Conn Iggulden

The momentous struggle between Athens and Sparta as rival powers and political systems will last for twenty-seven years (431 to 404 BC). It will end in the fall of Athens. Filled with cunning political scheming, astonishing military prowess, invasions, treacheries, plagues, ambitions, virtues, and emotions and a lot of intrigue, Conn Iggulden brings to life one of the most thrilling chapters of the ancient world.

Athenian

The Lion Shield

Pam Sartain

The Gates of Athens by Conn Iggulden is set in ancient Athens, starting in 490 B.C.E. (I prefer B.C.E which stands for Before Christian Era compared to B.C which stands for Before Christ.  It's exactly the same year.  The book is written with B.C.)

Anyway, we're in 490 B.C.E in Athens, and we're joining men of Athens who are going to Marathon to fight the Persians.  We meet Xanthippus, Thermistocles, Aristides and other historical figures, and see events unfold for them.  Because yes, this is the famous battle of Marathon!  We see the aftermath, and how the Athenians carry out day to day affairs.

I enjoyed this book for the look at ancient Athens, and how democracy worked for them during this time, and there is a lot of political machinations and war in this book.  I also enjoyed revisiting characters that I learnt about during my degree.  

This is the first in a new series that will be set in these ancient times, so if you'd like to learn more then this is an enjoyable way to do it!

The Gates of Athens was published on 29th September 2020, and is available from  Amazon , Waterstones and from your  local independent bookshop .

You can follow Conn Iggulden on the official  fan facebook page, run by his publishers .

I was given this book in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to  Penguin Michael Joseph .

The Lion Shield Athenian

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