First published 1962
Themistocles stands before the Spartan delegation, his mind racing with diplomatic strategy. As Athens's ambassador, he must navigate the treacherous waters of Greek politics while his city reaches unprecedented heights of power and culture. The stories follow key figures during Athens's Golden Age: Criton competes at the Olympic games with his city's honor at stake, while in the bustling marketplace a humble potter pursues excellence worthy of his great city. The Persian court at Sardis displays its barbaric splendor as Greek ships clash at the battle of Salamis. Yet beneath the flashing brilliance of Athenian power, darker currents flow. The collection culminates when Socrates faces his final trial, condemned to death by the very city that embodies wisdom and learning. His verdict seems to signal not just one man's end, but the beginning of Athens's own decline from glory.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, political-science, ancient-history
Vibes: lyrical, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, political-intrigue
Setting: Athens, Sardis, Sparta
Period: Ancient Greece, Golden Age
244 pages · Hardcover · Houghton Mifflin Company