A historically-based novel with authentic, legendary, & fictional characters interacting across the extraordinary panorama of the Bronze Age Collapse in the Hittite Empire between the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas. Diomedes, previously a hero of the Trojan War , and the polyglot Peoples of the Sea raid inland into the Hittite Empire during its final months. It is both a study of ancient mythic consciousness and an exciting adventure of love, character, destruction, desperate survival, and the lived mystery of pagan rituals . It was a time of such chaos, royalty was overthrown, palaces and temples were burnt, and the power of the gods was thrown into doubt, yet the ancient Great Goddess , who had been suppressed, began to regain her former dominance. Diomedes, though prominent in Homer's Iliad — a warrior the equal of Hektor or Achilleus, a thinker as cunning as Odysseus and as wise as Nestor, and the only man who dared wound gods — has seldom, if ever, been the chief protagonist in literature. He is given his due within. His own wandering adventures and suffering after the destruction of Ilios are traced as far north as Kolkhis (Colchis) in the Black Sea, through involvement with the last Hittite royal family in Anatolia, and as far south as Alasiya (Cyprus) in the Mediterranean. He ascends the heights of glory but also must descend into the dark Underworld in the attempt to save the one he loves. "In this well written, absorbing novel, Nixon has combined thoroughly researched fact with highly evocative fiction to produce a gripping story set within the context of the collapse of civilizations at the end of the Bronze Age." —Trevor Bryce, prominent Hittitologist & Ancient Near East Historian " The Diomedeia: Diomedes, the Peoples of the Sea, and the Fall of the Hittite Empire by Gregory Michael Nixon intelligently blends history with myth to offer readers a fascinating reading experience. The novel transports readers to the Bronze Age in the Hittite Empire and follows the final months of the collapse of the empire. Raids, lootings, and chaos abound, and one of the least celebrated heroes of legend, Diomedes, takes center stage in an act that ushers a new era. It is a tale that explores mutations in a civilization and a captivating journey of a protagonist's fate. But can he redefine himself against the odds and find a new purpose as everything seems to fall apart? "Fans of Greek mythology will adore Nixon's characters, but it is the author's extraordinary gift for sparkling imagery that had me turning the pages. The setting is fully drawn, a wonderful fabric that clearly captures the traditions, beliefs, and politics of the time. The setting itself feels like a character in its own right. The Diomedeia is more than transporting; it is a tale of an era, an adventure that revisits legendary times, and a genuinely moving tale that is a true joy for fans of historically grounded adventure. The author leaves readers in no doubt that the book is thoroughly researched, and the beauty in the prose elevates the quality of the entertainment. The narrative voice is strong and consistent and the confidence in writing creates dialogues that feel real and scenes that are focused. I enjoyed everything, from the deft plotting to the larger-than-life characters, to the impeccable and vividly drawn setting. This novel is perfect for anyone looking for a historical adventure with memorable characters." —Reviewed By: Romuald Dzemo, The Book Commentary "This astonishing book seems to come out of nowhere. I've never read anything quite like it. From the weave of both history & myth, a tale emerges that is raw & exciting, but also often vast & meaningful. One can feel the desolation occasioned by the drought that sets off the Bronze Age catastrophe, but the characters that occupy the foreground really commanded my attention. They are not just contemporary characters placed in a different setting, but characters from another time and place (the Hittite Empire, the Peoples of the Sea) who psychologically daily interact with their gods. Yet somehow they remain easily relatable. Warning, there's warlike violence but also a number of explicitly erotic scenes. "The entire multi-subplot adventure centres on the idea of descent. After the warrior army arrives too late to attack Hattusa, the scene shifts south to the city of Ishtar and Ishtar's tall temple tower, which has the labyrinthine underworld beneath it. The exotic High Priestess of Ishtar and the Queen of the Hittites lead a procession into this land of the netherworld gods, and the fates of the Great King of Hittites, whose catchy name is Suppiluliuma, and the Achaian (Greek) warrior, Diomedes, are determined there. "Suspenseful, rousing, and even a little mindbending! The whole thing was emotionally moving and sometimes purposefully funny. It often felt like I was reading an epic by a great new author." —Douglas Kingsman "I picked up this boo