The Gates of Athens: Book One in the Athenian series

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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. The Panathenaic Way, which led from the Dipylon gate to the Acropolis via the Agora, along which a solemn procession was made during the Panathenaic Festival. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher to provide me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion. The relationships between characters relied heavily on descriptions rather than dialogue which detracts from character development. One of the strongest friendships between Epikleos and Xanthippus has little meaning beyond that they had fought together for years. Likewise with the wife of Xanthippus - I felt it hard to really feel that these two were connected as they barely spoke to each other. We we forced to rely mainly on Xanthippus’ thoughts about his wife rather than any real solid dialogue or any depth to her emotions or thoughts other than what we see from the point of view of Xanthippus. Mi único pero… es que a pesar de narrar desde los personajes, lo que estos hacen y hasta cierto punto sienten, los percibí más bien lejanos… casi ajenos a la historia (perdón si no logro explicarme). Con el único que sentí algún tipo de empatía fue con Jantipo, quizás porque es el eje central de la obra.

Conn Iggulden is no stranger to me. Many years ago I read the books on Rome, and then the books about Genghis Khan. The author knows history and writes well. I will continue to read his books until there are no more.

Conn Iggulden

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 . . . This wonderful story covers the battles of Marathon in 490 BC and the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, where Leonidas and the Spartans held the pass. No, this is REAL history "300" fans- there were more than 300 Spartans only. They were also supported by helots and Períoiko (warriors from the suburbs but not considered Spartan warriors). The story ends with the events that will develop into the Battle of Salamis and the engagement of Plataea in 479 BC. But, apparently, that is for the next volume. Damn it! Great historical fiction about a cool time in the development of Greece.

The city of Athens ( Ancient Greek: Ἀθῆναι, Athênai [a.tʰɛ̂ː.nai̯]; Modern Greek: Αθήναι, Athine [a.ˈθi.ne̞] or, more commonly and in singular, Αθήνα, Athina [a.'θi.na]) during the classical period of ancient Greece (480–323 BC) [1] was the major urban centre of the notable polis ( city-state) of the same name, located in Attica, Greece, leading the Delian League in the Peloponnesian War against Sparta and the Peloponnesian League. Athenian democracy was established in 508 BC under Cleisthenes following the tyranny of Isagoras. This system remained remarkably stable, and with a few brief interruptions remained in place for 180 years, until 322 BC (aftermath of Lamian War). The peak of Athenian hegemony was achieved in the 440s to 430s BC, known as the Age of Pericles. This book gets two stars from me as I found myself completely devoid of any connection with the characters. Samons II, Loren (2007). The Cambridge companion to the Age of Pericles. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521003896.

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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 battle of Plataeae is the ‘piece the resistance’ of the novel. My favourite character is Aristides and I loved to experience the battle from his perspective. I also enjoyed the ending, it offers already some closure. There is a new generation coming up for the next book(s). The characterization of Pericles is promising. One issue I had with all this, however, is the fact there’s just so much prose. I like reading dialogue (unless we’re talking about an HP Lovecraft story) and I felt Protector could have used more. I missed a sense of camaraderie between the characters and it’s a very long book to have so much unbroken text. I mean, I’ve just opened the book at random to look and chapter 28 has no dialogue at all. Like I say, I believe this must have been a decision the author took on purpose and I think it certainly works in terms of imparting a sense of the enormous scale of this conflict – this novel is about PEOPLES rather than PEOPLE – but I think it took me longer to finish the book as a result. The book is divided into two parts, with part one starting off in 490 BC, and the "Battle of Marathon", with most prominently featuring the main figure of the book, the righteous and courageous strategos, Xanthippus, his wife, Agariste, and their children, Ariphron, Eleni and Pericles, the last one a name to remember, and Xanthippus's young friend, Epikleos, and not to forget of course the Hero of Marathon, Miltiades, his son, Cimon, Aristides the "Just", and lastly the ambitious and cunning, Themistocles, and with most of them in part two still in action in 480 BC against the Persians in an effort to save Athens.

The author is well-known for his novels of historical fiction; this one being the first in his new Athenian series. Although it is definitely military in nature, the larger portion of the novel is devoted to the politics and laws of the time; leaning more towards a historical political thriller. There are only 2 real battle scenes; both quite brief. Conn Iggulden is one of my favourite authors because over the course of the many books I have read by him, I have never been disappointed. His first escapade into Ancient Greek history was The Falcon of Sparta, which was in my opinion a great, tense and engaging story, however overall did not hit the peak of his skill as a writer, in my opinion. We skip on some time, the story follows Xanthippus POV & his interactions with those around him, mostly Themistocles, it’s all rather banal to be sure, can’t say I really like the character at all, petulant, jealous, prideful, dull as….. all there as his trademark characteristics…… not very endearing at all & he has the political savvy of a mouse which for his station (leading family in Athens) seems jus wrong….. we also don’t really learn much about his wife, family, nor closest friend through his interactions as he’s very self-centred….. It’s a very piecemeal style compared to other works by this author that ive read.On the East side: the Gate of Diochares, leading to the Lyceum. The Diomean Gate, leading to Cynosarges and the deme Diomea. Conn Iggulden writes really well and his battle scenes in the Roman Caesar and Mongol series (all of which I absolutely loved) are superb. Yet here, the battles seem a mere prologue and epilogue to the meat of Athenian life. 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.

This is the second of Conn Iggulden’s novels which focuses on the Greco-Persian Wars. The story begins with the Persian King touring the captured city of Athens before it is set ablaze by his troops – an effective opening scene. The reader is then thrust into the midst of the Battle of Salamis – an abrupt and unsettling experience, for one who had not read the first book. They will not let one man rise to rule, not without tearing him down. How long will you last, without me to stand on the other side of the scales? How long before they see you stand alone?” And near irresistible to historical fiction writers. But if anyone is looking for non-stop bloodshed, they won't find it here. What Iggulden does in The Lion Shield/The Gates of Athens is weave the fighting into the wider politics of the period, focused primarily through the city-state of Athens. Xanthippus and Themistocles provide the main two POVs, their conflict and/or comradeship the means though which Athenian 'democracy' and its limitations is explored. This choice allows the reader to see more than just men at war, giving flashes of life in the home, agora, and assembly. stars. Protector starts where The Gates of Athens ends. The Athenians have evacuated to Salamis and are watching their city being torched by Persian troops. Offshore, the sea battle rages, the Greeks greatly outnumbered by the Persian fleet. How can the Athenians possibly survive this onslaught?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.