The Defeat of Cyrus

Darius II of Persia died, leaving sons Artaxerxes and Cyrus who disputed the throne. Cyrus hired 11,000 Greeks under Clearchus. At Cunaxa, Cyrus was killed. The Greeks kept fighting until Artaxerxes promised safe return if they surrendered. The Greek officers went to a council and were all murdered. The Persian king told the army their leaders were dead and demanded surrender. In despair, the Greeks had no leaders, no money, no guides—eight months' journey from home in enemy territory. That night, while others moaned, Xenophon (a pupil of Socrates) thought of a plan. At dawn he explained they could form a compact body and retreat to the sea.