person

Xenophon

Athenian historian and pupil of Socrates (c. 430-354 BC); author of the Anabasis, Hellenica, Memorabilia, Cyropaedia.

Reading notes

Ad Quintum Fratrem 1.2 §7 the Cyrus of Xenophon
Xenophon's Cyropaedia presented Cyrus the Great as the ideal ruler, and his Agesilaus did the same for the Spartan king; both were stock models of mild but firm command. Cicero's point: even men ignorant of these models govern more graciously than Quintus.
On the Ends of Good and Evil §2.92 that cress which Xenophon records the Persians habitually ate
In Xenophon's Cyropaedia the early Persians are said to have lived on simple fare such as cress (nasturtium). Cicero uses it to grant that pleasure can be cheaply got, before turning to the harder problem of pain.
On Duties §2.87 Xenophon the Socratic
Athenian soldier and writer (c. 430-354 BC), follower of Socrates, author of the Oeconomicus on estate management, which Cicero translated into Latin in his youth.
Tusculan Disputations §5.99 The diet of the Persians is set out by Xenophon
Xenophon's Cyropaedia describes the frugal upbringing of the Persians, who ate only bread and cress. Cicero cites it as a whole nation trained by custom to delight in thrift.