
A young apprentice named Akontios steps off the road onto the sun‑kissed shores of ancient Miletus, his satchel heavy with tools and a few garments. The city unfurls before him—a glittering tapestry of temples, theatres, and bustling gardens where laughter and music spill from marble courtyards. Fascinated by the dazzling colors and bold forms that dominate the local art, he marvels at a culture that seems to celebrate beauty more fervently than any place he’s known, even his native Athens.
Soon Akontios finds himself drawn into a lively gathering in a grand villa, where seasoned elders and spirited youths debate the merits of poets, painters, and the power of love. Among the guests are the sharp‑tongued Konon, the talented yet modest Neaira, and the boisterous Oloros, each embodying the passions and rivalries that drive the city’s artistic soul. Their animated conversations hint at deeper ambitions and hidden tensions, inviting listeners to step into a world where creativity, desire, and destiny intertwine.
Language
fi
Duration
~5 hours (294K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2018-11-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1845–1900
Known in late 19th-century Germany for lively, humorous fiction, this novelist wrote stories that mixed wit, social observation, and an easy storytelling style. His work helped make him a popular literary figure of his time.
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