In E.S. Kraay's book 'The Olympian: A Tale of Ancient Hellas', the
relative peace of Greece and its Olympic Games during 480 B.C.E. is
interrupted by the impending invasion of the multinational forces of
the Persian empire. Mirroring the tumultuous events in which Western
and Eastern civilizations clash, one of the era's pivotal moments is
told through the eyes of the poet Simonides, who is best remembered as
composing the elegiac couplet, "Go tell the Spartans, passerby, that
obedient to her laws we lie."
Exhaustive research has yielded a fascinating story of Theagenes,
one of ancient history's overlooked Olympians. With Kraay's colorful
storytelling, we see a champion of great complexity who is tormented by
an inner drive which is unflinching in its will to defeat all
competitors. In a denouement befitting the Battle of Thermopylae,
Theagenes' 'demons' are only excised with the annihilation of the
venerated King Leonidas and his 300 Spartan warriors. E.S. Kraay's 'The
Olympian' pays homage to not only the immortalized 300 Spartans, but to
the ideals and spirit of the Olympic Games which makes this a book I
highly recommend.
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Here's a link to an interview with author Gene Kraay, where he discusses the book 'The Olympian: A Tale of Ancient Hellas'. The inspiration and research behind several of the principal characters Theagenes and Simonides is offered, which provides a fascinating look at the Olympic Games and the Battle of Thermopylae.
