March of the 10,000

Recorded by Xenophon, the 10,000 were a force of Greek mercenaries employed by Cyrus the Younger, with the aim of taking back the Persian Empire from his brother, Artaxexes. Travelling over 1,766 miles to the north of Babylon, where forces eventually clashed at the Battle of Cunaxa, Cyrus ultimately perished in the battle leaving the Greeks stranded and leaderless.Choosing to flee the scene rather than see themselves become slaves to the Persians, the Greeks began the perilous journey back to their homeland.In this episode, Tristan is joined by Owen Rees from Manchester Metropolitan University, to talk about the March of the 10,000 and the carnage they left in their wake.For more Ancients content, subscribe to our Ancients newsletter here. If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today!