Young Men - “BOOK I”
Xenophon elucidates, “ As for the young men who are left at home, they spend their time in shooting and hurling the javelin, and practicing all they learnt as boys, in one long trial of skill. Beside this, public games are open to them and prizes are offered; and the tribe which can claim the greatest number of lads distinguished for skill and courage and faithfulness is given the need of praise from all the citizens." Boys are trained to be skillful when young, and their dexterity is confirmed and ranked during the public games. Exemplary performance during the games is deemed honorable. Therefore, all boys are expected to be trained adequately in preparation for their manhood.
Prayers - “BOOK I”
Cyrus asserts, “You used to say that a man had no right to pray he might win a cavalry charge if he had never learnt how to ride, or triumph over master-bowmen if he could not draw a bow, or bring a ship safe home to harbour if he did not know how to steer, or be rewarded with a plenteous harvest if he had not so much as sown grain into the ground, or come home safe from battle if he took no precautions whatsoever.” Prayers outlined above are ironic for they are difficult to fulfill. For prayers to be granted, the individual praying should perform his/ her duty in making the prayers true. Gods do not answer prayers anyhow although they are powerful. Accordingly, humans have a major role in the realization of the prayers.
Man - “BOOK I”
Cyrus’ father poses, "And do you remember…how we thought that it would be a noble work enough if a man could train himself really and truly to be beautiful and brave and earn all he needed for his household and himself? That, we said, was a work of which a man might well be proud; but if he went further still, if he had the skill and the science to be the guide and governor of other men, supplying all their wants and making them all they ought to be, that, it seemed to us, would be indeed a marvel." A respectable man is expected to be responsible which should be evidenced in how he toils. Cyrus’ father discourages laziness by emphasizing that working should be mandatory for all men. Through working, man accomplishes various needs instead of depending on others’ assistance. Through this assertion, the father insists that his son should be ready to work for his success for his to be reputable.
Cyrus’ speech - BOOK II
Xenophon expounds, “And one of them said, "Perhaps it will seem strange if I ask Cyrus to speak in our stead to our fellow-combatants when they receive their arms, and yet I know well that the words of him who has the greatest power for weal or woe sink deepest into the listener's heart." Cyrus' oratory skills are persuasive and compelling. Requesting Cyrus to address the combatants is intended to give his team an edge other their combatants. Cyrus’ rhetoric inspires the combatants’ dedication to the combat.
Prize - “BOOK II"
Cyrus states, “My men…my friends, the day of struggle is at hand, and the enemy are near. The prizes of victory, if victory is to be ours—and we must believe it will be ours, we must make it ours—the prizes of victory will be nothing short of the enemy himself and that entire he possesses.” The prize is intangible but each soldier visualizes it when Cyrus alludes to it in his speech. The imagery of the prize stimulates the soldiers to be ready for the combat. Trouncing their enemies would be the utmost prize which shall bring honor to their team. Cyrus wants all the soldiers to focus on the definitive prize of the combat which would be trouncing their foes.
