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Greek Series #1
LION OF MACEDON
Over and again, the aged seeress Tamis scried all the possible tomorrows. In every one, dark forces threatened Greece; terrible evil was poised to reenter the world. The future held only one a half-caste Spartan boy, Parmenion. So Tamis made it her mission to see that Parmenion would before the deadliest warrior in the world -- no matter what the cost.Raised to manhood in Sparta, bullied and forced to fight for his life every day, Parmenion had no notion of the unseen dimensions of magic and mystery that shaped his fate. He grew in strength and cunning. His military genius earned him the title Strategos in Sparta. His triumphs for the city of Thebes made him a hero. And finally his fate led him to the service of Philip of Macedon.As Tamis had foreseen, Parmenion's destiny was tied to the Dark God, to Philip, and to the yet-unborn Alexander. All too soon the future was upon them. Parmenion stood poised to defeat evil -- or to open the gate for the Dark God to reenter the world.
420 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 1991
163 people are currently reading
3182 people want to read
About the author
David Gemmell
199 books3,820 followersDavid Andrew Gemmell was a bestselling British author of heroic fantasy. A former journalist and newspaper editor, Gemmell had his first work of fiction published in 1984. He went on to write over thirty novels. Best known for his debut, Legend, Gemmell's works display violence, yet also explores themes in honour, loyalty and redemption. With over one million copies sold, his work continues to sell worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
November 23, 2022
I want to punch this book in the face. Might lower the rating later, we'll see.
December 27, 2022
بین کتاب شیرمقدونیه و شاهزاده سیاه، که عموما با هم سنجیده میشن، شیرمقدونیه بنظرم یک سر و گردن بالاتره.
برخلاف شاهزاده سیاه که میخواد یک دارک فانتزی را بیان کنه، شیرمقدونیه بیشتر یک روایت حماسی تاریخی هست از دورانی که یونان آتنی و اسپارتی میره تا با امپراطوری پارس درگیر بشه.
داستان، زندگی شخصی را روایت میکنه که در آینده قرار هست به یکی از مشاوران و استراتژیست های یونانی-مقدونی تبدیل بشه.
کسی که میتونه اسکندر را بسمت آرزوهای بزرگش هدایت کنه.
بیشتر وقایع در یک جبر نظامی-آموزشی و در محیط یک پادگان اسپارتی میگذره و نشون میده چطور یک پسربچه کتک خور از خاک به درجه فرماندهی فالانژ میرسه و چطور با هوش و ذکاوتش معادلات و استراتژی های بدون تغییر نبرد تا اون زمان را تغییر میده و چطور دنیای هلنی آشوب زده و پر فتنهی تحت نفوذ قدرت و طلای پارسی را بسمت روزگار جدیدش هدایت میکنه.
کتابی بود که واقعا از خوندنش لذت بردم.
برخلاف شاهزاده سیاه که میخواد یک دارک فانتزی را بیان کنه، شیرمقدونیه بیشتر یک روایت حماسی تاریخی هست از دورانی که یونان آتنی و اسپارتی میره تا با امپراطوری پارس درگیر بشه.
داستان، زندگی شخصی را روایت میکنه که در آینده قرار هست به یکی از مشاوران و استراتژیست های یونانی-مقدونی تبدیل بشه.
کسی که میتونه اسکندر را بسمت آرزوهای بزرگش هدایت کنه.
بیشتر وقایع در یک جبر نظامی-آموزشی و در محیط یک پادگان اسپارتی میگذره و نشون میده چطور یک پسربچه کتک خور از خاک به درجه فرماندهی فالانژ میرسه و چطور با هوش و ذکاوتش معادلات و استراتژی های بدون تغییر نبرد تا اون زمان را تغییر میده و چطور دنیای هلنی آشوب زده و پر فتنهی تحت نفوذ قدرت و طلای پارسی را بسمت روزگار جدیدش هدایت میکنه.
کتابی بود که واقعا از خوندنش لذت بردم.
August 2, 2019
What's the recipe for a fun story?
David Gemmell began with a Spartan base, added some Macedonian spice and Theban flair, then sprinkled in some essence of fantasy, all heated to turmoil with the fire of Hades. Serve at room temperature on a shield of bronze. Utensils optional, though I'd recommend a sarissa.
Mmm. Yummy.
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2KHHU2u
David Gemmell began with a Spartan base, added some Macedonian spice and Theban flair, then sprinkled in some essence of fantasy, all heated to turmoil with the fire of Hades. Serve at room temperature on a shield of bronze. Utensils optional, though I'd recommend a sarissa.
Mmm. Yummy.
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2KHHU2u
February 28, 2017
This book markets itself as historical fantasy but really it's a historical fiction with some supernatural elements. Hence my first disappointment. I was also underwhelmed by the characters who were all fairly bland and predictable. Then there was the plot, which consisted of endless descriptions of military manoeuvres and battle formations, all of which went completely over my head (and most people's heads I would assume) and made me wonder why the author felt the need to include this tedious description in what he clearly hoped would be a mainstream novel. Then, of course, no mediocre historical/supernatural novel would be complete without the clash of the Good and Bad forces. I have no intention of completing the series but I'll hazard a guess and say Good wins.
February 27, 2016
After enjoying the author’s Troy trilogy I really wanted to pick up another series of his in the same vein & so I plumped for the Greek series......
The story revolves around Parmenion, a Spartan “outcast” for want of a better word & his building hatred of Sparta as they reject him for no other reason than not being pure-blood, his mother a Macedonian.... He rises as a mercenary to become a Strategos (general) & we follow him around the Greek City states & historically I learnt a lot about Sparta & its strife/hatred/envy within the Greek states & then later how Thebes rose to power & in turn Macedon became the foremost power in Greece through Philip of Macedon. Enjoyed this very much & a very readable 5 stars.
The writing is much in the same vein as his Troy Trilogy which was grand & I'm onto a winner.....
However...... Some of the fantasy elements (which aren't present in the Troy trilogy) are a little daft tbh, like Aristotle being a Magi who can walk through solid rock...... they allow the story a few get out of jail cards. The main fantasy element revolves around seers & in a mythological sense it fits well enough into the story & you let it ride with you...... BUT..... the last 50 pages is pure fantasy & despite a lot of Oh yeah.... thats sound enough moments it did get (obviously) a little far fetched at times & so overall I give the book a 4 stars rating.
The story revolves around Parmenion, a Spartan “outcast” for want of a better word & his building hatred of Sparta as they reject him for no other reason than not being pure-blood, his mother a Macedonian.... He rises as a mercenary to become a Strategos (general) & we follow him around the Greek City states & historically I learnt a lot about Sparta & its strife/hatred/envy within the Greek states & then later how Thebes rose to power & in turn Macedon became the foremost power in Greece through Philip of Macedon. Enjoyed this very much & a very readable 5 stars.
The writing is much in the same vein as his Troy Trilogy which was grand & I'm onto a winner.....
However...... Some of the fantasy elements (which aren't present in the Troy trilogy) are a little daft tbh, like Aristotle being a Magi who can walk through solid rock...... they allow the story a few get out of jail cards. The main fantasy element revolves around seers & in a mythological sense it fits well enough into the story & you let it ride with you...... BUT..... the last 50 pages is pure fantasy & despite a lot of Oh yeah.... thats sound enough moments it did get (obviously) a little far fetched at times & so overall I give the book a 4 stars rating.
January 11, 2022
This took me a long time to finish! It's not that it wasn't good. It was very good and I've read it three or four times now. The delay was due to the fact that I had to keep leaving the book for the internet to look at ancient maps, or to look up certain historical figures. I'm just weird like that, I suppose. When I start researching like this, I can get lost doing it for hours!
But back to the book. This is historical fiction with a side of fantasy thrown into the mix. It takes place around the time of Phillip of Macedon, while the sequel is in Alexander the Great's time. The setting goes anywhere from ancient Sparta to Athens, Thebes, Persia, Macedon, and Thessaly, if I remember correctly. This two-book series follows along mainly with Parmenian, a half Spartan/half Macedonian general. Well, we also follow along with the seeress Derae and assorted factions.
If one enjoys fantasy/historical fiction/military fiction hybrids, this is a good one!
But back to the book. This is historical fiction with a side of fantasy thrown into the mix. It takes place around the time of Phillip of Macedon, while the sequel is in Alexander the Great's time. The setting goes anywhere from ancient Sparta to Athens, Thebes, Persia, Macedon, and Thessaly, if I remember correctly. This two-book series follows along mainly with Parmenian, a half Spartan/half Macedonian general. Well, we also follow along with the seeress Derae and assorted factions.
If one enjoys fantasy/historical fiction/military fiction hybrids, this is a good one!
December 12, 2007
Simply put, this is one of Gemmell's Best. A fantastic read, well thought out and expertly paced.
Parmenion made me research a ton of stories on Ancient Greece(from Epominandas, to the Sacred Band, to Cleombrotus and beyond), and that is the mark of a book that had an impact on me. Shoot I even saw the horrible movies of Troy and Alexander just to get glimpses of characters that he spoke of.
Gemmell was my favorite author, and to me this is his most memorable book(albeit nowhere near the most popular). High on humanity, low on fluff.
Parmenion made me research a ton of stories on Ancient Greece(from Epominandas, to the Sacred Band, to Cleombrotus and beyond), and that is the mark of a book that had an impact on me. Shoot I even saw the horrible movies of Troy and Alexander just to get glimpses of characters that he spoke of.
Gemmell was my favorite author, and to me this is his most memorable book(albeit nowhere near the most popular). High on humanity, low on fluff.
December 17, 2022
I wasn't sure if this would get a full 4 stars because the middle felt bloated, breaking the pace that Gemmell had set in the beginning. I think this came from trying to fit so much of Parmenion's history in one volume rather than allowing a book for each phase of his military life. However, the ending was up to Gemmell's usual standards, pulling together a truly epic battle and allowing him to fully showcase the magic he's developed for this world. I expect Book 2 to lean more heavily into fantasy and it will be interesting to see how this impacts the story at large.
August 17, 2016
I don't know how I missed this particular of book and am so glad I was made aware of its existence. It rivals the Rigante series in terms of it's protagonist and covers a fantastic period of history that contains some of the most epic battles of all time.
Parmenion is a man without a people. Born to a Macedonian mother he is treated as a second class citizen in his homeland of Sparta despite possessing the very qualities that made Sparta what it is. He is cunning and driven and spends much of his life being manipulated by a mage who has seen a thousand terrible futures and intends him to be her soldier against the darkness.
The question of why Greece never united and become to world power it could have been is an interesting one. The idea that every army has Greek mercenaries, as they are the best fighting soldiers, but that the armies of Greece herself are fractured and hamstrung by infighting and ambition intrigued me. If only they had gotten their shit together!
The ending is amazing. I thought I knew where things were going but the amount of backflips and 180's in the finale really tuned things on its head and made me look forward to the second book even more so.
Parmenion is a man without a people. Born to a Macedonian mother he is treated as a second class citizen in his homeland of Sparta despite possessing the very qualities that made Sparta what it is. He is cunning and driven and spends much of his life being manipulated by a mage who has seen a thousand terrible futures and intends him to be her soldier against the darkness.
The question of why Greece never united and become to world power it could have been is an interesting one. The idea that every army has Greek mercenaries, as they are the best fighting soldiers, but that the armies of Greece herself are fractured and hamstrung by infighting and ambition intrigued me. If only they had gotten their shit together!
The ending is amazing. I thought I knew where things were going but the amount of backflips and 180's in the finale really tuned things on its head and made me look forward to the second book even more so.
November 6, 2021
Read this book in 2011, and its the 1st part of a mini-series featuring Parmenion, the born Spartan, but who will make a name for himself first with King Philip of Macedon, but even more so later on with his son, the formidable Alexander the Great.
At first he's seen as an outcast in Sparta, and he must fight for his life, and because of his military genius he's made Strategos in Sparta, and make his name as a great one with his triumph for the city of Thebes.
Due to certain circumstances and fate he will enter the service of the Dark God, King Philip of Macedon and later on to his son, Alexander.
What is to follow is an action-packed, and compelling historical Greek story about the life and destiny of Parmenion, born and raised in Sparta, but ending up in Macedon, and finally making a name for himself there as the greatest General ever under Alexander the Great.
Highly recommended, for this is a most captivating start to this tremendous mini-series about Parmenion, and that's why I like to call this first episode: "An Epic Parmenion Begin"!
At first he's seen as an outcast in Sparta, and he must fight for his life, and because of his military genius he's made Strategos in Sparta, and make his name as a great one with his triumph for the city of Thebes.
Due to certain circumstances and fate he will enter the service of the Dark God, King Philip of Macedon and later on to his son, Alexander.
What is to follow is an action-packed, and compelling historical Greek story about the life and destiny of Parmenion, born and raised in Sparta, but ending up in Macedon, and finally making a name for himself there as the greatest General ever under Alexander the Great.
Highly recommended, for this is a most captivating start to this tremendous mini-series about Parmenion, and that's why I like to call this first episode: "An Epic Parmenion Begin"!
January 10, 2024
Full disclosure; my rating does not reflect the quality of the writing, but rather my personal tastes and/or lack of interest in this particular book. As much as I love Gemmell's Drenai and Waylander books, nothing about the characters or plot in this one did anything for me. I've read other Greek historical fantasy with great pleasure (Soldier of the Mist, for one), so it wasn't even the setting or themes. I just didn't care for anyone or anything here. Guess you can't win 'em all.
March 19, 2018
A very enjoyable read. It is dated and it couldn't compare to de Drenai saga for me personally but an enjoyable read nonetheless.
February 21, 2019
8.5/10
Back in the early ‘90s, when his career was still growing at the time, David Gemmell, taking a trip to Lindos, on the island of Rhodes, and an experience that proved more inspiring than he expected, started building his first ideas for his next story, bringing back to life from the depths of the Greek history a long-forgotten legend: Parmenion.
And in the Lion of Macedon, the first of the two installments of the Greek series, Gemmell, based on true events as written in history, creates through his imagination his own world of the ancient times, traveling us in a story of mercenaries and generals, philosophers and orators, and seeresses and priestesses, but also in an adventure of love and glory, vengeance and war, and destiny and magic, in an epic, historical fantasy novel.
For almost a century since Xerxes’s great invasion, when the legendary Sword King Leonidas and his three hundred men stood at the Pass of Thermopylae, and when not long after five thousand united Spartans met the Persian army forcing it to flee from their lands, Sparta, a place where heroes and great warriors are born, has become the most militarily mighty and glorious city, spreading its dominance across Greece – but Parmenion, having been taken from his Macedonian mother at his seventh years of age to be trained to the ways of the warriors, falling victim to the mockings and tauntings of the other kids for his mix-blood parentage, has been dreaming all his young life for the day he will feel the glory of victory at the side of the King.
Wanting to prove himself worthy of his father’s side, and to make his mother proud for the sacrifices she underwent to raise him after his death, hoping to bring her some joy, Parmenion has been exercising hard day by day, surpassing his rivals in the running competitions, and bringing him closer than anyone else in his barracks at the Final of the General’s Games and the biggest prize that any Spartan could have: one of the seven swords of Leonidas the King.
Yet, with his mix-blood parentage to have caused the King Agesilau’s objection at competing in the Final, manipulating the judges in favor of his nephew, when his carefully prepared strategies lead to an overwhelming outcome like no one else has achieved ever before, and he falls in love with a girl who had been promised for someone else, Parmenion will soon find himself in the noble families’ target, seeking restoration for the shame and humiliation that he brought them, and putting him on a path that will deprive him all that he loved and cared about in this city.
Meanwhile, in Thebes, Epaminondas, having felt the burden of the Spartan hegemony after the occupation of the Cadmea by their troops, seeing his people fall into daily suffering, has been plotting and planning ever since along with Calepios and Pelopidas, seeking for a way to liberate the city that they grew up and loved; Philip, having been given as a hostage after his father’s murder, and the seizing of the throne by his uncle, Ptolemaos, awaits for the day that he and his brother, Perdiccas, will take back Macedonia and their heritage and bring it again to glory; while Tamis, having walked the paths of the past and the future, seeing the birth of the Dark God, and manipulating the destiny of the one man who can oppose him, will have to train the next heir of Cassandra to take her place before his Coming.
However, with the years to have taken him from city to city, and from battle to battle, making him well-known across Greece and Asia Minor alike as a great strategist beyond compare, when his destiny leads him back to Macedonia, and the followers of the Dark God set in motion their final plans that will pave the way for his Coming, Parmenion will find himself facing the forces of Darkness, holding in his hands the soul of an innocent unborn child who, if he fails to restore it, could mean the beginning of the end of the world as they knew it.
With a deep and rich history like the Greek one, having drawn the attention through the millennia of myriad scholars, philosophers, historians and archaeologists, bringing to light legends and heroes from the distant past, David Gemmell – choosing one of the most classical periods of ancient Greece: the 4th century BC – immerses us in the Lion of Macedon to the city of Sparta, which, with its society to live under its own rules, putting the young boys from the age of seven to be trained through a rigorous program until their manhood in their twentieth years to serve as warriors, but also giving to women the freedom to exercise equally among the men so that they can deliver strong children, has become the greatest military might in Greece after the fleeing of the Persians, and the fear of their enemies.
As well as to Macedonia, which, surrounded by Illyrians, Thracians, Paionians and Thebans, forced to fight one war after the other that have given rise to intrigues and power-struggles for the throne, and decimated the land and its people, has suffered more than any other city in Greece – a divided nation that, with every city-state seeking to rise to power and to spread its own dominance, reveals a quite different Greece from today's.
A novel in which, based on the great historical events that took place in Cadmea, Leuctra and Heraclea Lyncestis, Gemmell revives this classical period, reshaping the world of ancient Greece to his imagination, and traveling us in an epic story of warriors, generals, kings, priestesses and creatures of the underworld, using multiple characters and points of view that extends it far more – but always keeping his main protagonist at the center of his narrative – and creating a sweeping adventure full of battles and wars, intrigues and plots, great love affairs and hated enemies, that shows the greatness of his writing.
In short, Lion of Macedon is a great first half of the Greek series, with David Gemmell to immerses us into one of the most classical periods of ancient Greece, and traveling us in a story of generals, kings and priestesses, but also in an adventure of love, glory and war that creates through his imagination an epic and magical historical fantasy novel.
Ελληνική κριτική:
Back in the early ‘90s, when his career was still growing at the time, David Gemmell, taking a trip to Lindos, on the island of Rhodes, and an experience that proved more inspiring than he expected, started building his first ideas for his next story, bringing back to life from the depths of the Greek history a long-forgotten legend: Parmenion.
And in the Lion of Macedon, the first of the two installments of the Greek series, Gemmell, based on true events as written in history, creates through his imagination his own world of the ancient times, traveling us in a story of mercenaries and generals, philosophers and orators, and seeresses and priestesses, but also in an adventure of love and glory, vengeance and war, and destiny and magic, in an epic, historical fantasy novel.
For almost a century since Xerxes’s great invasion, when the legendary Sword King Leonidas and his three hundred men stood at the Pass of Thermopylae, and when not long after five thousand united Spartans met the Persian army forcing it to flee from their lands, Sparta, a place where heroes and great warriors are born, has become the most militarily mighty and glorious city, spreading its dominance across Greece – but Parmenion, having been taken from his Macedonian mother at his seventh years of age to be trained to the ways of the warriors, falling victim to the mockings and tauntings of the other kids for his mix-blood parentage, has been dreaming all his young life for the day he will feel the glory of victory at the side of the King.
Wanting to prove himself worthy of his father’s side, and to make his mother proud for the sacrifices she underwent to raise him after his death, hoping to bring her some joy, Parmenion has been exercising hard day by day, surpassing his rivals in the running competitions, and bringing him closer than anyone else in his barracks at the Final of the General’s Games and the biggest prize that any Spartan could have: one of the seven swords of Leonidas the King.
Yet, with his mix-blood parentage to have caused the King Agesilau’s objection at competing in the Final, manipulating the judges in favor of his nephew, when his carefully prepared strategies lead to an overwhelming outcome like no one else has achieved ever before, and he falls in love with a girl who had been promised for someone else, Parmenion will soon find himself in the noble families’ target, seeking restoration for the shame and humiliation that he brought them, and putting him on a path that will deprive him all that he loved and cared about in this city.
Meanwhile, in Thebes, Epaminondas, having felt the burden of the Spartan hegemony after the occupation of the Cadmea by their troops, seeing his people fall into daily suffering, has been plotting and planning ever since along with Calepios and Pelopidas, seeking for a way to liberate the city that they grew up and loved; Philip, having been given as a hostage after his father’s murder, and the seizing of the throne by his uncle, Ptolemaos, awaits for the day that he and his brother, Perdiccas, will take back Macedonia and their heritage and bring it again to glory; while Tamis, having walked the paths of the past and the future, seeing the birth of the Dark God, and manipulating the destiny of the one man who can oppose him, will have to train the next heir of Cassandra to take her place before his Coming.
However, with the years to have taken him from city to city, and from battle to battle, making him well-known across Greece and Asia Minor alike as a great strategist beyond compare, when his destiny leads him back to Macedonia, and the followers of the Dark God set in motion their final plans that will pave the way for his Coming, Parmenion will find himself facing the forces of Darkness, holding in his hands the soul of an innocent unborn child who, if he fails to restore it, could mean the beginning of the end of the world as they knew it.
With a deep and rich history like the Greek one, having drawn the attention through the millennia of myriad scholars, philosophers, historians and archaeologists, bringing to light legends and heroes from the distant past, David Gemmell – choosing one of the most classical periods of ancient Greece: the 4th century BC – immerses us in the Lion of Macedon to the city of Sparta, which, with its society to live under its own rules, putting the young boys from the age of seven to be trained through a rigorous program until their manhood in their twentieth years to serve as warriors, but also giving to women the freedom to exercise equally among the men so that they can deliver strong children, has become the greatest military might in Greece after the fleeing of the Persians, and the fear of their enemies.
As well as to Macedonia, which, surrounded by Illyrians, Thracians, Paionians and Thebans, forced to fight one war after the other that have given rise to intrigues and power-struggles for the throne, and decimated the land and its people, has suffered more than any other city in Greece – a divided nation that, with every city-state seeking to rise to power and to spread its own dominance, reveals a quite different Greece from today's.
A novel in which, based on the great historical events that took place in Cadmea, Leuctra and Heraclea Lyncestis, Gemmell revives this classical period, reshaping the world of ancient Greece to his imagination, and traveling us in an epic story of warriors, generals, kings, priestesses and creatures of the underworld, using multiple characters and points of view that extends it far more – but always keeping his main protagonist at the center of his narrative – and creating a sweeping adventure full of battles and wars, intrigues and plots, great love affairs and hated enemies, that shows the greatness of his writing.
In short, Lion of Macedon is a great first half of the Greek series, with David Gemmell to immerses us into one of the most classical periods of ancient Greece, and traveling us in a story of generals, kings and priestesses, but also in an adventure of love, glory and war that creates through his imagination an epic and magical historical fantasy novel.
Ελληνική κριτική:
January 29, 2015
Ha röviden kéne fogalmaznom, akkor csak ennyit mondanék, Szabó T. Anna után szabadon:
A harcos az vááá!
A harcos az vúúú!
A harcos az hááá!
A harcos az húúú!
Hosszabban majd később :)
Hosszabban:
14 éve vagyunk együtt a párommal, 14 éve állnak itthon halomban a Gemmell könyvek, 14 éve áradozik róluk, de csak most jött el az ideje, hogy beleszagoljak egy valós helyszínen játszódó, valós történelmi hátterű fantasyjébe Gemmellnek. (A nem létező világoktól még mindig ódzkodom kicsit, az az igazság...)
Sosem gondoltam volna, hogy ennyire bejön nekem ez az ókori, kardozós-lándzsázós, döfködős, nyilazós, végtaglevágós izé. Ez is bizonyítja, hogy eléggé férfias vonásokkal rendelkezem lelkileg, amit már tudtam ugyan, de ilyen fizikailag harcolós oldalról még nem ismeretem magam.
Azt tudtam, hogy a nagy, heroikus dolgok közel állnak hozzám, akár az irodalomban (pl. Owen Meany), akár az életben. Szeretem a hősöket, a nagy embereket. Elkápráztatnak, szeretnék én is olyan lenni, mint ők, bármilyen gyerekesnek is hangzik ez...:D
A Makedónia Oroszlánja azért volt különösen kedves nekem, mert a főszereplő Permanión nem született nagynak benne. Az egyszerű nép fia volt, spártai születésű, de az anyja makedón, és a spártaiak nem nézték jó szemmel ezt a félvérűséget. Nem tudták elfogadni és befogadni a fiút. És mint tudjuk Spártában a gyerekeket már kiskoruktól kezdve katonaiskolákban nevelték, és abban a közegben, a kis harcosok között még erőteljesebb volt az ellenségeskedés és az agresszió egy ilyen gyerek felé.
Az ifjú Parmenión azonban nem csak testileg (nagyon jó futó például), hanem elsősorban stratégiai szinten, kitűnő haditechnikai érzékével kerekedik társai felé. Egy stratégiai versenyen legyőzi a legjobbnak számító harcos ifjonc, Leonidász (nem a thermopülai hős, csak névrokonság) képzeletbeli seregét egy modellezett harcmezőn. Ez a momentum indítja el Parmenión felemelkedését, itt szerzi meg azt az önbizalmat, ami a későbbiekben rendkívül sikeres és keresett katonává, hadvezérré teszi.
Parmenión még ifjú korában elhatározza, hogy bosszút áll az őt kínzó és kiközösítő, majdnem megölő spártaiakon és felnőtt korában Thébai városába költözik, ahol felkészíti a város seregét az akkori Hellász legsikeresebb hadserege, a spárataik ellen és le is győzi őket. Később a szíve Makedónia felé húz, hiszen maga is félig makedón és a makedón király, Philipposz szolgálataiba áll, hogy segítsen neki megszabadítani az országot az azt körülvevő ellenséges hadaktól.
Nagyon bírtam Gemmellben, hogy legnagyobb félelmeim ellenére soha nem írta túl a csatajeleneteket. Nincsenek hát 20 oldalas csataleírásai, hála Istennek :) Lerendezi ezeket a megmozdulásokat max. 3-4 oldalban és nekem ez tökéletesen megfelelt. Külön tetszett, hogy nem a vérfröccsenések, fejlevágások, hasbaszúrások, azaz a puszta testi erő megjelenítése volt a csaták középpontjában, hanem a seregek különböző egységeinek, ill. a falanxoknak a megmozdulásai, maga a stratégia, ami a győzelem kulcsa.
Nincsenek hosszas leírások sem, vagy száraz történelmi áttekintés. Mindenből pontosan elegendő van a regényben, mert nagyon jó érzéke van az írónak ahhoz, hogy a történésekbe ágyazza a körítést, így a sztori semelyik része nem válik unalmassá vagy vontatottá. Ritka az ilyen író. És pontosan ilyen jó érzékkel rakott épp megfelelő mennyiségű mágiát is a történetbe Gemmell. Papnőket és varázslókat, démonokat, a Fény és a Sötétség szellemét.
Azért nőként is jó volt "nézni" ezeket a kockahasú, izmos karú és combú harcosokat, amint 20-30 kilós páncélt cipelve nyomulnak egymásnak. Nekem ezek az igazi férfiak és jó volt végre ilyeneket látni tömegesen :)
Ez az egész téma egyébként annyira felizgatott, hogy képes voltam megnézni a 300 c. filmet, ami Leonidásznak a Thermopülai szorosban a perzsák ellen folytatott csatájáról és győzelméről szól. Na, ott meg is lehet nézni ezeket a harcosokat Gerard Butlerrel az élükön :P
Imááádtam az egészet, kíváncsian várom a folytatást. Ha csak meghallom a világhódító Nagy Sándor nevét ebben a történelmi fantasy közegben, akkor jön a váááá, meg a vúúúú, meg az ááááááá.... Akarooooom!!!
A harcos az vááá!
A harcos az vúúú!
A harcos az hááá!
A harcos az húúú!
Hosszabban majd később :)
Hosszabban:
14 éve vagyunk együtt a párommal, 14 éve állnak itthon halomban a Gemmell könyvek, 14 éve áradozik róluk, de csak most jött el az ideje, hogy beleszagoljak egy valós helyszínen játszódó, valós történelmi hátterű fantasyjébe Gemmellnek. (A nem létező világoktól még mindig ódzkodom kicsit, az az igazság...)
Sosem gondoltam volna, hogy ennyire bejön nekem ez az ókori, kardozós-lándzsázós, döfködős, nyilazós, végtaglevágós izé. Ez is bizonyítja, hogy eléggé férfias vonásokkal rendelkezem lelkileg, amit már tudtam ugyan, de ilyen fizikailag harcolós oldalról még nem ismeretem magam.
Azt tudtam, hogy a nagy, heroikus dolgok közel állnak hozzám, akár az irodalomban (pl. Owen Meany), akár az életben. Szeretem a hősöket, a nagy embereket. Elkápráztatnak, szeretnék én is olyan lenni, mint ők, bármilyen gyerekesnek is hangzik ez...:D
A Makedónia Oroszlánja azért volt különösen kedves nekem, mert a főszereplő Permanión nem született nagynak benne. Az egyszerű nép fia volt, spártai születésű, de az anyja makedón, és a spártaiak nem nézték jó szemmel ezt a félvérűséget. Nem tudták elfogadni és befogadni a fiút. És mint tudjuk Spártában a gyerekeket már kiskoruktól kezdve katonaiskolákban nevelték, és abban a közegben, a kis harcosok között még erőteljesebb volt az ellenségeskedés és az agresszió egy ilyen gyerek felé.
Az ifjú Parmenión azonban nem csak testileg (nagyon jó futó például), hanem elsősorban stratégiai szinten, kitűnő haditechnikai érzékével kerekedik társai felé. Egy stratégiai versenyen legyőzi a legjobbnak számító harcos ifjonc, Leonidász (nem a thermopülai hős, csak névrokonság) képzeletbeli seregét egy modellezett harcmezőn. Ez a momentum indítja el Parmenión felemelkedését, itt szerzi meg azt az önbizalmat, ami a későbbiekben rendkívül sikeres és keresett katonává, hadvezérré teszi.
Parmenión még ifjú korában elhatározza, hogy bosszút áll az őt kínzó és kiközösítő, majdnem megölő spártaiakon és felnőtt korában Thébai városába költözik, ahol felkészíti a város seregét az akkori Hellász legsikeresebb hadserege, a spárataik ellen és le is győzi őket. Később a szíve Makedónia felé húz, hiszen maga is félig makedón és a makedón király, Philipposz szolgálataiba áll, hogy segítsen neki megszabadítani az országot az azt körülvevő ellenséges hadaktól.
Nagyon bírtam Gemmellben, hogy legnagyobb félelmeim ellenére soha nem írta túl a csatajeleneteket. Nincsenek hát 20 oldalas csataleírásai, hála Istennek :) Lerendezi ezeket a megmozdulásokat max. 3-4 oldalban és nekem ez tökéletesen megfelelt. Külön tetszett, hogy nem a vérfröccsenések, fejlevágások, hasbaszúrások, azaz a puszta testi erő megjelenítése volt a csaták középpontjában, hanem a seregek különböző egységeinek, ill. a falanxoknak a megmozdulásai, maga a stratégia, ami a győzelem kulcsa.
Nincsenek hosszas leírások sem, vagy száraz történelmi áttekintés. Mindenből pontosan elegendő van a regényben, mert nagyon jó érzéke van az írónak ahhoz, hogy a történésekbe ágyazza a körítést, így a sztori semelyik része nem válik unalmassá vagy vontatottá. Ritka az ilyen író. És pontosan ilyen jó érzékkel rakott épp megfelelő mennyiségű mágiát is a történetbe Gemmell. Papnőket és varázslókat, démonokat, a Fény és a Sötétség szellemét.
Azért nőként is jó volt "nézni" ezeket a kockahasú, izmos karú és combú harcosokat, amint 20-30 kilós páncélt cipelve nyomulnak egymásnak. Nekem ezek az igazi férfiak és jó volt végre ilyeneket látni tömegesen :)
Ez az egész téma egyébként annyira felizgatott, hogy képes voltam megnézni a 300 c. filmet, ami Leonidásznak a Thermopülai szorosban a perzsák ellen folytatott csatájáról és győzelméről szól. Na, ott meg is lehet nézni ezeket a harcosokat Gerard Butlerrel az élükön :P
Imááádtam az egészet, kíváncsian várom a folytatást. Ha csak meghallom a világhódító Nagy Sándor nevét ebben a történelmi fantasy közegben, akkor jön a váááá, meg a vúúúú, meg az ááááááá.... Akarooooom!!!
July 29, 2016
This historical fantasy really captured my interest from the first page and held it all through. This is the story of the life of the ancient Greek general, Parmenion, from boyhood in Sparta where he has always been regarded as a misfit because of his mixed Spartan/Macedonian parentage and treated cruelly and unfairly. General Xenophon [THAT Xenophon of the Anabasis ] takes him under his wing and mentors him. When the boy reaches manhood, he leaves Sparta with vengeance in his heart and as a mercenary soldier is instrumental in the victory of Thebes over Sparta at Leuctra and beyond, finally breaking Sparta's power. Then he travels as a mercenary to Persia, finally travelling to Macedonia, where he, now promoted to General, forms an army for Philip II. Unbeknownst to him, a sorceress has been controlling his life, as well as that of his lost love, Denae, hoping to defeat the powers of Darkness. The ending packed a wallop!
The first part set in Sparta was cliché-ridden: the underdog mistreated at the hands of others; the sick mother; the one loyal friend; the wise mentor. I thought the YA trilogy "Spartan Warrior" did those aspects better. But once Parmenion left Sparta and went to other places, the story took off. We don't know much about Parmenion's early life, so I'm pretty sure the author made everything up until we find him in Macedonia. The facts that in Thebes he trains the Sacred Band and that he devises the winning strategy at Leuctra served only to show his talent and astuteness in military matters. I doubt he was even there in real life. The author built his story on the bare outlines of the history of that period. Parmenion also trains an army for Philip; I enjoyed that section the most. The fantasy was worked in well. The whole book was well-written.
Highly recommended.
The first part set in Sparta was cliché-ridden: the underdog mistreated at the hands of others; the sick mother; the one loyal friend; the wise mentor. I thought the YA trilogy "Spartan Warrior" did those aspects better. But once Parmenion left Sparta and went to other places, the story took off. We don't know much about Parmenion's early life, so I'm pretty sure the author made everything up until we find him in Macedonia. The facts that in Thebes he trains the Sacred Band and that he devises the winning strategy at Leuctra served only to show his talent and astuteness in military matters. I doubt he was even there in real life. The author built his story on the bare outlines of the history of that period. Parmenion also trains an army for Philip; I enjoyed that section the most. The fantasy was worked in well. The whole book was well-written.
Highly recommended.
December 9, 2020
Gemmell always tells a good story, and the Lion of Macedon is no exception. This is set in a fantasy version of Ancient Greece circa 390-350 B.C., with the main protagonist being Parmenion-- a 'half-breed, part Macedonian and Spartan. Parmenion is raised in Sparta, but unbeknown to him, his life has been, at least in part, directed by Tamis, an aged seeress. Gemmell paints a world struggling between two forces-- chaos and light. Tamis 'works' if you will for the light, but chaos seeks to induce a human who will lead the forces of chaos on Earth; not quite an antichrist, but of the same vein. Tamis sees multiple futures, most ending in the triumph of chaos, but she also sees the possibility of Parmenion thwarting the forces of chaos.
As a young boy, Tamis induces hatred for him among his fellow child soldiers, seeking to temper him like steel. I will stop with the plotting here, just saying that the story follows the growth of Parmenion from a child into one of the world's greatest generals.
Gemmell creates a fine version of Ancient Greece, replete with all the endless plots among the city states. You can almost see yourself walking the streets of Sparta! The realism is amazing. Gemmell adds to this, however, the mystical element that often accompanies his heroic fantasy, with seers and wizards, including Aristotle as a magus! While a relatively long read, it has a good pace, even if I thought the romantic aspects were a little cheesy. 3.5 stars rounding up!
As a young boy, Tamis induces hatred for him among his fellow child soldiers, seeking to temper him like steel. I will stop with the plotting here, just saying that the story follows the growth of Parmenion from a child into one of the world's greatest generals.
Gemmell creates a fine version of Ancient Greece, replete with all the endless plots among the city states. You can almost see yourself walking the streets of Sparta! The realism is amazing. Gemmell adds to this, however, the mystical element that often accompanies his heroic fantasy, with seers and wizards, including Aristotle as a magus! While a relatively long read, it has a good pace, even if I thought the romantic aspects were a little cheesy. 3.5 stars rounding up!
August 22, 2016
Wow! What an incredible story!
I have much love for Greek history, especially for Spartans. And the first thing I liked about this book was the rich culture, history and clear research which had gone into the story.
Parmenion, a young boy training to be a Spartan soldier but robbed of his childhood as those around him plot to humiliate, ridicule and even try to kill him. This sets the setting for his life as he becomes angry and vengeful which, brings about the fall of Sparta.
The book is written very well. I was kept interested throughout and everything fell into place. It's not just a historical book but had a fantasy feel throughout (especially at the end!) with magus's, witches and gods. I also noticed that Gemmell likes his characters to have out of body experiences as they fly and saw across the sky (like The King Beyond the Gate and Waylander).
The ending surprised me as the time changes as Parmenion and Aristotle brace the underworld. And when the 300 came along I was like WHOA!!! Great moment it was :-)
I did think that the Spartan training did not come across as brutal as I have read it to be. It was as an almost daily test of pain but I got the impression it was just Parmenion turning up at the agora to practice duelling days on end.
Also, the blurb says that "Despised by Spartan's and Macedonians alike." Now I've finished I can see now why the Spartans hate him but not the Macedonians (there is a secret yet to be revealed to them I guess), this may come about in book II however, I felt that this should not have been in the blurb as the Macedonias come to victory by the end, put their place on the map and was good friends with the King, so, not sure why that was there but anywho, this book really is fantastic.
I'm keen to read more of Gemmell's historical fantasy and this gets a full 5 stars from me.
I have much love for Greek history, especially for Spartans. And the first thing I liked about this book was the rich culture, history and clear research which had gone into the story.
Parmenion, a young boy training to be a Spartan soldier but robbed of his childhood as those around him plot to humiliate, ridicule and even try to kill him. This sets the setting for his life as he becomes angry and vengeful which, brings about the fall of Sparta.
The book is written very well. I was kept interested throughout and everything fell into place. It's not just a historical book but had a fantasy feel throughout (especially at the end!) with magus's, witches and gods. I also noticed that Gemmell likes his characters to have out of body experiences as they fly and saw across the sky (like The King Beyond the Gate and Waylander).
The ending surprised me as the time changes as Parmenion and Aristotle brace the underworld. And when the 300 came along I was like WHOA!!! Great moment it was :-)
I did think that the Spartan training did not come across as brutal as I have read it to be. It was as an almost daily test of pain but I got the impression it was just Parmenion turning up at the agora to practice duelling days on end.
Also, the blurb says that "Despised by Spartan's and Macedonians alike." Now I've finished I can see now why the Spartans hate him but not the Macedonians (there is a secret yet to be revealed to them I guess), this may come about in book II however, I felt that this should not have been in the blurb as the Macedonias come to victory by the end, put their place on the map and was good friends with the King, so, not sure why that was there but anywho, this book really is fantastic.
I'm keen to read more of Gemmell's historical fantasy and this gets a full 5 stars from me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2017
I loved this story! It was a little slow in the beginning, so my hopes were not that high to start with, but when the story picked up I couldn't help but loving it.
The ancient Greeks with their pride, warrior spirit and beliefs are vastly entertaining
The ancient Greeks with their pride, warrior spirit and beliefs are vastly entertaining
March 6, 2007
so sad.... he passed away this year. Was one of my favourite authors growing up, and this would probably be his most well put together novel.
January 31, 2024
4.5 stars
December 27, 2020
Wow, I found this on some guys site that was named "10 Awesome Fantasy Series That Are Not Potter or LoTR" (btw I hate potter series, sorry Huffalump lovers, but i do love the LoTR motion picture.)and based on this one, looks like ill be reading every book on his list. I started this book and from page one I couldn't set it down. The Author is truly gifted and enjoyable to read. It takes place just after the movie "300" about the spartan hero Leonidas, so if you like that show you will love this book. It is a two part series, but the way it ended has me wishing i had bought the second one before I finished the first, that way i could be reading it right now.
Btw the name of the second book is the Dark Prince
Btw the name of the second book is the Dark Prince
November 24, 2014
4.5 Stars.
Excellent! Though I still feel like I did with Legend that the fantastical portion is the weak link here.
Derae and Parmenion, a continuous tragedy, sigh!
Excellent! Though I still feel like I did with Legend that the fantastical portion is the weak link here.
Derae and Parmenion, a continuous tragedy, sigh!
August 25, 2019
UKUPNA OCENA (overall rating) - 3
Radnja (story) - 3
Likovi (characters) - 3
Pripovedanje (writing style) - 2.5
Okruženje (setting) - 3.5
Radnja (story) - 3
Likovi (characters) - 3
Pripovedanje (writing style) - 2.5
Okruženje (setting) - 3.5
December 8, 2019
David fu**ing Gemmell. Oh how I love this author. Everything he writes turns to gold, from the Drenai books to the Greek ones.
On to the next one! ⚔️
On to the next one! ⚔️
January 3, 2023
The slowest David Gemmell book I've ever read. It was still entertaining, with lots of interesting characters and settings, but the pace was leisurely at best. It also just appears to be a lead into the following book, Dark Prince, which means that not a whole lot of import actually happens in this book. It could easily have been shortened quite a bit.
March 19, 2024
Entre 4 et 5 étoiles
Un très bon livre. Je découvre David Gemmell par cette duologie du Lion de Macédoine rééditée par Bragelonne en un très beau volume intégral. L'auteur a su combler les lacunes historiques avec son imagination débordante afin de rendre intéressante cette histoire de Parménion qui est historiquement toujours au second plan, dans l'ombre des géants que sont Philippe de Macédoine et surtout Alexandre le Grand. Parménion sort de l'ombre et révèle une personnalité forgée par les déterminismes de la vie, une histoire personnelle qui est celle de la Grèce de son époque dans ce monde historico-fantastique. C'est là que le parti-pris est important dans ce livre. L'auteur tisse une toile de fantasy dans une trame historique déjà bien dense, afin d'expliquer, à sa manière, et avec un système "magique" original, les déterminations qui sous-tendent les grandes forces et les grands mouvements de l'Histoire.
Ayant étudié cette période à la fac, c'est assez rafraîchissant de voir s'incarner ces noms, ces figures, ces cités et ces événements dans une fresque historico-fantasy. On peut juste regretter que le worldbuilding ne se saisisse pas de la totalité des caractéristiques de cet univers antique qui en font l'exotisme pour l'œil contemporain et aurait pu ajouter davantage de fantasy réelle (si je peux me permettre cette expression tant nos mondes sont différents des leurs) à la fantasy imaginaire. Mais après tout, peut-être qu'il s'agit là du point de vue de quelqu'un qui connait un peu trop cette période (tout en étant pas spécialiste) et que cela aurait rendu les choses trop complexes ?
Un élément peut quelque peu chiffonner le lecteur contemporain : les relations entre les hommes sont évoqués, mais vue la matière historique à disposition, Gemmell aurait pu aller bien plus loin de ce point de vue. Il aurait pu offrir un réel miroir entre son traitement des relations homme-femme (puisqu'il écrit la relation lié à la considération du genre féminin par les hommes et des relations sexuelles hétérosexuelles) et celui des relations homme-homme (il écrit bien l'amour entre homme, teinté de haute estime, de virilité voire de virilisme, mais élude la relation homosexuelle à proprement parler). Malgré tout, pour la date d'écriture, cela n'est pas étonnant et le livre reste quand même original à ce propos en traitant ce sujet qui est resté méconnu pendant trop longtemps du grand public.
Quelques problèmes de traduction à relever tout de même : sarissas = sarisses, on nous parle d'Agia qui est Aigai
Un très bon livre. Je découvre David Gemmell par cette duologie du Lion de Macédoine rééditée par Bragelonne en un très beau volume intégral. L'auteur a su combler les lacunes historiques avec son imagination débordante afin de rendre intéressante cette histoire de Parménion qui est historiquement toujours au second plan, dans l'ombre des géants que sont Philippe de Macédoine et surtout Alexandre le Grand. Parménion sort de l'ombre et révèle une personnalité forgée par les déterminismes de la vie, une histoire personnelle qui est celle de la Grèce de son époque dans ce monde historico-fantastique. C'est là que le parti-pris est important dans ce livre. L'auteur tisse une toile de fantasy dans une trame historique déjà bien dense, afin d'expliquer, à sa manière, et avec un système "magique" original, les déterminations qui sous-tendent les grandes forces et les grands mouvements de l'Histoire.
Ayant étudié cette période à la fac, c'est assez rafraîchissant de voir s'incarner ces noms, ces figures, ces cités et ces événements dans une fresque historico-fantasy. On peut juste regretter que le worldbuilding ne se saisisse pas de la totalité des caractéristiques de cet univers antique qui en font l'exotisme pour l'œil contemporain et aurait pu ajouter davantage de fantasy réelle (si je peux me permettre cette expression tant nos mondes sont différents des leurs) à la fantasy imaginaire. Mais après tout, peut-être qu'il s'agit là du point de vue de quelqu'un qui connait un peu trop cette période (tout en étant pas spécialiste) et que cela aurait rendu les choses trop complexes ?
Un élément peut quelque peu chiffonner le lecteur contemporain : les relations entre les hommes sont évoqués, mais vue la matière historique à disposition, Gemmell aurait pu aller bien plus loin de ce point de vue. Il aurait pu offrir un réel miroir entre son traitement des relations homme-femme (puisqu'il écrit la relation lié à la considération du genre féminin par les hommes et des relations sexuelles hétérosexuelles) et celui des relations homme-homme (il écrit bien l'amour entre homme, teinté de haute estime, de virilité voire de virilisme, mais élude la relation homosexuelle à proprement parler). Malgré tout, pour la date d'écriture, cela n'est pas étonnant et le livre reste quand même original à ce propos en traitant ce sujet qui est resté méconnu pendant trop longtemps du grand public.
Quelques problèmes de traduction à relever tout de même : sarissas = sarisses, on nous parle d'Agia qui est Aigai
August 23, 2017
A book I was thinking about buying for some years...Read it at last and, boy, it was worth it!
Well, I'll give it a five though it's not a straight 10/10 cause I loved it. What's not to love? Ancient Greece and fantasy. Sparta, Macedon, Law and Chaos, you name it. Parmenion as a Spartan warrior seemed a bit odd, I don't remember this having any historical background. Also some historical inaccuracies here and there maybe but not too many. Actually too *few*! This first part that has little fantasy is one of the most accurate fiction for ancient Greece that I have read, coming to think of it. I liked Parmenion as a character. Great guy but he had his flaws. The rest of the cast are nicely done too. Weird thing is I didn't like Gemmell's epic fantasy that much but he's pretty good in fantasy&history blend.
Well, I'll give it a five though it's not a straight 10/10 cause I loved it. What's not to love? Ancient Greece and fantasy. Sparta, Macedon, Law and Chaos, you name it. Parmenion as a Spartan warrior seemed a bit odd, I don't remember this having any historical background. Also some historical inaccuracies here and there maybe but not too many. Actually too *few*! This first part that has little fantasy is one of the most accurate fiction for ancient Greece that I have read, coming to think of it. I liked Parmenion as a character. Great guy but he had his flaws. The rest of the cast are nicely done too. Weird thing is I didn't like Gemmell's epic fantasy that much but he's pretty good in fantasy&history blend.
June 30, 2010
When the author, David Gemmell, stuck to the history side, it was a good book.
When he brought in Dark Gods, and witches, and fantasy, I lost interest.
The last third of the book seems to have been just a set up for a sequel.
Not impressed and won't go on to the sequel. One of Gemmell's books is enough.
When he brought in Dark Gods, and witches, and fantasy, I lost interest.
The last third of the book seems to have been just a set up for a sequel.
Not impressed and won't go on to the sequel. One of Gemmell's books is enough.
March 5, 2009
The first Gemmell book I read, it's adult and historically-based fantasy about loyalty, belonging and betrayal. Gemmell's gritty obsession with sacrifice and good in an evil world sets him aside from others in the saturated fantasy genre.
October 21, 2012
Ahh, David Gemmell. I love you. Like all of Gemmell's novels, Lion of Macedon did not disappoint. There was plenty of blood, action and intrigue. The characters are well-written and the plot spot-on. I'll be reading the sequel shortly.
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