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Xenophon
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The Art of Horsemanship Kindle Edition

by Xenophon (Author), Morris H. Morgan (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 236 ratings
Among the earliest known works on choosing, caring for, and riding horses, this book is still hailed--2,300 years after it was written — as one of the most complete, thoughtful, and accessible guides of its type. Civilization has changed radically in the centuries since it was written, but the equestrian arts have remained essentially the same. Much of what we presently accept as common wisdom about horsemanship derives from this volume.
A student of Socrates, Xenophon was an accomplished cavalryman and one of the foremost scholars of his day. This translation by Morris H. Morgan offers a fluid interpretation of the ancient Greek's advice, plus 38 carefully chosen illustrations. Equestrians and other horse lovers as well as military history buffs and students of Greek culture will find The Art of Horsemanship a treasury of practical tips and enlightened observations.
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  1. Print length
    108 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dover Publications
  4. Publication date
    September 3, 2013
  5. File size
    2.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Xenophon, also known as Xenophon of Athens and Xenophon of Thebes, 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.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00DGBMD46
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications (September 3, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 3, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 108 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 236 ratings

About the author

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Xenophon

Xenophon

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Xenophon (/ˈzɛnəfən, -ˌfɒn/; Greek: Ξενοφῶν [ksenopʰɔ̂ːn], Xenophōn; c. 430 – 354 BC), son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, also known as Xenophon of Athens, was a Greek historian, soldier, mercenary, and student of Socrates. While not referred to as a philosopher by his contemporaries, his status as such is now a topic of debate. He is known for writing about the history of his own times, the late 5th and early 4th centuries BC, especially for his account of the final years of the Peloponnesian War. His Hellenica, which recounts these times, is considered to be the continuation of Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War. His youthful participation in the failed campaign of Cyrus the Younger to claim the Persian throne inspired him to write his most famous work, Anabasis.

Despite growing up in Athens and being an Athenian citizen, Xenophon is also associated with Sparta, the traditional enemy of Athens. His pro-oligarchic views, service under Spartan generals in the Persian campaign and beyond, as well as his friendship with King Agesilaus II endeared Xenophon to the Spartans, and them to him. A number of his writings display his pro-Spartan bias and admiration, especially Agesilaus and Constitution of Sparta. Other than Plato, Xenophon is the foremost authority on Socrates, having learned under the great philosopher while a young man. He greatly admired his teacher, and well after Socrates’ death in 399 Xenophon wrote several Socratic dialogues, including an Apology concerning the events of his trial and death. Xenophon’s works cover a wide range of genres and are written in very uncomplicated Attic Greek. Xenophon’s works are among the first that many students of Ancient Greek translate on account of the straightforward and succinct nature of his prose. This sentiment was apparent even in ancient times, as Diogenes Laertius states in his Lives of Eminent Philosophers (2.6) that Xenophon was sometimes known as the "Attic Muse" for the sweetness of his diction.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Scan by User:Gabor [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
236 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book very informative and full of wisdom, with one noting it contains good basic horse handling information. Moreover, they appreciate its readability and consider it a classic, with one customer highlighting its similarities to modern dressage. The writing style receives positive feedback for its good translation, and customers like the content, with one mentioning the interesting accompanying notes.

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21 customers mention "Knowledge"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very informative and full of wisdom, with one customer noting it provides good basic horse handling information.

"...As the title implies, the text is a very hands-on, practical guide to "everything you need to know" about how to take care of and look good riding a..." Read more

"Excellent as was the first book by Xenophon. Good read, fascinating perspectives, amazing translations...." Read more

"This is the earliest known account of horse training...." Read more

"It's interesting, I'm not a horse expert so it's a little advanced technique for me...." Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and consider it a classic, with one customer noting it's a good read for both horse enthusiasts and classics fans.

"I had a good time reading through this reprint of Morris Morgan's 1893 translation of Xenophon's "The Art of Horsemanship" (350 BC)...." Read more

"Excellent as was the first book by Xenophon. Good read, fascinating perspectives, amazing translations...." Read more

"...well worth a read" Read more

"This is a very good translation. I got this for a report, and I loved reading it! Xenophon is considered to be the first horse master...." Read more

9 customers mention "Horsemanship"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's horsemanship content, with one customer noting its many similarities to modern dressage.

"..."everything you need to know" about how to take care of and look good riding a horse, reading like a "Horsemanship for Dummies" book...." Read more

"Excellent as was the first book by Xenophon. Good read, fascinating perspectives, amazing translations...." Read more

"...I was surprised to discover the many similarities between this and modern dressage...." Read more

"...Love the cover and illustrations. Wish there were more." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing style"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, noting its readability and good translation, with one customer highlighting Xenophon's skill as a writer.

"...of the other ancient Greek translations and authors, this one is very easy to read...." Read more

"This is a very good translation. I got this for a report, and I loved reading it! Xenophon is considered to be the first horse master...." Read more

"...I wanted to know if this famous ancient Greek warrior had a readable writing style...." Read more

"...This book applies to today's horsetraining. Very good translation as well." Read more

3 customers mention "Content"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the content of the book, with one mentioning that the accompanying notes are very interesting.

"...Additionally, the footnotes to the text are quite interesting--I read them, for the most part, en block after reading the text...." Read more

"the book and the accompanying notes are very interesting to anyone interested in horse management as just another way of seeing horses in the..." Read more

"the book did include notes and highlighting when it wasn’t supposed to. I need to get another one now." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Howard Schulman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Xenophon's 350 BC manual on how to take care of a horse and look good riding one
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    I had a good time reading through this reprint of Morris Morgan's 1893 translation of Xenophon's "The Art of Horsemanship" (350 BC). Unlike many of the other ancient Greek translations and authors, this one is very easy to read.

    The text itself is fairly short and reads quickly, sprinkled with wisdom. After the text is another short portion from 1893, which talks about "The Greek Riding-Horse", based on Xenophon and all the other available sources. Additionally, the footnotes to the text are quite interesting--I read them, for the most part, en block after reading the text.

    As the title implies, the text is a very hands-on, practical guide to "everything you need to know" about how to take care of and look good riding a horse, reading like a "Horsemanship for Dummies" book. If you're interested in Ancient Greece and horses, you've got to read this short "instruction manual", though if you're only interested in the ancients, it's still fun to breeze through this text, nevertheless.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • CocoMollyFluffy
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you have not read it, don't miss out!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent as was the first book by Xenophon. Good read, fascinating perspectives, amazing translations. The respect, care and concern for the equine (war, recreation, purchase, etc.) was way beyond what I expected - and this and the first volume were written 2,300 years ago! Seriously, don't miss them!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Scottie Browning
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fine
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I find it odd that they chose a female narrator (it is from the author’s perspective, and Xenophon was male), a bit disconcerting. Otherwise fine.
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  • Karen
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must have book for all horse lovers and riders
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is the earliest known account of horse training. And while I am not preparing my horse for war, there are insights here that still hold true today. I've yet to finish this book, as I put it down to read Tom Dorrance's , "True Unity" and Ray Hunt's "Think Harmony with Horses" (both written in cowboy, so git yur translator on). I will continue to read The Art of Horsemanship from cover to cover as well True Unity and Think Harmony with Horses. All should be read by anyone who wants to be well connected to their horse, (connection is critical for the safety of both horse and rider).
    3 people found this helpful
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  • William Gale
    5.0 out of 5 stars I was interested to read to read the earliest book on horsemanship and haow many of those ways still hold today
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    the book and the accompanying notes are very interesting to anyone interested in horse management as just another way of seeing horses in the continuum of our association with the animal. The comment that a horses feet should be trimmed etc for the comfort of the horse and not for the looks is as relevant today as the. My contention is that today so many horses are lame from shoeing that takes little concern for the biomechanics of the horse hoof. There is a move to a shoe (called Cytek) that is close to what was used up until the late 1800's and has had spectacular success when used by a farrier trained in the shoe and the biomechanics. The
    "miracle" that happened with my champion quarter horse has led me to an interest in horse handling of the past and hence tot his book. well worth a read
    5 people found this helpful
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  • ~Susan
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It's interesting, I'm not a horse expert so it's a little advanced technique for me. It took almost a whole month to get it by mail and I didn't really like that. I should have read the description better, they state it could take that long.
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  • Kristine Dragonheart
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very good translation. I got this for a report, and I loved reading it!

    Xenophon is considered to be the first horse master. I was surprised to discover the many similarities between this and modern dressage.

    I love how the translator went out of his way to provide helpful explanations on some of the more vague translations.
    One person found this helpful
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  • OLV_Sobieski
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read for horse or classics enthusiasts
    Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Still working my way through it, but I am enjoying it thoroughly. I don't have any horse experience so some things go over my head, but I enjoy reading about it nonetheless. The endnotes would be more helpful as footnotes since I'm always flipping back and forth to catch more details about something. Good read though from one of the ancient greats.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • piper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought I'd have a read of this as every other ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Thought I'd have a read of this as every other equestrian book published seems to refer to Xenophon. Well worth reading. Much shorter than I expected.
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  • Cameron Jamieson
    5.0 out of 5 stars . Essential Reading
    Reviewed in Australia on December 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    An important book for understanding the timelessness of human interaction with horses. Many concepts and practices remain unchanged
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  • Fabrice
    5.0 out of 5 stars Facile à lire
    Reviewed in France on July 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Voici un livre étonnamment facile à lire malgré son âge et qui me semble toujours aussi pertinent. Une bonne recommandation pour qui recherche des informations en anglais sur les chevaux, depuis l achat jusqu'à la bataille entre deux armées
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  • Jose Luiz Jorge
    5.0 out of 5 stars excelente qualidade
    Reviewed in Brazil on October 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    a imressao e encadernação do livro atenderam a expectativa
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  • Tracy
    5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read
    Reviewed in Canada on May 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Not something I would follow, but very interesting
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