from carvings and ancient art:
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[@VoicesofthePast]

Check out the fantastic Opera browser, our sponsor today: opr.as/Opera-browser-Voices-of-the-Past

[@usergiodmsilva1983PT]

Installed Opera through the link, already used it before, I'll give it z try again, actually pretty cool browser

[@domino2560]

@@James-to7pi Good spyware

[@GeneralPadron]

I thought a Hoplite had a long spear as a main weapon?

[@NobleKorhedron]

​If you're referring to the thumbnail, ​@@GeneralPadron, the hoplite's #Dory, or spear, has probably been broken. The #Xiphos sword was the primary sidearm of the Greek Hoplite; there was also a small dagger that I can't remember the name of...

[@NobleKorhedron]

RE the Greek missile troops, was the term "peltasts" used for troops who were armed other than with javelins...? I thought "peltasts" usually referred to javelin-armed units with pelte round shields...? I thought that when the troops were a mix of javelins, archers, and slingers, they were collectively called "Psiloi"...?

[@cal2127]

its also cool that xeonphon saw the ruins of the assyrian city of nimrud and didnt know what it had been. showing that even the ancients had ancients.

[@mithrandirthegrey7644]

I love that part of the book. Even the people living in the area had no idea who built those cities. Some speculated that it was a race of giant men who had long since died.

[@RogerTheil]

The Greeks lived in an already very ancient world, and they thought of it as such. Their whole histories, poetic libraries, and world of myths were chock full of ancient stories and eras. We often say "antidiluvian" for times so far back in the past, it's basically prehistory, or before even any relevant ancient history, and the Greeks used the term "Halcyon days" for the same. Basically, back in the days so far back before any of history had happened, halcyons still roamed the Earth. We often view Ancient Greeks as the cradle of civilization and people living near the beginning of relevant history, but in their own time, they were aware that there were many eons before their current day so far back that their own generation were the new kids on the block.

[@gregbors8364]

The Egyptians built their great pyramids in a time that was farther in the past to the ancient Greeks than the Golden Age Greek period is to us

[@AemondBlackKiller]

@@RogerTheilGreece is the cradle of the western world. The British then created the Industrial Revolution and the modern world so the ancient Greeks are very important for Europe and western countries

[@VikingMuayThai]

Ozymandias, and all that.

[@abstractedaway]

10:25 "I've noticed something else in my time as a soldier. Men whose sole aim is only to stay alive in battle usually suffer a wretched and dishonorable death; but those who realize that all men are mortal and will die, they will strive to gain honor; and somehow, it is these men who more often reach old age, and have a happier existence while doing so." - Xenophon of Athens, as translated by Dr. Raoul Mclaughlin That was truly epic. Thank you.

[@tanegurnick5071]

It is a great saying, but I think him believing that the routed army was a tactic to nullify them while the rest of the army was destroyed. Western vs eastern styles. George Forman vs Muhammad ali

[@guillermocaliz2488]

Damn

[@Panagiotis1709]

This is essentially the mentality of accepting you are already dead. Thus, you do not hesitate in battle and have actually a much higher chance of survival. A good philosophy for life itself imo.

[@snakeoo7ca]

​@@Panagiotis1709 This is interestingly what made Swedish infantry so effective -- the "primal peasant" mentality to go all or nothing

[@Panagiotis1709]

@@snakeoo7ca Faith in God was also a big part of Gå på.

[@taterkaze9428]

"Conquerers do not surrender their weapons" - 2,400 years later just as badass as when spoken.

[@boxelderinitiative3897]

This is especially true for the Russians who still haven't surrendered their arms

[@Dreamhelmet]

Milley and Biden disagree!

[@andymamas6563]

Long live Russia! The Ukrainians are nothing but pawns for the west, unfortunately.

[@user-no1nj9ji1d]

Agree wholeheartedly, friend) 💪🏻Z

[@karsten11553]

@@boxelderinitiative3897 That's a very good point! They are also convinced that they are on the winning side, while in reality they are on the russian side, stupidly believing the lies of their slave-masters.

[@Cleisthenes607]

The Anabasis is one of the great works of western literature. I have no idea why this epic historical account has never seen a film treatment, hopefully not Hollywood as they'll ruin it but more like Waterloo, the soviet film about Napoleon's last battle the Soviets did. That was a masterpiece.

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

It is, it was a gripping read. Just an amazing story. It hasn't been made into a movie because it would make white people look too good.

[@tremainetreerat5176]

​@@huwhitecavebeast1972 gotcha, definitely an inherently-fascist work of racist hate literature then.

[@runtodagobah8199]

Getting a copy as my gift this christmas. Looking forward to it

[@IndicatedGoodLife]

Am I missing something? Im pretty sure 300 is based on this story.

[@Cleisthenes607]

@@IndicatedGoodLife 300 is not based on this. The events of this video take place 80 years after the last stand of the 300 spartans at Thermopylae.

[@lordflashheart3706]

Love that In book 1 Xenophon portrays Clearchus as a prudent, even tempered commander. Then a few parts later he just drops "Clearchus: what an sh*tbird"

[@cringlator]

The Anabasis is so cool. The way Xenophon writes makes you feel how tenuous it was for the Greeks. It’s like they had been consumed by the Persian monster and were fighting to not be digested. Every battle was a last stand, every maneuver was a suicide mission. In the end he got most of his men home just like he promised, they should have let him found that colony he deserved it.

[@user-nq2oz8tf2l]

Because most of these commenters are young and part of this new extremist meme history crowd. The rightwing counterparts to the leftwingers who enjoy very biased history lessons. @@ABCD-xg6nr

[@rozzaj2856]

​@@ABCD-xg6nrcome on bruh he obviously ment it for it to be a metaphor did you not learn anything in English class?

[@rozzaj2856]

​@@ABCD-xg6nrand he was on about the Greeks not the Persians 🤣

[@cool06alt]

@@ABCD-xg6nr Monster = military behemoth.

[@End-Result]

No, 'come on' yourself, @@rozzaj2856 they are correct to point the REALITY out rather than peddle the gross and racist Milleresque pseudo history you probably love.

[@nilsjonsson1133]

The main takeway for me is that heavy infantry in good order is such an intimidating sight on an ancient battlefield that they are often not engaged by the enemy at all.

[@gogopedroe1873]

They were baited away from the battle and away from their own supplies. They were outsmarted and outmanoeuvred. Nobody HAD to engage them to do so. Nothing to do with being intimidating

[@renatopereira2315]

@@gogopedroe1873 Do you actually have any source that backs that up or is it your own opinion ? Primary source clearly states that the persian flank was made to retreat and that the greek force kept its ranks as it drove them back. No one forces Cyrus to charge at the Persian center nor did the Greeks request that he do this. Primary source also goes on to state that the charge of Cyrus at the center of the Persian formation was quite successful and that his own troops had become disorganized during the pursuit of the persian center. Now Im not saying the primary source has to be trusted but you are literally making stuff up and presenting it as fact even when it contradicts all available sources. You take an account and manipulate it to fit your own views. Nothing indicates that this was the persian plan "all along". If anything the source we have for the events makes it clear that if not for the rashness of Cyrus the battle would have been won.

[@gogopedroe1873]

it is a feigned retreeat, a vaery well tested tactic. artaxerxes kept his discipline, the persians that the greeks attacked didnt rout, just kept going. you junst WANT to interpret a side as valorous when they were, by their own words lost, and with no connection with the rest of their own army. @@renatopereira2315

[@fookinlit9586]

@@gogopedroe1873lmao yet had had them met them head on the Greeks would have slaughtered anything’s they could envelope

[@gogopedroe1873]

@@fookinlit9586 there's no would. Only what happened. Greeks were baited away, repeatedly, after not listening to Artaxerxes. And suffered for it.

[@davidjones8043]

What he said about those who sought honor over survival being the ones to survive to old age.... WOW

[@MrConredsX]

Are you telling me Greek people were not African Black like in BBC documentaries????

[@colincampbell4261]

Loads of black mercenaries used in ancient warfare

[@ibrahimsuleiman8473]

No they are not but the Nubians are.

[@chrisyoung5363]

looks like Artaxerxes was, by the graphics :D

[@drolaticdemiurge1137]

A lot of greek and roman citizens were.

[@pablogats4627]

Yes they weren't it was made up to make blks feel better

[@schoolofgrowthhacking]

3:00 “Cyrus decided to go into battle with his head and face exposed.” And that one innocuous decision was how he lost the battle.

[@ramtin5152]

Wouldn't have made too much of a difference The Achaemenid helmets, weren't like Parthian or Sassanid helmets that fully covered the face, neck and skull of the soldiers The Achaemenid helmets only protected the forehead, top of the head and back of the neck while leaving the face exposed (Many Achaemenid soldiers didn't even used helmets) But the javelin hit Cyrus' cheek And as far as I know, back then generals and commanders had to leave the face, or at least their mouths exposed so that their soldiers could hear their orders when they shouted

[@andimitris24]

"Cyrus Anabasis" or "The Descent of the Myriads". The greatest military adventure ever. Why this isn't a movie or a mini series?

[@user-zm8nb8pk4n]

Its hard to make a movie or series of this today because there were no women to be the protagonists. I mean we could take black actors for the Greeks but to make Xenophons 10.000 Soldiers Women would be difficult, even for Netflix !!!

[@Raao1]

Also Americans don't care about history except their own. In fact they don't don't even care about their own. Did you see the new Napoleon movie and how they depicted his success, focusing only on the losses?

[@topgears7775]

Because nobody dares to make it less than what it deserves to be.

[@mombaassa]

There has indeed been a movie, based on Xenophon's Anabasis. The 1979 move, The Warriors, was a screen adaptation of the novel of the same name, by Sol Yurick. The novel, in turn, was based on Anabasis.

[@stuka80]

Even the more popular youtube military history channels havent covered this amazing event.

[@seanyoung9014]

I got the Book of Xenophon for Xmas a few years ago and it's such an interesting read. The first few chapters are about the intricacies of choosing the proper horse for calvery training which sounds boring but he writes in such a way that it seems he's walking you through a stable and pointing things out.

[@glorygloryholeallelujah]

*”Conquerors do not surrender their weapons!”* Oh, come on! It’s like he _KNEW_ he was writing badass one-liners for an action film!😂❤

[@jeremybamber5729]

The survivors of a battle sitting around cooking their food on fires made of arrows and shields. Quite the image!

[@reeyees50]

13:00 Two brother kings striking each other with spears atop their horses. Unforgetable sight!

[@georgezachos7322]

The Greek mercenaries's run to the Black Sea shores and then back home, fighting as they went, while carrying along civilians and having to improvise new lighter units to counter non-hoplite warfare is one of the epic tales in history.

[@victorsanchez5336]

I think it was deliberate miscommunication by the locals of the area when Xenophon was passing near the ancient Cities of Assyria. I think it was to make the Greeks immediately flee the area, to make the area feel like non human/supernatural to the Greeks. The Persian ruler still carried the title King of Sumer & Akkad of the (Assyrian Kings). Babylon one of the Holiest Cities of the Assyrian Empire and one of the Capital cities of the Persian Empire has archives dating thousands of years listing the Assyrian kings. Herodotus the Greek historian even wrote of the Assyrians.

[@hunterford7124]

Isn’t it crazy how the battle featured thousands of men, but the only real fighting took place between kings, a handful of bodyguards, and just one 10,000 unit of clearly veteran troops

[@orangejjay]

Makes it sound like only certain parts of the battle were recorded or perhaps even embellished. Think about it: How easy is it for you to remember and tell a story of an event where there's thousands of people spread across kms of land? Not easy. And to think, back then, they wouldn't have had as easy an access to ink and paper or video and drones to properly count and account for history. Like everything, these stories should be taken with a critically thinking mind. There's certainly going to be bias here but also, no matter how well intentioned, memories written down can only be so accurate.

[@MWBFurlong]

Other than the kings, generals, and their associates, who had anything to gain from fighting? Why would an Egyptian stick around and die for a fight between two foreigners?

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

The Greeks fought with the Persians against Alexander the Great ​@@MWBFurlong

[@richardstephens5570]

@@MWBFurlong You do realize the Greeks were in a foreign land willing to die in a fight between two Persians, right?

[@MWBFurlong]

They were a small detachment of paid mercenaries with a culture of war. Many "soldiers" were farmers which were pressured into fighting. Most people have little to gain from fighting and dieing in a war between two lords. That's what the world wars showed. Most people didn't want to fight and kill. People needed to be in-doctrinated, lied to, bribed, threatened and coerced into war and even then many would simply shoot into the air or indirectly at targets. Only very fucked up people willing slaughter others for a conflict they have little stake in. I say this as someone who has been in the military (very short) with members of my family having been in the military for the last 5 generations. The UK government relied on lies, poverty, ignorance, and guilt to get my farmer ancestors to fight. A few of the English were raised with a culture of war but then became quite anti-war when they found out the realities. So yea, most people have little interest in killing and dieing over someone else's claim to a throne. So when the pressure is on they leave. As pointed out, many of those fighting were from Egypt or from areas many hundreds of km from home. What reason do they have to fight other than poverty or fear of being murdered by their own commanders?

[@ChorltonBrook]

10:23 I was taught that this was a Chinese saying & that ''those who expect to die in battle are the ones you survive'' too. Gotta get around to reading The Anabasis & have told myself that for years. Thanks for the upload, hopefully it'll stir me to makes the, no doubt rewarding & enjoyable, effort!

[@Dan_Ben_Michael]

I love hearing ancient accounts in their own words. It’s my favourite type of historical video. I learn so much about the times they lived in. For me, the best ones are not famous people or warriors, but of ordinary people. I was fascinated by Olaf from Iceland’s account of being captured and enslaved by Barbary pirates. I also really enjoy first contact stories, especially from the perspective of the native peoples. I love to know what was going through their mind when they encounter a far more advanced civilisation. It would be like if aliens landed. I am extremely curious as to what the Sentinelese people make of our civilisation. It would be incomprehensible for them to even consider.

[@qboxer]

An excellent book. Happy to see Dr McLaughlin was the man to do this excellent translation. He has a great KZbin channel of his own.

[@jimweights8908]

I read the book but never got the battle as clearly as you showed - thank for this!

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

Always go for modern as possible translations of ancient text rather than flowery victorian or even older versions

[@papertoyss]

From the original text (Book 2, Chapter 1.2-23): _At daybreak the generals came together, and they wondered that Cyrus neither sent anyone else to tell them what to do nor appeared himself. They resolved, accordingly, to pack up what they had, arm themselves, and push forward until they should join forces with Cyrus. When they were on the point of setting out, and just as the sun was rising, came Procles, the ruler of Teuthrania, a descendant of Damaratus, the Laconian, and with him Glus, the son of Tamos. They reported that Cyrus was dead, and that Ariaeus had fled and was now, along with the rest of the barbarians, at the stopping-place from which they had set out on the preceding day; further, he sent word that he and his troops were that day waiting for the Greeks, on the chance that they intended to join them, but on the next day, so Ariaeus said, he should set out on the return journey for Ionia, whence he had come. The generals upon hearing this message, and the rest of the Greeks as they learned of it, were greatly distressed. Clearchus, however, said: “Well, would that Cyrus were alive! but since he is dead, carry back word to Ariaeus that, for our part, we have defeated the King, that we have no enemy left, as you see, to fight with, and that if you had not come, we should now be marching against the King. And we promise Ariaeus that, if he will come here, we will set him upon the royal throne; for to those who are victorious in battle belongs also the right to rule.” With these words he sent back the messengers, sending with them Cheirisophus the Laconian and Menon the Thessalian; for this was Menon's own wish, inasmuch as he was an intimate and guest-friend of Ariaeus. So they went off, and Clearchus awaited their return; meanwhile the troops provided themselves with food as best they could, by slaughtering oxen and asses of the baggage train. As for fuel, they went forward a short distance from their line to the place where the battle was fought and used for that purpose not only the arrows, many in number, which the Greeks had compelled all who deserted from the King to throw away, but also the wicker shields and the wooden Egyptian shields; there were likewise many light shields and wagons that they could carry off, all of them abandoned. These various things, then, they used for fuel, and so boiled meat and lived on it for that day._ _And now it was about full-market time, and heralds arrived from the King and Tissaphernes, all of them barbarians except one, a Greek named Phalinus, who, as it chanced, was with Tissaphernes and was held in honour by him; for this Phalinus professed to be an expert in tactics and the handling of heavy infantry. When these heralds came up, they called for the leaders of the Greeks and said that the King, since victory had fallen to him and he had slain Cyrus, directed the Greeks to give up their arms, go to the King's court, and seek for themselves whatever favour they might be able to get. Such was the message of the King's heralds. The Greeks received it with anger, but nevertheless Clearchus said as much as this, that _*_it was not victors who gave up their arms;_*_ “However,” he continued, “do you, my fellow generals, give these men whatever answer you can that is best and most honourable, and I will return immediately.” For one of his servants had summoned him to see the vital organs that had been taken out of a sacrificial victim, for Clearchus chanced to be engaged in sacrificing. Then Cleanor the Arcadian, being the eldest of the generals, made answer that they would die sooner than give up their arms. And Proxenus the Theban said: “For my part, Phalinus, I wonder whether the King is asking for our arms on the assumption that he is victorious, or simply as gifts, on the assumption that we are his friends. For if he asks for them as victor, why need he ask for them, instead of coming and taking them? [1] But if he desires to get them by persuasion, let him set forth what the soldiers will receive in case they do him this favour.” In reply to this Phalinus said: “The King believes that he is victor because he has slain Cyrus. For who is there now who is contending against him for his realm? _*_Further, he believes that you also are his because he has you in the middle of his country, enclosed by impassable rivers, and because he can bring against you a multitude of men so great that you could not slay them even if he were to put them in your hands.”_*_ Then Theopompus, an Athenian, said: _*_“Phalinus, at this moment, as you see for yourself, we have no other possession save arms and valour. Now if we keep our arms, we imagine that we can make use of our valour also, but if we give them up, that we shall likewise be deprived of our lives. Do not suppose, therefore, that we shall give up to you the only possessions that we have; rather, with these we shall do battle against you for your possessions as well.”_*_ When he heard this, Phalinus laughed and said: _*_“Why, you talk like a philosopher, young man, and what you say is quite pretty; be sure, however, that you are a fool if you imagine that your valour could prove superior to the King's might.”_*_ There were some others, so the story goes, who weakened a little, and said that, just as they had proved themselves faithful to Cyrus, so they might prove valuable to the King also if he should wish to become their friend; he might want to employ them for various purposes, perhaps for a campaign against Egypt, which they should be glad to assist him in subduing. At this time Clearchus returned, and asked whether they had yet given an answer. And Phalinus broke in and said: “These people, Clearchus, all say different things; but tell us what your own opinion is.” Clearchus replied: _*_“I myself, Phalinus, was glad to see you, and, I presume, all the rest were, too; for you are a Greek and so are we, whose numbers you can observe for yourself. Now since we are in such a situation, we ask you to advise us as to what we ought to do about the matter you mention. Do you, then, in the sight of the gods, give us whatever advice you think is best and most honourable, advice which will bring you honour in future time when it is reported in this way: `Once on a time Phalinus, when he was sent by the King to order the Greeks to surrender their arms, gave them, when they sought his counsel, the following advice.' And you know that any advice you may give will certainly be reported in Greece.”_*_ Now Clearchus was making this crafty suggestion in the hope that the very man who was acting as the King's ambassador might advise them not to give up their arms, and that thus the Greeks might be made more hopeful. But, contrary to his expectation, _*_Phalinus also made a crafty turn, and said:_*_ “For my part, if you have one chance in ten thousand of saving yourselves by carrying on war against the King, I advise you not to give up your arms; but if you have no hope of deliverance without the King's consent, I advise you to save yourselves in what way you can.” In reply to this Clearchus said: “Well, that is what you say; but as our answer carry back this word, that in our view if we are to be friends of the King, we should be more valuable friends if we keep our arms than if we give them up to someone else, and if we are to wage war with him, we should wage war better if we keep our arms than if we give them up to someone else.” _*_And Phalinus said:_*_ “That answer, then, we will carry back; but the King bade us tell you this also, that if you remain where you are, you have a truce, if you advance or retire, war. Inform us, therefore, on this point as well: shall you remain and is there a truce, or shall I report from you that there is war?” Clearchus replied: “Report, then, on this point that our view is precisely the same as the King's.” “What, then, is that?” said Phalinus. Clearchus replied, “If we remain, a truce, if we retire or advance, war.” And Phalinus asked again, “Shall I report truce or war?” And Clearchus again made the same reply, “Truce if we remain, if we retire or advance, war.” What he meant to do, however, he did not indicate._ [1]: (author's note) These words recall the famous answer which Leonidas at Thermopylae made to the same demand: μολὼν λαβέ, “Come and take them.”

[@christopherevans2445]

This is what this channel was made for!!!!!!

[@kristiansmuzikants24]

One of the best history channels out there - interesting facts and aspects, great voice n music as well as enjoyable visuals. Play it in foreground or background, the perfection of your content remains the same.

[@Und3rgroundMan]

This is such a unique history channel. You and the Feely Brothers from History Dose are doing wonders for my interest in history. I like how you describe a historical event from someone who was there. That's a unique insight.

[@ProbusVerus]

Such a great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@86godhand]

This is so freaking awesome!!! Thank you

[@christiansmith4421]

Xenophon is one of the most interesting writers in his time plus he has a cool name.

[@keeshans5768]

The coolest, I still remember reading his quotes in Rome total war as a kid just because I found his name cool.

[@pashapasovski5860]

Maybe his name inspired the Xenomorph!😂

[@jacobms911]

Just want to say I appreciate the thorough sourcing. Enjoyed the video, thanks.

[@brandonmcclellan963]

Dude you do such a phenomenal job with these. Thank you

[@authentic_candor]

0:33 ahh noo!!!! "Cyrus the Great" was actually Cyrus II, so if anything, Cyrus the Younger would have been Cyrus III !!

[@cal2127]

annabassis is one of my favorites. xenophon was a genius

[@EMMmaximino]

does he have any accounts, or a book on his trip back with the 10'000 to Greece?

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

Well it wasn't a work of fiction, it was a telling of his experience.

[@thucydides7849]

@@EMMmaximinoyes, the annabassis. March of the 10000

[@kayharker712]

Great production. Thank you.

[@adpirtle]

It ended just as it was getting good! But seriously, these books probably helped Alexander conquer Persia.

[@topgears7775]

100% they did. The greeks were not alien to persian lands and culture, majority of what was a greek world were living inside the persian empire for at least 150 years, at the time of Alexander they knew alot about their opponent, many of greeks served in persia Court and armies much of their life times, many have migrated to persia and central asia too, who's offspring have later during the reign of Alexander's father have returned to hellenic lands, so they carried good amount of knowledge with them back to greek.

[@Laucron]

Mainly they showed him that an entire army could make it into and even fuck around through the heart of Persia and still be able to make it back

[@borisfrlic]

Except Macedonians weren’t Greek, even though modern revisionism would like us to think so. Macedonians and Greeks were mortal enemies. In fact, Alexander only took 5000 Greeks into his army - as hostages. The rest - Thracians, Tribali, Illyrians, were Serbs Ofc - the greatest warriors then and still today.

[@topgears7775]

*_Serbs?_* Wtf ... pls don't try to correct a smaller non sense with a bigger one, yes macs were not greek but serbs did not come to south Eastern Europe until the fall of the western Roman Empire .@@borisfrlic

[@archimedesnation]

@@borisfrlic Macedonians took part in the ancient olympiads, so they were certainly greeks, since no other nation was allowed to participate. Also, thracians and illyrians have nothing to do with the serbs and slavs in general, who only appeared in the balkans about a thousand years later. Also, the 5,000 hoplites were not hostages but mercenaries. Also, among the other greeks mercenaries there were cretan archers, rhodian slingers, ainian javelineers, aegean sailors and thessalian cavalry. Last, the historical mainstream all over the world is that the macedonians were greeks. The revisionism lays to certain slav nationalists. In short, everything you wrote was wrong.

[@duffmangames6997]

Really cool video! I've been meaning to read this, thanks for helping with the motivation to pick it up :)

[@SmokingPuss]

This was well produced. thanks

[@Slokkatron]

It is somewhat confusing hearing a translation of Anabasis, which is presented in 1st person as opposed to the original text's 3rd person, but nevertheless quite alright a listen. While I am not entirely sure, I suspect Xenophon wrote the Anabasis in 3rd person as not to aggrandise himself, something which the much later writer and historian Polybius touched upon in his book "The Histories" where he defends his own usage of 1st person due to the fact that he was part of the events he describes. But the narrator of Voices of the Past's hard work is ever a pleasant and comfortable audible experience. :)

[@pansepot1490]

Just a few days ago I watched a video about the authorship of gospels. One of the themes was the use of the 1st person vs 3rd person in Greek Roman antiquity in non fiction accounts like history/biography etc. The scholar posted a very long list of examples where the author uses 1st person to reinforce their credibility using phrases like: “I was there”; “I witnessed it myself”; “I heard from someone who witnessed the events”; “the person themselves told me”; etc. He said that authors writing about themselves using the 3rd person occurred far less frequently. That was when they themselves were the protagonist of the story and it would have looked as if they were self celebrating. I post a link in case you might want to check the video I referred to. Tbh I am bad at remembering details. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qafKfmyHbZl0fLcsi=ny5iyOWHKchObUEg

[@chrisball3778]

No, I don't know why Polybius bought into that argument, but Xenophon clearly wrote Anabasis to aggrandise himself. The whole thing is absolutely full of passages designed to make him look good, to an almost absurd degree, and every time the Greeks do something bad it claims that it was during one of the periods when the army had voted someone else to be commander instead of him. He wrote it in the guise of a third person because he thought it would make his version of events seem more credible. It's sad we don't have anybody else's account to compare it to, as what little other evidence we do have seems to suggest that not everybody who survived the whole adventure did so with a positive impression of Xenophon. Reading between the lines of Anabasis, it seems likely that he wanted to use the army to set himself up as a king over part of Asia Minor, but they weren't having it and refused to be part of his scheme. He died in exile, although it's not clear how much of that was due to whatever he got up to during the Anabasis expedition, or how much of it was due to his weird pro-Spartan political views making him unpopular back in Athens.

[@justinr6006]

The Anabasis is such a cool story. Thanks for making this.

[@NASkeywest]

As far as the pre battle sacrifices go. Does anyone actually think that probably ALWAYS told the troops that the sacrifice to the gods showed good omens for the coming battle?! Like, if the sacrifice was showing bad omens I doubt they would tell their troops “Hey guys, so the ritual sacrifice….doesnt look good. The gods are not with us today. Ok, well. Form up and get into battle positions. 😅”

[@analogalbacore7166]

Very funny thanks

[@ingold1470]

There are some parts of Anabasis where the omens are unfavourable.. but this is usually a reason to delay a fight, or avoid a certain path

[@americanpig-dog7051]

There's an account of a white man captured by Comanche who was spared his life because the medicine man said the great spirit (or whatever name they called it but I think that's close) said he was needed as his assistant. He lived under this guy's tutelage for years before he could escape. During this time, the medicine man wasn't overtly kind but displayed a fondness for him. He said he saw enough of the medicine man to come to believe that he didn't believe all of the crap he told the tribe. He just enjoyed the life of a medicine man/shaman. He didn't have to go on the warpath. He didn't have to farm with the women. He just went around gathering herbs and had more power than anyone, even the chief.

[@nezperce2767]

Plataies battle or even earlier the preparations in Avlida, or king Kodros case, would give you an idea how they ve faced all kinds of omens and give a different view that contrast yours

[@rightfeelI]

they did tell when the omen were bad and most of the times they didn't fight those battles I'm not sure this is true but I've read somewhere that sometimes when the battle was surely going to happen they didn't sacrifice to see the omen and it makes sense it doesn't matter if it's good or bad you should fight it so why bother

[@jaimesilva-uq1dh]

Thank you for such a great job, I’m new to this channel and I’m enjoying every episode I have watched so far.

[@cyber_gothicc]

The tension as the advisor rode up at 2:15ish and told them they had to form ranks after 3 days of marching was so fucking ridiculous.And they just routed? Holy shit.

[@russgarthwaite4566]

Really enjoyed this tysm !

[@damianlaughlin7063]

Crying in the club rn imagining me n the homies dying together in battle

[@Veronika7777]

Liked and subbed! Very well done, thank you. 💜

[@QueenChristine826]

That was a great narrative! I'm going to see if I can get my hands on that book.

[@thucydides7849]

Use thift books, you can find a used copy for cheap.

[@MickSchwager-gu5wp]

Wow this looks great thanks mate

[@the_phaistos_disk_solution]

Extraordinary as always.

[@mahmoodali5043]

protect this channel at all costs

[@sleepingbee8997]

This is wonderful, I'd be down for a whole series of The Anabasis.

[@robertboyle2573]

Epic stuff!

[@TrevorsMailbox]

As an ancient coin collector I appreciate the use the coins...that you've now forced me to purchase! Amazing video as always.

[@papertoyss]

This needs more episodes

[@paulheinrichdietrich9518]

"We Greeks did not suffer a single caualty in this encounter". That's hard to believe.

[@Metalicss]

Not really, their heavy armor protected them well, and modern historians think that the Persian wing they opposed knew that they were unbeatable (or beatable with a high cost), and thus played the roll of a decoy which only kept them occupied in a constant advance. As such, it was natural that they wouldn't commit.

[@paulheinrichdietrich9518]

@@Metalicss Makes sense but what about arrowfire? Granted the Greeks were heavily armoured but no doubt at least a few would have been killed or wonded by them, no? Certainly a few more than that single casualty Xenophon mentions source mentions.

[@christermi]

​@@paulheinrichdietrich9518 almost all the casualties in ancient battles were a result of one army routing another. The death toll was limited otherwise, especially in the case of the Greek heavy infantry.

[@paulheinrichdietrich9518]

@@christermi I know, it's just that the toll of a single casualty after being showered with arrows and javelins seems ridiculously low, unless Xenophon was being hyperbolic.

[@pimpompoom93726]

This is from Xenophon's 'Anabasis: The march up country'. Great book.

[@ChrisSmith-lo2kp]

the movie The Warriors was evidently inspired by the Anabasis

[@mikejrSAA]

Artaxerxes... come out and PLAYYYYEEEYYYYYAYYYY

[@jdee8407]

So was the movie The Wild Geese. And it involved a large force of mercenaries.

[@alib3148]

Im certain that this is my favorite channel on KZbin

[@vikingskuld]

Great video thank you

[@hondakubo9399]

What a brilliant channel 🏹 this channel is dope 🛡️⚔️❤️❤️ more like this plz 🙏🙏🙏

[@reeyees50]

Your narration is something else great video

[@colonelkilling2425]

Great video!

[@BranSant]

This deserves a movie!!

[@dimitristripakis7364]

The hymn to Apollo, before the battle, the pean, was worded something like: "You who live on the sacred Pythian rock, whose name the oracle speaks under the laurel, Athena stands in front of your temple in your honour, and all Gods honor you with gifts, Neptune in his temple, Dionysus every 3 years (note: it means some celebration which I don't remember), and Artemis with her dogs, guarding your land. ...etc .etc (there is more)" Such is the style of that "song", it heavily refers to Delphi, where the oracle named Pythia or Pyhto offered "Apollo's advice" on various matters to important people (with a fee, of course). There were also other paean, not for Apollo, before the battles.

[@djm24able]

This is absolutely incredible incredible incredible what a treat.

[@Hannibal13]

This is what I live for!

[@neutralfellow9736]

superb stuff

[@MysticChronicles712]

The Anabasis stands as a remarkable piece of Western literature, and it's puzzling why this epic historical account has yet to be adapted into a film. I hope any future adaptation takes inspiration from films like 'Waterloo,' a Soviet masterpiece, rather than risking the Hollywood treatment

[@tl9525]

Did you write this same comment twice off two different accounts?

[@peachsncream5808]

For me …It’s the unspoken aspects of these kinds of historical events I find interesting to ponder . What did these soldiers eat each day during the campaigns - what where their body types like … how old was the oldest soldier - how young was the youngest soldier . Did they spend their time sharpening their weapons between each day’s battle . Did they take and use the weapons from their opponents during the battles . Did they carry the meat they needed As they marched to war ….or did they take living animals that followed along as living meat supplies so they didn’t have to carry it 🥩 🤔 .

[@blastfromthepast7119]

I bet they both carried food, or had someone who carried food, and tgey were followed by animals to slaughter. Plus hunting if time allowed. Body types, i think it is no mistake ancient statues look like they do. These men wouldve looked like the average fit guy of todays society, some wouldve been monsters, very few wouldve been feeble.

[@LandersWorkshop]

If you read the Anabasis it mentions that markets were often held by the local populace for armies on the march to buy stuff.

[@thecocktailian2091]

There are copious amounts of texts that describe the logistics of a marching army, from antiquity through all time. Point being, its basically the same for every army and every period. JP Roth has a good one on the Roman armies.

[@martindice5424]

I have always thought that Artaxerxes (with the advice of his tame Greek military adviser) had used the ‘flight’ of his left wing to deliberately draw the Greek mercenaries out of position.

[@ingold1470]

It seems likely, but it's odd that he failed to destroy the isolated mercs afterwards. I suppose just as the Greeks misunderstood the feigned retreat, Artaxerxes misunderstood the Greek military hierarchy, and thought that killing Clearchus would reduce the army to a rabble.

[@bigsarge2085]

Incredible account!

[@4729Punisher]

Imagine visiting one of these battle grounds and finding armor, weapons, food, gold, all kinds of cool stuff from 1k to 2k years ago.

[@17-MASY]

AKA Archeology

[@jdee8407]

They are usually totally looted back then. If the battle site was anywhere close to a village or people.

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

The Anabasis of Cyrus is an amazing read.

[@jaxonschitoskey]

Love these videos

[@chrisball3778]

There's no real reason to dispute his account of the battle of Cunaxa, as related here, but Xenophon is an extremely suspect source. Anabasis isn't actually written as Xenophon's memoir. It's basically a long piece of Xenophon Fanfic, ostensibly written by some dude called 'Themistogenes of Syracuse' who probably never existed. Xenophon himself appears constantly in the book, but is always mentioned in the third person. The ruse never fooled anybody, and the book's been attributed to Xenophon ever since ancient times. Xenophon fans have often said that Xenophon pretended to be some rando when writing it because of his innate modesty or something, but that's nonsense- he clearly wrote it like that to make himself look good and thought it would seem more credible coming from a supposedly neutral party. Every time the Greeks do something good like win a battle, Xenophon's right in the middle of it and deserves all the credit. Every time they do something bad, like sack a friendly city, it's not Xenophon's fault because they'd temporarily voted him out of command just before doing it. He goes to great lengths to stress that the rumours that Xenophon wanted to use the Greek army to make himself king of a chunk of Asia Minor are completely false, then grudgingly admits that well, maybe he thought about doing it, but he didn't do it in the end, so it doesn't matter anyway. It's all really, really sus. There is even one passage in it which is possibly the earliest version of the 'and everybody clapped' meme- literally. He tells a story about how some guy whines about the fact Xenophon gets to ride a horse, while he has to walk with a heavy shield. Xenophon jumps off the horse, grabs the guy's shield and runs ahead twice as fast. All the other guys there laugh at the first guy and throw rocks at him because he's such a loser and Xenophon is so fantastic. It's all just so, very, very sus.

[@salj.5459]

Bro was writing his own propaganda

[@proof4469]

very amongus

[@ingold1470]

The translation I read admits that he nearly exhausted himself doing that last stunt, but at least it had the intended effect. Did Xenophon make any bids for political office?

[@renatopereira2315]

@@ingold1470 No. Xenophon was not liked much in his own city of Athens not least because he was a disciple of Socrates (who had been executed for various crimes) and also because he was an enemy of the democracy. He ended up exiled in the Spartan countryside (which he very much enjoyed).

[@renatopereira2315]

Its funny that you say that because in some of his other books one could say quite the opposite. For example in the Hellenika (probably his most influential book anyway) he gives the account of how some Athenian cavalrymen were publicly honored by the city for their bravery and service in battle. A quite great honor. One of those who died and was honored was his own son a detail which he hides, we know it was his son from other sources. That is a very clear example of the humility he is many times attributed.

[@threecrownsantiques9376]

This is amazing thank you! ❤

[@thedeesus4249]

It’s hard to say that that was the best one yet, but I think it was.

[@JimmyStiffFingers]

I can recommend listening to the Anabasis. It's a great listen.

[@houseofsuren510]

Sounds like the Greeks were still not aware of the traditional feigned retreat tactic of the Iranians. Romans would finally wise up at Carrhae in 53 BC.

[@oliverkey1435]

Oh yes, I’m going to enjoy this

[@noahlogue]

Holy crap I'm excited.

[@louplayssongs9508]

I require an entire reading of this story!

[@kaarlimakela3413]

That was frikkin amaaaazing! Wow, Cyrus II, legendary. If that battle had swung the other way ... how that might have changed things. Maybe Alexander wouldn't have inherited such resentment of Persia enough to go on his rampage 😆 Who can say ... ?

[@ramtin5152]

*Cyrus III

[@HarvestMoonHowl]

Just imagine how much warfare has changed, over the millennia. In modern times it's still ugly. A vast machine that chews through every soldier hoisted towards it. Rifles, explosives, and sometimes incendiaries are the weapons of choice on the ground. If you're lucky, you either survive or suffer a death you never see coming. But in ancient times it was vastly different from what we've become accustomed to. Almost as soon as we started living in organized, permanent settlements and learned how to shape copper or bronze, there was a need for defense. Or attack. You could be facing a wall of warriors or professional soldiers with vastly different equipment, physiques and skill sets. But one constant remained: You were going to be pushed towards them, and you would have to watch people die up close or be killed, yourself. Perhaps both. Either way, it was going to be visceral and bloody with nowhere to hide.

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

I'd rather fight with rifles than be in a phalanx. As someone who has killed with both knife and gun, I would say ancient battle must have been much more brutal. Idk why but there is something much more visceral about killing someone with a knife or other hand held weapon. There is a lot more blood with bladed weapons than with rifles unless you get with .50cal. 50 bmg takes off limbs and makes heads explode. The worst way to die IMO in modern warfare would be death by thermobaric munitions. Ancient warfare was pure butchery, I commend their bravery. "It takes a real man to wait and hold his ground while the spears fall like scythes, slashing through the ranks of the brave."

[@HarvestMoonHowl]

@@huwhitecavebeast1972 Agreed.

[@mithrandirthegrey7644]

@@huwhitecavebeast1972 You have to be close enough to watch the life leave the eyes' of the man you just stabbed if you kill up close. Guns make impersonal. It must feel horrible. Every time I hunt I take a moment of silence when I get close to the body of the animal that I killed and think to myself that I have taken a life. Must have even more of an affect with a fellow human being.

[@user-zi7kp8un3s]

@@huwhitecavebeast1972fascinating comment if you don’t mind me asking when did you kill someone with a knife and why

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

@@user-zi7kp8un3s The knife was self defense in a country where I was not permitted to carry a firearm. I was attacked with a knife in a robbery gone wrong, and my assailant did not realize I had trained FMA for 15 years. Reflexes and training from FMA took over and the guy was on the ground bleeding out in seconds, probably dead near as I could tell within a minute. Yes you can lose your life that fast in a knife attack. Slashing the carotid artery you will bleed out in 30 seconds. I didn't escape without injury either, as shortly after it was over I realized I was bleeding as well. Somehow he wound up stabbing me through my hand. I didn't even feel it but his knife went clean through I was like wow that a lot of blood coming out my hand. Had to get stitches and later go to court to get declared self defense. Def different than you would be treated in a western country. You do not want to go court in a foreign country for any infraction, you quickly find out you have no rights, other than what they decide to grace you with. Anyway, I have that on my conscience, I shouldn't feel bad but somehow I do.

[@dentzer81ify]

Could you imagine standing there and 1st seeing the dust cloud then the enemy army

[@reo442]

Thanks

[@deuteronimus750]

With almost a million subscribers and many Patreon members and making videos with unfamiliar names and places, would you consider proividing closed captions for videos?

[@averycannon5240]

This is so insane

[@philpeck6762]

This is a fascinating book! Xenophon of the Greeks

[@captaintyrrell6428]

Warriors! Come out to playeeee... Clink clink

[@baggelis_aikaterinis]

Θαλαττα θαλαττα !!!

[@archonjubael]

This was very very cool.

[@bobafettywap3170]

The march up country is one of my favorites.

[@kolawaleojomo6817]

I wonder, if Cyrus had been more cautious and won his war, what could have happened?

[@cringlator]

I think about that too, but I decided that Cyrus’ ambition and initiative is what put him so close to the throne to begin. A more cautious man wouldn’t have gotten killed on that charge, but a more cautious man would have never launched such a rebellion. It also almost worked out for him if he had been able to cut Artaxerxes deeper or in a more vital spot.

[@kolawaleojomo6817]

@@cringlator That's a fair point, may your spear not fail you at the moment of thrust. Okay that came out wrong 😂

[@Ostarrichi996]

Can you do a video on the mystical historic accounts from people at the Oracle of Delphi? Would be a nice add-on :) Thx lads for the great work since all these years! Cheers😀

[@natsune09]

I looked up the location of this battle, I would drive near (and probably through) the battlefield while I was in Iraq in 2005 with the US Army. I wish the internet then was the depository of information it is now.

[@lumburgapalooza]

Damn, Xerxes looked at the Hoplite phalanx and was like "FUCK that, have a nice walk home. Also we stole your shit and killed the guy who was supposed to pay you. Peace."

[@Psiros]

I can only imagine the PTSD these warriors had.

[@JL-tm3rc]

Ptsd is usually associated with little exposure to violence. Kids who know how to butcher or hunt animals have less chances of ptsd as an adult

[@LandersWorkshop]

They say the wine before battle often helped subdue the mind's delicate nature to such horrors...

[@wilcowen]

​@@JL-tm3rc there's a big difference between hunting animals and killing humans

[@JL-tm3rc]

@@wilcowen it is a step. Being familiar with the gruesome death of animals. Many who suffer ptsd did not even kill anyone. They just saw someone who died violently

[@muffaletta]

brillant!

[@Degenevesting]

Ayooooo Xenophon was a legend

[@aokiaoki4238]

Trully Epic