Second paragraph of third chapter:

Gelon was friendly with him, and one day he took the old fella aside. This was some years back, before the war and before Desma had run off, when their boy, Helios, was still alive, though barely. Anyway, Gelon asked if Helios would see the year out. Now the old fella looked thoughtful. After a long pause, he said if Gelon could get him an ox, he’d soon find out. Gelon, being poor, said he couldn’t afford an ox. Okay, well, what about a sheep? Even a lamb would do? Gelon said he’d try. That night he stole a lamb from Alberus’ farm, brought it to the prophet. The prophet told him to be at Dismas’ the next evening, and he’d tell what he’d found. Then he bowed, took the lamb under his arm, and stumbled off into the night.

This book got rave reviews in some quarters for its depiction of ancient Greek society in Syracuse with Dublin accents. I found it brutal and not at all funny, and drifted off after seventy pages. You can get Glorious Exploits here.