Ricerc@Sapienza

It is evident that the framework of the Anabasis has areas of overlap with works of history,whether by Thucydides or by Herodotus, but it is equally evident that its individual components are used in a different way and to different purposes. The encomiastic and auto-eulogising component is flanked by the description of characters who are described in their positive and negative aspects, according to a tendency that will be consolidated in the historiography of the fourth century. Both elements coincide in the characteristics of the ideal commander.

The historian, following other historians or inventing, has to present speeches before the most important battles. The epic heritage of historiography compels the historian to respect at least the basic rules of narrative: one of these is the presence of spoken words in order to prepare the narration, to display mo- tivations and so on. Before decisive battles, speeches also have the function of amplifying the events, bringing on stage the generals, presented as epic heroes.