Historian and author,
Helena Schrader, brings ancient Sparta to life with her new historical
novel, The Olympic Charioteer. It's a story of a young man, a natural
charioteer, who finds himself enslaved. It is the story of two fathers,
on opposite sides of a bitter war, each mourning the loss of a son in
the same battle. It is the story of Olympic - and political - ambitions.
The Olympic Charioteer also explores the founding of the Peloponnesian
League, bringing into focus the war between Sparta and Tegea during the
6th Century BC. As in Schrader's other historical novels such as
Spartan Slave, Spartan Queen and Are They Singing in Sparta?, the
characters in The Olympic Charioteer are understandable, accessible and
"alive" - without being anachronistic.
If you're a lover of ancient Greek history, you'll enjoy The Olympic
Charioteer and the way that Schrader mixes history with the lives of
people who seem so real.
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A Novel of Turmoil and Triumph in Ancient Times
Helena Schrader obviously well-researched the history she brings to
life in her new novel, The Olympic Charioteer.
Amid the turmoil of war and politics Schrader's characters are involved
with issues that helped to form the government we have now. Two ancient
Greek city-states are involved in a conflict that is destined to result
in the very first non-aggression pact in history - and behind the
scenes, an important Olympic victory is anticipated by the residents of
Tegea.
Schrader weaves the characters into The Olympic Charioteer and the real
history of an ancient civilization as it struggles with democracy and
the demagogues that want to take it down. The historical tapestry she
creates runs the gamut of fierce competition between charioteers and
how the world of ancient politics has affected our lives today.
Actual events are the backdrop of The Olympic Charioteer and Helena
Schrader does a skillful job of creating characters that are believable
and who play in to actual historical events.
There's Antyllus who's a powerful, wealthy and well-respected part of
his community. Lysandridas is another character who becomes involved in
the politics of the time and Ambelos, his friend, a club-footed son of
a powerful leader who jumps into the political arena to become an
important part of the emerging democracy.
When you read The Olympic Charioteer you'll delve back into a time in
history that was both brutal and alluring and you'll find the
characters that Schrader created to be a dynamic and believable part of
that history.
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The Olympic Charioteer - A Novel of Politics and Olympic Competition in
Ancient Sparta
We can learn so much from the politics in ancient times and how wars
and the efforts of a few leaders in a city or community can influence
the future. Helena Schrader weaves a tapestry of the rich history of
Sparta and the characters she created in her new historical novel, The
Olympic Charioteer.
The Olympic Charioteer is a moving and timely story of how a few
leaders in the town of Sparta and Tegea are involved in various
political and Olympic competition venues and over a period of time make
an impact in the lives of the citizens in those city-states. As
political issues are tossed about, preparations for the prestigious
Olympic Games are in motion and everyone anticipates the outcome.
Wealthy and powerful Antyllus rescues a slave and the slave becomes
highly instrumental in the Olympic victory that Tegea expects. Other
characters, Lysandridas and Ambelos become involved in the politics
that actually led to democratic changes that still affect our lives.
Ambelos is the son of a Tegean politician and despite of his club foot,
gains respect from the city as he develops political acumen.
Lysandridas is Ambelos' friend who guides him along the dramatic road
to a more democratic society.
The rescued slave, Phillip, becomes enmeshed in the drama taking place
in ancient times and plays a major and memorable part in the outcome of
Helene Schrader's historical novel, The Olympic Charioteer. You won't
be able to put it down - but when you do, you'll want to read
Schrader's other accounts of history - either fiction or non-fiction.