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. History is not simply a list of names, dates, and battles, history is the story of humanity, of us, how we got to here from there. The Gates of Athens has the names: Themistocles, Xerxes, Leonidas, Darius, among many others, even Pericles makes an appearance. The period of 490 BCE to 480 BCE is covered. We start with The Battle of Marathon, The Battle of Thermopylae and finish with, well, I’ll let you find that out for yourself. The beauty of what Iggulden did was that he made it a narrative. By focusing on one character who lived through these years, we go beyond the names and dates, the history becomes a complete story, the pieces and interactions come together. It is far easier to see and feel the big picture than the traditional way that history is taught. I was sent an advance copy of this novel by the publishers, Penguin/Random House and I was very happy to accept it as Iggulden was one of the writers who got me into this historical fiction stuff with his Emperor series. I enjoyed those immensely but must admit I’ve not read anything else by him as the periods he was covering didn’t really interest me. That is, until now. Protector is actually book two in his Athenian series and I really would have liked to start with the first, The Gates of Athens, but I simply don’t have time to read much fiction these days. 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 Gates of Athens tells the story of ancient Athens from Marathon to Thermopylae through four of the city’s most influential political and military figures. Its democracy is threatened not just by the military might of the Persian empire, but by the machinations of its own citizens.

I never thought I would find these ancient Greek wars so immersive, but Iggulden has a talent for writing battle scenes and political intriges that will get you on the edge of your seat. I send this shaft as my vow,” Xerxes heard his father murmur. “God, let me punish the Athenians as they deserve.” The lower city was built in the plain around the Acropolis, but this plain also contained several hills, especially in the southwest part. On the west side the walls embraced the Hill of the Nymphs and the Pnyx, and to the southeast they ran along beside the Ilissos. I had some trouble with getting to know the different characters during the first novel, but this second part felt like a happy reunion with some favourite characters. I definitely prefer Protector over Gates of Athens because it offers more direct action and some interesting character building. These quibbles aside, I found Protector to be a compelling, informative read. And I especially enjoyed Iggulden’s tantalizing hint about where the series (or a future one) might end up: at one point, two Persian generals are laughing about the boastful claims made by the first King Alexander of Macedonia. “You believe the man’s prophecy was wrong, then?” one of the generals asks. “Who knows,” the other answers. “I think if his family is destined to rule all Greece, this is the wrong year … Or he is the wrong Alexander of Macedon.”

Amazing plot progression and alteration of pace throughout, with a variety of historical figures, all whilst drip feeding historical information that was so interesting and educational whilst not detracting from the main focuses. Masterful. 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. Theatres: the Theatre of Dionysus, on the southeast slope of the Acropolis, was the great theatre of the state. Besides this there were Odeons, for contests in vocal and instrumental music, an ancient one near the fountain Callirrhoë, and a second built by Pericles, close to the theatre of Dionysius, on the southeast slope of the Acropolis. The large odeon surviving today, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus was built in Roman times. Contrary to the impression that the battle scene on the cover image creates, the novel consists of very little action and focuses on politics, instead. Although quite interesting to a point, it did become a bit drawn out and I had to battle through long speeches delivered at the Assembly. The novel is based on historical facts with several characters and events well-known to those interested in ancient history. Lovers of military and political historical fiction will enjoy the novel, but I found it slightly too formalistic and testosterone driven to my liking. It is, nevertheless, well written and deserves 3 stars.

Dit tweede deel over de Grieks-Perzische oorlogen beviel me veel meer dan het eerste. Misschien omdat ik ondertussen al meer bekend was met de personages. Het las allemaal wat vlotter en ik vond dit zeker een boeiend boek. The details are evocative, and the stakes are high throughout: Greece’s fate hangs in the balance, and with it, perhaps, the ensuing course of Western civilization. (In his afterword, Iggulden notes that, “The philosopher John Stuart Mill once described Plataea as more important to history than the battle of Hastings.”) Es mi primer acercamiento con la pluma del autor, y puedo decir, que me ha gustado. Es sencilla y solo profundiza en los aspectos que son más importantes de los personajes principales de ambos bandos, los Persas y los Atenienses. El narrador omnisciente nos hace un retrato bien perfilado de la ciudad de Atenas, sus costumbres como civilización y sus políticas de gobierno. The city was surrounded by defensive walls from the Bronze Age and they were rebuilt and extended over the centuries.

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. 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 . . .

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. 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?So… I did finish the book, have I been overly harsh on Mr Iggulden….. well I have to say as Ive already mentioned I loved his Wolf of the Plains series, less his saga about the War of the Roses (which I found very up/down across the series) & now even less so this, his Peloponnesian wars opener…. The detail jus isn’t there, it’s a synopsis style, a series of short stories if you will that are knitted together by the commonality of the theme where characters flit in/out, not fleshed out at all bar the main (only) two POV’s of Xanthippus & Themistocles, even then it’s spartan (sorry couldn't resist that one, jus had too!) at that. Ok that’s the style needed to cover it all in one book but by covering so few characters it becomes very staid & his MC is as dull as…….

I go into this in the full knowledge that this first book of the series will cover history that ive read in another series – Long War by Christian Cameron – which covers the Greco-Persian war in much more detail (6 books) ….. my real interest is reading a series about the later Peloponnesian wars (Sparta & Athens) which is where this series by Conn Iggulden winds up or so the “book sell” stuff tells us….. Conn Iggulden has the gift of making ancient history come alive - from the battles of Salamis, Plataea and Mycale, ultimately battles to save the Western world from becoming part of the already massive Persian Empire, to the politics of Athens and Sparta. The main characters’ names are legendary - Themistocles, Xanthippus, Cimon, Kings Alexander of Macedon and Xerxes of Persia. This is quality historical fiction, well researched, brought to life, and with an excellent end note by the author which adds further detail. Resentment by other cities at the hegemony of Athens led to the Peloponnesian War in 431, which pitted Athens and her increasingly rebellious sea empire against a coalition of land-based states led by Sparta. The conflict marked the end of Athenian command of the sea. The war between Athens and the city-state Sparta ended with an Athenian defeat after Sparta started its own navy. This is a period of history that I have always been interested in and fascinated by. It is a tale that has heroic acts, almost inconceivable victories and a story that allows for the exploration Hellenic culture. The Gates of Athens delivers on all accounts, stripping away the romanticism of battle, whilst still sharing the bravery and courage of individuals and showing how an idea or concept of something larger than yourself can motivate people to incredible acts.Focusing on Xanthippus (father of Pericles) as he finds in the decade after the battle that politics, as usual, is infecting Athens. They have not prepared for the Persian threat. However, Darius's son and successor, Xerxes, has. The tale follows the machinations of Xeres upon coming to the throne to gather the forces of his empire to annihilate the Greek city-states.