Another excellent Iggulden book! He can make a historical period feel so real and lived in, and with great characters. This is my favorite of his Greece novels.

I have read lots of Conn Iggulden's books and generally enjoy them all. I felt the characters in this book were almost more important than the narrative. The narrative felt less fully developed than usual and meandered a little. I assume that with the historical notes after the end of this book that it might be the last in the series. Perhaps it also the last from this author for me I have enjoyed them but feel that there is a certian sameness among the series

I’m an Iggulden addict so it’s no surprise that I loved this latest instalment in the Pericles story. The author manages to create such a vivid world, which makes me care about historical figures, who would otherwise seem quite two dimensional. I was fascinated by idea of Sparta and how different that culture was to the Athenian culture. Just brilliant storytelling: exciting, majestic, moving.

I didn’t realise this was the second book in the series, so I decided to read Lion first. Iggulden is one of my favourite authors and he has written another great book. To be honest I’m not usually a ancient historical novel kind of person, but Iggulden is really good at catching and holding my attention. He is apt at integrating fiction into a factual event. I can’t wait for the next book.

I really love Conn Iggulden's books and this one didn't disappoint. Having read book 1, I was pleased to be offered the chance to read this one and follow the story. Primarily about Pericles and Athens, you still get the comparative developments in Sparta and Greece at this time. The story has a great pace, characters I loved reading about, and did make me want to find out more about this period of history. Loved It!

Empire is the second in the Golden Age series, continuing the story told in Lion. Pericles is the main character, now the leader of Athens, appointed as a strategos (a military general). Iggulden brings the period to life as he details the continuing struggle for power between Athens and Sparta. The earthquake that struck around 464 BC destroyed most of the city of Sparta. After the Spartans rejected the Athenians’ offer of help Pericles realised that war between them was inevitable and he decided to rebuild the walls around the city to keep it safe. When the Spartans heard that the walls were rising they demanded they be taken down. The Athenians ignored this demand which, of course, led to war, with the Spartans laying siege to Athens.

Lion is an action packed and a gripping story. Iggulden tells the story, seamlessly incorporating his research into the narrative so that this doesn’t read like a textbook but as a fascinating and gripping epic tale of war and death between the states of Athens and Sparta. It’s an amazing tale of political intrigue and bloodthirsty battles. Equally as fascinating as the story is Iggulden’s Historical Note, in which he expands on the background and detail of the historical record. He also explains how he has compressed some of the years and has omitted some ‘actions, skirmishes, insults and general breakdown of good relations between the two states and their allies.’

I think it’s an entertaining and very readable book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My thanks to the publishers for a review copy via NetGalley.

Another great story by Conn Iggulden. He is one of the authors who bring history to life with their characters and descriptions. I was even more involved this time as I visted Greece and the greek islands land year and have pictures in my head. I enjoyed the structure and characters in the story and it was easy to become involved in the action. Can't wait for the next one!.

I recently was in Athens and was easy to visualize the characters moving amongst the wonderful building or using the objects in the museums.
I love Pericle age and the Golden Age of Athens. This is a gripping and action pack historical fiction that kept me hooked and turning pages.
Vivid and well researched.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

When an earthquake hits Sparta, the Athenians are willing to offer support, particularly as there is also a slave revolt. This help is snubbed and rising Athenian leader Pericles realises that whilst it may take Sparta time to recover, they will always be an enemy. He persuades the Council to build huge defensive walls. Meanwhile Sparta is starting to grow again under the leadership of young but ruthless man. As Sparta besieges Athens, plague rages and Pericles has the fate of his city and his own family to consider.
Iggulden is comfortable writing these 'sword and sandals' epics but he is also developing as a creative writer. his prose shows far more nuances that in early works and there is a human side shown to the heroes of old. This is a really pacy book wit, of course, excellent battle scenes but a lot of empathy.

Iggulden never fails to write an outstanding and gripping book. This novel follows the character Pericles, who eventually became the leader of Athens and covers his immense struggles against the warlike Spartans.
The political intrigue is set against a number of horrific hand-to-hand combat scenes taking place in various areas of Greece.

The author ensures, as always, that all the main characters are well-rounded and believable in every sense. Pericles in particular, is a very complex character who does not always take the right decision, to the detriment of Athens or his family.

I loved the way that the author discusses in detail, how catastrophic natural disasters can impact and devastate great nations and allow significant unpredicted changes to take place..

Unfortunately, I was slightly disappointed by the ending, I expected a lot more explicit detail. I won't say too much in case I spoil the plot!

This book is as good, if not better than Iggulden's previous historical novels. Which powerful characters await us in his next series?

This is the 2nd book in The Golden Age series and it sees the return of Pericles and is more his story and his role in history at the time. Once again the author weaves his magic as he brings the ancient history of Athens, Sparta and Persia to life. He has a wonderful ability to bring life to the pages and there is never a dull moment.

Spata has been floored after an unforeseen event, it has left them vulnerable. I don't think vulnerable is a word that you could use for Sparta, but it has left them in an unenviable position as riots and natural disasters rock them to their foundations. What the Spartans are though are strong-willed, resourceful and well-trained. They don't see failure but they do see opportunity.

Pericles also saw opportunity and he decided that the time had come to protect Athens and he was instrumental in bringing forward plans to protect his empire. The Long Walls were constructed and these were to provide a haven from any attack from the Spartans, and while it did work, it also had unforeseen consequences.

The region at the time was one that was fought over constantly, with each tribe or country wanting to get the upper hand. This was done either with straight-out fighting and wars or in a sneaky way with spies, the odd slip of a knife and political undermining within the Assembly.

With politics and war, there is little time for rest, the author keeps up a relentless pace that is suited to the story. With so many things going on the author navigates the reader through history and includes a great deal of factual information and accounts. he does mention, that occasionally he has moved an event or skipped over the odd more mundane fact to keep the story flowing. He does this with great flair as the story never once lets up or feels like it has a dull moment.

If you have read any of this author's books then you will know how fascinating and engaging they are. He gives an account as close to what he thinks life was like at that time. He does it so well and as a reader, you are able to immerse yourself. Rather than a dull account he gives a tale that is bursting with life and imagery to a point where you can see things as you read.

If you like a more realistic historical fiction story then this is one that you should read if you like ancient history. Engaging, at times brutal, political, backstabbing and totally addictive reading. Part of a series that will lead you through The Peleponese Wars. It is a book I would definitely recommend.

The conclusion to Conn Iggulden's series of novels about the Peloponnesian War focuses on the character of Pericles. His vision of Athens, the construction of the famous Long Walls, the collapse of his marriage and the death of his friend and mentor, Cimon are set against the growing cultural ambition of the city he loves and the uncompromising warrior mentality of its implacable enemy, Sparta.

It's a carefully constructed and convincing portrayal of the mindsets of the opposing leaders, an impressive achievement since, although these societies have elements in common with our own, they are, nonetheless, very different. But Iggulden is always conscious of the differences when drawing his characters and examining their motivations.

Altogether, this is an absorbing depiction of what was undoubtedly one of the most influential conflicts in European history

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This book follows on from book one, The Lion. Pericles is the lion of Athens, the leader of this great state, and he will do anything to protect his home and reputation.
When the old enemy, Sparta suffers a devastating earthquake, Athens offers help in the shape of ships bearing food, carpenters and stonemasons, all these will be needed to rebuild the city and provide homes for it’s citizens, but when Cimon and his men arrive, they are turned away, plus all the wagons of aid. It is considered a form of weakness to ask for help.
Whilst Sparta is busy in the aftermath of this disaster, Pericles believes that this is a golden opportunity to take measures to protect Athens, he believes that defensive walls to protect both the city and access to the harbour and sea , will be crucial in future times of strife.
Sparta is not impressed and lay siege to these walls. Pericles had not foreseen that so many people inside the city walls will bring its own problems, unrest, due to the large number of refugees, lack of homes and sanitation leads to squalor and illness, there were rumours of Plague, cholera and dysentery, all this brings Athens low, and his ships bringing in fresh supplies of water are held at the harbours, as fear of illness means no one wants to enter Athens. Has Pericles overreached too far this time?
The research is excellent, full of information, but not dry and dusty, you feel fully immersed in these people, familiar names, that within a few pages, you are happily renewing your acquaintance with them. I learnt a surprising fact from this book, namely , the lady of good death, Anissa euthana, provides our modern term of euthanasia!! History is so surprising!
My only complaint is that so many of these great leaders and names have sadly departed for the rewards of the Elysian Fiields, but I’m sure that other heroes will emerge.
With sadness, you lay down this book, and eagerly and hopefully await the next instalment.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for my advance digital copy, freely given in return for my honest and unbiased review. A five star rating. I will leave a copy of this review to Goodreads and Amazon UK.

I absolutely adore Conn Iggulden books.
They are not just a fascinating look into history but the way Iggulden writes he always brings the story yo life.
Pericles loves his homeland Athens and will do everything to protect her.
When Sparta is hit by a devastating earthquake Pericles believes that by building a wall around his beloved city it will save it from destruction.
Unfortunately the Spartans have other ideas and take the city by storm.
Who will win this war?
Brilliantly written as always.

The fourth, and perhaps, best, of Iggulden's quartet on the Golden Age of Athens. Before we have covered the wars of Greece and Persia, the epic encounters of Salamis, Thermopylae and Plataea.

In this one the focus is the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens, and the remarkable life of Pericles, the man who stood at the forefront of Athens. Iggulden writes with simple, clear authority. I thought at the beginning of this series the books were quite vague, with the characters not really brought to life in the way the author has done with Caesar and Genghis before.

This one though is brilliant. Pericles is brilliantly realised, ancient Athens springing to life off the page. In a story told from both sides, we get an illuminating picture in to the past, from the politics and debates in the inner workings of Athens, to the hard, uncompromising view of the Spartans, as the two titans of ancient Greece go toe to toe.

A thoroughly enjoyable book, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the author goes next

I read the first book which I enjoyed but this was much better.
Pericles a son of a hero of Athens has yet to prove himself in battle. He joins Cimon a son of another hero to pursue the Persians under Xerces.
The Persians have been defeated at Plateu and at sea but might come back.
Athens persuades other greek states to join a Hellenic league to finance a fleet to protect them from the Persians and promotes trade. Sparta, Corinth and Argos won't join.
Cimon is appointed naval commander 'Naviarch' tasked with finding out Persia's intentions towards the Greek nations.
Great read fast paced but considered including all the political intrigue that allows jealous lesser men to turn a hero to someone who is despised or condemned to death.
Any readers of the authors books or those of Bernard Cornwall, Simon Scarrow and the like will enjoy this. Read it in 3 days whilst holidaying near the scene of the action which helped.

An ongoing tale of Athens and Sparta who were both allies and antagonists brings together Pericles and Pleistonax in what becomes conflict of wills, bills and battle. As the history of the time is unwrapped in a way an avid Igguldenite such as myself can immerse in it is a joy to read and even better to have learnt of the prominent people, their actions and subsequent consequences which shaped and fascinate even today.

This is the sequel to The Lion and is the fourth in the Athenian series that begins with The Gates of Athens and Protector. I recommend them all if you’re interested in Ancient Greek history.

Following on from The Lion, Pericles is now a leading figure in Athens, becoming strategos in the Pelopennesian War against Sparta. He is responsible for the project which developed the Acropolis and built the Parthenon, and for the walls which protected Athens from Spartan invasion, although not from eventual defeat. Pericles achieved so much more than is portrayed here but the book would have been twice as long and much more complex if everything had been covered.

This is well researched, simply written historical fiction which aims to educate and entertain and successfully does both. As with the rest of the series, the author’s explanatory notes at the end are interesting to the reader who wants to know how closely fiction follows fact. It seems Iggulden takes few liberties with the historical record, such as it is, and that’s always a relief to me.

This was a very enjoyable read and I sincerely hope that this series will continue as I’m definitely a fan!

With thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for a review copy.

If it were ever proved that there was such a thing as reincarnation then surely Conn Iggulden must have been Pericles in a former life! I have just been enthralled from start to finish with Empire! Have lived every earth shattering, battle field, plague filled moment! I was there when Pericles gave his funeral oration after the Battle of Tanagra, I felt his isolation as leader of the Assembly and his devastation at the death of his most trusted and loyal friend! When Sparta suffers a disastrous earthquake the helots revolt and leave the Spartans suffering from a rare disability - a depleted force! When the Athenians offer to help, their pride holds them, back and so the consequences result in Pericles and his Assembly erecting a wall around their beloved Athens to defend them for all time! If only it had been that simple! Having read all Iggulden’s books, this one is up with the best and as always, leave me wanting more!

I’ve been waiting for the master story teller Iggulden to release the sequel to Lion. Yes, at last its here and I’ve read the fabulous book. In this sequel to Lion he continues the story of Pericles and Athens fortunes as a nation. As the Athenian leader much responsibility is borne by Pericles. Though these may now be seemingly peaceful times, Athens can never forget their arch enemy Sparta.

Pericles is very much aware of this fact. All Athenians dislike the Spartan’s subtle subjugation. Unfortunately, the very mention of the red cloaks of Sparta is sufficient to evoke fear. Is it surprising that when an opportunity presents itself, Pericles seizes the chance to take advantage of the Spartans vulnerability. He hopes to bring lasting peace to Athens. Does his tactic pay off or will it result in more war? The Spartans are after all equally proud and unlikely to forget any humiliation.

Iggulden has not lost his touch. This is a pacy read, with speeches galore and plenty of gore. These though are the hallmarks of ancient Athenian history. Be prepared to meet most of the characters from Lion like Aeschylus, Zeno, and also some new ones. He weaves his tale between the different Greek nations capturing the tensions in their relations with each other and also among themselves.

In the epilogue Iggulden mentions that he has condensed the real time line of events to fit his story arc. Personally I think Iggulden could have achieved this without doing so. But this did not diminish my enjoyment of the tale. Regardless the novel is historically accurate. He has successfully recreated the ancient Greek world bringing it to life. This is what gives me immense pleasure to read authentic and unbiased historical fiction.

Having read Empire I eagerly look forward to Igguldens next novel.