Xen. A I. 10 - The end is nigh

Greek Learning Greek
1

I’m now working on Xen. A I 10.17-19, the final paragraphs of Book I, and am wondering where to go next. G. Steadman’s website doesn’t mention Book 2, instead has this word of caution: <<If you are new to the Anabasis, I recommend that you read Books 1 and 4 before you consider Book 3.>> Any idea why and what are the pitfalls? And why no sign of Book 2?

I really enjoy the Anabasis and wouldn’t really want to continue with it out of sequence.

Would the following books offer sufficient support to tackle Book 2?

Smyth Greek Grammar
Mather/Hewitt: Xenophon’s Anabasis Books I-IV
J.F. Macmichael: The Anabasis of Xenophon [I-VII] (London, 1881)
Xenophon: The First Three Books of Xenophon’s Anabasis With Explanatory Notes, and References to Hadley’s and Kuhner’s Greek Grammars, and to Goodwin’s Greek Map of the Route of the Ten Thousand
The English translations of C.L. Brownson (Loeb) and H.G. Dakyns.
Plus access to various grammars and dictionaries.

Your thoughts?

2

I think you should read book 2 if you’re motivated to do so. It’s been a while since I read the Anabasis, but I’ve just skimmed through book 2 and I don’t think there’s anything too bad in there. There’s maybe more dialogue than in books 1 and 4, and it’s true that in general dialogue is more difficult than narrative, but again, nothing unmanageable.

Book 4 is probably the most exciting part of the Anabasis, and contains its most famous moment, which is possibly why i’s recommended as the next step. But book 2 also has its moments - I remember really enjoying the last chapter in particular.

3

I am on my second read through of Anabasis, and see no reason not to read it in sequence. Some of the dialogue gets tough in Book 3, but really it’s nothing too bad and it is so well paced and free flowing that it’s not such a big issue.

4

Thanks for your words of encouragement and pointing out dialogue generally being more diffiult than narrative. Good to be thus forearmed! - Fred

5

Thank you Andriko. I find the story itself and the geopolitics of that period fascinating. And having words of encouragement from you and MattK I think I’ll go ahead with Book 2. I am bound to find out soon enough if I have bitten off too much - when it’s time to go for Plan B.

6

I read all four books using Mather and Hewitt. I liked the edition.

7

I found Mather&Hewitt most helpful for book one.