Classicist Benedict Lister, who earned a first-class degree in classics from Bristol University, has written Spartan Wolf, a tale following 12-year-old Lykos, a trainee Spartan warrior. Forced into a mysterious midnight combat that leaves him injured and embroiled in political intrigue, Lykos must contend with moral choices, loyalty and survival. READ MORE: Southampton author celebrates winning fifth publishing dealMr Lister said: "I really did want to dig deep beneath the Spartan myth and try to extract some sort of more nuanced truth. "This is the dilemma facing my story’s hero and it is why he is so desperate to recover." Much of the detail behind the novel, Mr Lister explained, is speculative, as historical records reveal little about day-to-day Spartan life.