Description
Product Description
Phano is almost 15, the traditional age for a woman to marry in ancient Athens. She is in love with Theo, who is 30–the traditional age for a man to marry. But marriage may not be an option for her. Her stepmother’s enemy, Phrynion, claims that Phano is not really a free woman but a slave who belongs to him, and he is ready to sell her if he can get his hands on her.
Phano, her father, and her stepmother must use every resource they have to try to restore her reputation and keep her safe. Even if they can keep Phrynion away, Phano may never be able to marry Theo, whose prominent family would expect a wealthy bride who would bring a good-sized dowry with her. Meanwhile, Athens faces the threat of war from Philip of Macedon. Once she turns 15, Phano must find her place as an adult in the turbulent society of ancient Greece.
From the Hardcover edition.
Review
“A solid choice for fans of historical novels.”—School Library Journal
From the Inside Flap
Phano is almost 15, the traditional age for a woman to marry in ancient Athens. She is in love with Theo, who is 30?the traditional age for a man to marry. But marriage may not be an option for her. Her stepmother?s enemy, Phrynion, claims that Phano is not really a free woman but a slave who belongs to him, and he is ready to sell her if he can get his hands on her.
Phano, her father, and her stepmother must use every resource they have to try to restore her reputation and keep her safe. Even if they can keep Phrynion away, Phano may never be able to marry Theo, whose prominent family would expect a wealthy bride who would bring a good-sized dowry with her. Meanwhile, Athens faces the threat of war from Philip of Macedon. Once she turns 15, Phano must find her place as an adult in the turbulent society of ancient Greece.
From the Hardcover edition.
About the Author
Priscilla Galloway is the author of Truly Grim Tales and Snake Dreamer.
From the Hardcover edition.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
one
Ancient Athens, 350 B.C.E.
"Gate, ho!"
"Minta, see who's making that racket," Mama commanded. "Don't unbar the door unless you're sure of him."
"I'll go too, Mama." I put out a hand to stop my spindle. We were safe in my father's house in Athens, the little house by the Whispering Herm; nobody could touch us here. My heart thudded nonetheless.
I lifted my grandmother's thigh shield with both hands and set it very carefully on the floor. Then I ran. Minta is a faithful slave, but she has no judgment about men. Anyone with a laugh and an easy word can get by her. By the time I reached the gate room, the fool had already lifted the heavy bar. Two men pushed past her. I didn't recognize the first one, but I knew Phrynion at once, squatty frog-face, with his bulging eyes and fat, red pouty lips. He looked up at me and laughed. My hatred surged back as I heard the nasty sound. His right hand still tugged at his scraggly beard. His teeth were still yellow and his breath still stank of garlic and decay. After three years of freedom, Phrynion had me in his power again. My nightmare had come true.
I closed my eyes and felt as if I were nine again, and not almost fourteen years old. I remembered the child I had been, and the desperate year whose memories were distilled into my ghastly dreams.
It all began with another of Father's get-rich-quick schemes. These schemes always demanded money, which Father always failed to have. None of his friends and relatives would lend him so much as a copper obol, so he was delighted to make an arrangement with one of the city officials, even at a very high interest rate.
Unfortunately, the official had "borrowed" from the public treasury. When arrested, he pleaded for mercy. He said Father had blackmailed him. This scheme not only failed to make us rich; Father had to leave Athens in a hurry, without Mama and me.
The rent for our little rooms behind the cobbler's shop was paid ahead for one month.