In case you couldn't tell, I've really been into ancient Greece lately. After hearing about it a couple times in other books, I decided to read Xenophon's Anabasis, or 'The March Up Country,' the story of the Ten Thousand. It's a fascinating book, not least because it's a primary source and firsthand account from near 2500 years ago. Let's just say life was more than just a little different back then. What most drew me is the fact it's one of the craziest adventures in human history.
Alright, this all takes place right in middle of the classical era of Greece (~500-300 BC), right around 400 BC. This is follows the Peloponnesian War, where Sparta ascended over Athens as Greek hegemon, if you care about those things. But none of this true story actually takes place in Greece, it's mostly instead within the then expansive Persian (Achaemenid) Empire.
Here's the quick version. At the time the Persian King of Kings was Artaxerxes II, great-grandson of Xerxes the Great. His brother, called Cyrus the Younger, satrap in modern-day Turkey, had designs on the throne himself and raised an army to take it. Some were personally loyal to him but a large chunk (~ten thousand) were mercenaries from Greece, the best heavy infantry in the world. Most of the Greeks (or 'Hellenes') didn't initially know the plan was regicide, but after figuring it out they were convinced to continue in hopes of fortune and glory. Following a march that took them nearly all the way to Babylon, the armies of Artaxerxes and Cyrus met at Cunaxa in 401 BC. The Greek phalanx routed the bulk of the Persian army and were virtually unscathed. They were fully convinced they'd won the battle. Meanwhile Cyrus went after the king and was killed, ending any hopes for a positive outcome for the mercenaries. They were now stranded deep within Persian territory and surrounded.
Almost all of the story of the Ten Thousand takes place after Cunaxa and entails their long journey home. The majority did made it back to Greek territory alive, though the journey was unbelievably arduous. They faced multiple Persian armies, betrayal by former allies, various people groups that didn't want them passing through and difficulties of the terrain like rivers, mountains and snow. They took a long, indirect route, did a ton of fighting and were constantly in need of enough food for their large numbers. Perhaps the most interesting aspect was how they functioned as a democratic army. They voted on how to proceed along the way and at times hotly debated different options. Most of the journey back they were led by Xenophon, an Athenian, who through cleverness and oratory skill kept the group together and later provided the account of everything that happened.
What was likely my favorite part immediately followed Cyrus' death. The Persians clearly didn't want to again try attacking the Greeks head-on but also wanted them gone. Instead they treated and an emissary of the king demanded the Greeks give up their weapons. The Greeks had none of it.
From Proxenus the Thebean:
'For my part, I marvel if the king demands our arms as our master, or for the sake of friendship merely, as presents. If as our master, why need he ask for them rather than come and take them? But if he would fain wheedle us out of them by fine speeches, he should tell us what the soldiers will receive in turn for such kindness.'
From Theopompus the Athenian:
'at this instant, as you yourself can see, we have nothing left but our arms and our valour. If we keep the former we imagine we can make use of the latter; but if we deliver up our arms we shall presently be robbed of our lives. Do not suppose then that we are going to give up to you the only good things which we possess. We prefer to keep them; and by their help we will do battle with you for the good things which are yours.'
From Clearchus the Lacedaemonian (Spartan), their leader at this time:
'Well, this is our answer, take it back. We conceive that in either case, whether we are expected to be friends with the king, we shall be worth more as friends if we keep our arms than if we yield them to another; or whether we are to go to war, we shall fight better with them than without.'
I love the defiance and the reasoning employed. They made the right choice and most of them ultimately survived because of it.
While reading this I had to wonder why this hadn't become a movie or something. But it turns out there is one, well kind of. In this case the Ten Thousand was more an inspiration than something directly adapted (something I'd still love to see!). The Warriors (1979) takes place in then present-day New York and is all about territorial street gangs. We follow a small group stranded a long way from home with everyone out to get (i.e. kill) them. Their journey in many ways mirrors that of Xenophon's mercenaries, or that was the idea anyway. This is one of those insane 70s high-wire thrillers that's not for everyone but is certainly memorable, particularly the famous 'Warriors... come out and plaeeay' scene.
I'll take this one step farther. Though I infrequently watch and rarely like more recent Simpsons, they did do a great spoof on the Warriors somewhat recently (<10 years ago). The music, radio announcements, visuals on the subway ride and mock gangs are awesome and I needed to include it. The video below is a compilation, with the best part starting at 40 seconds, though there's a bunch of other mildly amusing callbacks the rest of the way too.
That's all for today. I loved reading Anabasis and now I also appreciate the Warriors a little more because of it.
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