Inspired by the war god, the fearsome Spartan army storms Athens. If the Spartan soldiers—each a strapping instrument of cold, swift, brutal death—succeed in breaching the city walls, they will swarm towards the Acropolis and the defenseless women and children sheltered among its magnificent white-marble buildings.
The valiant Athenian general Demosthenes, through brave and brilliant leadership, rallies the defenders of Athens to hold the line against the powerful Spartan surge, forcing the invaders to withdraw for the winter. But the soldiers of the blood-red and shining bronze shields will come again in the spring. And then, with the help of their new weapon, they might indeed overrun Athens.

Meanwhile, far removed from the war, Orion, a promising young athlete from quite average circumstances, decides to revive the dormant Olympic Games in the hope that the Olympic Truce will result in lasting peace. But Orion must pay a costly price in his dangerous and uncertain quest to persuade the warring cities to suspend hostilities and come to the Olympia sports complex.

And if Orion succeeds in restoring the Olympic Games, will he participate—or will the games go on without him? Which colorful athletes will battle for the right to be called Olympic Champion? Which grueling war-oriented sports will the games feature? And will the games bring what Orion intends—or will the Spartans use the games to destroy the Athenian democracy?

Hardcover, In English