Life Xenion the Historian (Ξενίων ὁ ἱστορικός) was a 4th-century BCE Greek historian. No biographical details survive. He is known only through fragments and references in later authors, primarily the geographer Strabo [1].

Works His sole attested work is the Cretika (Κρητικά), a history of Crete [1][2]. The work is lost and survives only in fragments quoted by Strabo.

Significance Xenion’s significance lies in his role as a source for Cretan history and myth. Strabo cites him as an authority but criticizes his accounts for including mythical and improbable elements [1]. Xenion represents the fragmentary tradition of Hellenistic local historiography (horography), used and evaluated by later comprehensive authors.

Sources 1. Strabo, Geography, Perseus Digital Library: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Strab.+10.4.16&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0239 2. ToposText, Xenion: https://topostext.org/people/1480