Books by Xenophon

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Agesilaus

Written by Xenophon

"Agesilaus" by Xenophon is a posthumous biography written shortly after 360-359 BC. This ancient Greek encomium celebrates Agesilaus II, the Spartan king who served as Xenophon's patron. Written by someone who fought alongside his subject, the work portrays Agesilaus as a brilliant military tactician and moral exemplar. Through accounts of battles, strategic victories, and personal conduct, Xenophon explores Greek ideals of leadership, virtue, and excellence, presenting the Spartan ruler as the perfect embodiment of these values.

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Categories: Biographies History - Ancient History - Royalty History - Warfare

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Hellenica

Written by Xenophon

"Hellenica" by Xenophon is a history written between approximately 362-356 BC. This work continues where Thucydides left off, chronicling Greek history from 411 to 362 BC through the final years of the Peloponnesian War and its turbulent aftermath. Xenophon narrates the power struggle between Athens and Sparta, the clash between democracy and oligarchy, and the shifting dominance of Greek city-states. The narrative ends with the Battle of Mantineia, leaving Greece in chaos and uncertainty, with history's next chapter yet unwritten.

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Categories: History - Ancient History - Warfare

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Hiero

Written by Xenophon

"Hiero" by Xenophon is a dialogue written around 474 BC. Set as a conversation between Hiero, tyrant of Syracuse, and the poet Simonides, it explores whether a tyrant's life is truly more pleasant than a commoner's. Drawing from experience in both positions, Hiero challenges common assumptions about power and happiness, revealing the hidden miseries of tyranny—the violence, fear, and impossible longing for genuine love and praise that trap rulers in their positions.

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Categories: Classics Philosophy & Ethics

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On Horsemanship

Written by Xenophon

"On Horsemanship" by Xenophon is a treatise written around 355 BC. This ancient Greek guide offers practical wisdom on selecting, training, and caring for horses. Xenophon examines everything from evaluating a young colt's conformation to breaking horses with patience rather than punishment. His advice on soundness, temperament, and proper training methods reveals a remarkably humane approach that resonates with modern horsemanship principles, making this one of the earliest and most influential works on equestrian arts.

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Categories: History - Ancient How To ... Sports/Hobbies

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On Revenues

Written by Xenophon

"On Revenues" by Xenophon is an essay written in 355 BC. Addressed to Athens's Council of Five Hundred after the city's defeat in the Social War, this work proposes economic reforms to rescue Athens from financial ruin. Xenophon argues that Athens can sustain itself through peaceful trade and commerce rather than warfare and empire. His proposals include attracting foreign residents, expanding silver mining operations, and establishing Athens as a commercial center—a vision for prosperity through peace rather than conquest.

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Categories: Economics History - Ancient

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The Apology

Written by Xenophon

"The Apology" by Xenophon is a Socratic dialogue written about the trial of Socrates in 399 BC. The work presents Socrates's legal defense against charges of corrupting Athenian youth and impiety. Based on accounts from Hermogenes, who attended the trial, Xenophon portrays Socrates's boastful speaking manner as deliberate strategy. The philosopher argues that death is preferable to senility and humbling oneself before unjust persecution. This interpretation contrasts notably with Plato's more famous account of the same trial.

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Categories: Classics History - Ancient Philosophy & Ethics

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The Cavalry General

Written by Xenophon

"The Cavalry General" by Xenophon is a treatise written around 350 BC. This ancient Greek military manual focuses on the duties and responsibilities of the cavalry commander, known as the hipparchus. Written by a soldier and historian with firsthand experience, it offers practical guidance on leading mounted forces in battle. For centuries, it stood as the earliest known work on horsemanship until an even older Hittite text was discovered in 1931.

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Categories: History - Ancient History - Warfare

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The Economist

Written by Xenophon

"The Economist" by Xenophon is a Socratic dialogue written around 362 BC. It explores household management and agriculture through conversations between Socrates and two Athenians. The work examines what constitutes true wealth, the art of managing property and slaves, and the education of wives. Through the gentleman-farmer Ischomachus, Xenophon presents ideas about gender roles, rural life, and leadership that have sparked debate among scholars—some viewing the text as patriarchal, others seeing proto-feminist elements, and many detecting layers of irony throughout.

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The Memorabilia

Written by Xenophon

"The Memorabilia" by Xenophon is a collection of Socratic dialogues probably completed after 371 BC. This defense of Socrates offers edifying examples of his conversations and activities, countering charges of impiety and corrupting youth. Unlike Plato's philosophical inquiries, Xenophon presents a practical Socrates who emphasizes self-control and benefits friends through down-to-earth advice. The work profoundly influenced Cynic and Stoic philosophy, featuring early examples of the Argument from Design and Natural Law theory.

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The Symposium

Written by Xenophon

"The Symposium" by Xenophon is a Socratic dialogue written in the late 360s B.C. Set at an aristocratic dinner party in 422 B.C., the work follows Socrates and his companions as they gather to honor a young athletic victor. Between acrobatic performances and jesting, the guests engage in playful yet philosophical discussions about what they value most—from beauty and matchmaking to poverty and divine favor. Beneath the witty banter lies deeper exploration of wisdom, virtue, and desire, while the assembled company harbors ironies that contemporary readers would have recognized.

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Suggested age, readers, English difficulty and US school grade are separate labels. Age groups are guidance based on source information or editorial review; unreviewed books are “Not assessed”. A US grade is assigned only with source information or a documented assessment; otherwise it is “Not assessed”. Levels use A1–C2 to indicate reading difficulty. StoryWeaver levels 1/2/3/4 use our approximate A1/A2/B1/B2 guide, labelled “estimated”; this is not an official equivalence. A book-specific assessment takes priority. Other unassessed books are labelled “Not assessed”. Source StoryWeaver levels are retained separately. Classics retain their original English.