Alexanor is a man who has seen too much blood. He has left the sword behind him to become a healer in the greatest sanctuary in Greece, turning his back on war.

But war has followed him to his refuge at Epidauros, and now a battle to end the freedom of Greece is all around him. The Mediterranean superpowers of Rome, Egypt and Macedon are waging their proxy wars on Hellenic soil, turning Greek farmers into slaves and mercenaries.

When wounded soldier Philopoemen is carried into his temple, Alexanor believes the man's wounds are mortal but that he is not destined to die. Because he knows Philopoemen will become Greece's champion. Its last hero. The new Achilles.

"Superb . . . There are few writers since Mary Renault who are better than Cameron at conjuring up a vision of ancient Greece" - Antonia Senior, THE TIMES

"One of the finest writers of historical fiction in the world" - BEN KANE, Sunday Times bestselling author of CLASH OF EMPIRES

"Emotive and powerful, and very highly recommended" - PARMENION BOOKS on Salamis

"A storyteller at the height of his powers" - HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY on The Green Count

"Cameron's artistry and craftsmanship offer much to recommend" - THE GLOBE AND MAIL on God of War

"An extraordinary and staggering achievement . . . I doubt Cameron's expertise in Greek military history can be equalled" - FOR WINTER NIGHTS on God of War