The Olympic Charioteer

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.

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