Why was Xenophon exiled from Athens?

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

Xenophon was formally exiled from Athens due to his close association with Sparta, Athens's rival. While the exact circumstances remain a subject of historical debate, his exile was likely a consequence of his decision to fight for the Spartan cause against a Greek coalition that included his home city, most notably at the Battle of Coronea in 394 BCE.1

Prior to this, Xenophon had joined a mercenary army to serve the Persian prince Cyrus the Younger and subsequently entered Spartan service to help liberate Anatolian Greeks from Persian rule. His deep involvement with senior Spartans, particularly King Agesilaus II, further alienated him from the Athenian political establishment. Following his expulsion from Athens, he lived for a time in Scillus under Spartan protection before eventually settling in Corinth.1