Ἔρως καὶ Ὀλύμπια Love and Olympia: A Novel in Classical Greek for Learning, with Vocabulary and Full Translation

Ἔρως καὶ Ὀλύμπια Love and Olympia: A Novel in Classical Greek for Learning, with Vocabulary and Full Translation

Summary of Eros kai Olympia : The narrative begins during the sacred Olympic Games , where the Athenian maiden Aikaterinē —the brilliant daughter of the powerful Athenian politician, Cleon—falls instantly in love with the formidable Spartan victor, Nicolaos . Their love is immediate, intense, and absolutely forbidden , as their respective city-states are bitter enemies poised for war. Their clandestine meetings are discovered, turning personal betrayal into a public crisis. Cleon, seeing his family's honor ruined and a political opportunity ripe, successfully uses the elopement to galvanize Athens, effectively breaking the Olympic truce and escalating the conflict between Athens and Sparta into war. Pursued by Aikaterinē's vengeful brother, Aristarchus , Nicolaos and Aikaterinē embark on a desperate flight (Φυγὴ) across the Aegean Sea. The climax of their odyssey occurs on a small, isolated island where Nicolaos, utilizing his Spartan military training, sets a cunning ambush. A bloody confrontation ensues between the Spartan lover and the Athenian brother, resulting in severe wounds for both men. Under the cover of night, the two lovers steal Aristarchus's own ship and make a final dash for freedom. The story concludes with Nicolaos and Aikaterinē arriving in the great, cosmopolitan city of Alexandria, Egypt . Far from the rigid laws of Athens and Sparta, they find their new beginning —a life free from political necessity, where their love becomes their sole guiding law. A Call to the Aspiring Classicist This book is perfect for intermediate learners seeking engaging reading material, or for ambitious beginners ready to dive into rich, compelling narrative from day one. By the final chapter, you will not only have followed the thrilling escape of two lovers but will have also absorbed hundreds of new vocabulary words and gained an intimate understanding of the grammatical architecture of Classical Greek. Begin your journey today and let the words of the Ancients live again in your mind!