The Olympic Victor
A novel by Helena P. Schrader
Based on the inferences and anecdotes provided by ancient sources, this novel provides a plausible account of the founding of the Peloponnesian League in the mid-6th Century BC. As in Are they Singing in Sparta ? one of the principle characters is an historic figure, in this case one of the 7 "Wise men" of the ancient world, the Spartan Ephor Chilon.
Publication of this novel is planned in 2004.
Synopsis
The Tegean nobleman and horse-breeder, Antyllus, finds little pleasure in life after the loss of his only son in the battle which defeated an invading Spartan army. Although he learns of a plot to replace Tegean democracy with tyranny, Antyllus is lamed by his own lethargy. Likewise, although his chariot is victorious at the Pythian Games in Delphi and is given high chances of success at the next Olympiad, Antyllus' lacks a driver and the ambition necessary to win. The purchase of a sick slave from the public quarries in a spontaneous gesture of humanity, however, has surprising consequences. He discovers he has purchased not just a young man with a natural gift for driving chariots - but the driver of the winning chariot at the last Olympics, Lysandridas of Sparta.
When Lysandridas' father, Teleklos, learns that his son was not killed but enslaved, he makes every effort to bring him home. Unable to raise the high price demanded by the Tegean government any other way, Teleklos sells his own racing team to his Corinthian rival. He is astonished to find that Lysandridas is not suffering in the quarries, but living like a nobleman's son and driving the horses of the Tegean horse breeder, Antyllus.
Lysandridas is faced with a choice between his natural and his adopted father, between Sparta, that looks on him with suspicion, and Tegea, which has given him a second chance. While Tegea falls increasingly under the oppressive grip of a tyrant, the war faction in Sparta gains the upper-hand. The moderates in both cities - Chilon in Sparta and Antyllus in Tegea - desperately seek a way out of a new war, and Lysandridas seems to offer an ideal bridge. But the price he has to pay is almost too high.
If you wish to be informed about the publication of this novel, contact me at novels@helena-schrader.com
For more information about Sparta, see Sparta Reconsidered.
