Perhaps the most succinct approach to analyzing this book might be to explain Xenophon's book in terms of its structure. In terms of the book's structure, the history clearly demonstrates a dynamic unfolding, like an arrow shot through the air: Cyrus's education and training as a king is the arrow pulled back in the bowstring, and his rise to power and defeat of the Babylonians is the arrows flight. The arc of his story shows his character transforming and becoming more and more powerful.
The power of the king comes from his education, says Xenophon. That is the bow that his arrow has launched from. This education must be applauded for its success, because Cyrus is a trustworthy portrait of a man maximizing his potential. With his education in its Spartan style, Cyrus understands himself in terms of certain potentials: There is the potential of his body, which needs training in combat; there is the potential of his mind, which needs training in philosophy and logical rhetoric; and there is the potential of his attitude, which needs training in politics.
His attitude evolves as his political power elevates in stature. The "arrow launch" basically occurs with Cyrus's employment by his Median suzerain as a military advisor. Before long, he is the general. Then he enjoys successful military conquests, and his political fame and authority rises even more. Before long, he is a king in a new empire, having freshly defeated the Babylonians. When he dies, the full weight of his authority is made clear, because without his leadership, the government becomes chaotic and dissolves.
