The Saga of Marathon

by Nicholas Checker

The teenage son of a hetaera (woman of pleasure), Pheidippides and his beautiful young mother are not recognized as citizens of ancient Athens. Yet he is enchanted with the essence of the grand city-state and all the promise it holds. His short daily runs are on mere delivery errands, but he aspires to one day be among the elite foot couriers who run up to fifty miles on vital missions of state. When an impending invasion from faraway Persia, the world's most powerful empire—led by a temperamental tyrant bent on destroying democracy—threatens Athens and the entire land of squabbling Greek city-states, Pheidippides must undertake a grueling solitary trek to outrun enemy ships heading for his beloved city. Chased by assassins over a distance more than four times his usual runs, can he save Athens and its fledgling democratic ideals...and at what cost?

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2020

Reviews

[C.B. Oresky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Saga Of Marathon is an excellent read. Based on a true event in Greece two thousand years ago, this heart-string tugging tale will keep you turning the page.

The story is jam packed with drama: the love between a hetaera mother and her son, Pheidippides, the father who won't acknowledge his son, the son's misery as a lower-class Athenian outcast, conflicting with his proud love of Athens. All of this leads to Pheidippides willingness to perform the ultimate marathon to save Athens and democracy itself.

To make the tale even more interesting, reminiscent of the movie, The Clash of The Titans, the story is interwoven with Greek Gods and their 'play' with us mere humans. Analogies to certain political leaders are there as well. I'll leave that for you to figure out...

I felt like I was in the Athenian market, wandering through magical Elysia, being stalked by assassins, running the long, brutal marathon with Pheidippides

Nick Checker (author of the cat tale Scratch) once again proves himself to be a craftsman of stories.