This is a historical novel about Themistocles, the Greek general of the fifth century B.C. whose accomplishments have been downplayed for too many centuries. It was Themistocles who led his countrymen to victory in the decisive battle against the Persians in 480 B.C.--the Battle of Salamis. Had it not been for Themistocles, the infamous battle would not have taken place, and the Persians would have continued their siege of Attica, taking the entire peninsula into their despotic control. Democracy would not have had the opportunity to grow and flourish.