The Rise and the Fall of the Sacred Band of Thebes

by G.A. Hauser

In the year 338 BC on the plain of Chaeronea, a war was fought between the allied armies of Thebes and Athens, against the might of Macedon ruled by King Philip and his son Alexander the Great. In that bloody battle Thebes was defeated and lost almost every man of its exclusive fighting force called the Sacred Band. Nikanoras, born the only son to an aristocrat, is sent to train with a mentor and find a male lover in order to be selected to serve with the Sacred Band of Thebes. Unknown to Nikanoras his mentor holds a treacherous secret over his father and is in love with his mother. After Nikanoras is sent away for training, his mother and mentor kill his father and hope Nikanoras will die in war. Throughout the murderous intrigue, Nikanoras' one saving grace is his lover, beautiful Meleagros, the only thing in his life that is stable. Together they face their destiny- to live or die in battle.

Genres: Historical Fiction, LGBT

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

About the Author Award-winning author G.A. Hauser was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA and attended university in New York City. She moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. In early 2000 G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began her writing in earnest and published her first book, In the Shadow of Alexander. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has written over eighty novels, including several best-sellers of gay fiction. GA is also the Executive Producer for her first feature film, CAPITAL GAMES. For more information on other books by G.A., visit the author at her official website. www.authorgahauser.com G.A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2010, 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, and Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, Best Author 2007.

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Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

At least I'll know what to write in this review AFTER I'VE FINISHED CLAWING AT MY FACE.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book immerses you into the lives of people in Ancient Greece, lives of homosexual male couples making up a very famous Greek army, the Sacred Band of Thebes. It is an army that stood undefeated until they met King Philip and his son Alexander the Great in a great battle that wiped them all out. King Philip created a memorial to them and their fierce courage, which still stands to this day. It is a way to learn accurate history and about homosexuality in ancient Greece, and have fun doing it. It is extremely well researched and accurate, accept for the fictionalization of actual characters. I very highly recommend this book.

[Scott Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the best historical fiction about the Sacred Band I've ever read. The author is faithful to the historical detail, captures the feeling of life in a fourth-century BC Greek metropolis, and shines a blazing light on the love Nikanoras & Meleagros feel for each other and their brothers-in-arms. Even their deaths are beautifully presented leaving the reader happy and fulfilled at the end of their story. I've read this book 3 times and will read it again.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars ~ At the age of 13 young Nikanoras begins his training to become one of the elite Sacred Band of soldiers. Undefeated, the Scared Band has the respect and fear of all the regions around them. Each soldier in the Band must take a lover from his peers, thus creating a bond that is unbreakable. Though Nikanoras is devoted to his lover, Meleagros, he is devastated that his dreams of someday marrying and fathering children will never be. As Nikanoras matures, he quickly learns that his lover and his Band are all that matters.

Again, this is not one of Ms. Hauser's best, however, I did find myself reading on to see what becomes of Nikanoras. I'm rather fond of m/m romance set in historical periods. The HEA is this one has a different twist, and does suit the couple. I enjoyed this tale.

[Michael Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can find my full review of this book at my web site.