The Cavalry General

Xenophon, 431 BCE-350？ BCEProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.3

Word count: 78K words
Chapters: 8

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Cavalry General by XenophonAuthor: Xenophon, 431 BCE-350? BCE,Language: English, Class: UE: Military science: Cavalry, Armor, Release Date: Jan 1, 1998

Editor's review

The Cavalry General is Xenophon's practical manual on cavalry command and combat organization, complementing his On Horsemanship. The work centers on the duties of a cavalry commander: how to train and organize the unit, plan marches and reconnaissance, choose positions, maintain discipline and morale, and make judgments under different terrain and enemy conditions. Xenophon had practical military experience, and his discussion is concrete and clearly organized, with few abstractions and much actionable advice, making it a primary source for understanding ancient Greek cavalry tactics and military management. The Gutenberg English public-domain edition is freely available and suits thematic reading for enthusiasts of military and classical warfare history. This is not a narrative military history, nor a modern work of military theory; readers should understand it in the context of fourth-century BCE Greek city-state warfare and avoid applying it directly to modern military scenarios.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in ancient Greek military history and cavalry tactics
Researchers of classical military thought who need primary sources
Readers who enjoy practical ancient manuals and are interested in organizational management
Teachers and students who need thematic materials for courses on the history of warfare

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a continuous narrative of military history or character-driven stories
Readers interested only in modern military theory and lacking classical background
Those hoping for detailed illustrations and tactical diagrams

Reading tips

First learn the basic equipment and fighting methods of fourth-century BCE Greek cavalry, then approach the text.
Take notes by area of responsibility, such as training, marching, reconnaissance, and battlefield command, to grasp its management approach.
Read it alongside Xenophon's On Horsemanship, distinguishing the rider's skills from the commander's duties.
When reading specific advice, imagine scenarios involving terrain and enemy conditions, and avoid judging it out of context.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a military history narrative or a military manual?

It is closer to a military manual, focusing on the duties and methods of a cavalry commander, including formation, marching, reconnaissance, discipline, and battlefield judgment, rather than recounting the course of a particular battle. It should be read as a practical guide and institutional material, not as a narrative military history.

What background knowledge is needed before reading?

A basic understanding of the composition of ancient Greek city-state armies, the role of cavalry in warfare at the time, and the fourth-century BCE Greek military environment in which Xenophon lived will make it easier to understand the practical relevance of the book's advice. Readers with no classical background may first read a concise introduction to Greek military history.

How reliable is the Gutenberg edition's text?

This edition is an English public-domain electronic text, convenient for free reading and searching and suitable for general study and comparison. However, it usually lacks the detailed notes and textual criticism of a modern translator; for serious research or citation, key passages should be checked against an authoritative annotated translation.

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About the author

Xenophon, 431 BCE-350？ BCE Author

Xenophon (c. 431–c. 350 BCE) was an ancient Greek historian, military commander and prose writer. Public information about the details of his life is limited, and his works are the main basis for understanding him and his thought. The collection holds 20 of his works, including Anabasis, Hellenica, Cyropaedia and The Memorabilia. These writings combine historical narrative, military memoir and philosophical dialogue; their style is clear and plain, their narration concrete and vivid, and they are especially notable for firsthand accounts of campaigns he experienced. His works have long circulated as important sources for the study of ancient Greek politics, warfare and thought, and have influenced later historical writing and educational ideas.