The Gates of Athens

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book.

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

Devour the latest epic tale of ancient Greece and Sunday Times top 5 bestseller from the author of War of the Roses.

On the plains of Marathon an army of slaves gathers . . .

Under Darius the Great, King of Kings, the mighty Persian army - swollen by 10,000 Immortal warriors - have come to subjugate the Greeks.

In their path stands an army of freeborn Athenians, and among them is fearsome and cunning soldier-statesman, Xanthippus.

Knowing defeat means slavery lends keenness to his already sharp blade . . .

Yet people soon forget that freedom is bought with blood.

Ten years later, Xanthippus watches helplessly as Athens succumbs to the bitter politics of factionalism, when the Persians cross the Hellespont in ever greater numbers to raze Athens to the ground.

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 . . .

© Conn Iggulden 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Critics Review

  • Thrilling retelling . . . It’s a brilliant read, and his description of the Battle of Thermopylae is simply a stunning – and inspiring – piece of writing

    Cotswold Life
  • Praise for Conn Iggulden

    :
  • An absolutely cracking story. The pace is nail-biting and the set dressing magnificent

    The Times
  • Absorbing and bloody

    -
  • Peopled with characters so finely honed the story becomes a gripping and glorious legend. Brilliant!

    Weekend Sport
  • Breathes new life into the darkest and most dramatic of times

    Star

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to get tailored content recommendations, product updates and info on new releases. Your data is your own: we commit to protect your data and respect your privacy.