That’s just one section, though, so don’t worry, there’s lots of fighting and killing to whet your thirst for violence! The sea battles at the start are very well described as are the fights we see on land later on. There’s a duel near the end which I really enjoyed as it ends a little differently than I expected but all the fight scenes are visceral and exciting. First of all, for context, I'm trained as a historian specializing in the pre- and early Roman ancient Mediterranean, especially with regards to issues of identity and imperialism. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher to provide me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

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 wellacclaimed master ofthehistorical adventure novel. The City, properly so called, divided into The Upper City or Acropolis, and The Lower City, surrounded with walls by Themistocles. 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, theAthenians emerge victorious. After Marathon, the four men return to Athens to a hero’s welcome but they are soon divided by ambition and conflicting interests in ways that resonate today. Through Xanthippus’s eyes we see how corruption, charisma and factionalism all challenge the institutions that are supposed to protect their democracy. This isn’t great literature but it is a very good read. I’m not sure that my review copy is the finished article as there were a few editing issues but they were minor and didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book. A strong 4 stars from me. The best part is that this is the first in a trilogy and I’m really looking forward to the sequel.

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The battle of Marathon took place in 490 BC. King Darius of Persia attempted to bring the city of Athens down; vowing revenge and destruction after the city’s refusal to submit to Persian rule. The battle ended - but the consequences lasted for more than a decade.

On the South side: the Gate of the Dead in the neighbourhood of the Mouseion. The Itonian Gate, near the Ilissos, where the road to Phalerum began. On the East side: the Gate of Diochares, leading to the Lyceum. The Diomean Gate, leading to Cynosarges and the deme Diomea. Through the perspectives of different characters, primarily Themistocles and Xanthippus, Mr Iggulden takes us into the battles. The battle at Plataea captured and held my attention: we alternate between Aristides and Mardonius, from one side to the other, as the advantage shifts between the opposing armies. And after the battle? Mr Iggulden takes us further. 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.Er zijn heel wat afwisselende perspectieven en de focus ligt opnieuw op twee grote veldslagen. Die van Plataea is misschien wel de belangrijkste uit de hele oorlog.

The silver mines of Laurion contributed significantly to the development of Athens in the 5th century BC, when the Athenians learned to prospect, treat, and refine the ore and used the proceeds to build a massive fleet, at the instigation of Themistocles. [8] If Iggulden decides to tell that tale—of how the third Alexander from Macedonia’s royal family came to be known as “the Great”—I will absolutely devour it (top-down storytelling or not). Especially if Iggulden relates it with the same deft blend of pacing and politics he showcases in Protector. 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.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. Conn Igguilden has written an exciting account of the battles of Marathon and Thermopylae. I was there! With Xanthippus and his hoplites, I fought against the Persian Immortals on the beach at Marathon. I stood with Leonidas, holding the pass at Thermopylae against the Persian forces before succumbing. I fought with Xanthippus again, this time on a trireme against a huge Persian fleet. Igguilden’s research into these events and life in Athens at the time is meticulous. I’d urge anyone with teenagers struggling to learn ancient Greek history to give them this to read as it brings it alive in a way that a textbook never will. The historical note at the end explains the liberties with the facts but they’re few.