10,000 Soldiers, One Incredible Story: Discover Xenophon's Epic Perseverance

In 401 BC, Athens was a state in Greece with a strong army and many citizens were well trained to fight. Many were willing to work as mercenaries for whoever paid them well. At the same time there lived a 30-year-old gentleman called Xenophon, he was neither a soldier nor a mercenary. He was simply a rich man, living off his father's inheritance. He enjoyed philosophy and was good friends with Socrates. One day his friend who was recruiting mercenaries for Cyrus in Persia asked Xenophon to simply tag along. Xenophon happily agreed for the sake of thrill and adventure, he will not fight but simply be their philosopher. About 10,000 mercenaries marched from Athens to join Cyrus's army. Initially they were informed that they will be fighting against few local tribals but only after reaching Persia they realized that they are going to fight against Ataxerxes who was a very powerful king with a huge army. Initially they felt betrayed but Cyrus promised them more money as a result they agreed to fight. In the battle, at the very early stages itself Cyrus was killed, the war ended and the Greeks were left with no pay and surrounded by Xerxes's army. Xerxes said that he has no quarrel with the Greeks and asked them to leave immediately. He even gave them some supplies for the journey and appointed a captain to safely lead them out of Persia. They immediately started their journey back home and everything was ok until the Greeks started doubting their guide. The route was difficult than what they had earlier used and food supplies was running low, so they voiced their concerns to their guide. He told them that he will arrange a meeting with his higher officials and requested the higher officials from the mercenary army to come for the meeting. The captains reached the meeting spot, immediately they were arrested and beheaded. One person managed to escape, that was Xenophon. He quickly went back to his soldiers, informed them of the betrayal and they started their journey to escape from Persia and reach home immediately. As days passed by, food was low, local tribals kept attacking and the soldiers started to lose faith. Including Xenophon. One day in the night, Xenophon had a dream, a lighting bolt from Zeus set fire to his father's house. He woke up shocked and in sweat thinking it was real. Xenophon sought the advice of a fortune teller who interpreted the dream as a sign of glory and success. The seer explained that the dream meant that the gods were showing Xenophon that he would achieve great things and that his name would be remembered forever, just like the thunderbolt that strikes from the sky and leaves a lasting impact. The fortune teller's interpretation gave Xenophon renewed courage and hope. Xenophon gathered the remaining soldiers and told them. No more dialogue, no more bargaining, today we declare war on the Persians. Our ancestors have fought a bigger army of Persians before, we will be as inventive as them. Let us destroy our wagons, live off the land, move fast. If anyone confuses us we will drive them away, we are going to be doing one thing only. Getting home alive. The soldiers knew he was right. With renewed energy, they made Xenophon their leader, they moved faster, fought aggressively against any enemy they encountered. After months of grueling travel through several major battles, they formed alliances with local tribes, faced attacks from Persian forces, harsh weather, and difficult terrain. Without being distracted from their goal the Greek mercenaries finally reached the safety of the Greek city of Trapezos. They were welcomed as heroes and rewarded for their bravery and perseverance. Xenophon goes on to write an account of their journey, known as the Anabasis, which has since become a classic of ancient Greek literature. Now our takeaway from this story. If you keenly observe Xenophon's speech you will notice all the important traits for success. No more dialogue, no more bargaining, today we declare war on the Persians. Be determined. Our ancestors have fought a bigger army of Persians before, we will be as inventive as them. Believe it is possible, let's destroy our wagons, live off the land, move fast. Be inventive, if anyone confuses us, we will drive them away. Never allow distractions or naysayers to change your mind, we are going to be doing one thing only, getting home alive. Be obsessed with just one idea, then, it does not matter who you are. Nothing can stop you.