Theras and His Town

Theras, born an Athenian with all the rights, privileges, and freedoms this entails, is taken to Sparta by his uncle when his father in lost at war. He is forced to live as a Spartan, a brutal life with no pity for those who are not perfect physically and totally obedient to Spartan control. After several brutal incidents, he escapes with another boy and heads for Athens. After a hard and dangerous journey, and at the end of his strength, Theras encounters Herodotus who takes both boys to Athens, where Theras is united with his family and their property restored. This book helps the young reader understand and internalize the differences between the cultures of Athens and Sparta - a difference that is necessary to a good comprehension of Ancient Greek history.