Xenophon

Born around 425 BC, the Athenian Xenophon lived through the most exciting period in Athenian history. A versatile student of Socrates, he spent much of his life in exile. He worshipped the Spartan king Agesilaos and glorified Persian culture, which he visualised in his major work, the Cyropaedia. In Xenophon, the modern reader encounters a personality whose linguistic skills and achievements make him a model for non-violent conflict resolution in various situations in life. His political and economic experience and his proposals for resourceful land use make him a serious interlocutor even today.