Questions and Discussion Topics
One
At the beginning of the book, the narrator arrives in Macedonia by unconventional means. What did you think about this literary device employed by the author? Was it distracting or did you find it to be an interesting way to get into the story?
Two
In chapter 1, there is a description of a Dionysian initiation rite. Did you find the description plausible? Do you believe that women in ancient Greece ever behaved in the way described in this book?
Three
Starting in chapter 2 and continuing until chapter 9, there are several descriptions, action sequences, and conversations involving King Philippos of Macedonia. Did your views of Philippos change over the course of the book? In what way? Now that you have finished the book, what do you think of the Philippos character?
Four
We first meet Alexandros as a 13-year-old boy attending school in Mieza. We then follow his progress as he becomes a young man. How did the 13-year-old Alexandros strike you? Did your impressions of him evolve over the course of the book? In what way? What do you think of him now?
Five
There are two great battles described in the book – Chaironeia and Granikos. What impressions did you form reading these battle scenes?
Six
Both Alexandros and Demosthenes deliver speeches at the Keramaikos cemetery (chapter 7, pp. 208-213). Compare the two speeches. What did the speeches tell you about the personalities of the speakers? Did the two speakers have different agendas? Which speech was more effective?
Seven
There is a detailed description of Athens in chapter 7. Did you enjoy reading this description or did you find it a needless distraction from the plot?
Eight
On page 135, the narrator mentions the “deeply ingrained misogyny of Macedonian society.” There are a number of female characters in the book who play important roles in the plot; for example, Olympias, Lanike, the two Kleopatras, and Thais. What does each of these female characters tell you about the attitudes of ancient Macedonians toward women? Do you think the narrator is right to label Macedonian society misogynistic?
Nine
What did you think about the relationship between Ptolemaios and Lanike? Did the way the relationship evolved make sense to you? What is your overall reaction to the Ptolemaios and Lanike relationship?
Ten
Ptolemaios considers himself to be an outsider in Macedonian society. Do you think his perception is accurate? How did you view Ptolemaios as you read the book?
Eleven
Chapters 12 and 13 are entitled Training Exercise and Object Lesson, respectively. What do you think the author intended by giving these two chapters those names? How do you think the Macedonian army changed in the course of these two chapters? Did your views of the various principal characters change in the course of these two chapter? Which characters and how?
Twelve
There is a turning point in the narrative flow at the end of the book. Were you surprised by this turning point? Did it seem to follow logically from what came before? Did you find the ending of the book satisfying or did you wish that you could start reading the next volume of the Ptolemaios Saga immediately?
Thirteen
Do you think the Alexandros character will evolve further in the next volume? In what ways do you think he will change? What do you think will happen to Ptolemaios in the next volume?
Fourteen
There are a number of minor characters introduced in this book; for example, Kleitos, Hephaistion, Seleukos, Perdikkas, and Kassandros. Which minor characters did you find interesting? Why? Which do you think will play important roles in subsequent books of the Ptolemaios Saga?