The Lost Army

In 401 BC, Cyrus the Younger hires thousands of Greek mercenaries for a campaign whose true purpose is concealed until they are deep inside the Persian Empire. Abira follows the Athenian soldier Xenophon and witnesses the army's advance toward Cunaxa, where Cyrus's attempt to seize the throne ends in defeat and leaves the Greeks isolated far from the sea.

After Persian leaders murder the senior commanders, Xenophon and other surviving officers must organise a retreat through hostile territory, winter mountains and communities determined to block their passage. Told from the perspective of a woman travelling with the army, the novel follows both the celebrated discipline of the Ten Thousand and the hunger, fear and internal violence that threaten to destroy them before they can reach Greek lands.