Cyropaedia: The Education of Cyrus

The Cyropaedia, also known as Cyropaedia: The Education of Cyrus, is an ancient Greek work attributed to the Athenian historian Xenophon, believed to have been written in the 4th century BC. It is a fictionalised biographical account of the life of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire. It presents an idealised account of Cyrus's upbringing, education, and rise to power, with an emphasis on his qualities as a wise and just ruler. The narrative follows Cyrus from his early days as a young prince to his conquests and rule as the king of Persia. Xenophon portrays Cyrus as a model leader who exhibits virtues such as wisdom, courage, and justice. The book explores themes of leadership, governance, and ethics, making it a significant work in the realm of political thought. While the Cyropaedia contains historical inaccuracies and is not a factual biography, it has been influential in the development of political philosophy and leadership studies. It has also been studied for its insights into the qualities and virtues of an ideal ruler and the principles of good governance.

This book has 118,571 words. This translation by Henry Graham Dakyns was originally published in 1890.

Production notes: This ebook of Cyropaedia: The Education of Cyrus was published by Global Grey in 2018, and updated on the 8th November 2023. The artwork used for the cover is 'Cyrus Restores the Treasures of the Temple' by Pieter Lastman.