I had heard from an early time of my life of the tales of Ancient Greece and the battles that occurred between them and Persians. Names like Xerces and Leonidas stuck in my mind as did the film 300. This book brought all this back but with one important improvement – the personalization behind the names bringing the whole story to life. The details of the activities of the governance of the Athenian rulers I found fascinating as it brings a better understanding of the decision-making processes of 2500 years ago, some of which are not too dissimilar to what happens in democracies today.
Bringing the family of Xanthippus into sharp relief emphasizes the kind of domestic pressures that can affect powerful individuals throughout history and shows it is not a modern phenonium. In particular, I found that his rather sporadic contact with his family both during his time fighting the Persians and his time in exile was well presented and allowed the reader to become more absorbed in the story.
The detailed descriptions of the land and sea battles despite being gruesome at times, just emphasizes the brutality of the warfare of the day where most of the time the protagonists are battling one on one.
I feel that this book is written in such a way as to bring this short, but important, period of history into stark relief and brings all aspects of life in ancient Greece to our modern world.

Another great read from Conn Iggulden. Once again he seamlessly merges history, fact and exciting fiction to bring alive the lives and times of ancient Persia and Greece.
You can almost taste the blood and horror of battle as the Greeks defend their city from their age old enemy.
I look forward with bated breath to the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

On the whole, I really enjoyed this. I read The Falcon of Sparta last year and this was just as good. There's an excellent portrait of Athenian life and the development of law. If you love classical history, I'm sure you'll enjoy this. Minor complaint? I know women were prescribed a more submissive existence in Ancient Greece but really that was externally. Anyone who genuinely thinks most women were happy with their lot and didn't find ways to act with autonomy is very deluded. TBH there were men who were happy to take advice from their wives and sisters. So yes, sexist society but also, having to work within a constrictive framework doesn't mean you don't find ways to buck the system. Perfect example is Artemesia the warrior/ pirate queen (only a tiny sketch though!) who was actually probably only one of many intelligent, active women - she just made so much noise that she had to be included. It's really worth remembering when you write hist fic that women and slaves and whichever ethnicity was currently on the outs were written out deliberately; that doesn't mean they weren't there and actively participating. If we all keep continuing to write marginalised voices out, we'll keep perpetuating the false understanding that they weren't present and didn't do anything when we know it wasn't true. (Seriously, there is evidence.) Anyway, minor rant over. I would still recommend this to fans of ancient histfic.

I really enjoyed this. I could imagine the life in long ago Athens, the descriptions were excellent. The characters were believable and likeable although I always find it difficult to imagine that violence and a battle was the first thought of the men!
There was a clear description of the submissive life of women in this society with a tiny thumbnail sketch of a warrior queen who had to fight for more than the victory! I also enjoyed the details about the laws and law making in ancient Athens.
The excellent research was obvious in the writing.
The story starts and ends with great battles and the descriptions of the fighting are amazing - and scary.
Thoroughly recommended.

This is a book for lovers of classical history and literature. It deals with events four centuries before BC when Greece was a set of states with separate city governments. Athens believed in its supremacy not least because of its importance in stemming the advance of the Persian Empire. Meticulously researched,this book has interesting characters and clear understanding of the intricacies of early government systems. There is a lot of description but the clash of personalities gives it intrigue and interest.