Gods of Men, Where the Spartans are Made

FIRST PLACE CATEGORY WINNER of the CHAUCER BOOK AWARDS for Pre-1750s Historical Fiction 2022 CIBAs. Currently shortlisted for the 2022 Chaucer historical novel awards - Gods of Men, Where the Spartans are Made is the first novel in the saga of narrative-non-fiction or factually inspired dramatic novels based on the life and times of Lysander of Sparta and the Peloponnesian War. Where the Spartans are Made covers Lysander's dramatic and violent childhood from birth through the harsh Spartan education system during the political turmoil between the Peloponnesians and the Athenian Empire (Delian League). Disadvantage by his mixed blood status, come him one half Spartiate and one half Helot, Lysander, from a noble but impoverished family, knows that to succeed and flourish, he has to shine beyond his peers, for he came into the world upon favorable omens and the favor of the gods. He is a child with a great destiny ahead of him, and from the very beginning, he has the secret protection and benefaction of Tellis, one of the most powerful men in the Peloponnese and the father of Brasidas, who will one day become Lysander's Inspirer, teacher and friend. Meanwhile, the long war with Athens (First Peloponnesian War 460–445 BC) rages on, and the Spartan army and their coalition partners are almost at the walls of Athens and victory is certain … until an Athenian emissary arrives at King Pleistoanax's camp with an offer from Pericles, supreme commander of the Delian forces. Pleistoanax takes a bribe and ends the war, with the treaty of the Thirty Years Peace. Pleistoanax, shamed by corruption is deposed and exiled, leaving Sparta, a dual monarchy, with just one king, the ageing Archidamos. Now adolescent, Lysander becomes the Inspired of every kids favorite warrior, the charismatic Brasidas, "Tamer of Mortals", (a man with a destiny of his own) and a commander of a hundred of those most feared of the Spartans, the 300). A deep bond between the youth and the elite warrior is quickly formed, a bond that will last until Brasidas's death (book #4 Gods of Men, "Amphipolis," coming in 2023). Lysander learns and masters the great mysteries of Aries like none before him. As Lysander approaches adulthood, war once again looms between the Athenian Empire and the Spartan led Peloponnesian allies. Despite the great efforts of the Spartan King Archidamos, war becomes inevitable and it will shape Lysander as it will shape history...