Xenophon’s March of the Ten Thousand: A 1650 Map Faithful to the Anabasis

One of the most compelling narratives of the ancient world, Xenophon’s Anabasis is not merely the story of a military expedition, but a remarkable example of how text, geography, and memory intertwine. This rare map, newly added to the Agora Old Prints and Maps collection, visualizes the epic journey known as the “March of the Ten Thousand,” which took place in 401 BC, through the lens of meticulous 17th‑century cartography.

Antique 1650 map of Xenophon’s March of the Ten Thousand, compiled by Pierre du Val and published by Johannes Janssonius, faithfully mapping the Anabasis of 401 BC.

The Historical Journey of Xenophon’s Ten Thousand (401 BC)

In 401 BC, the Persian prince Cyrus the Younger launched a major campaign to seize the throne from his brother, Artaxerxes II, King of Persia. A significant part of his army consisted of roughly ten thousand Greek mercenaries. However, when Cyrus was killed at the Battle of Cunaxa, these Greek soldiers found themselves deep in Mesopotamia—leaderless and surrounded by hostile territory.

At this critical moment, Xenophon emerged as their leader. Soldier, thinker, and eyewitness, Xenophon guided the army through a perilous retreat and later recorded the journey in his work known as the Anabasis. This text became one of the foundational works of Western historiography, offering a detailed account of Anatolia, Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, and the long road back toward the Black Sea as they existed in 401 BC.

A Text-Based Reconstruction of the Ancient World on the Xenophon’s Anabasis Map

This map transforms Xenophon’s words into a visual narrative. Every route and place name depicted corresponds to 401 BC, drawn directly from the Anabasis. Rather than retrofitting the ancient journey with modern geographical knowledge, the mapmaker deliberately confines the work to the limits of the classical text.

An explanatory note on the map makes this intention explicit: All geographical names mentioned by Xenophon are placed in their proper locations on this map, and nothing has been added beyond what Xenophon himself describes. For the 17th century, this statement represents an exceptional declaration of scholarly rigor and textual fidelity.

Pierre du Val and Royal Cartography in the 17th Century

The map was compiled by Pierre du Val, one of the most important French cartographers of the 17th century. Du Val held the prestigious title “Géographe du Roy”—Royal Geographer to the King of France—signifying that the work was produced under recognized intellectual and academic authority.

The map was engraved by the master engraver J. van den Ende and published around 1650 in Amsterdam by Johannes Janssonius. It appeared in Jansson’s Atlas of the Antique World (Accuratissima Orbis Antiqui Delineatio), an influential atlas that went through multiple editions between 1652 and 1741.

Why This Antique Map Is Exceptionally Rare

What distinguishes this map from many other representations of the ancient world is its entirely text‑based reconstruction. While early modern maps of antiquity often blended classical sources with contemporary geographical knowledge, this work consciously avoids later interpretations.

Instead, it offers:

• A visual translation of an ancient literary source

• A rare intersection of classical philology and cartography

• A tangible reflection of early modern scholarly engagement with antiquity

More Than a Map

This map from the Agora Old Prints and Maps collection is far more than a geographical document. It reconstructs the world of 401 BC through the disciplined lens of 17th‑century scholarship. Ancient history, military strategy, literature, and cartography converge on a single sheet of paper.

For collectors of maps, students of classical history, and admirers of early modern science alike, this Xenophon’s Anabasis map is an exceptional work.

Some maps show the world. Others tell a story. This map does both.