For self-knowledge purposes I want to read Xenophon's Anabasis, in English, and I figure a version with commentary might be for the best.
I know there are several translations available, over the centuries, and I remember my history professors talking about how some translated editions of ancient works (in general) are considered much better than others.
I'd like to know what version, translation, edition, etc. would be highly recommended for someone in my position - and why that version, if you happen to have such an opinion. I enjoy learning about ancient cultures and military history, but I have no ancient language skills and am somewhat, but not supremely knowledgeable about this time period and setting. For this reason I'm thinking an English edition with commentary would be for the best.
As a bonus question, if anyone happens to have good familiarity: what would the added purpose be of reading Arrian's Anabasis in addition to Xenophon's? The summaries of Arrian's work that I've read have not really given me a good idea of what additional value one gets out of reading Arrian's work in addition to Xenophon's. I don't necessarily want to delve into the later view of events from the perspective of Arrian's contemporaries - in that case, would reading Arrian really convey that more more information about the events as told by Xenophon, or is it mainly studied to provide insight into Arrian's timeframe and contemporaries, in a comparative sense?
Many thanks!
I don't have strong opinions on which translation, but you have the right idea about commentary. There's so many episodes that seem rather tangential or potentially boring if you're not aware of their greater relevance. (I still wouldn't say Xenophon is never tangential, though.)
I can speak to (my opinions about) reading Arrian's Anabasis. An undergraduate professor of mine considered Arrian interesting mainly for historiographical purposes, providing more insight into Arrian and contemporaries. I tend to agree. It does not add real information about Cyrus's campaign, but concerns Alexander the Great, so the subject is different. There's something there in terms of perspective, too, of course, and seeing the relationships between intellectual contemporaries and their influences is fascinating. I personally don't find it a worthwhile read for factual content or contextualization about the events of Xenophon's Anabasis, but if you're interested in up-country marches from the sea into Persia in general, it's worth a look. From my personal experience, some people tend to find Arrian's Anabasis repetitive after reading Xenophon's text. Overall, the best way to really get the most information out of Xenophon's Anabasis is attempting to tackle the original language.