I am currently reading three books which are relevant to your question:
Xenophon's Anabasis. I am rereading this, as I remember reading it when I was translating bits at school. I reckon the version I read then was abridged, as I cant remember reading anything about what happened after they reached Trapezous.
Edit: To anyone who hasnt read this, its an extremely readable, enjoyable book, I highly recommend it. Its the story of a mercenary army of 10 000 greek hoplites hired by Cyrus, a pretender to the throne of Persia (in about 400BC). They get virtually to Babylon, beat the King, but unfortunately Cyrus is killed in the battle (Cunaxa) and the greeks are stuck in the middle of a hostile country. The story tells how they got back to greece, chronicled by Xenophon who was one of the generals.
Polybius' Histories: in preparation for the historical campaign I am going to play as the Romans when EB 0.82 (or whatever the devs consider to be the next big release) is released.
I am also reading Plutarch's Lives, but only when I go to the bookshop on saturdays. Theres a great bookshop where I live which combines comfortable leather armchairs and for some reason being a social hub where all the beautiful people meet, so its a good place to lurk, read and people-watch!
(Just in case people are thinking Im some kind of freak, I am also reading some fiction which is not based in antiquity, but I'll mention it anyway: 'Birds Without Wings' is a story set in Turkey, and traces the development of that country and its neighbours through the lives of characters living through last century. A very interesting book about whats happening now in the region I tend to play in in EB! Also 'Labyrinth' which is a thriller in the vein of the Da Vinci Code, but better IMHO...)
Bookmarks