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Glory and the Lightning: A Novel of Ancient Greece
New York Times
best seller
A breathtaking saga of ancient Greece and one of history’s most influential political couples, Aspasia and Pericles
Born in the Greek city of Miletus, Aspasia was destined for a life of tragedy. Her wealthy father vowed to abandon any female child, so Aspasia was secreted away, educated independently of her family, and raised as a courtesan. She discovered at an early age how to use her powers of intellect as ingeniously as those of the flesh.
Ensconced in the Persian harems of Al Taliph, she meets the man who will change her Pericles, the formidable political leader, statesman, ruler of Athens, and Aspasia’s most cherished lover. She becomes his trusted confidante, his equal through scandal, war, and revolt.
From the eruption of the Peloponnesian War to violent political and family rivalries to a devastating plague, author Taylor Caldwell plunges the listener into the heart of ancient Athens. In bringing to life the tumultuous love affairs and gripping power struggles of one of history’s most complicated and fascinating women, Glory and the Lightning is thrilling proof that "Caldwell never falters when it comes to storytelling" (Publishers Weekly).
A breathtaking saga of ancient Greece and one of history’s most influential political couples, Aspasia and Pericles
Born in the Greek city of Miletus, Aspasia was destined for a life of tragedy. Her wealthy father vowed to abandon any female child, so Aspasia was secreted away, educated independently of her family, and raised as a courtesan. She discovered at an early age how to use her powers of intellect as ingeniously as those of the flesh.
Ensconced in the Persian harems of Al Taliph, she meets the man who will change her Pericles, the formidable political leader, statesman, ruler of Athens, and Aspasia’s most cherished lover. She becomes his trusted confidante, his equal through scandal, war, and revolt.
From the eruption of the Peloponnesian War to violent political and family rivalries to a devastating plague, author Taylor Caldwell plunges the listener into the heart of ancient Athens. In bringing to life the tumultuous love affairs and gripping power struggles of one of history’s most complicated and fascinating women, Glory and the Lightning is thrilling proof that "Caldwell never falters when it comes to storytelling" (Publishers Weekly).
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First published January 1, 1974
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About the author
Taylor Caldwell
153 books558 followers Also known by the pen names Marcus Holland and Max Reiner.
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 27, 2010
I first read this book 30 years ago and have reread it several times since. The main character is the historical Aspasia, unusual in Ancient Greece in that she was educated (rather than being killed as an infant for being born female, she was secreted to a school for courtesans and courtesans were educated) and later ran her own school for girls who did not have to be courtesans to be educated. This story has haunted me for years; it is full of human foibles, deep yearnings, politics, philosophy and the kind of romantic feeling that has been reduced to a quaint relic in our modern, social-networked/hook-up society. As an added note, the author had past life recall that indicated she was the female physician in Glory and the Lightning.
Aspasia had beauty and brains, as history affirms, and this novel infuses her with a love for knowledge, independence and truth which makes her burn brightly and cost her heavily. She is a woman for whom all women may be proud to claim her gender.
Aspasia had beauty and brains, as history affirms, and this novel infuses her with a love for knowledge, independence and truth which makes her burn brightly and cost her heavily. She is a woman for whom all women may be proud to claim her gender.
July 24, 2013
I love this book for many reasons but mostly because it was the first 200+ page book I ever read. Thanks mum!
My interest in Classical History and Philosophy was ignited by this book and needless to say, I fell for Aspasia.
Great book.
My interest in Classical History and Philosophy was ignited by this book and needless to say, I fell for Aspasia.
Great book.
April 14, 2016
Fictional story of Pericles, the ancient Greek statesman, and Aspasia, the hetaera [courtesan] who opens a school for young ladies in 5th century B.C. Athens. First we're told her story, the Pericles's story, then their lives together after their meeting. Through envy and jealousy of Pericles there are assassination attempts on first his sons, then Aspasia. Also, several of his friends are tried on trumped up charges. His meeting with Ichthus, his friend from school-days, in prison was poignant.
Ms. Caldwell researched that era well; details of Athenian life were fascinating. Sometimes the politics did bog the book down. I got lost in all those mentions of Republic and Democracy. Although the novel was enjoyable and I couldn't put it down, it was not up to the standard of Dear and Glorious Physician
Ms. Caldwell researched that era well; details of Athenian life were fascinating. Sometimes the politics did bog the book down. I got lost in all those mentions of Republic and Democracy. Although the novel was enjoyable and I couldn't put it down, it was not up to the standard of Dear and Glorious Physician
July 18, 2025
Disappointing historical fiction. There’s very little actual history in the novel. When Pericles finally comes on the scene, about halfway through, I thought the story would improve but it didn’t. Jarring leaps in time with little to support the story. Such as Pericles’ father going into exile and the next chapter fast forward and Pericles is head of Athens. There’s no mention of how Pericles rose to that position nor what happened to his father, other than he’s dead. In another scene much time is devoted to his friend Helena setting up a dinner party so Pericles can meet Aspasia. Then several chapters later it comes to pass after a whole different story line takes place.
But the most disturbing aspect of this novel is how Taylor Caldwell imposes her personal political beliefs on the reader.
Here’s just a sampling of the theme that Republics are good and Democracy is bad.
Republics had the masculine love for conservatism in all things and a discreet suspicion of dangerous innovations.
But democracies were feminine, in that they were propelled only by fierce and passing emotions, concern for the immediate, unduly ambitious because they were vain, were many-tongued and chaotic, devious, passionate over trifles, ruled by their bellies and not by mind and reason ….
It’s not that her opinions are completely incorrect, it’s the extremes that she goes to by adding in the gender comments, as though everything about masculinity is wonderful and femininity is obnoxious and of limited value. And Caldwell is writing about a woman in Greece who managed to rise above the petty misogyny of the ancient world.
This book could have been set in any period, including the present, and in any country. That’s a fatal flaw in a historical novel. I didn't learn anything about ancient Athens or Pericles. Time to move on to something worth the time and effort.
But the most disturbing aspect of this novel is how Taylor Caldwell imposes her personal political beliefs on the reader.
Here’s just a sampling of the theme that Republics are good and Democracy is bad.
Republics had the masculine love for conservatism in all things and a discreet suspicion of dangerous innovations.
But democracies were feminine, in that they were propelled only by fierce and passing emotions, concern for the immediate, unduly ambitious because they were vain, were many-tongued and chaotic, devious, passionate over trifles, ruled by their bellies and not by mind and reason ….
It’s not that her opinions are completely incorrect, it’s the extremes that she goes to by adding in the gender comments, as though everything about masculinity is wonderful and femininity is obnoxious and of limited value. And Caldwell is writing about a woman in Greece who managed to rise above the petty misogyny of the ancient world.
This book could have been set in any period, including the present, and in any country. That’s a fatal flaw in a historical novel. I didn't learn anything about ancient Athens or Pericles. Time to move on to something worth the time and effort.
January 3, 2015
Si te gusta la historia y la filosofía,Glory and the Lightning es una buena elección.
Relatando la historia de Pericles y su mujer, Aspasia, Es una novela con temas profundos para reflexionar pero planteados de manera muy simple.
La manera de escribir de la autora me pareció impecable: descripciones envolventes, personalidades bien definidas y acciones precisas, todo esto hace que el libro sea de fácil lectura y llevadero.
Personalmente, encontré que algunos pasajes (especialmente la primera parte del libro) fueron un poco aburridos, con poco contenido de valor que aporte cosas a la historia o al lector, pero fuera de eso pienso que es una buena novela para pasar el rato y de paso aprender sobre una época clave en la historia.
Es un libro bueno, pero esperaba más.
Relatando la historia de Pericles y su mujer, Aspasia, Es una novela con temas profundos para reflexionar pero planteados de manera muy simple.
La manera de escribir de la autora me pareció impecable: descripciones envolventes, personalidades bien definidas y acciones precisas, todo esto hace que el libro sea de fácil lectura y llevadero.
Personalmente, encontré que algunos pasajes (especialmente la primera parte del libro) fueron un poco aburridos, con poco contenido de valor que aporte cosas a la historia o al lector, pero fuera de eso pienso que es una buena novela para pasar el rato y de paso aprender sobre una época clave en la historia.
Es un libro bueno, pero esperaba más.
May 8, 2021
Great read. Everyone should read this book. Very moving tale of the evolution of feminism, politics, and the search for truth through spirituality and enlightenment.
September 3, 2024
I loved this book so much and never wanted it to end. It makes the time of Pericles in Greece feel real and so imaginable! For me a page turner !
December 3, 2017
Taylor Caldwell's representation of Aspasia, the companion of Perseus in early Athens. Aspasia was intellectually ahead of her time and, therefore, drew suspicions from those who were not use to seeing a woman educating other women. Very interesting. Learned a few new words, too. (Heterai).
July 31, 2011
Ahh, yo soy Aspasia!!!!!
October 17, 2024
The story of Pericles and his second wife Aspasia, this starts out in ancient Turkey, but quickly shifts to Athens. Written decades ago, the language is somewhat dated and at first a little off-putting. And while it begins with Aspasia, the main part of the story is about Pericles. It’s the story of how a relatively unknown mid-level Athenian bureaucrat became one of the most influential people in history and almost single-handedly dragged Athens into the modern age. Brilliant, ruthless, enigmatic, and probably more than a little mad, he was a mass of contradictions: he had no problem forcing democracy on an unwilling population; he extolled the rights of the individual yet had no problem ordering the murders of his enemies; he outlawed foreign marriage, then married his foreign lover; he had no use for philosophy, yet insisted Socrates be allowed to teach; he had no interest in other cultures, yet welcomed a delegation from the small unknown city of Rome, hoping the better location would facilitate the spread of Greek art and culture, a gamble which is still paying huge dividends to this day. Along with that, his greatest accomplishment was the Parthenon.
February 18, 2022
I have read this book several times and always love it. It is a story of ancient Athens and Pericles and Aspasia. It begins as the story of Aspasia and her training and education as a courtesan. She travels to Persia and becomes the primary mistress of a wealthy lord. When they part she returns to Athens and opens a school to educate young women. She meets and loves Pericles and supports him in his goal to make Athens truly great. I have read several books by this author but this is my favorite.
February 16, 2023
jesus christ reading this book is time I will never ever get back
October 4, 2019
1974
I really enjoyed this book! Great storyteller. My way of learning some history, in this case the life and career of Pericles, born 495 BC, died 429, of the plague, still in office ruling Athens, though he did not become an absolute dictator.
The book starts out with Aspasia, the historical long-time consort of Pericles, so I thought the author meant Aspasia to be the main character. But as the book goes on, it is clear that Pericles is the central figure, even though we do hear a lot about Aspasia as well, most of it invented by the author as historical sources are very scant on her life. The records say she wrote many of Pericles' speeches and those of others as well.
Caldwell is clearly a great admirer of this period of Greek history and culture, and she has many known philosophers and dramatists on the stage here, Socrates, Hippocrates, the sculptor Pheidias, Anaxagoras, Zeno of Elea, and many others. It truly is amazing that such a small city-state [Athens/Attica] produced so very many people who have come down to us as geniuses.
Caldwell uses this book [and probably other books as well] to propagate her opinions about present-day politics; or, to put it more mildly, she attributes present-day thinking to these ancient Greeks, which of course all of us naturally tend to do. She also uses the trick of having her characters prophesy about the future. [Our politicians will be forgotten, but our sculptors will be famous long after we are all dead. That sort of thing. Rome will become famous and powerful.]
***Envy*** is said by the author to be stronger in Greece than anywhere else. The author and Pericles spend a lot of words speculating on the envy and greed of humans and how that comes about. It's all interesting to ponder. The frequency of assassinations in Athens, if we are to believe this book, is astounding. Friends are jealous of one of them gaining more power and then start working against him, even fabricating charges. It goes on and on.
Naturally, Pericles is a near-perfect human being, and Aspasia an absolutely perfect one. [And many others are unrelievedly evil-doers.] Unrealistic, but comforting to read and believe! Yes, Caldwell's writing is exceedingly flowery; she never uses a simple word when an arcane word can be found, even if the meaning is a bit off. I try to imagine how a copy editor might attack this text -- the floweriness is part of her style, but surely dialing it back just a little would make it easier on the reader? And there is needless repetition in the book.
But overall, what fun to read and imagine these people in Ancient Athens!
QUOTES
494 "Now Pericles was truly afraid, not for Pheidias, but for his city, for if such things [poisoned] could happen to a man like the sculptor then no man was safe, and there was no real justice"
521 "Mankind cannot endure justice and honor and integrity."
522 Aspasia: " 'I have heard from eastern philosophers that when the Unknown God is born to us His most terrible enemies will be of His own house.'
Helena: 'Who else can be so malign as a brother or a child or even a parent, if a man attains eminence? Who is he, they will say, who dares to be above us our kinsman? Is he not of my blood? Therefore he cannot be superior to me.'
539 [Pericles speaking to the jury] "Men of Athens! Sons of the laws of Solon! We Greeks, for the first time in known history, have brought a dream to mankind, the dream of liberty, of law which all men, rulers and ruled, must obey, of just rewards for just service, of freedom of speech and freedom to write, of judges and juries, of punishments to fit the crime, of order not imposed but self-imposed, of the power to vote and the power to seek redress.........."
459 [A Roman delegation comes to learn] Aspasia: "Why disillusion these honest men with the truth? Let them establish their republic and perhaps they will realize the dream which Athens never attained, a dream which other nations may make into a glorious reality." [author thinking of Europe and US???]
Pericles: "But these barbarian Romans are also men, and inevitably they will become corrupt and establish a democracy and hence a despotism."
345 Aspasia: "Republics suppress aristocracy, democracies suppress freedom. What then is the best government? I have heard it said that a benign despotism is the best, but as there are few benign men and despotism is abhorred by such, my friend was wrong. An aristocratic Republic is the best, though that may seem a contradiction in terms. Democracies are the worst; they become tyrannies, for the reason that when every man speaks, whether he is a fool or a wise man, chaos and shouting take over government and inevitably a strong if dangerous man assumes power."
326 "It is not the attributes of the dead which we remember, thought Pericles, but their easy smiles, their words of love however false, their amiability. The noblest man is not recalled with affection and reverence if he had a shrewd cynicism about his fellow man or had a brusque manner and an undeviating honesty. A man who spoke the truth was hated in his lifetime and forgotten after his death. We prefer affable liars, even if they wounded us and deceived us.
...Malice was the one dread and terrible trait which all human beings possessed. It was inspired by envy, private cruel ridicule of the victim, greed, or some petty imagined offense the victim had inflicted on his destroyer. Often it was only the result of the heroic character of the victim; men can endure anything but profound virtue in another. Virtue inflamed hate among mankind, just as vice receives secret admiration."
I really enjoyed this book! Great storyteller. My way of learning some history, in this case the life and career of Pericles, born 495 BC, died 429, of the plague, still in office ruling Athens, though he did not become an absolute dictator.
The book starts out with Aspasia, the historical long-time consort of Pericles, so I thought the author meant Aspasia to be the main character. But as the book goes on, it is clear that Pericles is the central figure, even though we do hear a lot about Aspasia as well, most of it invented by the author as historical sources are very scant on her life. The records say she wrote many of Pericles' speeches and those of others as well.
Caldwell is clearly a great admirer of this period of Greek history and culture, and she has many known philosophers and dramatists on the stage here, Socrates, Hippocrates, the sculptor Pheidias, Anaxagoras, Zeno of Elea, and many others. It truly is amazing that such a small city-state [Athens/Attica] produced so very many people who have come down to us as geniuses.
Caldwell uses this book [and probably other books as well] to propagate her opinions about present-day politics; or, to put it more mildly, she attributes present-day thinking to these ancient Greeks, which of course all of us naturally tend to do. She also uses the trick of having her characters prophesy about the future. [Our politicians will be forgotten, but our sculptors will be famous long after we are all dead. That sort of thing. Rome will become famous and powerful.]
***Envy*** is said by the author to be stronger in Greece than anywhere else. The author and Pericles spend a lot of words speculating on the envy and greed of humans and how that comes about. It's all interesting to ponder. The frequency of assassinations in Athens, if we are to believe this book, is astounding. Friends are jealous of one of them gaining more power and then start working against him, even fabricating charges. It goes on and on.
Naturally, Pericles is a near-perfect human being, and Aspasia an absolutely perfect one. [And many others are unrelievedly evil-doers.] Unrealistic, but comforting to read and believe! Yes, Caldwell's writing is exceedingly flowery; she never uses a simple word when an arcane word can be found, even if the meaning is a bit off. I try to imagine how a copy editor might attack this text -- the floweriness is part of her style, but surely dialing it back just a little would make it easier on the reader? And there is needless repetition in the book.
But overall, what fun to read and imagine these people in Ancient Athens!
QUOTES
494 "Now Pericles was truly afraid, not for Pheidias, but for his city, for if such things [poisoned] could happen to a man like the sculptor then no man was safe, and there was no real justice"
521 "Mankind cannot endure justice and honor and integrity."
522 Aspasia: " 'I have heard from eastern philosophers that when the Unknown God is born to us His most terrible enemies will be of His own house.'
Helena: 'Who else can be so malign as a brother or a child or even a parent, if a man attains eminence? Who is he, they will say, who dares to be above us our kinsman? Is he not of my blood? Therefore he cannot be superior to me.'
539 [Pericles speaking to the jury] "Men of Athens! Sons of the laws of Solon! We Greeks, for the first time in known history, have brought a dream to mankind, the dream of liberty, of law which all men, rulers and ruled, must obey, of just rewards for just service, of freedom of speech and freedom to write, of judges and juries, of punishments to fit the crime, of order not imposed but self-imposed, of the power to vote and the power to seek redress.........."
459 [A Roman delegation comes to learn] Aspasia: "Why disillusion these honest men with the truth? Let them establish their republic and perhaps they will realize the dream which Athens never attained, a dream which other nations may make into a glorious reality." [author thinking of Europe and US???]
Pericles: "But these barbarian Romans are also men, and inevitably they will become corrupt and establish a democracy and hence a despotism."
345 Aspasia: "Republics suppress aristocracy, democracies suppress freedom. What then is the best government? I have heard it said that a benign despotism is the best, but as there are few benign men and despotism is abhorred by such, my friend was wrong. An aristocratic Republic is the best, though that may seem a contradiction in terms. Democracies are the worst; they become tyrannies, for the reason that when every man speaks, whether he is a fool or a wise man, chaos and shouting take over government and inevitably a strong if dangerous man assumes power."
326 "It is not the attributes of the dead which we remember, thought Pericles, but their easy smiles, their words of love however false, their amiability. The noblest man is not recalled with affection and reverence if he had a shrewd cynicism about his fellow man or had a brusque manner and an undeviating honesty. A man who spoke the truth was hated in his lifetime and forgotten after his death. We prefer affable liars, even if they wounded us and deceived us.
...Malice was the one dread and terrible trait which all human beings possessed. It was inspired by envy, private cruel ridicule of the victim, greed, or some petty imagined offense the victim had inflicted on his destroyer. Often it was only the result of the heroic character of the victim; men can endure anything but profound virtue in another. Virtue inflamed hate among mankind, just as vice receives secret admiration."
June 1, 2018
This was my first introduction to the joys of GREAT historical fiction. Found a tattered paperback copy sometime back in the 1980s and I was immediately captivated by this Ancient Greek tale of Aspasia and Pericles. Since then I have re-read this book about eight times, and each time I am never disappointed. Will be returning to it again, no doubt, as I find the narrative deeply compelling and beautifully written. A truly great masterpiece of historical fiction!
Read
January 5, 2013A pretty good book with a story about Greece during the rule of Pericles. The author writes a lot about the difficulties of governing with reference to democracy and republic types of government.
Read
February 24, 2013Anything by Taylor Caldwell is great.
July 12, 2020
Not one boring moment in the story.
December 15, 2017
This is a slow book that goes into great detail about Greece. Basically, it's the story of Aspasia and Pericles.
We start the book with Aspasia and her upbringing. She's trained as a hetaira (courtesan) and lives in the East for a time. She then returns to Greece.
The second part covers Pericles and his upbringing, and goes up to his meeting with Aspasia.
The final part is Pericles and Aspasia together, and the difficulties they face due to Pericles' political enemies. I liked that their relationship is never in doubt; they are shown to complement each other (e.g. when ). However, a lot of the narrative focuses on Pericles and the enemies he faces - Aspasia's storyline takes a backseat, save at . The ending is pretty cool though, and I love the imagery:
I also enjoyed the various vaguely philosophical discussions the characters have with each other. Early on, Aspasia talks about the subjectivity of truth (this comes up often: the question of subjectivity. Pericles talks often about democracy, and the concept of a democracy (rule by the masses) is often contrasted with the idea of a republic (rule by law); the former denigrated and the latter lauded:
And
Solon is often quoted in discussions - I'm not familiar with him, so I don't know if any knowledge of Greek history would have added to my enjoyment. There is a lot of talk about governance and politics.
I felt that the discussions added to the story rather than slowing the pacing down; it added flavour to the story. Some parts are also really poetic:
And:
I really appreciated the language - it uses vocabulary I rarely see nowadays (risible, jejune). The writing style is delicately ornamented; the descriptions add to the narrative. There's a lightness to the narrative that hides that there's a lot of underage sex and nonconsensual sex happening in this book. Sex happens a lot - descriptions of the femininity of women and various forms of gender essentialism. But that felt period-typical and didn't detract a lot from the book for me. The characters also felt slightly flat, but that is fine. (I did like that .)
3.5 stars for me - I liked this book, so I'm rounding up.
We start the book with Aspasia and her upbringing. She's trained as a hetaira (courtesan) and lives in the East for a time. She then returns to Greece.
The second part covers Pericles and his upbringing, and goes up to his meeting with Aspasia.
The final part is Pericles and Aspasia together, and the difficulties they face due to Pericles' political enemies. I liked that their relationship is never in doubt; they are shown to complement each other (e.g. when ). However, a lot of the narrative focuses on Pericles and the enemies he faces - Aspasia's storyline takes a backseat, save at . The ending is pretty cool though, and I love the imagery:
I also enjoyed the various vaguely philosophical discussions the characters have with each other. Early on, Aspasia talks about the subjectivity of truth (this comes up often: the question of subjectivity. Pericles talks often about democracy, and the concept of a democracy (rule by the masses) is often contrasted with the idea of a republic (rule by law); the former denigrated and the latter lauded:
Pheidias listened, sighing. "Even the arts, which are immortal, must stand aside for the greedy appetites of the mob," he said. "You are correct, my Anaxagoras, in believing that the spirit is of more importance than the body. But it is impossible to tell government that. Or, they are afraid to acknowledge it in the search for votes."
And
She is a democracy, and democracies can be manipulated at will by any demagogue or traitor or exigent man. Democracies carry within themselves the seeds of their own death; they are not rule by judicious and virtuous men, but rule by the mob, which is neither judicious nor virtuous, and is inspired only by its own belly and lusts and greeds.
Solon is often quoted in discussions - I'm not familiar with him, so I don't know if any knowledge of Greek history would have added to my enjoyment. There is a lot of talk about governance and politics.
I felt that the discussions added to the story rather than slowing the pacing down; it added flavour to the story. Some parts are also really poetic:
From the women's quarters the slave girls had begun to sing, accompanied by the tinkling notes of lutes, and to Zeno it sounded very brave in the face of the rising storm. It is all the answer we can return, he thought. It is all we can say to the terrible gods. Courage.
And:
The King Archon was an old man, and he had loved many women. Still, he reflected that even such as Pericles was not immune to Eros, and in this he was like countless other men. Empires had fallen at the touch of the soft hand of a woman. Men had abandoned honor and position and even life for women they had loved. There is a lot to be said for the theory of some philosophers, thought the King Archon, that a man in a great position should be deprived of his testes, so that his people will not perish.
I really appreciated the language - it uses vocabulary I rarely see nowadays (risible, jejune). The writing style is delicately ornamented; the descriptions add to the narrative. There's a lightness to the narrative that hides that there's a lot of underage sex and nonconsensual sex happening in this book. Sex happens a lot - descriptions of the femininity of women and various forms of gender essentialism. But that felt period-typical and didn't detract a lot from the book for me. The characters also felt slightly flat, but that is fine. (I did like that .)
3.5 stars for me - I liked this book, so I'm rounding up.
January 6, 2019
I actually give this a 4.5 star review. I first read this book when I was in my late teens and I read it again in my 20s. I've been wanting to reread it for awhile and since I'm on holiday break it was the perfect time to sit down with this lengthy book about Pericles and Aspasia of Greece. It's certainly interesting to read a book like this with a few decades of experience and education. I got a lot more out of it than I did when I was young. It was written during the time of Watergate; a time not unlike the current political climate and I marked many passages that are pertinent to what I see happening. So many that it surprised me. Human nature has changed not at all in 2,500 years and the struggles of Pericles and ancient Greece are very similar to the Watergate era and our current struggles. Beyond that I really enjoyed the descriptions of life in ancient Greece which is and has been an interest of mine for a long time. Taylor Caldwell clearly did her research.
There are two reasons I did not give this a 5 star review. She has two axes to grind. The first is her promotion of the Christian religion through the Greek altar to the unknown God which is not quite accurate. The second is her persistent railings against homosexuality which is again not historically accurate for that time. I was able to overlook these flaws because it really is a very enjoyable book. I was glad to be able to read it during a period of time when I could read for long periods of time and get lost in another era. Caldwell is able to write in such a way and evoke ancient Greece that I could really picture it. If I could travel in time I would love to go back to this era which is the origin of our own political system.
There are two reasons I did not give this a 5 star review. She has two axes to grind. The first is her promotion of the Christian religion through the Greek altar to the unknown God which is not quite accurate. The second is her persistent railings against homosexuality which is again not historically accurate for that time. I was able to overlook these flaws because it really is a very enjoyable book. I was glad to be able to read it during a period of time when I could read for long periods of time and get lost in another era. Caldwell is able to write in such a way and evoke ancient Greece that I could really picture it. If I could travel in time I would love to go back to this era which is the origin of our own political system.
February 10, 2023
2.5 —DNF
Gloria y Esplendor fue un libro que al principio me pareció maravilloso. Planteaba muchas preguntas sobre el ser, el origen de las ideas y el feminismo en una época en la que las mujeres no eran consideradas más que un ser salvaje para reproducirse. Lamentablemente, no fue suficiente para mantenerme interesada luego de volverse tedioso, repetitivo y descaradamente pretencioso.
La primera parte del libro narra el camino de Aspasia hacia la libertad y el descubrimiento de su valor como mujer; las preguntas que se hacía a si misma sobre el amor, el deseo carnal y las diferencias entre un animal “no racional” y un humano me parecieron lo suficientemente interesantes como para pasar por alto los errores históricos que Caldwell incorporó en la novela, así como su afán por imponer valores Cristianos a personajes ambientados en una sociedad politeísta. Sin embargo, en la segunda parte, cuando comienza la historia de Pericles, estos errores dejaron de pasar desapercibidos y arruinaron la atmósfera que la propia autora intentó crear. Constantemente se mencionaba el nombre de los Dioses romanos en lugar de su contraparte griega. Por otro lado, se hablaba de un “Dios desconocido”, supuestamente el verdadero y único, sin embargo esta idea no surgiría sino hasta varios siglos después de la época en la que está ambientado el libro (470-400 a. C.). Para una novela histórica, estos errores son imperdonables.
Recibe 2.5 estrellas tan solo por las primeras 300 páginas, que son las únicas donde hay cohesión y sustancia.
Gloria y Esplendor fue un libro que al principio me pareció maravilloso. Planteaba muchas preguntas sobre el ser, el origen de las ideas y el feminismo en una época en la que las mujeres no eran consideradas más que un ser salvaje para reproducirse. Lamentablemente, no fue suficiente para mantenerme interesada luego de volverse tedioso, repetitivo y descaradamente pretencioso.
La primera parte del libro narra el camino de Aspasia hacia la libertad y el descubrimiento de su valor como mujer; las preguntas que se hacía a si misma sobre el amor, el deseo carnal y las diferencias entre un animal “no racional” y un humano me parecieron lo suficientemente interesantes como para pasar por alto los errores históricos que Caldwell incorporó en la novela, así como su afán por imponer valores Cristianos a personajes ambientados en una sociedad politeísta. Sin embargo, en la segunda parte, cuando comienza la historia de Pericles, estos errores dejaron de pasar desapercibidos y arruinaron la atmósfera que la propia autora intentó crear. Constantemente se mencionaba el nombre de los Dioses romanos en lugar de su contraparte griega. Por otro lado, se hablaba de un “Dios desconocido”, supuestamente el verdadero y único, sin embargo esta idea no surgiría sino hasta varios siglos después de la época en la que está ambientado el libro (470-400 a. C.). Para una novela histórica, estos errores son imperdonables.
Recibe 2.5 estrellas tan solo por las primeras 300 páginas, que son las únicas donde hay cohesión y sustancia.
April 26, 2021
Book needs a trigger warning for today! It comes with a lot of mention, and one scene, of child molestation and rape.
This book was ok. I haven’t found many books on Aspasia or the women of Greece during this time (the Peloponnesian Wars) but I don’t know how historically accurate this one was. At one point, Ms. Caldwell has a Greek refer to “the god of the underworld, Pluto” which was his later, Roman name.
Also, Pericles mentions the newly formed country of Rome and how they have taken the Greek gods as their own but Latinized their names, which did not happen until centuries later.
But the biggest issue is how she keeps trying to turn her characters into very early Christians. All of the good guy characters keep mentioning how the Greeks have a temple, or an alter dedicated to “the unknown god”, and they all seem to believe it is really an all powerful, all knowing, benevolent God, and that polytheism is nonsensical. We can’t know what all the ancient Greeks truly thought or believed, but the idea that all the good guys were actually Christians before there was such a thing seems a bit too much of a stretch to me.
But overall, the story was mostly good, entertaining, with only a few spots that dragged on, where it was clear and. Caldwell was preaching her own views on politics of her day.
Bottom line: I probably wouldn’t recommend this book unless someone was intensely interested in Aspasia or Pericles, but it was fairly entertaining.
This book was ok. I haven’t found many books on Aspasia or the women of Greece during this time (the Peloponnesian Wars) but I don’t know how historically accurate this one was. At one point, Ms. Caldwell has a Greek refer to “the god of the underworld, Pluto” which was his later, Roman name.
Also, Pericles mentions the newly formed country of Rome and how they have taken the Greek gods as their own but Latinized their names, which did not happen until centuries later.
But the biggest issue is how she keeps trying to turn her characters into very early Christians. All of the good guy characters keep mentioning how the Greeks have a temple, or an alter dedicated to “the unknown god”, and they all seem to believe it is really an all powerful, all knowing, benevolent God, and that polytheism is nonsensical. We can’t know what all the ancient Greeks truly thought or believed, but the idea that all the good guys were actually Christians before there was such a thing seems a bit too much of a stretch to me.
But overall, the story was mostly good, entertaining, with only a few spots that dragged on, where it was clear and. Caldwell was preaching her own views on politics of her day.
Bottom line: I probably wouldn’t recommend this book unless someone was intensely interested in Aspasia or Pericles, but it was fairly entertaining.
January 16, 2020
This epic novelization of the lives of Aspasia and Pericles, told in three parts, is amazing in how it describes life in Athens at the time Pericles is in charge. The parallels to current politics, in the way the rich, middle class and the "rabble" are portrayed and what they expect of their democracy, reminds us that history does repeat itself. Caldwell's descriptions of life in Athens and in Persia (some in Demascus) are rich and detailed.
Aspasia's story is especially interesting. At a time when Greek girls were not educated (and many were simply put to death by their fathers), she was taken in by a school to be educated and sold as a hetaira (courtesan) to a Persian leader. Although it's tough to read about the lives of young girls and women—they were regarded as less than dogs—the story provides insights to why there are still civilizations today that still treat women as they were back then. She was able to gain her freedom, return to Athens and open a school for girls. When she meets Pericles, the story changes to one of two people who reluctantly fall in love with one another. That neither she nor Pericles are assassinated (while their friends are arrested and imprisoned) or that Aspasia isn't found guilty after her arrest on charges of impiety is a testament to how much Pericles loved her. A very interesting read!
Aspasia's story is especially interesting. At a time when Greek girls were not educated (and many were simply put to death by their fathers), she was taken in by a school to be educated and sold as a hetaira (courtesan) to a Persian leader. Although it's tough to read about the lives of young girls and women—they were regarded as less than dogs—the story provides insights to why there are still civilizations today that still treat women as they were back then. She was able to gain her freedom, return to Athens and open a school for girls. When she meets Pericles, the story changes to one of two people who reluctantly fall in love with one another. That neither she nor Pericles are assassinated (while their friends are arrested and imprisoned) or that Aspasia isn't found guilty after her arrest on charges of impiety is a testament to how much Pericles loved her. A very interesting read!
April 20, 2018
3.5 stars.
Taylor Caldwell's stuff is always kind of interesting. In this book particularly, half of the story was thinly-veiled political ranting about her views on American politics and "prophetic" monologues on democracy and the underclass that are obviously supposed to parallel contemporary (or contemporary for Caldwell, at least) American politics. It comes off as rather self-important and silly, retconning Aspasia and Pericles and their Grecian history into some statement on why liberals are ruining America, or whatever, but that's Caldwell for ya.
Political silliness aside, she has a wonderful knack for big characters and sweeping epics, and the Aspasia half of this book was very good. Over the top, sure, but a fun read. I found Pericles less interesting, and my interest sort of petered out by the end, but overall I'm glad I grabbed this off the library free shelf. I don't think it was as good as Captains and the Kings, but it's certainly readable enough. If you do want a better romance and gorgeous writing in the context of Greek history and mythology, though, I'd recommend The Song of Achilles before this one.
Taylor Caldwell's stuff is always kind of interesting. In this book particularly, half of the story was thinly-veiled political ranting about her views on American politics and "prophetic" monologues on democracy and the underclass that are obviously supposed to parallel contemporary (or contemporary for Caldwell, at least) American politics. It comes off as rather self-important and silly, retconning Aspasia and Pericles and their Grecian history into some statement on why liberals are ruining America, or whatever, but that's Caldwell for ya.
Political silliness aside, she has a wonderful knack for big characters and sweeping epics, and the Aspasia half of this book was very good. Over the top, sure, but a fun read. I found Pericles less interesting, and my interest sort of petered out by the end, but overall I'm glad I grabbed this off the library free shelf. I don't think it was as good as Captains and the Kings, but it's certainly readable enough. If you do want a better romance and gorgeous writing in the context of Greek history and mythology, though, I'd recommend The Song of Achilles before this one.
October 24, 2018
I would actually give 3 1/2 stars, but will be generous. The book was overall a good read. It depicts the Golden Age of the Ancient Greece, but also gets in social structure and life in ancient Persia, which was a surprising addition that I liked. The author did her historical research pretty well, which is appreciated. Her descriptions of the ancient world are rich in vocabulary and vivid. Characters are well depicted, historical tidbits brought to life seamlessly. Overall, refreshingly nice comparing to more contemporary historical novels that are exploding in numbers, but decline in quality these days. My main problem was that the writing feels at moments somewhat disjointed, and it doesn't flow well throughout the whole book. That made me want to put the book down and not go back to reading it for a while. It was somewhat difficult for me to keep reading and finish it. Some parts were marvelously good and kept me going. Just not consistent throughout, like not all parts were written by the same person. Moreover, ending is abrupt and feels like non-ending. However, if you like historical novels and ancient Greece, it is worth the effort and enjoyable.
May 27, 2024
Let me preface by saying, I adore Taylor Caldwell. One of hers, A Testimony of Two Men, is a candidate for my favorite book.
That said, proceed with caution on this one. There is an enormously strong start: I devoured the first part of the book, which focused on Aspasia. Honestly, she could have quit after wrapping up that portion!
When the narrative introduces Pericles, things slow down considerably. Slow pace isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but wow. Pericles as a character is exceedingly flat (strange for Caldwell,) and while I’m not going to say she doesn’t sometimes become didactic in other books of hers, she went off the rails here. There are successions of tracts (not bad ones) but oooh it drags.
The last third of the book is three separate instances of someone near and dear to Pericles being accused of a crime and Pericles defending them in Greek court. It was enthralling the first time! The conclusion is pretty good, I will grant.
Definitely worth one read, but unlike most of hers not worthy of a re-read.
That said, proceed with caution on this one. There is an enormously strong start: I devoured the first part of the book, which focused on Aspasia. Honestly, she could have quit after wrapping up that portion!
When the narrative introduces Pericles, things slow down considerably. Slow pace isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but wow. Pericles as a character is exceedingly flat (strange for Caldwell,) and while I’m not going to say she doesn’t sometimes become didactic in other books of hers, she went off the rails here. There are successions of tracts (not bad ones) but oooh it drags.
The last third of the book is three separate instances of someone near and dear to Pericles being accused of a crime and Pericles defending them in Greek court. It was enthralling the first time! The conclusion is pretty good, I will grant.
Definitely worth one read, but unlike most of hers not worthy of a re-read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2024
Novela histórica ambientada en la antigua Persia y Grecia.
Dividida en 3 partes, cuenta la vida de Aspasia de Mileto, una inteligente cortesana que llegó a ser la compañera de Pericles, gobernante de Atenas.
Es una novela larga que cuesta comenzar (los primeros 3 capítulos son algo tediosos y difíciles de leer) pero que de a poco te va metiendo en la historia.
No es para nada fácil de leer. No es que tenga un grado de complejidad, sino más bien la mezcla entre historia y el abordaje de temas profundos que son planteados de cierta forma que hacen que el lector los tenga que analizar y reflexionar hacen del libro más “intenso.” 📖
El libro está impecablemente narrado: descripciones atractivas y personajes con personalidades definidas; es notorio el gran trabajo de documentación que hubo detrás, pero a pesar de todo esto no me convenció del todo. Creo que no era el momento. Tal vez hubiese sido mejor dejarlo para después y haberlo leído de a poco. 🤷♀️
Lo recomendaría sólo a personas que les guste el tema principal del libro, la historia y la filosofía.
Dividida en 3 partes, cuenta la vida de Aspasia de Mileto, una inteligente cortesana que llegó a ser la compañera de Pericles, gobernante de Atenas.
Es una novela larga que cuesta comenzar (los primeros 3 capítulos son algo tediosos y difíciles de leer) pero que de a poco te va metiendo en la historia.
No es para nada fácil de leer. No es que tenga un grado de complejidad, sino más bien la mezcla entre historia y el abordaje de temas profundos que son planteados de cierta forma que hacen que el lector los tenga que analizar y reflexionar hacen del libro más “intenso.” 📖
El libro está impecablemente narrado: descripciones atractivas y personajes con personalidades definidas; es notorio el gran trabajo de documentación que hubo detrás, pero a pesar de todo esto no me convenció del todo. Creo que no era el momento. Tal vez hubiese sido mejor dejarlo para después y haberlo leído de a poco. 🤷♀️
Lo recomendaría sólo a personas que les guste el tema principal del libro, la historia y la filosofía.
May 27, 2020
I just finished reviewing another historical fiction book and I'm simply going to quote a small piece of what I wrote that also applies to this one.
"I have found several historical fiction books I've started recently have done little for me and I'm coming to the conclusion I must simply not like historical fiction as a genre. Like some fiction, love most history. Of the historical fiction books I've read, I've thought most were amateurish and frankly boring, if not poorly written."
So this is a biased review and possibly unfair to the author. That said, I DID NOT enjoy what I read and decided to not finish as I had many other books I was also reading or had lined up that appealed to me much more. So, like the last one, I'll simply say it's not recommended UNLESS you are a historical fiction fan, and then this book might be worth trying out.
"I have found several historical fiction books I've started recently have done little for me and I'm coming to the conclusion I must simply not like historical fiction as a genre. Like some fiction, love most history. Of the historical fiction books I've read, I've thought most were amateurish and frankly boring, if not poorly written."
So this is a biased review and possibly unfair to the author. That said, I DID NOT enjoy what I read and decided to not finish as I had many other books I was also reading or had lined up that appealed to me much more. So, like the last one, I'll simply say it's not recommended UNLESS you are a historical fiction fan, and then this book might be worth trying out.
July 28, 2025
The glorious Greek Republic which gave us the tenents upon which our democracy is built alas was conquered by the Spartans, a warrior people, rough uneducated men. A republic is run by a handful of educated men who decide the laws that govern the general populace. However, all men have the propensity to be evil and so this type of governement is also flawed. Democracy gives a voice to the general populace but alas they are men of little education and narrow minds and aimed for destruction also. Only a government that is in answer to God can attempt to rule with justice and mercy.
There were in ancient Greece women who were interested in education and government and some such women are mentioned in the Bible. Women are a great helpmate to men but can be strong and stand alone.
There were in ancient Greece women who were interested in education and government and some such women are mentioned in the Bible. Women are a great helpmate to men but can be strong and stand alone.
December 4, 2019
It has been a long time since I've read a Taylor Caldwell novel. There have been some that I found fascinating, and others not so much. This book falls into the latter category. The book follows the lives of Pericles and Aspasia in early Greece, the first two sections focused on first one and then the other. To me it seemed as if those first two sections were only written to set up the third and final section which focused on the politics of the time.
The author certainly espoused very strong opinions of the downfall of democracies, and the need for a strong imperial leader for a country/nation state to survive for long. And in some sense, that any government is subject to ultimate corruption. From page 367,"You cannot appease a tiger when it is determined to devour you," Pericles said to Aspasia. "All governments are tigers; the people are their prey. If populaces once learned that terrible fact they would sleeplessly watch their governments, their natural adversaries." Pericles is painted as an elitist who found the lower classes less worthy and not not capable of learning, although he seemed to champion a rising middle class.
I was surprised to learn of all the historical figures that were alive at this time of Pericles including Socrates and Hippocrates. I have no sense of how accurate the portrayal of Athens is represented in this book, but it does seem to give a good window into the society and customs of the time.
The author certainly espoused very strong opinions of the downfall of democracies, and the need for a strong imperial leader for a country/nation state to survive for long. And in some sense, that any government is subject to ultimate corruption. From page 367,"You cannot appease a tiger when it is determined to devour you," Pericles said to Aspasia. "All governments are tigers; the people are their prey. If populaces once learned that terrible fact they would sleeplessly watch their governments, their natural adversaries." Pericles is painted as an elitist who found the lower classes less worthy and not not capable of learning, although he seemed to champion a rising middle class.
I was surprised to learn of all the historical figures that were alive at this time of Pericles including Socrates and Hippocrates. I have no sense of how accurate the portrayal of Athens is represented in this book, but it does seem to give a good window into the society and customs of the time.
September 2, 2020
This book was fascinating! The characters of Pericles & Aspasia to be sure, but also ancient Athens and all the political factions of the era. I highlighted so much that made me think of the political climate in the U.S. today during this election year. Sigh... Definitely left me wanting to read some ancient Greek history! I thought the story was slightly slow to start with all the dialogue between Aspasia and her tutors but it took off quickly after that and by the time she left Greece, I was hooked. So glad I read this older fiction. I’ll be looking for more by Taylor Caldwell in the future.
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