The heroic descent of the "Ten Thousand" from Trapezus to the west, until they return, some to their homelands, and most to join in Asia Minor with the Spartan general Thibron, who has been summoned by the Greek cities to fight against Tissaphernes and Pharnabazus.

The countless hardships suffered by Xenophon's men from enemies and friends on the shores of the Caspian Sea, in their attempt to secure food supplies, are described with extraordinary vividness and detail by the protagonist of the events, Xenophon, who was often swayed by the distrust not only of the various hostile peoples of the region but also of his own men, who were anxious for the fastest possible return to their homelands.