Ancient Liberty

I just reread Benjamin Constant's claim that the ancients had a very different view of liberty. So as I read through the first half of the Anabasis, I had that in the back of my mind. It was interesting to see it in action. (Especially considering Constant sights Xenophon as a source several times.) Two things stood out more than anything. When the generals consulted the army to decide what to do, but that that group decision still seemed binding on the members. There are also a few points where they are talking about themselves as free men. Through Constant's analysis this just means they have a right to participate in governance. They are not slaves because they have some small say in their fates, even if they as individuals have almost no rights.