Hiero the Tyrant and Other Treatises

by Xenophon, Robin H. Waterfield (Translator), Paul Cartledge (Introduction)

One of Socrates' Athenian disciples in his youth, Xenophon (c. 498-354 bc) fought as a mercenary commander in Cyrus the Younger's campaign to seize the Persian throne, and later wrote a wide range of works on history, politics and philosophy. These six treatises offer his informed insights into the nature of leadership.

In the dialogue between the poet Simonides and Hiero, tyrant of Syracuse, Xenophon provides a consummate consideration of the burdens of being an absolute dictator and the superior happiness of the private man. Elsewhere, his biography of King Agesilaus II of Sparta depicts the author's patron as a model of piety, justice, courage and wisdom, while other texts consider the essential qualities of the cavalry commander, analyze the skills of the horseman and the hunter, and advance a bold economic plan for democratic Athens.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Classics, Ancient, Politics, Ancient History, Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 371

About the author

Xenophon (Ancient Greek Ξενοφῶν, Modern Greek Ξενοφώντας; ca. 431 – 355 BC), son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, was a soldier, mercenary and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates. He is known for his writings on the history of his own times, preserving the sayings of Socrates, and the life of ancient Greece.

Historical and biographical works:
Anabasis (or The Persian Expedition)
Cyropaedia
Hellenica
Agesilaus

Socratic works and dialogues:
Memorabilia
Oeconomicus
Symposium
Apology
Hiero

Short treatises:
On Horsemanship
The Cavalry General
Hunting with Dogs
Ways and Means
Constitution of Sparta

Reviews

[Zachary Rudolph · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It still remains the case that there are people who think it will take war rather than peace for Athens to regain its position of dominance, which is what they want to see happen. These people should first consider the Persian Wars and ask themselves whether we gained the leadership of the fleet and our position as treasurers of the Greek confederacy by force or by helping Greece.”

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

xenophon's my hero! for classical writing, he's fairly easy to understand. we read only "the ways and means," but it was good nonetheless. the commentary is clear and informative, that always helps!

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hiero is fun: wealth and power don't bring happiness even to kings. The other treatises are more mixed.

[Marcos Augusto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynegeticus (“On Hunting”) offers technical advice on hunting (on foot, with dogs and nets, the usual prey being a hare); Xenophon sees the pursuit as a pleasurable and divinely ordained means of promoting military, intellectual, and moral excellence (something neither sophists nor politicians can match). De re equestri (“On Horsemanship”) deals with various aspects of horse ownership and riding, and Cavalry Commander is a somewhat unsystematic (but serious) discussion of how to improve the Athenian cavalry corps. Also Athenocentric is Ways and Means, a plan to alleviate the city’s financial problems (and remove excuses for aggressive imperialism) by paying citizens a dole from taxes on foreign residents and from the profits generated by using state-owned slaves in the silver mines.

In Hiero the location is Syracuse (on the east coast of Sicily), perhaps in allusion to contemporary Syracusan tyrants. The 5th-century tyrant Hiero bewails the unpleasantness of his situation, prompting the praise-poet Simonides to suggest that things could improve if Hiero were to adopt some recognizably Xenophontic leadership principles and become a benevolent and much-loved autocrat. There are shades of Cyropaedia (except that the story does not suggest that Hiero’s transformation happened) and of the warnings praise-poets sometimes offered tyrants (except that they tried to check tyrannical self-confidence, whereas Xenophon’s Simonides wants both to enhance and to eliminate it). When defining leadership modes tyrants make good cases. So do Spartan kings, or at least the “completely good man” whose virtues are presented through narrative and analysis in Agesilaus.

[Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as the first experiment in my new reading scheme, which will hopefully serve me for, well, the rest of my life. The goal is to read 10 pages/day (five days/week) out of something political theory-ish, partially to keep me paying attention to the field and partly to keep me from hating my dissertation subject too much. And, if I can do a little self-congratulating, I think I chose a good book to start with. Xenophon is usually a decent read for an ancient writer (his Anabasis is simply a must-read, it's the first ever adventure autobiography!), and this collection doesn't disappoint. It includes six essays (Hiero the Tyrant, Agesilaus, How to be a good Cavalry Commander, On Horsemanship, On Hunting, Ways and Means) of which I think "Hiero the Tyrant" and "On Hunting" are the best, mostly because "Hiero" explains why unlimited power ruins sex (it loses meaning if you can have it whenever and with whoever you want, but can never know if they're really enjoying it) and "On Hunting" lists appropriate names for dogs (including: Crafty, Sunbeam, Spearhead, Sharpeyes, Ringwood, Growler, Slayer, etc).
Overally, interesting little treatises that read fairly quickly.

[Jossalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

wanted to read source material for Alexander;
first read 1998

[Antonio Papadourakis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Αρκετά καλός ο Ιέρων, αλλά αν σκεφτούμε ότι ο Ξενοφώντας είναι έστω και για λίγα χρόνια μεταγενέστερος του Θουκιδίδη, τότε δεν χωρούν συγκρίσεις....

[Wesley F · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first dialogue, Hiero the Tyrant, is by far the most interesting in this collection. The rest are likely of interest to people who absolutely love Greek history and philosophy. Yet, the introduction notes there is some doubt as to the authenticity of them. They aren't sure Xenophon actually wrote them, at least that was the impression I got.

Cavalry Commander is historically relevant but not much applicable or of interest today. Same with Horsemanship.

Agesilaus is a biographical work, I believe done after the king died, so it isn't propaganda but it sure reads like it. Xenophon gives an entirely biased, ass-kissing account of the life of the king who gave him patronage after he was kicked out of Athens. I am not sure if it is worth reading for historical value, only to demonstrate how grateful and humble Xenophon was.

Ways and Means gives a glimpse into a pragmatic approach to economics, although it spends a portion on how to deploy slaves. It is more for historical context than anything.

Not sure if it was worth the price for only one fascinating dialogue and four relatively obscure works that are more of academic in interest. Still, I really think Hiero itself is worth reading.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hiero only

[Sabrina Ljesnjanin · Rating 3 out of 5]

suprisingly easy read. 3.75.
justify tyranny! lol

[Jarod · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only one don't-miss keeper: Agesilaus

[Ibrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

get the bag simonides