Good day I’m Elena and thanks for reading Alessandro III di Macedonia- source about Alexander the Great and Hellenism! Today I’d like to share with you two interesting new publications worth keeping an eye on, as they’re novels but also promise to be well-researched, and I definitely think they’re worth reading. Now I’ll tell you about:

Funeral Games

The Ptolemaios Saga #5

by Alexander Geiger

As Alexander the Great lay in his deathbed, he was asked to whom he bequeathed his empire. His enigmatic answer: “To the strongest.” Now, with his body barely cold, ten leading generals assemble in Babylon to choose his heir. Each of them aspires to ascend to the throne. What ensues is a forty-year struggle now known as the War of the Successors. In fact, it is not one war but a series of intrigues, shifting alliances, dynastic marriages, betrayals and murders, and, to be sure, battles on three continents. The protagonists include not only the ten generals but also a cast of some of the most powerful and memorable women in history and numerous other characters, some admirable, some despicable, but all ruthless and ambitious.

Like Game of Thrones, except this is a true story. (Full disclosure: No dragons in this tale but plenty of elephants.)

The body of Alexander the Great is still warm when the power struggles start. At stake is control of the greatest empire ever assembled.

In his brief lifespan, Alexander managed to conquer most of the known world. What he failed to do is provide for a clear line of succession.

And so, the players assemble on the playing field. There is his eight-year-old son with his long-term mistress, his posthumous son with his new wife, his half-wit half-brother, his willful and widely reviled mother, his sweet and inoffensive sister, his semi-barbarian half-sister, and some other distant relatives. None of them looks to be promising emperor material.

Enter the generals. By long Macedonian tradition, it’s the army that chooses the next leader. Will they decide to follow Perdiccas, Ptolemy I Soter, Antigonus the One-Eyed, Antipater, or some other dark-horse candidate?

One thing is for sure. There will be intrigue, alliances formed and broken, heroism, human frailty, love and decency, and endless bloodshed. But who will emerge as the winner in this ultimate game of thrones? Only history knows for sure. Read Book Five of the Ptolemaios Saga to find out.

Funeral Games is the fifth book of the Ptolemaios Saga which is composed as follows:

1. Prime Directive – Book One of the Ptolemaios Saga. An Epic Novel of the Rise of Alexander the Great. A split-second decision saves the life of a young boy – and changes the course of history…
2. Flood Tide – Book Two of the Ptolemaios Saga. An Epic Novel of the Greek Invasion of Persia. Emperor Darius of Persia, king of kings, lord of many, Ahura Mazda’s representative on Earth and keeper of his flame, commands the greatest army the world has ever seen. But can he hold back the tide of history?
3. Conquest of Persia – Book Three of the Ptolemaios Saga. An Epic Novel of the Triumph of Alexander the Great. A seemingly hopeless quest for glory turns into a life-and-death struggle for empire.
4. Immortal Alexandros – Book Four of the Ptolemaios Saga. An Epic Novel of the Decline and Death of Alexander the Great. What price immortality? Three of the Persian capitals have fallen to the pan-Hellenic army – Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis. Only Ecbatana remains.
5. Funeral Games – Book Five of the Ptolemaios Saga. An Epic Novel of the Struggle to Succeed Alexander the Great. The great, charismatic, immortal leader is dead. Let the funeral games begin!

This series has always intrigued me, ever since I discovered it, but I haven’t had the chance (or rather, just the time) to read it, as is often the case with many others. However, I’m interested, and especially curious to know if there will be a sixth installment or if this will be the last book. The author’s website doesn’t currently mention a sequel, but if there’s any news, I’ll keep you updated and post reviews as soon as I read it!

Thank you so much, have a great weekend!

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