The Diomedeia: Diomedes, the Peoples of the Sea, and the Fall of the Hittite Empire

by Gregory Michael Nixon

A historically-based novel with authentic, legendary, & fictional characters interacting across the extraordinary panorama of the Bronze Age Collapse in the Hittite Empire between the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas. Diomedes, previously a hero of the Trojan War , and the polyglot Peoples of the Sea raid inland into the Hittite Empire during its final months. It is both a study of ancient mythic consciousness and an exciting adventure of love, character, destruction, desperate survival, and the lived mystery of pagan rituals . It was a time of such chaos, royalty was overthrown, palaces and temples were burnt, and the power of the gods was thrown into doubt, yet the ancient Great Goddess , who had been suppressed, began to regain her former dominance.
Diomedes, though prominent in Homer's Iliad — a warrior the equal of Hektor or Achilleus, a thinker as cunning as Odysseus and as wise as Nestor, and the only man who dared wound gods — has seldom, if ever, been the chief protagonist in literature. He is given his due within. His own wandering adventures and suffering after the destruction of Ilios are traced as far north as Kolkhis (Colchis) in the Black Sea, through involvement with the last Hittite royal family in Anatolia, and as far south as Alasiya (Cyprus) in the Mediterranean. He ascends the heights of glory but also must descend into the dark Underworld in the attempt to save the one he loves.

438 pages, Paperback

Published July 26, 2022

Reviews

[Douglas Kingsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This astonishing book seems to come out of nowhere. I've never read anything quite like it. From the weave of both history & myth, a tale emerges that is raw & exciting, but also often vast & meaningful. One can feel the desolation occasioned by the drought that sets off the Bronze Age catastrophe, but the characters that occupy the foreground really commanded my attention. They are not just contemporary characters placed in a different setting, but characters from another time and place (the Hittite Empire, the Peoples of the Sea) who psychologically daily interact with their gods. Yet somehow they remain easily relatable. Warning, there's warlike violence but also a number of explicitly erotic scenes.

The entire multi-subplot adventure centres on the idea of descent. After the warrior army arrives too late to attack Hattusa, the scene shifts south to the city of Ishtar and Ishtar's tall temple tower, which has the labyrinthine underworld beneath it. The exotic High Priestess of Ishtar and the Queen of the Hittites lead a procession into this land of the netherworld gods, and the fates of the Great King of Hittites, whose catchy name is Suppiluliuma, and the Achaian (Greek) warrior, Diomedes, are determined there.

Suspenseful, rousing, and even a little mindbending! The whole thing was emotionally moving and sometimes purposefully funny. It often felt like I was reading an epic by a great new author.

[Fred Mensch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diomedeia is a must read for anyone interested in a cohesive integration of adventure, intrigue, spell-binding drama, and the history and cultures of early societies in which myth, ritual, and everyday life co-existed as a single entity. Gregory Nixon’s book, subtitled Diomedes, the Peoples of the Sea, and the Fall of the Hittite Empire, has all of the above qualities in spades. The author has an almost fanatical commitment to historical veracity while maintaining and incrementally escalating the dramatic suspense central to Diomedes’ adventures within the Hittite kingdom, all the while remaining responsive to the intimate ties between humans and their gods. This historical (and mythic) novel, singular for its evocative prose and its focus on the collapse of the bronze age, begins on a deceptively meditative note that allows readers to fully appreciate the historical and linguistic variations as well as the rhetorical nuances common to the period (some readers may find all the names with variations a challenge, but the author has thoughtfully included a very helpful and comprehensive glossary at the end of the book). Nixon then works toward a suspenseful, dynamic, and psychologically gripping conclusion from which emotional disassociation is impossible, and the entire narration, including significant erotic content, is infused with the intertwining co-existence of kings, queens, warriors, and high priestesses with their gods and all the attendant rituals. Readers are emotionally embedded into the culture and beliefs of the period while simultaneously retaining a somewhat objective and “outside” perspective. The book’s historical authenticity and compelling appeal is significantly reinforced through the seamless integration throughout of thoughtful and well-chosen quotations, chants, and paraphrases from historical sources dating back to original clay and copper tablets of the period. A major theme underlying the novel is that of the ouroboros, or the eternal shedding of one’s mortal coil (serpent eating its tail); life feeds off of death for the cyclical regeneration of human existence.
NB: When nearing the climax, readers are encouraged to place hands firmly on head to negate danger of mind explosion!

[David Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diomedeia tells the richly-layered, multi-dimensional, epic poetic tale of transformation in which the larger-than-life heroic warrior Diomedes, first introduced in Homer's Iliad, becomes a leading figure in the collapse of the Hittite Empire at the end of the Bronze Age. The author has succeeded in presenting the kind of noble Myth to Live By to which Campbell alluded.

In this tale, Diomedes, once a suitor of Helen of Troy with 80 ships at his command, consorts with god-kings and goddess-queens of the lands surrounding the eastern Mediterranean, traversing the earthly realms of sensuality, brutal conquest and blood-lust on one level while engaging in deeply spiritual quest on another.

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth are evident in each of the many well-developed characters who play integral parts in the development of this story, lending to its remarkable depth and vision.

Through masterful use of classical literary style, colorful detailed description, and juxtaposition of both historic and mythic beings, the author spins a vivid metaphysical tapestry not unlike Dante's Inferno or Milton's Paradise Lost; in which Diomedes soul is put to one test after another as it transmigrates through a descent to the depths of Hades before ascending into ultimate dissolution in Nature itself.

This is a story for the times in the way it elevates the reader above the slumber of anonymity and complacency to see the world anew, awakening to a world of wonder in which human aspiration and potential is celebrated and revered.

[John Martini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike other reviewers, I am not equipped with any sort of knowledge or understanding of the Peoples of the Sea, the Hittites or the Bronze Age itself including the neighbouring cultures of the time, the deities that were prevalent, the hierarchy of rule. But, that being said, I was ready for a different kind of read - and “The Diomedeia” did not disappoint! A very engaging narrative that was, at the same time captivating in its storyline as well as informative and illuminating about the period without being too “teachy” or pedantic. How could it be? After all there was brutal fighting and swordplay and torture and love and vivid sex and camaraderie and deceit and . . . well, you get the picture. My ‘different kind of read’ turned out to be quite the page turner.

The author, Gregory Nixon, is impressively well-versed in the comings and goings of the Bronze Age, and in particular it’s demise. He seamlessly marries his very accurate mythical and historical characters with compelling fictional characters as he develops a convincing plot line and paints a credible setting and zeitgeist, all of which makes for a most delightful literary journey. Some of the issues of the era in question involve challenging long held religious beliefs, experiencing climate change, questioning gender roles and recognizing an impending new world order. Sound familiar? Worth the effort if you’re looking for a different kind of read. I look forward to the sequel (and perhaps the movie).

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't put this book down once I start reading. It's a beautiful story with a great amount of historical significance.

Thank you Mr. Nixon for bringing the past to life!!

[Dexter Troyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book expecting a good Bronze Age adventure tale while also hoping to learn some ancient history. It was indeed an adventure tale that picked up steam as it went along, becoming ever more dramatic as it neared its bizarre conclusion. But it also had strong romantic elements that included intense erotic scenes that were necessary to illustrate the theme of love and harmony emerging from free expression, power-exchange, and trust. I certainly did learn a great deal of what is apparently actual history with regard to the fall of Hattusa and thus the Hittite Empire but also with what may really have happened at Troy (Ilios or Taruisa in the book).

But there was more happening in this literary novel. My background in mythic studies and the history of religions allowed me to see the author was also playing a deeper game on a whole other plane, the plane of how humans deal with that which is beyond them, to wit, the sacred. In this tale, it becomes clear that it is time for the male storm gods of power and destruction to recede and make way for the return of the prehistoric Triple Goddess, who is nature itself. Might not this be the case today, as well? Do we not need to save nature while backgrounding the world's power-hungry despots and greedy corporations?

If you read it (and you should), here's a vital spoiler: Telipinu the Hatti disappearing god is part of the story, the only god or deity that actually appears in the narrative. Don't miss him!

[William Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of historical fiction so this read was right up my alley. Interesting characters (happy to have a hard copy now and will read again in the near future) I believe that I will enjoy it even more the 2nd time as it will be easier to keep all the different names of characters and locations in order. 5 🤩

[Gregory Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a modern novel set in a long-ago historical context. It is a novel about history in which the actual Bronze Age Collapse plays a central role. This reads like an ancient novel about ancient history. But I'm the author, so I may have a unique perspective.

This book is also not a mythical fantasy in the much-copied mould of Madeline Miller et al. It includes romance and adventure but those arise naturally from larger events & are not the book's purpose. The first chapters put the reader amidst an alien culture in an alien land in a forgotten time, so patience, insight, & adjustment are required — the unsophisticated looking for pure escapism will give up. But the curious, intelligent reader is given the opportunity to learn what it might have been like to have lived during this period of unsettled chaos. Neither the Hittites nor the Sea Peoples were like you and me.

[Barbara Williams-freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those “Hard to put down” kind of books!
The Diomedeia will take you on a journey of discovery as strong lead males and even stronger lead women live, love and die near the end of the Bronze Age. Absolutely riveting descriptions of the quest for power, of battles, of the illusions of male based spirituality, of love and love making, of binding friendships, of secret ceremonies, of “our human destiny in a chaotic world”…so be prepared to curl up in your favorite chair for days and drink it all in.

[D.K. Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even the most cursory glance at the C.V. of Gregory Michael Nixon reveals a person with a long, amassed and often esoteric sounding background in academia, research and writing. He most certainly reveals a flair and a passion for the period in question: that of the collapse of the civilisations of the Bronze Age and the uncertainties that follow on from it. Opinions vary wildly as to the cause and nature of the decline of the Bronze age in the Thirteenth Century BCE [the date of this particular novel is approximately 1195 BCE], but it is generally agreed that it may have been swift, disruptive and brutal; caused by a number of factors such as natural disasters and climate change, the incursions into the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond by a mysterious confederation of 'Sea People' [a combination of Aegean tribes and migrants from central Europe] into long established but now crumbling Empires and civilsations in Anatolia and the MIddle East and, for example, changes in metalurgical technology; the widespread production and usage of iron. This particular debate continues to rage in academic circles. The central figure of Nixon's stirring tale is that of the Greek hero Diomedes, now a primary leader of the previously mentioned 'sea raiders'.

Diomedes is one of the principle figures in the 'Iliad' of Homer and the recently finished Trojan War. He is one of the finest warriors amongst the Greeks, noted for both his bravery and, like Odysseus, his cunning. He had led a fleet of eighty ships to the War with Troy, been a suitor of Helen of Troy herself and had even wounded the God of War, Ares. We first meet him here, joining up with a party of very mixed and multilingual raiders and pirates in Anatolia and on a collision course with the expiring Hittite Empire, personified in the historical figure of the High King Suppiluliuma II, the last, doomed King of the Hittite Empire. He is a man whose utter devotion to the Storm God Teshub [who has singularly failed to provide a drop of moisture in a drought stricken land!] has led him to believe that he actually is the God. We are introduced also to his unbelievably beautiful Queen and High Priestess, Lieia- Hepa, who follows her own particular Deity of Arinniti, the Sun Goddess of Arinna, and her own pantheon of deities. Early on in the narrative a serious split between the two occurs on which of the spiritual forces to follow - those of the predominantly male 'sky' entities and those of the predominantly female 'earth' deities are in conflict. This is in fact one of the dominant themes throughout the book and, indeed, it has been argued that the ultimate victory of the 'earth' Goddesses is one of the features of the decline and fall of the civilisations of the Bronze era. Lieia--Hepa and Diomedes are in fact already more than casually acquainted, from the time when the Queen had taken an especial fancy to him when he had been imprisoned by the Hittites on a previous occasion.

It is to this little known and rarely reported period of World History to which Gregory Nixon turns his attention. He does this with the finely attuned eye of an expert and with a painstaking attention to detail in an exciting [and very long!] adventure that both blends myth and facts [where the latter are available!] and contains a whole series of fascinating insights into 'the human condition' in a period of extreme flux and swift, catastrophic change. For the assistance of the interested reader, Nixon has provided a full set of maps and extensive glossary of names, locations and deities. The reader is strongly advised to make full use of these! The Hittites and those around them lead lives that are governed by a bewildering plethora of Gods and Goddesses and entities. For the polyglot mongrel group of Barbarian invaders who are about to fatally intervene in Hittite affairs, life is much more simple and less encumbered by the Deities set above them:

''We who have no homelands must make our own way overland or by sea into the homelands of others. We are all of the same class. We have no Lords, but we have no slaves either. We are all outcasts and freebooters, so no one among us is a noble King or Queen...... We no longer await direction from the Gods before we act. We do not waste time appointing priests or priestesses, soothsayers, wise women or augers to tell us what is the will of the Gods and how best we can follow it. People can worship whatever Gods they please but as for guiding our choices, those days are over.'' This godless Manifesto could not be clearer and, as they set off on their merry way deep into the heartland of the Hittites, there is this dire and grim warning: ''Everyone in the cities knows what we want. What we want is what they have and what we are coming to get.....'' Anyone reading this can only know that this is not going to end at all well.

Much of this book is a strange mix of traditional rip roaring adventure and often intense philosophical musings on the nature of being. There is plenty here that reveals Nixon's deep knowledge of the civilisation he writes about and the arcane esoterica of details of, for example, religious ritual. On occasion, perhaps, he tries the patience of the average reader. Having said that, the book is rich in period detail, of clothing and weapons, for example, but does occasionally become entrapped in various deep thickets of ancient theology and ritual. Nixon does, however, fix upon the careful and painstaking development of characters within the story: of Diomedes himself, of the Hittite Royal couple, of Zunan, a leading member of the elite Royal bodyguard of the Hittite KIng - the fearsome ''Meshedi'' - and his utter devotion to his Queen and Priestess; of the blossoming and moving love affair between Kabi, the fearless Canaanite scout, and Henti, the beautiful refugee from the Royal Harem and adept interpreter and, above all, of the tempestuous and, quite frankly, steamy love affair between Diomedes and the Queen Lieia - Hepa. The reader is left concerned with the ultimate destinies and fates of these individuals in amidst all the swashbuckling! On occasion a single paragraph or two shines out like a beacon of explanation of what is occurring in the world in which Diomedes and 'the Sea People' roam and over which the existing, crumbling civilisations have a tenuous grasp. Here, for example, Nixon offers the reader both an explanation and an example of the collapse of strong and centralised Monarchy:

''Now there were few standing armies. The land was devastated, trade was at a standstill and the countryside was depopulated. Towns that had their own supply of clean water from the remnants of rivers in their valleys managed with meagre crops and shrinking herds. As long as everyone continued to give sacrifice to the local gods, social order prevailed. The gods through their representatives on earth provided the people with the bare essentials of survival, and the hard times were accepted as god - given destiny. The continuity of the priesthood and the nobility was not challenged, at least not openly, and cooperation kept the cosmos in balance....''

The reader is propelled through a sequence of events in which the last Great King of the Hittites, a man deranged and maddened with power and in absolute conflict with his own wife, [imprisoned for sacrilege and impiety and in actual fear for her life], is obliged to flee the traditional Capital of Hattusa with all his goods and chattels and seek refuge in the city of Lawazantiya [for the realities of such a journey please refer to the maps provided], itself controlled by the High Priestess, Lilitu, who is devoted to the worship of the Goddess Ishtar. Partly through her influence, he seeks his own death and apotheosis and a return in the form of a God, in which Liliitu is only to happy to assist in and actually enthusiastically preside over! In the meantime, the ever encroaching nemesis in the form of a band of determined sea raiders under the leadership of Sarpedon, the Sardinian, is hot on his trail! For his own part, Diomedes is actually present in the city of Lawazantiya and busy formulating his own plans to overthrow the King and rescue his love, Queen Lieia-Hepa, with the Uncle and the personal advisor of the High King. The plotting and the planning to both separate The King from his bodyguard, to persuade the Hittite army to move on to a different city[the city of Karkemesh] and to rescue Queen Lieia-Hepa and reunite her with Diomedes whilst simultaneously saving the city from the fury of the raiders, continues apace as the violence escalates, and Nixon proves himself to be a dab hand in describing it. In the midst of violent conflict, the Sardinian Sarpedon finds time to reflect:

''Only warriors know how a full battle attack turns the panicky furies into the bellowing war gods of the killing frenzy. All-out attack erases all doubt. The only hope of survival is to kill those who would kill you. One who has never been in such a melee could not imagine what it is like - the gory horror and the killing fury, the smells and the tastes. The events in detail are often mercifully forgotten, yet specific moments remain frozen in time and will continue to appear as unbidden memory images throughout the rest of one's life....'' - A good working definition of 'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder'.

The final and lengthy section of 'The Diomedeia'' is, for the most part, devoted to the protracted Procession of Suppiluliuma II down into the Underworld and the full, ritualistic processes to which he is obliged to submit in order to achieve his 'apotheosis' as a God and, equally lengthy, the descent of Diomedes into Hell in a desperate quest to rescue his love. Again, this section reveals the extraordinary degree of research into the subject of myth and ritual of the author. There is, in all this, the certainty of a sequel! 'The Diomedeia'' is a long and an at times challenging and ambitious work into which the writer has painstakingly and lovingly poured a great deal of research. It is a blend of history and myth. It contains a wealth of detail and explores such themes as long held religious beliefs in a time of cataclysmic change, loyalty, comradeship and love in a complex plot that is forever twisting and turning.


*****

“The Diomedeia” by Gregory Michael Nixon receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company

[Susie Helme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Against a backdrop of the Mediterranean Bronze Age Collapse, the Sea Peoples prepare to invade Hittite capital Hattusa. The Great King Suppilulima II worships at the temple of the Storm God Tarhunta. His Great Queen Lieia-Hepa schemes to return Hatti to female rule and the dominance of the Goddess Arinna. Approaching the city, they encounter a band of refugees, including Diomedes, Trojan War veteran and once king of now-fallen Tiryns, who had been held prisoner. Henti, the ex-harem-girl, interprets. They learn that the royal family, priests and nobles have deserted, carrying with them the Hatti treasure. Diomedes and his warriors go in pursuit to Lawazantiya, cult city of the goddess. Suppilulima has a crazed plan, but Diomedes and Co ally with Queen Lieia-Hepa, who has her own plan. Kabi the Canaanite has a better idea.
The Diomedeia constructs a scenario that elucidates the collapse of the Hittite Empire, involving famous kings and generals we know from Homer and from history and who are listed in an appendix. Many of the stories we know from mythology, Jason and the Argonauts, the fall of Troy, etc. are told as tales by warriors to each other.
I will grab up any book set during the Bronze Age, but this one is remarkable for what I assume is historical detail. A bit too much of it crammed into the first chapter, maybe, before we get a chance to get familiar with the characters. Some of it—descriptions of statues and rock carvings we can still see today—I think we could do without. It’s hard to say that, though, because we have little evidence of the period other than those artefacts and the occasional clay letter from one king to another.
The dialogue could have been more natural by observing the ‘three beat’ rule—long utterances need to be broken up by action points, dialogue tags or responses.
The war council between Kabi, Klymenos, and Sarpedon is great. From that point the plot and inter-personal drama become quite exciting, although the pace slackens towards the end as the fates of the Hatti and Diomedes and his People of the Sea are determined. The ending is disappointing, yet promises a continuation of series.
Don’t miss the well-researched appendices. In fact, I recommend reading them first.
This review was originally written for Reedsy Discovery.

[Sienna Zini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diomedeia is one of those books you are sad to leave. I got pulled into its world of myths and heroes, and I have enjoyed every page. Each character is beautifully described and rich in personality and internal turmoil. Even the side characters are charming, and I got attached to them as much as to the protagonists. The description of battles, as much as the love scenes, are enthralling, beautifully described, and kept me on the edge of my seat. The world-building is masterful. For those of you familiar with Omero, you will fully appreciate the vibe and setting of this book.
I turned the last page, knowing I would for sure want to read more about these characters and their stories.
A five-star read, possibly the best book of 2023 for me. For sure, the best way to end this year. Bravo to the author!

[Michael Saint-Just · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly detailed book on the life of Diomedes, the Greek warrior from the Iliad who leaves the siege of Troy early and a new character, Sarpedon from the isle of Sardinia. These two heroes love, battle, perform rituals, learn new gods and languages and contribute mightily to the end of the great Hittite empire. What is so unbelievable is that author Nixon has woven these two men into the real world of 13th century BCE Anatolia meeting queens, kings and religious acolytes that actually existed at the time. The rituals, prayers and incantations are taken directly from the real texts left behind on clay tables at Bronze Age sites used by the Hittites and other peoples from the time.

[Laurie Bulatovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!
From beginning to end I was drawn into this story. The beginning, with all new authentic names , was slightly challenging, but became easier as the story developed.
I was happily emersed into the history, geography and culture; something I previously knew nothing about.
I will add that the ending left me with a sense of wanting much more!
I look forward to the sequel with relish!!
I highly recommend this book.

[Lilya Rusieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic historical novel with a real sense of adventure. It starts a bit slowly but ends being great fun! I couldn't put it down.

[Sameer Gudhate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every once in a while, you come across a book that doesn’t just tell a story—it pulls you through time and drops you in the middle of it. That’s exactly what happened with The Diomedeia: Diomedes, the Peoples of the Sea, and the Fall of the Hittite Empire by Gregory Michael Nixon. From the first chapter, I felt as though I were standing on sun-scorched Anatolian soil, surrounded by the clash of swords, the hum of ancient rituals, and the unrelenting tension of a world on the brink of collapse.

This is Nixon’s debut, and it’s clear he’s poured years of research and passion into every line. His ability to blend history, mythology, and fiction sets this book apart from typical historical epics. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like if the Iliad met meticulous historical accuracy, this is the book for you.

The story follows Diomedes—often an overlooked hero of The Iliad—after the fall of Troy. Nixon places him in the crumbling Hittite Empire, where he navigates political upheaval, devastating raids by the Peoples of the Sea, and a shifting spiritual landscape. Alongside him is Sarpedon, a fascinating new character whose presence adds tension, humour, and heart. Without spoiling too much, this isn’t just a tale of battles—it’s about love, loyalty, betrayal, and survival in an age where even the gods seem uncertain.

Nixon’s prose is rich, layered, and cinematic. He doesn’t just describe a scene; he immerses you in it. His deep knowledge of Bronze Age culture—its languages, rituals, and even clothing—grounds the story in authenticity. Admittedly, the first hundred pages are dense, but this slow burn is what makes the later chapters so rewarding. Once the stage is set, the story becomes impossible to put down.

Diomedes isn’t just a warrior here—he’s a strategist, a lover, and, at times, a man haunted by doubt. Sarpedon is equally compelling, and the supporting cast, especially the female characters, are refreshingly strong and multi-dimensional. I found myself just as invested in the side characters as I was in the protagonists—a rare feat in historical fiction.

Beneath the swords and rituals lie themes that feel strikingly modern: the collapse of old orders, the questioning of faith, shifting gender roles, and even climate change. Nixon doesn’t just give us a story about the Bronze Age—he gives us a mirror, showing how history often echoes into the present.

This book didn’t just entertain me—it lingered. The battles thrilled me, the quiet moments of love and friendship grounded me, and the unexpected twists left me breathless. By the time I reached the final page, I wasn’t ready to leave this world.

One of the greatest strengths of this novel is its meticulous world-building. Gregory Michael Nixon doesn’t just describe the Bronze Age—he resurrects it. Every detail, from the political unrest to the smallest cultural nuance, feels authentic and fully realized. Combine that with a cast of powerful, deeply human characters, and you have a story that doesn’t just entertain; it makes history feel alive in a way few books can.

If there’s one caveat, it’s the slow start. The opening chapters are dense with anthropology and historical context, which might feel overwhelming at first. But stick with it. Once the foundation is laid, the pace quickens, the characters shine even brighter, and the story transforms into an epic that lingers long after the final page.

I’ve always been fascinated by mythology, but this book surprised me by making history itself just as captivating. It’s rare to find a story that feels both educational and wildly entertaining, but The Diomedeia nails that balance.

If you crave an epic that combines historical accuracy, mythic adventure, and unforgettable characters, this is a must-read. I’m already counting down the days until Book 2.

[Nick H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very impressive story, not merely imping Homer or Virgil, but going in completely new directions with its narrative ideas. Clearly Gregory Michael Nixon has a huge interest in Bronze Age Collapse-era civilizations, as the story is dripping with detail on the various cultures, clothing, rituals and more.

At times you can detect the author finding a flimsy excuse to describe things tangential to the narrative, but I learned a lot so I didn’t mind. What I did mind was an incredibly gratuitous sex scene from of out of nowhere. I don’t mind a good sex scene now and then (and the others in this book are fine), but this one I’m referring to near the middle doesn’t really fit with the overall tone of the story, so it had me scratching my head.

I really enjoyed the historically-minded look at the ILIAD especially, and this story’s reconfiguring of events. The “multiple Trojan wars” theory is used to interesting effect here, splitting Achilles and “king” Paris from Agamemnon, Odysseus and Diomedes’ era. And I enjoyed the usage of the “Troy taken down by earthquake” theory too. The Diomedes of this book doesn’t necessarily resemble the slightly unhinged young buck of Homer, but maybe that’s the point. It was fun to see Robert Graves’ Triple Goddess idea on display too.

I think narrator de Deney does a good but not great job here, giving every sentence a strange lilt at the end, and also pronouncing the main character’s name wrong, calling him die-AH-meh-deez rather than die-oh-MEE-deez. This adds unintended humor when characters pronounce the name “wrong” in the narrative and he uses the right pronunciation to do it. But he gave a steady performance through a minefield of very difficult ancient names, so I have to respect that, and can’t complain too much.

Overall I’m very interested to read the next in this series. It’s nice to see ancient historical fiction that’s written with such intense care for actual history. [AUDIBLE]

めっちゃ面白い、すごい歴史研究よく見える。ディオメーデースはイリアスの同じキャラクターちょっと似てないけど彼だけについてじゃない、この話。思ったよりヒッタイト王国や不思議な海の民たくさんあった。僕よく教えてくれてよかった！

[G. W .Bookreviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diomedeia by Gregory Michael Nixon, and it honestly felt like stepping into a time long forgotten. The story follows Diomedes, a warrior from the famous Trojan War, as he travels through dangerous lands, meets kings and queens, and even faces the gods themselves. What made this book special for me was how it mixed real history, old myths, and personal stories all together. I felt like I wasn’t just reading about the past — I was living it.

On a personal level, this book made me think about how people in ancient times lived through fear, love, war, and loss, just like we do now. Even though their world was filled with different gods and strange rituals, the emotions were the same. There were times while reading when I felt connected to Diomedes because of his struggles, his longing for peace, and his search for meaning in a world falling apart. It reminded me that no matter how much time passes, human hearts don’t really change.

I also liked how the author included a glossary at the end, which made it easier to understand the names and places. The way the characters believed in gods and destiny was interesting, and it made me realize how much our modern world has moved away from that kind of belief. The love story and the journey to the Underworld were some of my favorite parts, filled with emotion and deep meaning.

I would suggest this book to anyone who loves stories about ancient times, heroes, and myths. If you enjoy books that take you to a different world and make you feel something deep inside, this one is worth your time. It’s not a light, quick read, but it’s a journey you’ll be glad you took. After finishing it, I sat quietly for a while, thinking about life, destiny, and how stories from long ago still touch us today.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was a compelling, gripping ancient historical fiction read. As a longtime enthusiast in regards to Ancient Greek mythology and history, it was so fascinating to see the unique balance the author found between the educational, historical facts and mannerisms from the people of that era, with the exploration of mythology and the impact that belief system had on the people and their culture back in that era, including the reintroduction of the Triple Goddess and her role in people’s lives.

To me, the grand scale of the adventure and the depth of character that was found in Diomedes as a character was so powerful to read. The way the author was able to create a modern-day Iliad while still finding the tone and heart of what made Homer’s work so profound in that era was amazing, as was the complex mindset and actions of Diomedes as a whole. The attention to detail on the actions and culture of that historical period allowed the reader to feel pleasantly lost in that time, crafting a narrative that felt real and engaging.

The Verdict

Legendary, captivating, and entertaining, author Gregory Michael Nixon’s “The Diomedeia” is a must-read historical fiction read. The twists and turns in the narrative, the grand scale of the journey of Diomedes as a whole, and the thought-provoking story will stay with readers long after the final page has turned.

[Eleanor Kalinkski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was epic! Female characters were not a mere sideshow for this author. They are real presences and they come to life as important players in these pages. Lieia-Hepa, the Great Queen of the Hatti, is unforgettable, with her shameless lusts in honour of Ishtar. It is wonderful to see her awakening to unexpected tenderness for the stranger from Akhaia (Hellas) and to hatred for her husband, the Great King. Henti, the young harem girl, has a transformative story of her own. She, too, is a dynamic character who, after a traumatic crisis in which she is attacked, begins her metamorphosis into a scout and warrior. For me, the most fascinating person was Lilitu, who surely represents the Babylonian demon-goddess, Lilith. She is older with pure silver-white hair but she is startlingly beautiful and strikes awe into all who behold her. As the High Priestess of Ishtar, she dominates every scene she is in, especially when she leads the ritual troop into the Underworld to sacrifice the Great King for his apotheosis into godhead. She very nearly seduces Diomedes into becoming her possession but, well, you'll have to read the book to find out what happens.

[K.A. Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a "sword and sandals" book, then this is not the book for you. Instead of feel-good, larger than life comic book heroes with modern sensibilities, the author recreated historically accurate bronze age warriors with ancient mores. It was a bit jarring at first to adjust my mindset and expectations about the tone of the book; sometimes the protagonists weren't likeable when they deviated from how a modern protagonist would act, but it was overall a fascinating and thoroughly researched glimpse into the ancient world.

[Nathan Ogloff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by the cover, this isn't a scholarly book about ancient history. It's a story done in the tradition of Ben Hur, Spartacus, Troy, or any other historical epic. I think it also helps if you approach this book from the vantage point of a docudrama, such as Rise of Ottomans or Age of Samurai:Battle for Japan. It's a bit of a slow start in the beginning, but it picks up about a quarter of the way into the book. Some parts are a slog that seem to go on forever, but overall it's an easy read worth seeing through to the very end.

[Historia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not to my taste. The style was somewhat wooden, then towards the end it all changed to some sort of weird underground ritual.
As for the historical aspects of the book; the setting is the social collapse at the end of the Bronze Age which took place after 1190BCE. The main character, Diomedes, was already and adult when he appeared as a leader in the Trojan War of 1254BCE. So, this hero, Diomedes, must have been at least 84 years old when the adventures took place in this book ! Please, folks, if you are going to write about History try to get your dates right.

[Michael Purdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I most appreciated about this tale, was the insight into the Mythic consciousness. Reading the book, with many characters--but fascinating main characters true to the times--one gets a feel for the turbulent times in the Ancient World. It was certainly a time of transition, maybe comparable to our own shifting times.

[Matsonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating. I love it!
I knew nothing about the ancient history of the novel, but I still just loved my exciting journey through these pages. It had rich descriptions, colourful characters, adventure, brutal warfare, mythic quests, romance, and sex. What’s not to love? And by the end I really had learned some ancient history and even a little about the religion of the Hittites! Truly a good read and read it a second time on my new Kindle. I can hardly wait for Greg to tell us another story.