The Antagonists (Gann novel)

This article is about the 1971 novel. For the 1991 television series, see The Antagonists (TV series). For other uses, see antagonist (disambiguation).

The Antagonists

First edition (publ Simon & Schuster)
Author	Ernest K. Gann
Language	English
Genre	Historical novel
Publication date	1971
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (hardcover and paperback)
Followed by	The Triumph (1986)
The novel was adapted into the television miniseries Masada in 1981.

The Antagonists is a 1971 historical novel by Ernest K. Gann telling a fictionalized account of the siege of the Masada citadel in Israel by the 10th Legion of the Roman Empire in AD 73. The novel was adapted as a television miniseries, Masada , broadcast first in 1981. ^[1] The two antagonists of the title are Eleazer ben Yair, leader of the Jewish Zealots who make a final stand on Masada; and the Roman general Flavius Silva.

A sequel, entitled The Triumph, was published in 1986. ^[2]

Overview

The novel explores the themes of leadership and patriotism by comparing and contrasting the two protagonists/antagonists of the story. Little survives from history, so the account is heavily fictionalized. ^[3]

See also

• The Dovekeepers (novel)

References

1. Beetz, Kirk H., ed. (1996). "The Antagonists". Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction. 1. Beacham Publishing, University of Michigan: 169–171.
2. Gann, Ernest K. (1986). The Triumph . p. 5. ISBN   0-340-38820-X.
3. Literary Precedents for The Antagonists.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)

External links

• Movie Review: Masada, The Prayer Foundation, 8 May 2008.