2419) Xenophon (430-355 BC), Hellenic Republic of Greece: "Greek Culture Coin Series - Historians": A €10 (Ten Euro) Silver Coin minted by Mint of Greece on behalf of the Bank of Greece commemorates this Greek Historian: Date of Coin issue: 10.05.2022:
“GREEK CULTURE - HISTORIANS - XENOPHON”:
Xenophon (430-355 BC) of Athens was a Greek military leader, philosopher, and historian, born in Athens.
He spent his formative years in Athens during the Peloponnesian War and was a disciple of Socrates.
After the defeat of Athens, he fought as a mercenary, alongside other Greeks in Cyrus the Younger’s campaign against his own brother, King Artaxerxes of Persia.
At the age of 30, Xenophon was elected commander of one of the biggest Greek mercenary armies of the Achaemenid Empire, known as the "Myrioi" ("the Ten Thousand), that marched on and came close to capturing Babylon in 401 BC.
Xenophon established precedents for many logistical operations, and was among the first to describe flanking maneuvers and feints.
He led the "Myrioi" on their long and perilous march back to Greece and later recounted the events in his "Expedition of Cyrus" ("Anabasis"), in which he recounted his adventures with the Ten Thousand while in the service of Cyrus the Younger, Cyrus's failed campaign to claim the Persian throne from Artaxerxes II of Persia, and the return of Greek mercenaries after Cyrus's death in the Battle of Cunaxa.
Anabasis is a unique first-hand, humble, and self-reflective account of a military leader's experience in antiquity.
He was banished from Athens, because of his Spartan sympathies (Sparta was the traditional opponent of Athens).
A military leader and a man of letters, Xenophon left a rich oeuvre, popular over the ages for its simple and graceful style.
For at least two millennia, Xenophon's many talents fuelled the debate of whether to place Xenophon with generals, historians or philosophers. For the majority of time in the past two millennia, Xenophon was recognized as a philosopher.
Xenophon is recognized as one of the greatest writers of antiquity.
Xenophon's works span multiple genres and are written in plain "Attic Greek", which is why they have often been used in translation exercises for contemporary students of the Ancient Greek language.
In the "Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers", Diogenes Laërtius observed that Xenophon was known as the "Attic Muse" because of the sweetness of his diction.
His main historical work, "Hellenica", picks up where Thucydides broke off (411 BC) and continues up to the "End of the Theban hegemony" (362 BC).
Albeit far from an unbiased or full account, it remains a valuable source for that period of Greek history.
Xenophon also wrote seminal works, including a "dialogue on household economics" ("Oeconomicus"), "treatises on public finances" ("Ways and Means") and "government" ("Constitution of the Spartans, Hiero"), "Socratic works" ("Apology", "Memorabilia", "Symposium"), "biographies" ("Agesilaos") and others.
The Coin:
The Reverse of the €10 (Ten Euro) Silver Proof Coin shows an effigy of Xenophon facing left. The year of issue -"2022" and the mint mark of the Mint of Greece is at centre left.
There is an interlocking design along the outer periphery and "XENOPHON 430-355 BC (mentioned in Greek) at right bottom.
On the Obverse of the €10 (10 Euro) Silver Proof Coin is seen an intricate pattern in three layers. In the centre is mentioned ""ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΕΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" which are pronounced "(H)ellenik(eh) Democratia" - meaning "The Greek Democracy" (in Greek) and the denomination of the Coin "10 EURO" (also in Greek).
The specification of the 10 Euro Silver Coin are:
Country of issue: Republic of Greece; Date/Year: 10.05.2022; Coin Series Theme: "Greek Culture - Historians"; Coin Theme: "Xenophon"; Denomination/Face Value: €10 (Ten Euro); Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 34.10 grams; Diameter/Size: 40.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Edge: Plain; Mint: Mint of Greece, on behalf of the Bank of Greece; Mintage: 1,500 pieces; Designer: G. Stamatopoulos.
2) Some ancient coins depicting Greek mythology & history
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