Anabasis by Xenophon. The most famous military memoirs of Ancient Greece - or the first adventure novel of world literature? The mysterious story of the ten thousand army of Greek mercenaries who served the Persian king, their unsuccessful campaign in Mesopotamia and the bloody, frantic breakthrough to the Black Sea still excites the minds of researchers, writers and film directors. Famous the author of historical adventure novels Valerio Massimo Manfredi offers readers his version of these events. The story of exciting adventures, great courage - and monstrous betrayal. The story of beautiful brave women - and men who knew no fear. The story of people who, without flinching, looked into the face of death - for they knew: the loss of honor for a warrior is much worse than death in battle.