Falling for Lysis, Alexias breaks protocol and woos the older man. Alexias rejects Polymedes as well.īut soon Alexias contradicts his father's teachings. Finally, Alexias is pursued by Polymedes, who excessively flatters him, recalling yet another of his father's warnings. Alexias is not attracted to him, though, and heeds his father's advice not to sell himself for riches or gifts. Next, Alexias is pursued by the wealthy Charmides. He is the sort of man who, in Myron's words, “would not care” if Alexias “were a dolt, a coward, or a liar.” This is the sort of man Myron has warned Alexias to reject – and he does.

Alexias is soon pursued by Kritias, who he suspects doesn't care for his character at all. He also advises Alexias on how to act within such a relationship. He grows up to be a noted athlete, and a beautiful boy, an “ephebe.” At one point in his youth, Alexias is lectured by his father – who was once a famously desirable ephebe himself – on what sorts of suitors are appropriate for him, and which are not. He is prevented from doing this by a sudden attack by the Spartans, however the Fates it seems, have decided he will live. His mother dies giving birth to him, and his father, Myron, considers exposing him to the elements – a common practice at the time – and abandoning him to fate (or rather, the Fates). Socrates himself also features as an important character in the novel. The novel traces the development of his romance with an older boy, a student of Socrates' named Lysis. It focuses on the character of Alexias, a young Athenian noble celebrated for both his athletic prowess as a runner and his personal beauty.

The story takes place in classical-age Greece specifically, the novel is set in ancient Athens, towards the end of the Peloponnesian War with Sparta.

The novel was considered provocative at the time for dealing explicitly with a homosexual romance, and was a great hit with the gay community of the time. The Last of the Wine is a 1956 historical novel by Mary Renault.

The Last of the Wine by Mary Renault