Book Blurb:
From award-winning author, Philip Remus, comes Fourth gripping Novel in the award winning, Gods of Men series of books – “Gods of Men, Amphipolis” is based on real events and people.
After a desperate struggle, the Spartans and Lakedaimonian on the island of Sphacteria are cut off from help. Disaster strikes, when the dry flora of the island catches on fire denuding the island, leaving the Spartans exposed.
The Athenian generals Cleon and Demosthenes know just how to exploit the situation, leaving the Spartans with two choices: Surrender and live or fight to their certain deaths.
Brasidas, recovered from his injuries puts an audacious plan to the Kings and his council and is granted permission to march north to Thrace with 1700 crack hoplites to destabilise and capture the cities of the Chalkidis and Thrace that are loyal to Athens.
Things get off to a good start, when, before marching north, Brasidas is summoned to the Isthmus of Corinth, to the Megarid, which has been invaded by sea and land, where he drives the Athenians into a full retreat.
Brasidas’s primary target is, Amphipolis on the Strymon River and a jewel in the Athenian Empire, vital to Athens’ ability to continue the war.
Meanwhile, two Athenian armies plan to mount a coordinated attack against Boeotia. Pagondas of Thebes, supreme commander of the Boeotian League, rewrites the book of warfare forever, and what follows is the first pitched hoplite battle of the war so far and it will have devastating consequences for the vanquished.
Back in Thrace and Macedon, Brasidas opens the second front in the north by capturing one city after the other, not through battle, but by other means. But not everybody falls for the sweet-talking Spartan, and his most important ally, Perdiccas of Macedon will lead him on unwanted adventures in Lynkestis with disastrous consequences when the Macedonians betray him. But Brasidas is a storm nothing can stop, and he presses on against the hated Athenians at Amphipolis, where his name id forever etched into history…
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Author Bio:
Philip Remus was born and grew up in Lewisham, South East London, where he attended the local comprehensive and was diagnosed as dyslexic at the age of 11. A big hurdle for a wanna-be writer, and Remus had dreamed of being a writer from primary/junior school, where he often made-up adventure stories for the class on the hoof at story time, displaying a broad imagination. But he was always the dunce of the class. It wasn’t until Remus was 11 years old that he was diagnosed as dyslexic, later confirmed when he was 14. After being diagnosed, Remus, aged 11 started reading text books, starting with William L Shirer’s “Rise and fall of the Third Reich” which he borrowed from his dad, and it took over a year to read, but that put him on a road of studying, first European history from 1850 to 1939, focusing on the rise of extremism and social and political upheavals in eastern and central Europe that ultimately led to the likes of Stalin and Hitler. And under his pen name Chris Black, he’s written two powerful novels based during the rise of the Nazis and their swift takeover of power, and as with his ancient world writing, he doesn’t varnish a thing, unveiling the fear and horrors that permeated many minority groups such as LGBT in those dark and dangerous years. But it’s in ancient world where Remus really loves to delve, with special interests in Sparta and Philip II of Macedon, but he doesn’t ignore anything in between.
Remus lived in France for four few years, where he travelled extensively throughout Europe working as a photographer, and had the great fortune of doing a number of archaeological pictures for the Greek Ministry of Antiquities.
Following a spinal injury, Remus had to give up photography, after over twenty years in the industry. As with his dyslexia, Remus wasn’t going to rest on his laurels, despite chronic pain, for Remus, this was the perfect opportunity to follow his lifelong dream, and put all that accumulated knowledge into writing novels.
Editorial Review:
In the fourth installment of the ‘Gods of Men’ series, Amphipolis by Philip Remus is a riveting continuation of his exploration into the complexities of ancient warfare and politics. This novel shines a spotlight on a lesser known but pivotal moment of the Peloponnesian War and delivers a pulse-pounding narrative as Spartan general Brasidas turns his sights on the strategically crucial city of Amphipolis.
With Athens's military ambitions clashing with Sparta's relentless drive, the stakes couldn't be higher. As Brasidas seeks to seize this key stronghold, he faces not only fierce resistance but also internal betrayals and political machinations. His uneasy alliance with Perdiccas of Macedon adds another layer of tension, leading to unexpected twists and high-stakes drama.
Remus brings to life the intense power struggles and personal conflicts that defined this era. The way the story is told, from the strategy, betrayal, and resilience of the characters is simply stunning.
The story begins right in the middle of a siege—a firestorm ravaging Sphacteria, the embattled islet where Spartan forces, led by Epitadas, face a dire situation. Tension is high, and there is a palpable sense of foreboding as the Spartans, cut off from aid and struggling with the Athenians' blockade, prepare for an inevitable confrontation.
Demosthenes proposes a strategy to land men from both the west and east sides of the island simultaneously, and close in on both sides to overwhelm the Spartans. Since it has been an ongoing siege, both the Spartan numbers and morale are low.
Meanwhile, the Spartan side is in dire straits, in despair, feeling abandoned by the gods and resigned to dying on the island. They’re severely rationed on food, and have resorted to boiling the last of the oats and eating lizards, worms, and insects to survive. Attempts to smuggle food have failed, since the Athenians have blockaded Pylos and Sphacteria, cutting off all supplies.
Remus deftly captures the grim determination of the Spartans and the shifting tides of Athenian strategy, showcasing a clash of philosophies between the war mongering Cleon and the more temperate Nicias. More on this later, but the character development in this book is simply brilliant. It is clear that Remus writes from a deep knowledge of history, but also of human psychology.
As the Athenians, under Cleon and Demosthenes, plan a night assault, the tension builds as they plot and set in action a plan they have been preparing for. The battle sequences are vivid and intense, showing the chaos of war and the strategic brilliance and desperation on both sides. The surprise attack, with its stealth and ferocity, culminates in a significant Spartan victory that felt satisfying—Remus's skill in portraying the high stakes and brutal reality of ancient warfare has won the day.
One of the novel's most compelling elements is its portrayal of Brasidas, a Spartan general whose audacious plans and personal sacrifices drive much of the plot. Remus explores Brasidas's character with loving depth, depicting him as both a tactical genius and a flawed hero. The political stakes are heightened by his interactions with key figures like Lysander and the Macedonian King Perdiccas. The layers of intrigue and betrayal keep adding up.
‘We should’ve died fighting, to the very last of us.’
Nobody responded; after all, what could they say, he was only saying what they were too afraid to say, but every one of them thought it. They had fought like Spartans, but they did not die like Spartans. Sparta must be ashamed of them … how could they not be?
To their surprise, the Lakedaimonians were treated with a good deal of respect by their captors. Not one Athenian soldier spat on them, or hit them. Even the spectators seemed to afford the Spartans some measure of respect. It was entirely unexpected, and Styphon for one was relieved.
Of course, it might all be a ruse to keep them calm while they were led away to be killed? They wouldn’t be the first Spartans to be put to death by the Athenians in this war.
The novel also does an excellent job of exploring the human cost of war. The capture of Spartan prisoners and their subsequent treatment was an interesting contrast between Spartan honor and Athenian pragmatism. Remus doesn't shy away from showing the emotional and psychological impacts of these events, adding a rich, human dimension to the political and military maneuvers.
Despite how intense the politics and the battles are, the characters are truly the heart and soul of the novel. Remus brings historical figures to life with a depth and complexity that makes them feel real and relatable. Each character has distinct motivations, personal struggles, and evolving relationships that drive the plot forward.
Brasidas, for instance, is portrayed as a charismatic and determined leader whose tactical brilliance is matched by his personal vulnerabilities. His personal conflicts and the sacrifices he makes make him both admirable and deeply human. You most certainly want a Brasidas in your corner.
Cleon, on the other hand, comes across as ambitious and fiercely driven, but also flawed and overconfident. His aggressive strategies and political maneuvering reinforce the high stakes of the conflict, while his personal interactions reveal a more nuanced, human side. Even the most war hungry, ambitious people are ultimately still human.
The supporting characters, like Lysander and Epitadas, are also well-developed. Lysander's growth as the book progresses is satisfying to read and his relationship with Brasidas was wonderful, while Epitadas’s struggles and leadership challenges offer a grounded perspective on the Spartan side of the conflict.
Overall, the characters in Amphipolis serve to enhance both the historical drama and the personal stakes of the story.
The pacing is brisk, with each chapter driving the plot forward while providing ample historical and strategic context, drawing readers into the historical setting effortlessly. Remus balances deep historical accuracy with functional, precise prose that brings ancient Greece to life and allows his storytelling to shine. His descriptions are present without being overwhelming. This might not appeal to readers who prefer more languid and lush prose, but his style does bring an immediacy and authenticity to the story that works here.
The dialogue was delightful, and captured the nuances of each character's voice and made interactions feel authentic and dynamic. The conversations are sharp and purposeful, often revealing deeper layers of the characters and advancing the plot in a natural way.
The pacing is generally well maintained, with a good mix of action and introspection. Remus knows when to dive into detailed tactical descriptions and when to pull back and focus on character development or thematic elements. This balance keeps the narrative moving and maintains reader interest nicely.
There are few bad things to say about Amphipolis. Philip Remus delivers a compelling addition to the "Gods of Men" series, combining historical detail with a gripping narrative. The novel stands out for its wonderful character studies, intense battle scenes, and its exploration of the moral ambiguities of war. Fans of the series will find much to admire, while newcomers will be drawn into a richly imagined historical saga.
******
“Gods of Men: Amphipolis” by Philip Remus receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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