The bestselling author of The Falcon of Sparta returns to the Ancient World with an epic exploration of power 490 B.C. Two great empires are about to go to war . . .The momentous struggle between Athens and Sparta as rival powers and political systems will last for twenty-seven years (431 to 404 BC). It will end in the fall of a dynasty. Filled with cunning political scheming, astonishing military prowess, invasions, treacheries, plagues, ambitions, virtues, and emotions and a lot of intrigue, Conn Iggulden brings to life one of the most thrilling chapters of the ancient world.PRAISE FOR CONN IGGULDEN'The pace is nail-biting and the set-dressing magnificent' Times'Pacy . . . and packed with action' Sunday Times'One of our finest historical novelists' Daily Express'Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction' Daily Mirror