Responsibility, loyalty, and the price of reason
Historical novels often tend to clearly judge decisions, depicting courageous acts, reprehensible intrigues, or unambiguous culprits. Ashes of Crete takes a different approach. The novel presents decisions that appear understandable, reasonable, and politically necessary—yet have devastating consequences. It is precisely therein that its moral depth lies.
At the heart of this tension are not only the political actors of Phaistos, but also the personal relationships of the characters. Responsibility is presented here not as an abstract duty, but as a concrete burden. Those who make decisions do so under pressure: from the outside through threats, and from within through loyalty to the community. The novel does not ask whether these decisions are right or wrong, but what their cost is.
This is particularly evident in the character of Fleet Captain Geros. His loyalty lies with the empire, not out of opportunism, but out of conviction. He recognizes the danger Phaistos faces and accepts political measures that promise stability. That these measures destroy his personal relationship with Ide is not collateral damage, but the price he consciously accepts. The novel compels readers to take this stance seriously—without excusing or condemning it.
The text thus poses an uncomfortable question: Is a decision morally superior simply because it is rational? Or does guilt arise even where there is no malicious intent? "Der Untergang von Phaistos" shows that reason is not neutral. It favors structures, majorities, and long-term stability—and in doing so, it suppresses the individual.
It is precisely this perspective that makes the novel timeless. Even modern societies justify decisions with practical constraints, security, or necessity. Personal relationships often come under strain as a result. The novel invites us to consider these mechanisms not only historically, but also ethically. Responsibility appears here not as a virtue alone, but as an ambivalent force that can both harm and protect.
The historical novel is available here – also as an e-book!
The book "Ashes of Crete" is available in bookstores and from our publishing house, as a printed book (ISBN 978-3-910347-77-9) and as an EPUB (ISBN: 978-3-910347-78-6).
