The Education of Cyrus (Agora Editions) - Softcover

Xenophon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801487501 ISBN 13: 9780801487507

Publisher: Cornell University Press, 2001

Synopsis

"The Education of Cyrus is a major work of classical political philosophy that provides a portrait of extraordinary political ambition.... Ambler's precise translation makes it possible to engage in a close textual reading that establishes Xenophon as an important political thinker."―Translation Review

Xenophon's masterpiece, The Education of Cyrus, is a work that was admired by Machiavelli for its lessons on leadership. Also known as the Cyropaedia, this philosophical novel is loosely based on the accomplishments of Cyrus the Great, founder of the vast Persian Empire that later became the archrival of the Greeks in the classical age. It offers an extraordinary portrait of political ambition, talent, and their ultimate limits. The writings of Xenophon are increasingly recognized as important works of political philosophy.

In The Education of Cyrus, Xenophon confronts the vexing problem of political instability by exploring the character and behavior of the ruler. Impressive though his successes are, however, Cyrus is also examined in the larger human context, in which love, honor, greed, revenge, folly, piety, and the search for wisdom all have important parts to play. Wayne Ambler's translation captures the charm and drama of the work while also achieving great accuracy.

His introduction, annotations, and glossary help the reader to appreciate both the engaging story itself and the volume's contributions to philosophy.

About this title

About the Author

Wayne Ambler is Associate Professor and Director of the Herbst Program of Humanities at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

From the Back Cover

"I'm delighted, even profoundly moved, by Wayne Ambler's new translation of The Education of Cyrus. For the first time this entrancing book will be available in trustworthy English; we get fresh and reliable access to Xenophon's timeless portrait, perhaps the best ever, of extraordinary political ambition."--Robert Faulkner, Boston College

"Xenophon's The Education of Cyrus is a political masterpiece on the order of Machiavelli's The Prince. Xenophon makes Cyrus, his exemplary king, a worthy rival to Socrates, his ideal philosopher. This precise new translation is most welcome."--David O'Connor, University of Notre Dame

"At a time of renewed interest in Xenophon, and The Education of Cyrus in particular, Wayne Ambler has produced the most accurate and useful English translation to date. Only with this definitive translation can students profitably engage in the kind of close textual reading necessary to make sense of Xenophon as an important political thinker."--Christopher Nadon, Trinity College, Author of Xenophon's Prince: Republic and Empire in the Cyropaedia

"At long last, Xenophon's masterpiece is available in an absolutely reliable translation that conveys even the charms of the original: clarity and grace, profundity and levity. An exemplary rendering of a marvelous book."--Robert Bartlett, Emory University

"The Education of Cyrus is a major work of classical political philosophy and Wayne Ambler's very impressive English translation is far superior to any other that I have seen."--Peter Ahrensdorf, Davidson College

Edition details

• Publisher: Cornell University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801487501
• ISBN 13: 9780801487507
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320