Katabasis vs. Anabasis — What's the Difference?

Katabasis or catabasis (Ancient Greek: κατάβασις, from κατὰ "down" and βαίνω "go") is a descent of some type, such as moving downhill, the sinking of the winds or sun, a military retreat, a trip to the underworld, or a trip from the interior of a country down to the coast. The term has multiple related meanings in poetry, rhetoric, and modern psychology.

An advance or expedition, especially into the interior of a country.

A mytheme or trope in which the hero embarks on a journey to the underworld.

A large-scale military advance, especially the Greek mercenary expedition across Asia Minor in 401 BC led by Cyrus the Younger of Persia, as described by Xenophon. It was unsuccessful, and the Greeks, led by Xenophon, retreated to the Black Sea.

Any journey downwards or fall.

A protracted and arduous retreat, especially through hostile or inhospitable territory.

A retreat, especially a military one.

(historical) A military march up-country, especially that of Cyrus the Younger into Asia.

A journey from the interior of a country to the coast.

(obsolete) The first period, or increase, of a disease; augmentation.

(rare) The presence of downward (drainage or katabatic) winds.

A journey or expedition up from the coast, like that of the younger Cyrus into Central Asia, described by Xenophon in his work called "The Anabasis."

The first period, or increase, of a disease; augmentation.