About “The Sacred Land”
A 2003 novel by Harry Turtledove follows two Greek traders, Menedemos and Sostratos, in the third century B.C. They set sail to Phoenicia, where Menedemos plans to conduct business, while Sostratos travels inland to Ioudaia. Sostratos claims he is searching for cheap balsam, a popular perfume, but his real goal is to explore an unfamiliar region. Menedemos insists on sending sailors from their ship, the Aphrodite, as bodyguards, fearing land bandits. However, the traders face unexpected problems, including unsalable goods like hams and eels, and a bad deal on olive oil. These challenges seem minor compared to the greater dangers that await them.
Book details
- First published
- 2003
- Latest edition
- 2003 · ISBN 0765300370