The Gates of Athens: Book One in the Athenian series

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I was born in the normal way in 1971, and vaguely remember half-pennies and sixpences. I have written for as long as I can remember: poetry, short stories and novels. It’s what I always wanted to do and read English at London University with writing in mind. I taught English for seven years and was Head of English at St. Gregory’s RC High School in London by the end of that period. I have enormous respect for those who still labour at the chalk-face. In truth, I can’t find it in me to miss the grind of paperwork and initiatives. I do miss the camaraderie of the smokers’ room, as well as the lessons where their faces lit up as they understood what I was wittering on about. Pericles – an Athenian general, politician and orator – distinguished himself above the other personalities of the era, men who excelled in politics, philosophy, architecture, sculpture, history and literature. He fostered arts and literature and gave to Athens a splendor which would never return throughout its history. He executed a large number of public works projects and improved the life of the citizens. Hence, this period is often referred to as "Age of Pericles." [9] Silver mined in Laurium in southeastern Attica contributed greatly to the prosperity of this Athenian Golden Age. In the new epic historical novel by New York Times bestselling author Conn Iggulden, in ancient Greece an army of slaves gathers on the plains of Marathon . . . Under Darius the Great, King of Kings, the mighty Persian army --- swollen by 10,000 warriors known as The Immortals --- have come to subjugate the Greeks. In their path, vastly outnumbered, stands an army of freeborn Athenians. Among them is a clever, fearsome and cunning soldier-statesman, Xanthippus. Against all odds, the Athenians emerge victorious. The city [ edit ] Overview [ edit ] Map of ancient Athens showing the Acropolis in middle, the Agora to the northwest, and the city walls.

What will follow is a terrific novel where events leading to and eventually ending with this war between Athens and Persia are wonderfully written with great dialogue and human interaction, but where big brutal battle actions are somewhat less pictured, but in my opinion this series is at least an equal in comaprison with Christian Cameron's "The Long War" series, featuring Arimnestos of Plataea, and thus for me this author has his own interpretation and compelling fashion in telling his great tale. The book starts off with a prologue that is set around Sardis, in Lydia, which is part of the Persian Empire, and it figures the High King, Darius, and his son and heir, Xerxes. But wow, how amazing The Gates of Athens was. One of my favourite historical fiction books of all time. Actually, one of my favourite books of all time, regardless of genre. In this we experience the battle of Marathon, as well as Thermopalae, and much more, with Conn Iggulden somehow crafting magnificent characters in a subtle and understated manner that paid off so, so well.

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At the beginning of the book you'll find firstly two quotes of Homer and Aristophanes, followed by three well-drawn maps, of Athens, the "Battle of Marathon", and movement of Persian Forces between 490-480 BC, ending with a list of Pronunciation of Military terms, Locations, Characters, Additional words and the Ten Tribes of Athens. The Outer Kerameikos, northwest of the city, was the finest suburb of Athens; here were buried the Athenians who had fallen in war, and at the further end of it was the Academy, six stadia from the city.

Ten years later, Athens has betrayed its favourite son. When the Persians return, when they cross the Hellespont to take revenge on the Greeks, will Xanthippus come home to save his people? Of course, it’s simplistic to view the great events of history only through the prism of today, but I wonder if it can really be coincidence that there is passing mention of prorogation and a soldier passing out while waiting for inspection by a tardy Xerxes as the Persian emperor prepares to go to war. There is even a man who gains the power he craves and realises that, actually, it’s pretty hard work, and a bit boring. Speaking of slaves, their perspective is missing entirely from this book. So is the perspective of women, metics, and generally everyone else who isn't part of the Athenian or Spartan elite. You could make the argument that that is not what the book is about so it's okay, but I'd disagree. The author made the conscious decision to focus on 'great men,' leaving out any criticism of rampant Greek misogyny, the intense slavery, the superiority complex Greeks had regarding non-Greeks, etc. etc. Instead he blatantly and uncritically copies the self-serving Greek narrative about the wars, which in my opinion makes him no better than those he copied, with all their misogyny and classism. Athens, and in fact ancient Greece as a whole, had serious issues and this book whitewashes them, and that is simply not okay. Evoking two of the most famous battles of the Ancient World—the Battle of Marathon and the Last Stand at Thermopylae— The Gates of Athens is a bravura piece of storytelling by a well acclaimed master of the historical adventure novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher to provide me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

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Facing overwhelming forces by land and sea, the Athenians call on their Spartan allies for assistance—to delay the Persians at the treacherous pass of Thermopylae . . . The port city of Piraeus, also surrounded with walls by Themistocles and connected to the city with the Long Walls, built under Conon and Pericles. At the beginning of the book you'll find a well drawn map of the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC, and a list of Military terms, Locations, Characters, Additional words and the Ten Tribes of Athens. In het eerste deel leerde ik de democratie van Athene beter kennen en ik heb het gevoel dat we in dit boek vooral veel ontdekken over de Sparten. En de onderlinge relatie tussen beiden rijken, die nog recht tegenover elkaar zullen komen te staan.