Agesilaus by Xenophon
page 47 of 54 (87%)
page 47 of 54 (87%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
[1] See Aeschin. "c. Ctes." p. 52, 25; Plat. "Phileb." 56 B. [2] See Plut. "Apophth. Lac." p. 104. Yet let it not be supposed, because he whom we praise has finished life, that our discourse must therefore be regarded as a funeral hymn.[3] Far rather let it be named a hymn of praise, since in the first place it is only the repetition, now that he is dead, of a tale familiar to his ears when living. And in the next place, what is more remote from dirge and lamentation than a life of glory crowned by seasonable death? What more deserving of song and eulogy than resplendent victories and deeds of highest note? Surely if one man rather than another may be accounted truly blest, it is he who, from his boyhood upwards, thirsted for glory, and beyond all contemporary names won what he desired; who, being gifted with a nature most emulous of honour, remained from the moment he was king unconquered; who attained the fullest term of mortal life and died without offence[4] committed, whether as concerning those at whose head he marched, or as towards those others against whom he fought in war. [3] See Symonds' "Greek Poets," ch. v. [4] As to the word {anamartetos} so translated, see Breitenbach, Exc. ad x. 4 of his edition. XI |
|