Xenophon: Oeconomicus VII-XIII

This volume offers a selection (about a third of the whole) from Xenophon's Oeconomicus, his work about management of the ancient, relatively well-to-do household and estate. It probably reflects the period from the late 390s and the 380s when Xenophon lived, after his career as a mercenary general, with his wife Philesia and sons Diodoros and Gryllos at Skillos near Elis. It includes much that provides us with our best evidence for how the ancient Greeks lived from day to day, their relationships with their wives and other members of their household. In his combination of intelligence and integrity, Xenophon represents the best ancient Greece had to offer; and his writing, like the man himself, is straightforward and honest, without any hint of artifice. It offers easy access for those tackling their first Greek prose reading. In this edition notes and some running vocabulary appear on pages facing the Greek text and there is a consolidated vocabulary at the end.

Ralph Doty is Professor of Classics and Letters, University of Oklahoma.