The Most Incredible Retreat in Ancient History (Anabasis, or the 10,000)

In 401 BCE, turmoil in the Achaemenid Persian Empire led to a contender of the throne, Cyrus the Younger, to muster an army of Greeks and Persians to defeat his brother.

Though the attempt was a failure, the 10,000 Greek Mercenaries survived the epic battle of Cunaxa intact, and these men, οἱ Μύριο (hoi Myrioi), went on to make history in one of the most incredible retreat stories ever recounted in the history of antiquity.

Led by Xenophon the philosopher/historian/solider, they campaigned for two years out of deep Persia from one danger to another, on their way home back to Greece.

Their story, recounted by Xenophon in his 'Anabasis' (literally, the march up) lays bare this epic in graphic detail, and frankly, it's a tragedy we don't yet have a film of it. Inspiring so many stories, imitations, military strategy, and later incredible feats, there are moments of pure brilliance in this work - not least of which is the famous cry of 'The Sea, The Sea!'.

So in the meantime, enjoy this video and the stories within, from Persian satraps and blistering winters to the proto-Kurdish mountain warriors and the Armenian mountains.

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Sources Used

Ancient Texts:
Ctesias - Persica (Περσικά)
Ephorus - Universal History
Pausanius - Description of Greece (Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις)
Plutarch - Life of Artaxerxes (Βίοι Παράλληλοι: Ἀρταξέρξης)
Plutarch - Life of Lysander (Βίοι Παράλληλοι: Λύσανδρος)
Thucydides - History of the Peloponnesian War
Xenophon - Anabasis (Ἀνάβασις)

Credits
If you see any of your artwork in the video, please let me know so I can give you credit!

Film, TV & Game Clips:
'Alexander' (2004) | Oliver Stone | Intermedia Films ©
'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' (2003) | Peter Jackson | New Line Cinema ©
'Rome: Total War' (2004) | Creative Assembly ©

Music:
All Music is licensed by Epidemic Sound

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
01:37 Turmoil in Persia
2:34 Anabasis
03:50 Battle of Cunaxa and the Death of Cyrus
08:18 The Great Retreat Begins
12:56 New Enemies
15:19 The Sea, The Sea!
17:25 Hellas, at Last

#Anabasis #AncientGreece #10k #greekhistory #military #militaryhistory #alexanderthegreat #ancientpersia #persia #achaemenidempire #ancientgreek #xenophon

[bigt]

The best book I’ve ever read. Xenophon is a man among men

[Andelip]

Wow, I'm a Kurd, our ancestors fought a great war with Xenophon's army in 400 BC, 2400 years ago, to protect their lands. The 5th section of Xenophon's work called Anabasis is very important for us Kurds. I was born in 1990 in a village where Xenophon's army passed through.

[stuka]

Not only is it a mystery why we haven't gotten a film about the "ten thousand" but pretty much non of the popular and big history channels here on youtube has even made a video on it. The story is one of the greatest military adventure and feats in all of history, it has everything that makes a great story; drama, danger, deceit, adventure, betrayal, survival, desperation, hope, redemption and revenge.

[davidhughes]

I have been seriously into the study of ancient military history for around fifty years now. I watch and rewatch documentaries on YouTube every evening.
I am always looking for the best channels.
And I do believe that I have just found an exceptional one.
Thank you my new friends.
I will be here.

[TheLacedaemonian]

I couldn't agree more, the Anabasis would make for an incredible movie, or even better, a series. I would say the same about the Sicilian Expedition by Athens. That one has a tragic ending though.
Great video, I loved it!!

[DesertAres]

Just two minor points. The army of Cyrus had to be much bigger than 15K, there were approx 13K Greek soldiers --10, 700 hoplites, 1, 600 Peltasts, 200 archers, 500 lightly armed soldiers for a total of 13K. Cyrus would have had to bring many more soldiers of his own satrapy, and pickup more non-greek mercenaries on the march from Sardis to Cunaxa. I know they wild exaggerate the numbers at ancient battles, but surely Cyrus was leading more than 15K total.
Also after the arrest of Klearchos and the other Greek high command, the army voted a number of generals to lead them, including Xenophon. Xenophon twice refused sole command at Harmene (Sinope) in Sept 400 BCE after twice receiving bad omens during sacrifice. The army then accepts Cheirisophos, a Spartan, who dies from medicine taken for a fever and the army accepts Neon, an Asinean. There are always a number of generals, and Xenophon writing in 3rd person does seem to suggest he is the general the army listens to for the best course to take and then blames him if others' jealousy decries him.
The Landmark Xenophon's Anabasis, Pantheon Books has more detail. 7 books, appendix A-W, translator notes, ancient sources, glossary, figure credits, index, reference maps.

[DarthVader-igci]

Seeing how the movie industry is treating history, its better they don't make a movie out Anabasis.

[Dvinik]

Love hearing those passages in ancient greek, it really adds to this amazing story to hear the words that Xenophon wrote down. Thank you for this video!

[Nihoolious]

Your readings in ancient languages really makes you stand out from other history channels. I hope more people like me manage to stumble upon your channel because its convinced me to watch the rest of your content.

[Hydrogen-Hyperoxide]

Then Theopompus, an Athenian, said: “Phalinus, at this moment, as you see for yourself, we have no other possession save arms and valour. Now if we keep our arms, we imagine that we can make use of our valour also, but if we give them up, that we shall likewise be deprived of our lives. Do not suppose, therefore, that we shall give up to you the only possessions that we have; rather, with these we shall do battle against you for your possessions as well.”.. I love this book. It was part of my school education.

[ashwinnmyburgh]

Just found this channel, love it! Also, awesome job with the Ancient Greek readings, very good and natural sounding. Also, this story is so epic, a movie could literally just show it exactly as written and it would be amazing, there's not even any need to exaggerate.

[krasserkaiuwe]

I just came from the audiobook "sparta- fear the sons of sparta" and the plottwists of the deaths of cyrus and clearchus completely caught me off guard. What a crazy story. Why is there no movie about this.

[animula]

I like the long passages. Gives me a chance to follow along and learn a little.

[droppedlung]

Awesome storytelling! Thanks for your effort 🙂

[POGAKAChaos]

Don't criticism your way of story telling in the video. I found it really jarring that you did this. I really enjoyed the parts you crisised your self on. It was really cool hearing the old tougue

[kevinkummerfield]

I love the Greek reading additions!! Amazing job, it adds so much more to the story, it sounds so epic!!

[mishkosimonovski]

This adventure probably gave Philip II, the crazy idea to attack the largest empire in the world.

[Ackibo]

The movie "The Warriors" was based on this story. A New York gang that has to fight their way back to their turf. Great movie.

[kingpriapatius]

Hello from Greece. Xenophon is one of my heroes, he opened the path for Alexander the Great.

[waltergibson]

I have always believed that Alexander the Great kept a copy of his book.