Pericles could only stare as the crowds grew bolder, the press of bodies buffeting him as he struggled under the weight of his brother’s kit. It would have been easier to wear the armour than to carry it. He looked around for Ariphron, to tell him … and felt the loss once more. It was not possible that his brother was gone, his clever, thoughtful brother who always knew so much. His father had refused to bury Ariphron on Persian land, where a tomb might be despoiled. Instead, they had sewn him in sailcloth and marked a burial spot on Icaria. They would come back for him.

Pericles shifted the sack on his shoulder. He was sweating in the heat and heave of the crowd all around. When Epikleos asked if he wanted help, he shook his head. Epikleos seemed to understand that.

As they reached the Agora, Pericles saw the heart of the city was being rebuilt. The council building was rising once again on scaffolding. The Pnyx hill was the same, of course. The steps had been scrubbed clean and shone whitely in the afternoon sun. Above it all loomed the Acropolis. The foundations had been cleared there, but he knew they would raise temples once again. This was Athena’s city, after all. Even the army of Persia had not been able to chain her for long. Pericles felt tears come without warning as he looked around him. They bore so many flowers, his people! They cried out and embraced the sailors and hoplites of the fleet returned. More and more poured into the Agora from all directions and yet his father did not stop, but pushed through, determined to reach the other side. Pericles had to struggle to keep up, but he was not recognised and they let him pass easily enough. It was the strangest thing, but Xanthippus and Epikleos shoved past the outer ring and it was all suddenly behind. The cheering crowds all looked inward and never saw Xanthippus heading away from them, his face set and dark with purpose.

Pericles and Epikleos walked alongside one another as they passed through what had been the Thriasian gate. The ground had been cleared there, with markers for a huge new construction. It filled Pericles with excitement, somehow. They would not just remake Athens as she had been, but higher, greater. Why not? His mind filled with visions of wide streets and courtyards, of great gates and monuments, of soaring temples to reflect the glory of the goddess.