Latro series

Re: supplementary reading: We should trust the author. The two volumes are dedicated, respectively, to Herodotus and Xenophon, a strong hint as to sources of the (sometimes) real people and events Latros encounters. Both are of course well worth reading in themselves, but taken in conjunction with the two Latro novels, all sorts of mysteries become a little clearer. Just one example: the last pages of Herodotus deal with the omen of the apparently resurrected fishes which are central to the first chapters of Soldier of Arete. For some time now the list has been in general agreement that Wolfe has been strongly influenced by Robert Graves, and I would also recommend reading his Greek Gods and Heroes (or is Heroes and Gods? Don't have my copy handy).