Catabases

/kətəˈbeɪsiːz/ noun

Definition

Plural of catabasis; plural descents, especially the descent of troops or a narrative journey downward toward a destination.

Etymology

From Greek 'katabasis' (descent), from 'katabainein' (to descend), which combines 'kata-' (down) plus 'bainein' (to go).

Kelly Says

The most famous catabasis in literature is Xenophon's 'Anabasis'—which despite its name literally means 'going up,' the book is about a Greek army's march down from Persia through enemy territory to safety.

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