The Flowers of Adonis

The Flowers of Adonis
First edition cover
Publication	1969
Length	Novel
Audience	Adult
Historical era	Late 5th century BCE

The Flowers of Adonis is a novel for adults published in 1969 by Hodder & Stoughton. It is a dramatisation of the later life of the Athenian politician Alkibiades during the Peloponnesian War, as told by historical and fictional supporting characters who cross paths with him.

The book is dedicated "For Rupert", and has an epigraph in French from Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac.

Plot

The Citizen, an unnamed merchant, describes how as a young man he watched the Athenian forces march out of the city for the invasion of Sicily on the day of ritual mourning for the god Adonis. The city's Herm statues had been desecrated on the intended day of the fleet's departure, and its young co-general Alkibiades accused of blaspheming the Eleusinian Mysteries, only to be despatched on the expedition against his wishes with a delayed trial awaiting him (1). Arkadius the marine and Antiochus the sailing-master describe the departure of the fleet and its arrival in Italy, where Alkibiades learns that the Sicels who begged for help against Syracuse do not have money to add to the expedition, nor are the leaders of Messana eager for their city to serve as the Athenian base (2). At a dinner-party given by the Chief Archon of Messana, a dancing-girl passes a message to Alkibiades to meet the leaders of a pro-Athenian faction who propose to overthrow the ruling pro-Syracusan party with Alkibiades's support (3). Alkibiades passes the summer making allies of the surrounding cities and raiding Syracusan land, before he is suddenly summoned back to Athens to face trumped up blasphemy charges, far from his supporters in the fleet (4). To their frustration he refuses to stage a mutiny and hands over command to his co-generals with seeming good grace, but secretly exposes the Messana conspirators to prevent the vital city from falling into Athenian hands, and with Antiochus escapes from his escort en route home (5).

Alkibiades and Antiochus arrive in Sparta, where Alkibiades receives news that he has been convicted in absentia and sentenced to death. He then proposes that the Spartans accede to Syracuse's request for help while also occupying northern Attica, in order to prevent Athenian reinforcements, first attacking the disputed Argolid in order to provoke Athens into breaking the truce (6). Over the next year, Sparta prepares to follow his advice while watching the deteriorating situation in Sicily. Alkibiades, refused a further role in the campaign by King Agis, prepares to seduce Agis's young future queen Timea (7). A small earthquake occurs on their wedding night and Agis, who is not attracted to women, makes it an excuse not to sleep with Timea until his return from campaign (8). On the night of the army's departure Alkibiades and Timea begin an affair, and she becomes pregnant. Meanwhile, the Sicilian expedition ends in disaster for the Athenians (9). Persian envoys vie for Spartan assistance in overthrowing the Athenian empire over the Greek cities of Ionia, and Alkibiades, feeling the imminent need to escape Sparta, persuades the Ephors to support a revolt in Chios, with himself present. Alkibiades loses interest in Timea after she reveals her pregnancy and gives birth, and she plants the rumour that the child is his in hopes that Agis will kill him, which he indeed vows to do (10). A small Spartan squadron evades an Athenian blockade and spends the summer stirring up revolt against the Athenian Empire among the Ionian islands with the support of the Persian satrap Tissaphernes, but the advantage gradually swings back to the Athenians. Alkbiades and Antiochus abandon the fleet after receiving a warning from their former host Endius that Alkibiades has been sentenced to death for interfering in the Spartan succession (11).

They take refuge with Tissaphernes, the satrap of Lydia, whom Alkbiades advises not to support his Sparta allies too strongly against their Athenian opponents, allowing Persia to conquer a divided Hellas. Alkibiades sleeps with Timandra, a slave who overheard their conversation, and she falls in love with him (12). The Spartans quarrel with Tissaphernes and Alkibiades offers to bring Persian support to Athens if she will remove the democratic government that condemned him. Athens sends envoys, but Tissaphernes draws back, so Alkbiades offers intolerable terms to force the Athenians to break off negotiations (13). The marine Arkadius, escaped from Sicilan slavery, is with the Samos fleet when oligarchs attempt a coup in hopes of tempting Alkibiades back. In Athens, the coup succeeds, installing the rule of the Four Hundred, and the Samian fleet vote to maintain a democratic government-in-exile and invite Alkibiades to join them (14). Alkibiades informs envoys from Athens that reconciling with the fleet depends on removing the Four Hundred, who instead invite a Spartan fleet to land at Piraeus, which backs down when the citizens mount a defense but destroys the poorly-manned Athenian ships sent after it; the democrats dissolve the Four Hundred. Alkibiades visits Tissaphernes to sow distrust between him and the Spartan fleet, which leaves to join the satrap Pharnobazus at the Hellespont and is soundly defeated by the Athenian fleet at Abydos (15).

Alkibiades visits Tissaphernes again and is arrested on the Great King's orders. Timandra seduces and poisons his guard and they escape together (16). Returned to the fleet, the Athenians crush a Spartan fleet at Cyzicus and spend the next three years securing Athens's grain supply through the Hellespont, building forts and taking the town of Selymbria by bluff (17). Pharnobazus makes terms with Alkibiades, then the Athenians take Byzantium, and the three-year campaign in the North is over. Alkbiades returns to Athens after eight years and is voted supreme commander (18). Alkbiades takes part in the Eleusinian Mysteries, then departs with the fleet once more to interfere with a new alliance between Sparta and Lydia under its new satrap, Prince Cyrus (19). The Athenians steadily lose rowers to the better-paid Spartan fleet, and Alkibiades goes to drum up tribute money, leaving Antiochus in charge with orders not to engage the Spartans. Alkibiades loses his signet ring during an evening of drinking, and a messenger carries it to Antiochus with orders to draw out the Spartan fleet (20). Alkibiades returns to find the Athenian fleet in tatters, Antiochus dead, and his officers resentful. The Athenian Assembly revokes Alkibiades's generalship and he returns to the Hellespont, telling Timandra he is finished (21). Alkibiades organises his remaining followers into a mercenary force against Thracian raiders. Timandra rides with the men until she is wounded and Alkbiades forbids her to continue, to her great grief (22). The Athenian fleet wins a too-costly victory at Argussinae and the outraged Assembly votes to execute the generals responsible. The Spartan admiral Lysander attacks the vital grain shipping route through the Hellespont and the new Athenian generals ignore Alkibiades's warning to remain on guard. Lysander takes their camp at Goats' Creek by surprise and massacres the Athenian fleet (23).

Lysander allows the surviving Athenians to return home, including most of Alkibiades's garrisons, then blockades the city and starves the citizens into surrender. The Spartans recall the exiled oligarchs and instate the rule of terror of the Thirty Tyrants (24). Alkibiades lingers on the Hellespont for the news of Athens before resolving to try his luck with the new King of Persia. The soldier Arkadius joins him and Timandra for the journey to his old friend Pharnobazus, the satrap of Phrygia (25). Pharnobazus tells him that the Spartans are in favour with the King and persuades him to bide his time in Phrygia. Alkibiades sends word of his whereabouts to Athens, making the oppressed citizens restive, and Lysander orders Pharnobazus to kill him (26). On the last day of the Feast of Attis, the Phrygian Adonis, assassins set fire to the house and kill Alkibiades and Arkadius, leaving Timandra alive. The news reaches Athens on the Feast of Adonis, though rumours of Alkibiades's survival continue to circulate. Democrats throw off the Thirty Tyrants, but Athens has changed forever (27).

Chronology

The Flowers of Adonis is based on historical events of the Peloponnesian War between 415 and 404 BCE, from the departure of the Sicilian Expedition to the death of Alkibiades. The timing of events during the novel does not appear to correspond perfectly with historical events, particularly after the Athenian coup of 411 BCE.

Backstory

• 454 BCE, roughly: Agis born (7)
• 430 BCE, roughly: Antiochus joins the fleet (5), Timea born (7)
• Timotheus breaks his leg, age 10 (1)
• 421 BCE: Peace of Nikias made between Athens and Sparta (6)
• 418 BCE: Timotheus comes of age (1)

415 BCE (year 1)

• Spring: Euripides presents The Trojan Women at the Dionysia festival (3)
• Early summer: mutilation of the Herms
• Fleet is ready to sail: Alkibiades accused of blasphemy
• Next 3 days: Council debates
• Festival of Adonis: the fleet sails for Korkyra (1)
• 2 days' sail from Korkyra to Rhegium
• Next day: Alkibiades approaches Messana (2, 3)
• Next two months: the fleet raids and treats in Sicily (4)
• Late summer: Alkibiades and Antiochus summoned to Athens for trial (4)
• Early autumn: they arrive in Sparta (6)
• 3 days later: Alkibiades visits the Royal Mess and receives word of his conviction
• Next day: Alkibiades addresses the Assembly

414 BCE (year 2)

• 4 months later, late winter: Lamachus killed; Sparta sends Gylippos to Sicily (7)
• March: Sparta attacks Argos
• A month later, the Hyakinthia: Timea is 17, notices Alkibiades
• Early summer: Athens attacks Parasiae, truce broken
• Timandra comes to the Satrap's palace (12)

413 BCE (year 3)

• Winter: Sparta prepares to occupy Dekalia; Agis denies Alkibiades's request to go (7)
• Spring: Alkibiades befriends Timea (7); Tissaphernes lays out his garden (12)
• 3 days later: Timea and Agis's wedding, and a small earthquake (8)
• 2 months later: Sparta marches for Dekelia (9)
• That night: Alkibiades and Timea begin their affair
• Summer: Timea realises she is pregnant
• Late summer: lunar eclipse, Timea tells Alkibiades, Athenian fleet delays sailing home
• A month later: Gylippos prevents Athenian breakout, destroys the fleet
• 3 day retreat to Catana: Athenians defeated and captured
• Late Boedromion: news of end of Sicilian campaign reaches Sparta
• Autumn and winter: envoys from Asia Minor request a Spartan alliance (10)

412 BCE (year 4)

• Spring: Athenian POWs released from the quarry (14); Leotichides born (10)
• Days later: Timea summons Alkibiades
• Next day: Timea starts the rumour of Leotichides's parentage
• Isthmean Games: Agis moves the fleet across the Isthmus, learns of Leotichides's birth
• Soon after: Athens blockades the Spartan fleet at Epidauros; 5 Spartan ships escape for Chios
• Summer: Spartan squadron leaves Chios for Miletus; Alkibiades treats with Tissaphernes (11)
• A few days later: Samos overthrows the oligarchs
• Rest of the summer: skirmishing
• After 3 months: Athens blockades Chios and regains Lesbos and Clazomenae
• Autumn: Alkibiades's fleet remains at large
• Late autumn: Endius sends word that Alkibiades is sentenced to death

411 BCE (year 5)

• Spring: Timandra meets Alkibiades (12); Arkadius escapes Sicily (14)
• Early summer: Tissaphernes quarrels with the Spartan commission (13)
• A month later: Alkibiades delivers his terms to Samos
• Early autumn: Athenian assembly votes to negotiate with Alkibiades (13)
• Next day: Arkadius arrives home (14)
• Next day: the Paralos sails for Miletus
• Late autumn: Athenian envoys arrive in Sardis (13)
• 3 days later: Athenian envoys break off negotiations
• After 15 days at Miletus: Athenians return to Samos (14)
• A few days after landing: Arkadius meets Ariston, transfers to Hesperus
• 2 days later: attempted oligarchic coup at Samos
• Weeks later, early winter: Samos receives word of the oligarchy at Athens
• Next day: Samos fleet swears to act as Athenian government in exile
• A few days later: Samos assembly pardons Alkibiades

410 BCE (year 6)

• Spring: Alkibiades comes to Samos (14)
• Next day: he addresses the assembly, refuses to sail on Athens (15)
• Next day: he returns to Sardis to negotiate with Tissaphernes, meets Arkadius
• A month later: Samos receives envoys from the Four Hundred
• Next day: they take Alkbiades's answer back
• A few days later: Alkbiades goes to see Tissaphernes at Aspendus
• 5 days later: they depart for Samos
• 3 days later: Alkibiades threatens Halicarnassus, Mindarus sails to join Pharnobazus
• Meanwhile in Athens: The Four Hundred invite a Spartan fleet to Piraeus, the Athenians revolt
• A few days later: the Athenian fleet destroyed
• Autumn: democrats formally abolish the Four Hundred and vote Alkibiades back
• Autumn: indecisive action at Cynosura [Battle of Cynossema, 411 BCE]
• Autumn: Athenian fleet destroys the Spartan fleet at Abydos [Battle of Abydos, Nov 411 BCE]
• Early winter: Tissaphernes and Alkibiades go to Daskylon; Alkibiades is arrested (16)
• "The turn of the year" [modern calendar]: Cyzicus blockaded (17)

409 BCE (year 7)

• Winter: the Athenian fleet winters on the western side of the Chersonese
• Day of Alkibiades's arrival in Sardis: Timandra begins plotting his escape (16)
• Night of the new moon: they go
• 8 days later: they reach Clazomenae (16)
• After a month: Cyzicus falls (17)
• A few days later: Alkibiades returns
• Early spring: the fleet sails for Cyzicus
• Five days later: crushing Athenian naval victory at Cyzicus [Battle of Cyzicus, 410 BCE]
• Early autumn: Athenian forces at Chalcedon, Perinthos, and Selymbria

408 BCE (year 8)

• Winter: building the Hellespont forts
• Spring: new Athenian fleet attacks Ephesus; new Spartan fleet invests Byzantium
• Summer: Pharnobazus fails to relieve Chalcedon, Alkibiades takes Selymbria
• On their return: Chalcedon has fallen, Alkibiades treats with Pharnobazus (18)
• A few days later: Athenians blockade Byzantium
• Late summer: capture of Byzantium
• Early winter: Hellespont campaign is ended after 3 years; main fleet returns to Athens

407 BCE (year 9)

• Spring: Alkibiades is voted general for the year. Timotheus is 29.
• Early summer, the Festival of Plyntria: Alkibiades returns to Athens after 8 years
• A few days later: Alkibiades meets Socrates in the street (19)
• Three months later: Athens grows restive
• 11 days later: the Eleusinian Mysteries
• 3 days later: news of Cyrus's alliance with Sparta
• Autumn: the fleet sails, attacks Andros, reaches Samos (20)
• A few days later: they fails to draw Lysander out of Ephesus
• 20 days after reaching Samos: Alkibiades leaves for Phocaea
• Winter, more than a month later: messenger reaches Antiochus
• Day after next: Antiochus attacks Lysander [Battle of Notium, 406 BCE]
• Next day: Alkibiades returns to Samos (21)
• Next 4 days: Alkibiades fails to lure out the Spartan fleet

406 BCE (year 10)

• Gamalial (first month of winter): Tekla's wedding
• Next day: Athenian Assembly votes out Alkibiades
• End of Gamalial: Alkibiades leaves the fleet
• Winter: Alkibiades rejoins Timandra in Bisanthe after a year's absence
• Spring, 2 months later: Thracians raid Lysimachia (22)
• 4 days later: Alkibiades pulls himself together
• Early summer: Alkibiades befriends Seuthes
• Festival of Epona, a few days later: Alkibiades allies with Medacus
• Autumn: Spartans blockade Mitylene (23) [2nd Battle of Mitylene, 406 BCE]

405 BCE (year 11)

• Spring: Timandra wounded at Perinthos (22),
• Spring: Athenian victory at Arginussae (23) [Battle of Arginusae, 406 BCE]
• Summer: news of Arginussae reaches Athens; Theramenes charges the generals
• Feast of Families: Assembly condemns the generals

• High summer: 2 and a half years [sic] since Alkibiades's exile; Lysander returns
• Harvest time: Lysander takes Lampsakus
• 2 days later: Athenian fleet reaches the Hellespont, camps at Goats' Creek
• 5 days later: Alkibiades visits the camp
• Next day: Spartans massacre the Athenian fleet [Battle of Aegospotami, 405 BCE]
• Day after: Alkibiades opens the gates of Pactye to Athenian survivors (24)
• 2 days after: News reaches Athens (23)
• Winter: Lysander blockades Athens and Samos (24). Alkibiades burns his extra forts (25).

404 BCE (year 12)

• Late winter: Theramenes deputed to the Spartans (24).
• 3 months later, spring: Athens surrenders to Sparta after 5 months' famine; Samos falls slightly earlier. Timotheus and Myrrhine marry. Regime of the Thirty Tyrants.
• 2 months later, summer: Arkadius leaves Athens for Thrace (24); Polytion visits Alkibiades (25)
• 2 days later: Alkibiades goes down with fever
• A month later: Arkadius joins Alkibiades, they leave Bisanthe
• 4 days later: they cross the Hellespont
• Next day: they buy horses in Chalcedon
• 2 nights later: they are robbed by Seitelkas
• Autumn: they reach Phrygia (25). Alkibiades sends word to Socrates. (26)

403 BCE (year 13)

• Early in Gamalial [first month of winter]: Theramenes executed
• Early spring: Lysander orders Pharnobazus to kill Alkibiades
• 3 days later, Feast of Attis and Cybele: Alkibiades killed on the third day of the festival
• Next day: Timandra lays out his body
• Summer, Feast of Adonis: Timotheus's son born; news of Alkibiades reaches Athens

Characters

Historical persons are linked to Wikipedia pages where possible.

Historical Athenians

• Alkibiades (1), a controversial aristocrat. Fair-haired, blue-eyed, with a lisp (1).
• Nikias (1), a general of the Sicilian expedition, extremely superstitious (1). He brokered the existing truce (6). Executed by Syracuse (9).
• Socrates (1), a controversial philosopher, Alkibiades's mentor (1). Sees Alkbiades off (19). He speaks against condemning the generals of Arginussae and is overruled (23).
• Konon (1), a young trirarch, a customer at Timotheus's shop (1). Commands the fleet which grounds the Spartan squadron at Epidauros (10). Keeps his squadron at the ready at Aegospotami, escapes (23). Takes his squadron to Cyprus (24).
• Cleinias (1), Alkibiades's late father
• Pericles (1), Alkibiades's late foster father, Athens's great statesman
• Polytion (1), a Syrian merchant in whose house a mock Eleusinian Mysteries was allegedly staged (1). He brings Alkibiades news of Lysander's return (23).
• Kritias (1), a rival politician (1). One of the Four Hundred, exiled to Thessaly. Recalled by the Spartans and leads the Thirty Tyrants (24).
• Lamachus (1), veteran co-general of the Sicilian expedition, notoriously poor (1). Dies in Sicily.
• Aristophanes (1), contemporary comic playwright
• Tydius [Tydeus] (1), son of Lamachus (1). General of the fleet after Arginussae, killed at Aegospotami (23).
• Antiochus, the Seaman (2), sailing-master of the Icarus. Befriended Alkibiades when they were young men (2). Red-haired (4).
• Euripides (3) contemporary tragic playwright, unpopular author of The Trojan Women.
• Androcles (4), an orator leading the denunciation of Alkibiades (4). Murdered by the oligarchs (14).
• Diocleides and Teucer (4), paid witnesses in the Herm affair
• Thissalis (6), son of Kymon (not Timotheus's father), accuser of Alkibiades
• Theodorus (6), accused of participation in the mock-Mysteries
• Callias (6), Alkibiades's late wife's brother, guardian of their son
• Thucydides (6), contemporary historian
• Demosthenes (7), general sent to retrieve the Sicilian expedition (7). Executed by Syracuse (9).
• Hipparite [Hipparete] (9), Alkibiades's late unlamented wife
• Strombichides (11), admiral of the Chios relief fleet (11). Senior admiral at Samos (13). Relieves the Samos blockade from Abydos (14)
• Paesander [Pisander] (13), general at Samos, persuades Athens to deal with Alkibiades but breaks off talks (13). Leads the overthrow of the democracy at Athens (14). Extrremist leader among the Four Hundred (15).
• Charminius (13), admiral at Samos (13). Exiled for involvement in the oligarchic coup (14). One of the generals executed after the battle of Arginussae (23).
• Phrynichus (13), democratic admiral at Samos, voted out of office by the Assembly (13). A member of the Four Hundred and envoy to the Samos fleet. Murdered in the agora on the approach of the Spartan fleet (15).
• Plato (13), somewhat prissy
• Hyperbolus (14), Athenian exile, leader of the democrats at Samos, murdered by oligarchs
• Thrasybulus (14), trirarch of Vixen, elected commander at Samos (14). Charged after Arginussae (23). Escapes the Thirty to Thebes (24).
• Thrassylus [Thrasyllus] (14), hoplite captain elected commander at Samos (14). Flees rather than face charges in Athens after Arginussae (23).
• Theramenes (15), moderate leader among the Four Hundred; leads the democrats who abolish it (15). Brings charges against his fellow generals after Arginussae (23). Moderate leader among the Thirty Tyrants (24).
• Cleontius (19), a republican enemy of Alkibiades's (19). Executed during the siege of Athens (24).
• Pericles (23), young general charged after Arginussae (not Alkibiades's guardian)
• Adeimantus (23), replacement general of the fleet, killed at Aegospotami
• Menander (23), replacement general of the fleet, killed at Aegospotami

Fictional Athenians

• Timotheus, the Citizen (1, 14), a young man ineligible for military service because of a badly-set leg.
• Kymon (1,14) Timotheus's father, a perfume merchant (1). Murdered by the Four Hundred (15).
• Tekla (1), Timotheus's sister (1). Married to a mason (21).
• Eudorus (1), a customer at Timotheus's shop
• Gaulites (1), a customer at Timotheus's shop
• Theron, the Rower (1, 17), in the Halkyone, a friend of Timotheus (1). Red-bearded (19). Sole survivor of the Halkyone at Arginussae. He testifies against the generals (23). Dies of his injuries during the siege of Athens (24).
• Arkadius (Hagnon), the Soldier (2), a young lieutenant of marines on the Icarus. Son of an Arkadian merchant and an Athenian mother and stepfather (2).
• Corylas (2), Arkadius's second in command
• Astur (2), a young staff officer and kinsman of Alkibiades (2). Arkadius falls in love with him (5). Dies in the Syracuse quarries (14).
• Andros (2), Antiochus's father, a fisherman
• Nikomedes, the Trirarch (4), commander of the Salamina, delivers Alkibiades's summons to Athens.
• Phaedo (5), a noted womaniser on the Sicilian expedition
• Vasso (14), Timotheus's family's maid, too old to run away
• Ariston (14), lieutenant of marines in Hesperus, Arkadius's friend
• Episthenes (15), Timotheus's elderly neighbour
• Callias (15), large marine officer in the Hypolita (not Alkibiades's brother-in-law)
• Marsyas (15), Arkadius's second in the Trident, killed at Abydos
• Dion (17), a marine officer at Selymbria
• Cleomenes (17), trirarch of Clytemnestra
• Philipus (18), commander of the Pactye fort
• Agathos (19), cavalry pylarch escort to the Eleusinian Mysteries
• Myron (20), a senior trirarch of the Samos fleet
• Meton (20), pilot of the Icarus during Antiochus's command of the fleet
• Telamon (20), a trirarch with Alkibiades in Mylasa
• Eudemius (21), Tekla's husband, a mason
• Thasos (21), messenger from the fleet who denounces Alkibiades in the Assembly
• Dexippus (22), expected to deal with Lysimachia
• Heraklides (22), commander of the Bisanthe garrison
• Myrrhine (23), Theron's sister (23). Turns to prostitution during the siege of Athens, later marries Timotheus (24). And has a son (27).

Sicilians and Italians

• Archagorus (2), Chief Archon of Messana, of the pro-Syracuse party
• Aristarchus (3), a dinner guest
• Menaethius (3), Messanian Olympic victor and conspirator of the anti-Syracusian party (3). Executed (5).
• the Dead (3), an unnamed pro-Athenian conspirator chosen to meet Alkibiades (3). Executed (5).
• Pharysatis (3), a dancing-girl and courtesan, Menaethius's mistress and messenger to Alkibiades (3). Executed (5).
• Gorgo (3), mistress of Pharysatis's troupe
• Basius (3), a sea captain and pro-Athenian conspirator chosen to meet Alkibiades (3). Executed (5).
• Demetrios, the Wine Shopkeeper (5), one-eyed procurer and go-between
• Helen (5), Demetrios's woman
• Alexandros (5), magistrate and pro-Syracusan, messenger to Messana
• Phyloctetes [sic], the Priest (5), of the Sanctuary of Poseidon at Thurii, and his young acolyte

Spartans

• Endius, the Spartan (6), ephor, Alkibiades's host, perhaps descended from a Helot
• Agis, the King (6), co-king, boarish, unintelligent (6), not attracted to women (7)
• Lysander (6), senior trirarch (6). Admiral allied with Cyrus, apparently his lover (19). Unprecedentedly receives a second admiralship (23).
• Gylippos (7), general dispatched to Sicily
• Timea [Timaia], the Queen (7), 17-year-old betrothed of King Agis (7). Blond (9).
• Dionyssa (7), Timea's younger sister
• Pausanias (7), co-king, a family man
• Gargo (7), Pausanias's queen
• Panthea (7, 8), Timea's old nurse
• Eurynome (9), Timea's youngest attendant
• Leotichides [Leotychides] (10), son of Timea and Alkibiades, supposed son of Agis (10). Agis disowns him (11).
• Alkmenes (10), overseeing the muster of the Chios fleet
• Chalcidius (10), admiral of the Chios squadron (10). Agrees to a lopsided treaty with Tissaphernes. Killed (11).
• Astiochus [Astyochus] (11), admiral of the second Chios fleet
• Mindarus (15), admiral who broke with Tissaphernes (15). Killed at Cyzicus (17).
• Clearchus (18), garrison commander at Byzantium
• Kalitikades [Kallikratidas] (23), admiral killed at Arginussae

Ionians and Thracians

• Arsinoe (20), an acquaintance of Alkibiades's in Mylasa
• "Alxenor" (20), a false messenger
• Isodas (20), a stable hand
• Medacus (22), a Thracian chieftain
• Seuthes (22), a Thracian chieftain, grey-eyed
• Boiscus and Terdes (22), exiled Thracian brothers, who join Alkibiades's mercenary force (22). They escort Alkibiades out of Thrace and join Seuthes (25).
• Antares (25), a horse given to Alkibiades by Seuthes, returned to him on leaving Thrace

Non-Greeks

• Pharnobazus, the Satrap [Pharnabazus] (10), satrap of Phrygia
• Tissaphernes (10), satrap of Lydia, with whom the Spartans ally to attack Ionia
• Darius (10, 11), the Great King (10). Dying (23).
• Timandra, the Whore (12), a Bithynian sold into slavery as a flute-player in Sardis (12). "Fox-haired" (17).
• Arbaces (12), Tissaphernes's chief eunuch
• Phaeso (12), a nicer eunuch (12). He helps Timandra break out Alkibiades, and kills himself (16).
• Hanno (16), a Nubian guard Timandra uses and poisons
• Budas (16), a Nubian guard
• Narko (16), a Nubian guard
• Buba (16), a Nubian guard poisoned along with Hanno
• Phaedime (16), a woman of Sardis
• Prince Cyrus (19), new satrap of Lydia, an admirer of Sparta and particularly Lysander
• Prince Artaxerxes (23), elder brother of Cyrus (23). New King of Persia (25).
• Seitelkas (25), a Bithynian chieftain and robber baron
• Teresh, Samba, Molossus (25), Seitelkas's men
• Sarbaces (26), Pharnobazus's steward in Daskylon
• Istar (26), Pharnobazus's hawk
• Megaeus (26), Pharnobazus's younger brother, paid to kill Alkibiades
• Sousamitras (26), Pharnobazus's uncle, paid to kill Alkibiades
• Belatrix (26), a black stallion

Ships

• Thetis (1), commanded by Konon (1). Leading the fleet blockading the Spartans at Epidauros (11).
• Halkyone (1), in which Theron is a rower (1). Part of the fleet blockading the Spartans at Epidauros (11). Sunk at Arginussae (23).
• Icarus (2), Alkibiades's flagship on the Sicilian Expedition (2) and at Samos (15) and in the north (21). Burned at Bisanthe by its crew upon returning to Athens (24).
• Lion (2), Lamachus's flagship on the Sicilian Expedition
• Penelope (2), Nikias's flagship on the Sicilian Expedition
• Dolphin (3), Basius's ship
• Salamina (4), the Athenian state galley carrying Nikomedes
• Agamemnon (11), Chalcidius's flagship
• Lion (11), Alkibiades and Antiochus's galley in the Spartan fleet
• Paralos (13), Paesander's flagship (13). Arkadius signs on trip to Miletus (14). Escapes Aegospotami, carries the news to Athens (23).
• Vixen (14), Thrasybulus's ship, in Samos during the attempted oligarch coup
• Hesperus (14), Ariston's ship, in Samos during the attempted oligarch coup
• Trident (15), Arkadius is promoted back to lieutenant
• Hypolita [Hippolyta] (15), in which Callias is a marine
• Alkestis (15), Athenian ship at battle of Abydos
• Marathon (15), Athenian ship at battle of Abydos (15). Barely escapes Aegospotami (23).
• Iris (17), Athenian ship which collects Alkibiades and Timandra at Clazomenae
• Pegasus (17), in which Arkadius is trirarch before Selymbria (17). Escapes Aegospotami (23). Despatched to retrieve Kritias and other oligarchs. Arkadius abandons it at Piraeus (24).
• Clytemnestra (17), Cleomenes's ship at Selymbria
• Bellerophon (20), Antiochus's flagship
• Boreas (20), Alxenor's supposed ship
• Clyte (23), ship of the Samos fleet at battle of Arginussae

Places

Attica

• Athens (1), the city
  • the Piraeus Gate (1) to the Long Walls
  • the Long Walls (1), the fortified road between Athens and Piraeus
  • the Pnyx (1), the Assembly hill
  • the Dipylon Gate (1), with a graveyard outside it
  • the Panathenaic Way (1), a major street
  • Parnes, Colonus, Hymettus, Lykabettus, hills surrounding Athens
  • the Ceramicus (18), Theron's neighbourhood
  • Street of the Tripods (19), scene of an awkward meeting between Alkibiades and Socrates
  • the Amber Dolphin (19), a wine shop
• Piraeus (1), the port of Athens
  • Zea (2), main war harbour, arsenal, marines' barracks
  • Munychia (2), another harbour
  • the Munychian Fort (2), quarters of the ephebes
  • The Great Harbour (2)
  • temple of Artemis (2)
• Laurium (1), silver mines, source of Nikias's wealth (1) and much of Athens's (6)
• Aegina (2) island lying between Attica and the Argolid in the Saronic Gulf
• Dekalia [Decelea or Dekeleia] (6), pass where Sparta will build a fort to permanently occupy Attica
• Marathon (12), site of an Athenian victory in the Persian wars
• Salamis (12), island in the Saronic Gulf, site of an Athenian naval vicory in the Persian wars
• Eleusis (19), at the northern border of Attica on the Isthmus
• Daphne (19), high ground on the road to Eleusis

Sicily & Italy

• Segesta (1), a threatened Athenian ally, casus belli for the expedition to Syracuse
• Syracuse (1), powerful, expansionist city
  • the stone quarries (14), where the Athenians were imprisoned for 6 months
• Leontini (1), town absorbed by Syracuse
• Cape Heraklea (2),
• Etna (2), volcano on the west coast
• Rhegium (2), city at the toe of the mainland
  • Temple of Achaea (2), outside Rhegium, where the Athenians camp
• Messana (2), city commanding the Strait opposite Rhegium
• Naxos (4), city which joins the Athenian expedition, not the Aegean island.
• Catana (4), city tricked into the Athenian fold, which becomes the fleet base
  • the Golden Lily (5), Demetrios's wine shop
• Camarina (4), southern city expected to turn pro-Athenian
• Thurii (5), where Alkibiades and Antiochus jump ship, passing through a Sanctuary of Poseidon
• Hybla (6), city the Athenians failed to take
• Assinaros ford (14), river crossing on the road to Catana where the Athenians were defeated

The Peloponnese

• The Isthmus of Corinth
  • Corinth (1), mother-city of Syracuse, ally of Sparta
    • the portage (10), ship track between the Saronic Gulf and the Gulf of Corinth
  • Megara (3)
• Lacedaemon (6), south-central plain dominated by Sparta
  • Sparta (1), chief rivals of Athens, currently in a truce (1).
  • Eurotas river (7)
  • Amyklae (7), downriver, where the Hyakinthia is celebrated
  • the Place of the Lady (7), shrine in the Taygetus foothills
  • Gythion (9), the port
• the Argolid (6), territory of Argos
  • Argos (1), city allied with Athens
  • Troizen [Troezen] (6)
  • Cynera (6), plain disputed by Athens and Sparta
  • Parasiae (7), where Athens lands and breaks the truce with Sparta
  • Epidauros (10), where the Athenians ground the Spartan Chios fleet
• Korkyra (Corfu) (2), fleet staging ground for the Sicilian expedition
• Arkadia (2), Arkadius's birthplace
• Elis (6)
  • Olympia (3), site of the athletic competition
  • Cyllene (6), where Alkibiades and Antiochus land
• the Taygetus (6) mountains west of Lacedaemon

Central & north Hellas

• Plataea (1), a neglected Athenian ally in Boeotia
• Coronaia [Koroneia or Coronea] (1), where Cleinias was killed in battle

• Potidea [Potidaea] (1), campaign on which Alkibiades tented with Socrates
• Thebes (6), main city of Boeotia, whose road to Athens runs through Dekalia
• Thessaly (6)
• Thrace (12), the northeast coast of the Aegean

The Hellespont

• the Propontis (12), the Sea of Marmara
• Abydos (14), Strombichides's station on the Hellespont (14). Decisive Athenian victory (15).
• Byzantium (14), city on the Hellespont. Revolts to Sparta (14).
• Chersonese Thrace (15), the Gallipoli peninsula on the European side of the Dardanelles
• Sestos (16), Athenian base after Abydos victory
• Cape Helles (16), western tip of the Gallipoli peninsula
• Cyzicus (17), city on the Asian side of the Propontis, site of a major Athenian naval victory
• Chalcedon (17), near the southern entrance of the Hellespont, ineffectually besieged by Theramenes
• Perinthos (17), on the Thracian side of the Propontis, blockaded by Alkibiades (17). Timandra wounded and nursed there (22).
• Selymbria (17), opens its gates to Alkibiades early, bluffed into surrender
• Chrysopolis (17), seaport of Chalcedon, occupied (17). One of Alkibiades's three forts during his return to the north (22). Alkibiades has the fort burnt (25).
• Bisanthe (17), site of an Athenian Hellespont fort (17). One of Alkibiades's three forts during his return to the north (22).
• Pactye (17), site of an Athenian Hellespont fort, where Timandra lives during the northern campaign (17). One of Alkibiades's three forts during his return to the north (22). Alkibiades has the fort burnt (25).
• Goats' Creek, Aegospotami (17, 23), flat shoreline near Lampsakus, Athenian camp
• Lysimachia (22), city raided by Thracians
• Troy (22)
• Lampsakus (23), taken by Lysander

Ionia, Karia, & the Aegean

• Euboa [Euboea], island lying off Boeotia, revolts from Athens
• Lesbos (10), island allied to Athens (10). Revolts but returns to Athens (11).
  • Mitylene (23), chief city, blockaded by Lysander
• Chios (10), powerful island allied to Athens, ready to revolt (10). Blockaded by Athens (11).
• Ephesus (10), southern mainland city (1). Lysander's fleet base (20).
• Miletus (10), southern mainland city (10). Revolts to the Spartans (11)
• Samos (11), main Athenian base after Chian revolt
  • street of the Golden Grasshopper (14)
  • the Golden Grapes (14), a wine shop
  • the Bunch of Grapes (15), a wine shop
• Lade (11), island opposite Miletus
• Clazomenae (11), city recaptured by the Athenians
• Cos (12), island noted for silk
• Halicarnassus (15), rich port opposite Cos robbed by Alkibiades
• Cynoscura [Cynossema] (15), a Pyrrhic victory over the Spartan fleet
• Melos (17), rebellious island sacked by Alkibiades earlier in the war
• Paros (18), an island
• Andros (20), island and city garrisoned by Sparta.
  • Gaurium (20), second city of Andros, taken by the Athenians
• Phocaea (20), revolted city besieged by Thrasybulus
• Cape Rain (20), opposite Ephesus, Antiochus's fleet station
• Mylasa (20), Karian city where Alkibiades's signet goes missing
• Arginussae, the White Islands (23), site of a Pyrrhic victory for Athens

Persian empire

• Phrygia (10), northwestern Asia Minor
  • Daskylon (16), Pharnobazus's capital
  • Melissa (26), village and estate given to Alkibiades
• Lydia (10), southwestern Asia Minor
  • Sardis (11), seat of Tissaphernes (11).
  • the Lydian Plain (12)
• the Magnesian plain (13)
• Aspendus (15), port of the Phoenician fleet, where Alkibiades meets Tissaphernes and Mindarus
• Susa (16), the Persian capital
• Gurion (25), a stop en route to Daskylon

Background

Ancient sources

Links to the full texts of English translations in the public domain.

• Plutarch trans. John Dryden, "Alcibiades" in The Lives of the Nobles Greeks and Romans
• Thucydides trans. Richard Crawley, The History of the Peloponnesian War
• Xenophon trans. H. G. Dakyns, Hellenica (411-359 BCE)
• Euripides trans. Gilbert Murray, The Trojan Women
• Aristophanes trans. various, The Frogs

Interest in Greece

Rosemary Sutcliff visited Greece at least three times in the 1960s, buying a small property in 1965 on which she had a cottage built. She wrote a two-part script on "Men in History: Athens and Sparta" for BBC schools broadcasts in 1966.

She was also an admirer of the novels of Mary Renault, who had published her version of the career of Alkibiades in The Last of the Wine in 1958. She discussed her feelings about that book in an interview with Emma Fisher in The Pied Pipers (1974):

Q: There are certain similarities between your books and those of Mary Renault; are you an admirer of hers?

A: Oh yes. I get completely carried away by her books. At the end of The Last of the Wine – when Alexis sees Lysis on the bier and the broken sandal strap – I couldn’t believe it, it was like coming up to a car accident and seeing it is somebody you know. I turned back three pages and read it again, expecting it to be different this time – I couldn’t bear it. I was slightly afraid when I produced Flowers for Adonis [sic] – about Alcibiades – that I might be trespassing on her territory.

Publication history

In English:

1. London : Hodder & Stoughton, 1969.
2. New York : Coward & McCann, 1970.
3. London : Hodder Paperbacks, 1971.
4. New York : Coward & McCann, 1979.
5. London : Severn House.
6. Endeavour Press, 2014. E-book.

In translation:

1. 英雄アルキビアデスの物語 / Eiyū arukibiadesu no monogatari. Japanese by Shirō Yamamoto. Tōkyō : Harashobō, 2005.