How did Xenophon’s sons become connected to Athens?

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Xenophon Xenophon, statue in front of the parliament building in Vienna.

Xenophon’s sons established a connection to Athens through their military service in the Athenian cavalry.1

While Xenophon had previously been exiled from Athens and sent his sons to Sparta for their education, his later works suggest a renewed sympathetic interest in Athenian fortunes. This rapprochement culminated in his sons serving in the Athenian cavalry at the second Battle of Mantinea in 362 BCE. The death of his son Gryllus during this battle was significant enough to inspire a profusion of eulogies, including a dialogue by Aristotle titled Gryllus.1