Anabasis

/əˈnæbəsɪs/ noun

Definition

A military expedition or march, especially one involving an advance inland or a strategic retreat; famous from Xenophon's account of the Greek 10,000's escape from Persia.

Etymology

From Greek 'ana-' (up, back) + 'basis' (a going). Xenophon used this term for the 5th-century BCE retreat of Greek mercenaries from the heart of Persia, and the word became synonymous with dramatic military narratives.

Kelly Says

Xenophon's 'Anabasis' (written around 380 BCE) is still assigned in military colleges worldwide because the 10,000 Greeks survived surrounded by enemies through leadership and courage—making it maybe the most influential retreat story ever written.

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