Cyrus' Paradise

Becoming a Principal Commenter in Cyrus’ Paradise

Norman Sandridge

August 11, 2014

¶ 1 Leave a comment on paragraph 1 0 The Role. The role of the Principal Commenter in Cyrus’ Paradise gives scholars an opportunity to receive scholarly credit for their contributions to the site. As in a traditional book commentary, this role entails making a complete survey to date of the major scholarly interpretations of a chapter or set of sub-chapters of the Cyropaedia (as chosen by the Principal Commenter from those available; see below). These contributions are presented in the same question-and-answer format familiar throughout the commentary. The Principal Commenter may also offer new interpretations of the text and make general comments about an entire chapter, e.g., how it is organized, how it compares thematically to other parts of the work, and how it fits into the larger the narrative.

¶ 2 Leave a comment on paragraph 2 0 Procedure for Submission. Those who wish to become a Principal Commenter should contact Norman Sandridge (nsandridg@chs.harvard.edu) to reserve a chapter and set up a timetable for submission. When the Principal Commenter has finished commenting on the “state of the questions” for the reserved chapter, these questions and comments will be sent to two referees (chosen by the editors of Cyrus Paradise), before being posted on the site. When the concerns of the referees have been addressed, the comments and questions will be added to the site by the Principal Commenter. Other authorized contributors will then be able to read them and comment.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on paragraph 3 0 The refereed contribution of the Principal Commenter may then be cited on a CV as “Principal Commenter to Cyrus’ Paradise: An Online Collaborative Commentary to Xenophon’s Education of Cyrus, [e.g.] Cyropaedia 7.1.” The Principal Commenter will also be recognized as such on the site.

¶ 4 Leave a comment on paragraph 4 0 Book One of the Cyropaedia has received the most commenting to date. Below are the remaining most-visited chapters according to the statistics kept by WordPress (though any chapter is available for commenting, with the exception of those already reserved).

¶ 5 Leave a comment on paragraph 5 0 7.5: Cyrus takes Babylon by rerouting the Euphrates and entering by night while the Babylonians are in celebration.
2.1: Cyrus implements Cambyses’ principles of generalship in the Persian army.
5.1: Cyrus debates the powers of love with Araspas and assesses his allies’ willingness to continue with the pursuit of the Assyrians.
8.1: Cyrus trains his people by example.
8.3: Cyrus processes in state and matches Pheraulas with a Sacian, to the delight of both, one helping his friends, the other managing the wealth.
3.1: Cyrus makes the Armenian king and his son Tigranes into better friends.
8.8: The many forms of Persian decline after Cyrus.
8.7: Cyrus senses that death is near; summoning his friends and sons, he advises the sons to be faithful to one another and he gives instructions on his burial.
4.6: The Assyrian Gobryas surrenders to Cyrus and asks for aid in avenging his son.
7.2: Cyrus takes Sardis, and Croesus comes to enjoy the good life.
2.2: Cyrus conducts dinner parties with a blend of seriousness and charm.
5.3: Cyrus allies himself with the Assyrian eunuch, Gadatas, they take an important fortress in Babylon, and they then set out to help Gadatas defend his lands against the Assyrian king.
5.5: Cyrus’ vast alliance shames Cyaxares, but he wins him over by demonstrating his good will.
8.5: Cyrus visits Media and Persia, where he marries Cyaxares’ daughter and makes a covenant with the Persians.
7.3: Pantheia commits suicide at the burial of Abradatas.
4.1: Cyrus praises his army for its victory and makes plans for pursuing the Assyrians.
2.4: Cyrus hatches a plan to recover tribute from the Armenians.
2.3: Cyrus convinces the army to accept rewards from battle according to merit.
3.3: Cyrus and the army engage in their first battle with the Assyrians.
8.6: Cyrus institutes satrapies that will administer his empire and profits thereby.
4.3: Cyrus proposes that the Persians develop a cavalry and they agree.
8.2: The many facets of Cyrus’ philanthropia.