The Battle of Thermopylae, which took place in 480 BC, and in which the Spartans fought under the leadership of Leonidas and their allies, in order to defend the freedom of Greece from the advance of Xerxes, passed into history as an immortal example of heroism. According to ancient sources, only one of the three hundred warriors of Sparta survived: Aristodemus, who had withdrawn due to an injury and who was despised by his compatriots, at least until the moment he was given the opportunity to redeem himself for his alleged cowardice.

This exciting and moving historical novel tells the story of how Aristodemus, although skeptical and without illusions, joined forces with Leonidas and his friends, who were much more enthusiastic than he was. Not enduring the relentless Spartan system, which in his eyes aimed not to shape men but simply tools that would bring glory to the State, and driven mad by love for a proud femme fatale, Aristodemus despises Leonidas, even though the king takes a liking to him and assigns him the most delicate missions, until the expected, violent clash with the Persians. Despite his ideological opposition, Aristodemus fights bravely, but decides not to participate in the tragic end. The sacrifice of his comrades will take on a heroic dimension in his eyes, when he realizes the hidden agenda behind the operation.

The book tells the story of the epic battle from an unprecedented perspective, revealing the passions and machinations, the raw violence and bravery of the legendary behavior of the three hundred heroes.