The Priestess and the Slave looks at the political turmoil of fifth century BC Greece through the eyes of two women, one a slave and one a farmer's daughter who became a Pythia in her fifties. The novella intertwines the stories of Perialla, the Pythia at Delphi who was bribed by the Spartan king Kleomenes around 491BC, and Harmonia, a slave looking after the family which owned her, during the devastating Plague of Athens (which broke out in the second year of the Peloponnesian War). The two women never meet, but...
The Priestess and the Slave looks at the political turmoil of fifth century BC Greece through the eyes of two women, one a slave and one a farmer's daughter who became a Pythia in her fifties. The novella intertwines the stories of Perialla, the Pythia at Delphi who was bribed by the Spartan king Kleomenes around 491BC, and Harmonia, a slave looking after the family which owned her, during the devastating Plague of Athens (which broke out in the second year of the Peloponnesian War). The two women never meet, but their very different stories echo and complement one another.
A compelling blend of vivid storytelling and meticulous research. Fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable.
Jack Dann
It is such a joy to read a historical novel written by an author who has such authority over her material. I can only wait impatiently to discover what treasures her next novel will reveal.
Kate Forsyth
Completely fascinating - a vivid and evocative glimpse into the life of the past, with its terrors and joys so strange and yet so familiar.
Herstoria Magazine
- Reviews Editor
An intelligently-executed novel. The Priestess and the Slave is thoroughly recommended. -Fiona Hobden
Terry Ryan
This is a lively story told against a first class historical background.
Jenny Blackford was born in Sydney, Australia. She has always been fascinated by prehistory and ancient history, archaeology, ancient languages and mythology. She studied Classics (Greek and Latin) at the University of Newcastle, NSW, including a year of German and Sanskrit as well as four years of Greek and Latin language, literature and history; she was awarded First Class Honors and a University Medal. Her postgraduate study in ancient religion was rendered discouraging by the shrinkage of Classics departments worldwide, and an ad in the paper propelled her into an unexpected career in computer networking. Since Jenny started writing full-time, her stories have appeared in places including Jack Dann's important HarperCollins anthology Dreaming Again, Random House's 30 Australian Ghost Stories for Children and Hadley Rille Books' Ruins Terra. She was one of the judges for the World Fantasy Awards 2009. Her next project is a novel about Bronze Age princess Medea, granddaughter of the Sun.
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