Readers will have varying feelings about how successful this melange is – but they should consider that his practice is not so different from Homer’s’ –Gavin Kelly, Times Literary Supplement Iliffe is a talented storyteller… (he) does not so much offer an imaginative reconstruction of Greek life in the heroic age, in the manner of Mary Renault’s Theseus books, as a blend of elements taken from different periods of Greek history: Mycenaean, dark-age, and occasionally classical. ‘The long list of those who have, with varying success, expanded and elaborated on Homer is now joined by Glyn Iliffe: his six-volume Adventures of Odysseus are projected to cover the hero’s whole career, though it appears that he may intend to focus on events not described in the Homeric poems. For without Achilles, the gates of Troy will never fall… Reviews Odysseus must use all his wits and cunning to hunt him down and persuade him to join their cause. Helen of Sparta has been abducted by a prince of Troy and the hosts of ancient Greece are gathering.Īs the greatest names flock to join the crusade, only Achilles is missing. When the lion-motifed sails of Agamemnon appear on the horizon, Odysseus knows that the time for peace is over and a new era of war is beginning. Meanwhile Eperitus is frustrated at his quiet life and dreams of glory in battle. Settled in his small island kingdom, Odysseus wants nothing more than to rule Ithaca in peace. He is married with two daughters and lives in Leicestershire.It is ten years since Odysseus and the warrior Eperitus joined the heroes of the age to compete for the hand of Helen of Sparta. Well travelled, Glyn has visited nearly forty countries, trekked in the Himalayas, spent six weeks hitchhiking across North America and had his collarbone broken by a bull in Pamplona. Glyn Iliffe studied English and Classics at Reading University, where he developed a passion for the stories of ancient Greek mythology. If he is ever to return home, he must use cunning and guile to bring about its downfall. As the war continues, Odysseus realises that sheer numbers will never overwhelm Tory. But while Agamemnon is still determined to revenge himself upon Troy for the theft of Helen by Paris, Odysseus is held by the oath that he himself created.Įperitus too is tormented: sworn to protect the very man who murdered his daughter. Odysseus just wants to return home to his island Kingdom of Ithaca. Meanwhile, Odysseus, Eperitus and their men have become hardened soldiers. Yet even this does not draw the Trojans out from behind their walls.

Ordering attacks on Troy’s allies, he deprives the city of reinforcements, trade and supplies. When Agamemnon is threatened with mutiny by disillusioned troops, he changes tactics.

The greatest battle needs the greatest of warriors.

The Armour of Achilles by Glyn Iliffe