Rage of Ares

by Christian Cameron Book 6 in the The Long War series.

First published 2016

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4.7(1,128)

After the Persian fleet is defeated at Salamis, Mardonius remains in Greece with a powerful land army and attempts to divide the alliance that opposes him. Arimnestos returns to Plataea as Greek contingents gather on familiar ground under commanders who distrust one another almost as much as the enemy.

The long manoeuvre before battle tests supply, discipline and political patience before the armies finally collide in 479 BCE. Arimnestos fights to protect his home and bring the invasion to an end, but the scale of the killing forces him to confront the cost of the reputation he has built throughout the Long War.

Plataea matters because the Greek alliance survives long enough to defeat the remaining Persian field army on land, while the associated naval victory at Mycale helps end the immediate invasion threat. The novel therefore closes the Long War at the point when defensive cooperation begins to create new questions about which polis will lead the Greek world after the common enemy retreats.