In The Last of the Wine, two young Athenians, Alexias and Lysis, compete in the palaestra, journey to the Olympic games, fight in the wars against Sparta, and study under Socrates. As their relationship develops, Renault expertly conveys Greek culture, showing the impact of this supreme philosopher whose influence spans epochs.\ \ \ Alexis, a young Athenian of good family, reaches manhood during the last phases of the Peloponnesian war. He meets young Lysis and their...
The story of Alexias, a young Athenian from a good family who gets drawn in to the controversial teachings of Socrates and a participates in the Olympic Games all set against the background of famine, siege and civil conflict.