Anabasis III

Anabasis III (1954) by G.H. Nall
Macmillan
ISBN: None (because in the 1950s, a scholarly Greek text didn’t need a barcode—it already had centuries of authority and the faint smell of chalk dust).
Condition: Good (which, in the dialect of Crappy Old Books, means this copy has survived exams, annotations, and the odd despairing sigh from a classics undergraduate, but still stands ready for another campaign).

Xenophon’s Anabasis is the grand tale of ten thousand stranded Greek mercenaries hacking, marching, and occasionally philosophising their way out of Persia. Book III—presented here in G.H. Nall’s trusty Macmillan edition—marks the turning point: the generals are treacherously slain, morale is in tatters, and the army faces annihilation. Into this chaos steps Xenophon himself, philosopher-soldier and reluctant leader, rallying the men with equal parts pep talk, practical strategy, and sheer audacity.

Nall’s edition offers the Greek text with ample notes, vocabulary, and grammatical guidance—because nothing says “epic survival story” like pausing to parse the aorist middle participle. It’s half gripping adventure, half stern classroom companion, perfect for anyone who likes their peril laced with philology.

Inside you’ll find:

• Armies stranded in enemy territory with no exit strategy (sound familiar?).

• Xenophon’s inspirational speeches, proving classics majors can rise to leadership in a crisis.

• Treachery, battle, cold mountains, and the sense that the gods are watching with popcorn.

• Margin notes designed to remind students that Greek is a marathon, not a sprint.

Perfect for:

• Readers who want their history with swords in one hand and syntax in the other.

• Collectors of the indestructible Macmillan Greek texts, survivors of classrooms everywhere.

• Anyone who suspects they too could lead an army… if only they’d finished their translation homework.

At Crappy Old Books, we’re proud to offer this copy in Good condition. The spine stands firm, the text is clear, and the only blisters are metaphorical. Think of it as your marching orders from antiquity—no sandals required.

This is an ex-school book from Old Palace school in Croydon.

Keep browsing: See more Ancient Classics books Other books by GH Nall