The gates of Athens : a novel

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. Yet people soon forget that freedom is bought with blood. Ten years later, Xanthippus watches helplessly as Athens succumbs to the bitter politics of factionalism. Traitors and exiles abound. Trust is at a low ebb when the Persians cross the Hellespont in ever greater numbers in their second attempt to raze Athens to the ground. 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. --

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Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Hardwood Creek Library (Forest Lake)	FICTION IGG	Searching... Unknown
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury)	FICTION IGG	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

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.

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.

Yet people soon forget that freedom is bought with blood.

Ten years later, Xanthippus watches helplessly as Athens succumbs to the bitter politics of factionalism. Traitors and exiles abound. Trust is at a low ebb when the Persians cross the Hellespont in ever greater numbers in their second attempt to raze Athens to the ground.

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 . . .

Author Notes

Conn Iggulden is one of the most acclaimed authors of historical fiction writing today. Among many other bestselling novels, he is the author of The Abbot's Tale , The Falcon of Sparta , The Gates of Athens , Protector , and The Lion , all available from Pegasus Books. Conn lives in London.

Reviews (2)

Booklist Review

This rousing series opener brings 10 pivotal years in ancient Greek history to energetic life. Spanning from the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE to the Spartans' valiant stand at the Battle of Thermopylae, the story moves nimbly among the perspectives of Athenian leaders, primarily the politician and general Xanthippus, plus allies and Persian foes. A celebrated historical adventure writer, Iggulden (The Falcon of Sparta, 2019) illustrates both large-scale military maneuvers and minute details, from close-up views of bronze-armored Greek soldiers in formation to fearsome scenes of the immense Persian fleet, bent on destroying Athens. The intervening decade between major battles in the ongoing Greco-Persian Wars holds equal fascination as Athens is shaken by infighting that divides its statesmen. These inner political workings are vividly personified via courageous, intelligent, well-rounded characters. Iggulden has impressive command of period terminology and largely follows the historical record, filling in gaps with well-thought-out reasoning. This is also an inspiring read about the value of democracy, whose birthplace was classical Athens, and how people fought hard and long to preserve it for posterity.

Library Journal Review

Prolific author Iggulden ("Emperor" & "Conqueror" series; coauthor, The Double Dangerous Book for Boys) pens a saga about two pivotal battles in the ancient Greek world, the Battle of Marathon and the Last Stand at Thermopylae. Readers witness these impressive events in early history, as experienced by Athenian warrior Xanthippus. A seasoned soldier, he is privy to many military strategic meetings as well as to governmental decision-making debates. The struggle through rigid political philosophies and clashing merciless forces on land and sea will determine the future of the Persian and Greek Empires. Democracy is at stake, and every arena becomes a battlefield. The passion for freedom among the characters is absorbing, given the contrasts between the Persian soldiers and sailors, who are all slaves and forced to fight, and the Grecian free men. VERDICT Iggulden turns loose an exciting new series that is sure to delight teens and adults alike. This great historical novel dips into ancient life, lighting up all the curious bits that historians love to share. More than just a series of battle scenes, this saga informs readers of the times, the people, and the locations in the best possible way.--Russell Miller, formerly with Prescott P.L., AZ

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