Tempus

Tempus combines fourteen interconnected stories following the Sacred Band of Stepsons, an elite military unit led by the immortal warrior Tempus. The narrative takes place in a richly detailed fantasy world that draws heavily from ancient Greek history and mythology. The Sacred Band consists of both heterosexual and homosexual pairs of warriors fighting side-by-side, modeled after the historical Sacred Band of Thebes from the 4th century BCE. Their complex personal dynamics and relationships play out against a backdrop of military campaigns and supernatural conflicts. Morris incorporates extensive historical and archaeological elements into the worldbuilding, from authentic period weaponry to religious practices and philosophical concepts of ancient Greece. The military aspects of the narrative emphasize tactical combat and the realities of ancient warfare. The book explores themes of immortality, loyalty, and the tension between individual desires and duty to a greater cause. Through its blend of historical accuracy and fantasy elements, the work examines how bonds between warriors can transcend both time and conventional social structures.

Readers note that Tempus requires concentration and can be challenging to follow, with its dense plotting and complex time travel elements. The writing style receives praise for its poetic quality and mythological depth. What readers liked: - Character development of Tempus and Niko - Integration of Greek mythology - Battle scenes and military tactics - Philosophical themes about immortality What readers disliked: - Confusing timeline jumps - Many characters to track - Some found the pacing slow - Military jargon can be overwhelming Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (124 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (16 ratings) "The relationship between Tempus and Niko draws you in completely," writes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review notes: "You need to pay attention to every detail or you'll get lost." Several readers recommend starting with other books in the series before attempting Tempus, as it assumes familiarity with the world and characters.

Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield Chronicles the Battle of Thermopylae through the eyes of a Spartan warrior, capturing the brotherhood and military culture of ancient Greek warriors.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller Retells the Iliad through the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, exploring warrior bonds in ancient Greece.

Black Ships by Jo Graham Follows Aeneas's journey from Troy with supernatural elements and Greek mythology woven through military campaigns.

The Ten Thousand by Michael Curtis Ford Recounts the march of Greek mercenaries through hostile Persian territory based on Xenophon's Anabasis, focusing on military tactics and soldier relationships.

Priestess of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley Merges historical elements with fantasy in a military setting while exploring themes of immortality and duty through characters straddling mortal and divine worlds.

🔸 The Sacred Band mentioned in the book takes inspiration from the real historical Sacred Band of Thebes, an elite military unit composed of 150 pairs of male warriors who were also lovers. 🔸 Janet Morris has served as a defense policy advisor and has worked with the U.S. Department of Defense, bringing authentic military expertise to her fiction writing. 🔸 The character Tempus draws elements from various Greek mythological figures, particularly immortal heroes like Achilles and wise centaur-teachers like Chiron. 🔸 The book's exploration of military themes and tactics influenced later works in the military fantasy genre, helping establish it as a distinct subgenre. 🔸 The author wrote much of the Tempus series in collaboration with her husband Chris Morris, who shared her interest in ancient military history and mythology.