The Gates of Athens: Book One in the Athenian series

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Athens was in Attica, about 30 stadia from the sea, on the southwest slope of Mount Lycabettus, between the small rivers Cephissus to the west, Ilissos to the south, and the Eridanos to the north, the latter of which flowed through the town. The walled city measured about 1.5km (0.93mi) in diameter, although at its peak the city had suburbs extending well beyond these walls. The Acropolis was just south of the centre of this walled area. The city was burnt by Xerxes in 480 BC, but was soon rebuilt under the administration of Themistocles, and was adorned with public buildings by Cimon and especially by Pericles, in whose time (461–429 BC) it reached its greatest splendour. Its beauty was chiefly due to its public buildings, for the private houses were mostly insignificant, and its streets badly laid out. Towards the end of the Peloponnesian War, it contained more than 10,000 houses, [11] which at a rate of 12 inhabitants to a house would give a population of 120,000, though some writers make the inhabitants as many as 180,000. Athens consisted of two distinct parts: 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…….

Conn Iggulden writes really well and his battle scenes in the Roman Caesar and Mongol series (all of which I absolutely loved) are superb. Yet here, the battles seem a mere prologue and epilogue to the meat of Athenian life. I was born in the normal way in 1971, and vaguely remember half-pennies and sixpences. I have written for as long as I can remember: poetry, short stories and novels. It’s what I always wanted to do and read English at London University with writing in mind. I taught English for seven years and was Head of English at St. Gregory’s RC High School in London by the end of that period. I have enormous respect for those who still labour at the chalk-face. In truth, I can’t find it in me to miss the grind of paperwork and initiatives. I do miss the camaraderie of the smokers’ room, as well as the lessons where their faces lit up as they understood what I was wittering on about. Main articles: Age of Pericles, Ancient Greek philosophy, Athenian festivals, and Greek theatre The Karyatides statues of the Erechtheion on its Acropolis.A decade later one of the heroes is dead; his son, blaming one of the others, is filled with bloodlust and revenge; two are in exile and one is receiving alarming reports of the new young Persian king, Xerxes, son of Darius, building the biggest army the world has ever seen to avenge the battle of Marathon - and to destroy Athens forever. To save the city; the people and the unique concept of Athenian democracy and freedom, the Assembly, laws will have to be changed and enemies will have to work together against the Persian threat, resulting in the final stand at Thermopylae.

The Gates of Athens" by Conn Iggulden is a great retelling of the Greek conflict with the Persian Emprire. Starting with Darius' attempt in 490 BC at Marathon, the story then delves into the politics of Athens and Greece in general. 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. Cynosarges, east of the city, across the Ilissos, reached from the Diomea gate, a gymnasium sacred to Heracles, where the Cynic Antisthenes taught. This is the second novel in the Athenian series of Conn Iggulden, telling the tale of the Persians Wars and the Peloponnesian War. I did enjoy ‘the gates of Athens‘ that ends with the fantastic first part of the battle of Salamis. Protector continues the story of this battle and I was immediately drawn into the action. 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.Democracy and knowledge: innovation and learning in classical Athens by Josiah Ober p. 40 ISBN 0-691-13347-6 (2008) I loved Iggulden’s Emperor series, in which characters were far more deeply developed through multiple points of view and his Khan series where emotion and dialogue between characters far outshines anything written in this book. 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] 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.

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. For me, the political machinations are what makes The Gates of Athens, but the strength of Conn Iggulden’s writing is that you can find what you want in it – vivid battle scenes, rich depictions of daily life, plot twists and drama. This is the first in a new series and I’m already looking forward to the next book.The city was surrounded by defensive walls from the Bronze Age and they were rebuilt and extended over the centuries. Pericles – an Athenian general, politician and orator – distinguished himself above the other personalities of the era, men who excelled in politics, philosophy, architecture, sculpture, history and literature. He fostered arts and literature and gave to Athens a splendor which would never return throughout its history. He executed a large number of public works projects and improved the life of the citizens. Hence, this period is often referred to as "Age of Pericles." [9] Silver mined in Laurium in southeastern Attica contributed greatly to the prosperity of this Athenian Golden Age. The author is well-known for his novels of historical fiction; this one being the first in his new Athenian series. Although it is definitely military in nature, the larger portion of the novel is devoted to the politics and laws of the time; leaning more towards a historical political thriller. There are only 2 real battle scenes; both quite brief. I send this shaft as my vow,” Xerxes heard his father murmur. “God, let me punish the Athenians as they deserve.” Al final, el autor nos regala una Nota Histórica donde detalla los elementos de su amplia documentación y las licencias que se ha tomado.