CHAPTER 30

 

Next day, the morning saw a little more of order in Thebes, Alexander gave instruction that the temples should be respect (at least for now on) but the corpses were still covering the city’s streets, a silent and dismal reminder of what was Macedonia capable of. Hephaistion left Kyros with his slave, the only servant he had, at the house the King was using like headquarters.

 

He wasn’t very important to have his own page, and he felt uncomfortable having a lot of servants or slaves with him, so he took only one of his house slaves. Nikandros always traveled with at least 5 slaves, but he had the delusion that he was some kind of Asian potentate.

 

Hephaistion found Alexander again at the Agora; he was surrounded by a large group of men, his guards alert with swords ready while he was hearing a Theban woman. The woman was in her mid thirties, she was very pale and her hair was tangled, she trembled while she was speaking and Hephaistion thought for a moment she was going to faint.

 

- King Alexander –said the woman in a hollow voice—Your officer entered my house, he was drunk and he… he raped me and demanded gold and silver –she took a deep breath—I was… I was the wife of a Theban General, a respected lady and I was raped!

 

- She murdered Nikator son of Philipos, Alexander –said one Macedonian officer, in a hard tone of voice—This woman deceived Nikator saying that she had hidden her gold at the bottom of a dry well, and she and her maids dropped rocks on him till he was dead (1)    

 

- I did it in self-defense –said the woman, hiding her face in her hands and crying desperately, breaking Hephaistion’s heart.

 

- This woman –said the King in a loud clear voice—Is not going to suffer any harm –his words immediately started the whispering among the people present there. The woman lifted her head, not believing her ears—You have your freedom, now go.

 

- Thank you, thank you, King Alexander –said the woman without voice, and she fainted at last. One of her servants took her home.  

 

- Phai, good to see you and you too Kleitos –said the King walking to where his escort and horse were waiting—While I’m away keep an eye on the men, I don’t want more plundering or attacks to another noted house.

 

- Just noted houses? –asked Hephaistion.

 

- Yes, the men deserve to have spoils; and please I don’t want more killing, if things go as I plan with the council, I will sell all the Thebans into slavery, it would be good to the Macedonian treasury, and the Gods know we need money. We should get at least 440 Talents –Hephaistion nodded. He didn’t like the idea of being in charge of Thebes as the things were right now, but if Alexander wanted him to do it, he would do it.

 

- Be careful –the King smiled.

 

- That’s all? I don’t get a kiss? –asked Alexander and Hephaistion was surprised to see how calm he was. He barely slept last night after the battle and massacre in the city but the King seem unaffected, and for last night snoring he knew Alexander had slept like a baby. Definitely they were made from a different material.  

 

Hephaistion smiled and kissed him, a quick soft kiss like the touch of a butterfly.

 

- If you come back quickly, I will see that you have a surprise waiting for you on your bed –whispered Hephaistion, in a hot husky voice that almost made Alexander sigh like a schoolgirl…almost.  

 

- I’ll be back soon –Hephaistion smiled. Of course he would be back soon.

 

XXX

 

- What’s going to happen now? –asked Kyros next day, while eating his meal with Hephaistion. He was bathed and wearing a clean chiton, and Hephaistion could see that he was a peculiar boy, he had an androgynous beauty and when you saw Kyros the first thing you thought was that he was pretty not handsome; he also looked younger than he really was.       

 

Hephaistion was exhausted, and according to Alexander’s letter he wouldn’t be back until the next day; leaving him the task of arranging everything with the slave traders. Something he didn’t enjoyed doing.

 

- You know what is the council of the Hellenic League? –asked Hephaistion and the boy nodded—Well, King Alexander is the Capitan General of the League, he called a meeting of the council, and the council decided that Thebes should be destroy and her population should suffer deportation an enslavement.

 

Kyros’ face lost all color.

 

- But they can’t do that.

 

- They can and they will, my King ordered me to get a fair price for the captives with the slave traders –said Hephaistion and the boy clenched his fist on the table.

 

- But this is my home –tears fell from his green eyes—It’s not fair…this was the fault of Demosthenes –said Kyros taking Hephaistion by surprise; he expected that the boy should be hating the Macedonians but this was new—My father said… that the Macedonians were dangerous –he sobbed—And that…that it was a bad idea to… to challenged them… if… if it wasn’t for that Athenian… Thebes wouldn’t be destroyed.

 

Hephaistion saw him in silent; he looked for a handkerchief and gave it to him. He truly didn’t know what to say to Kyros, he tried to image what would have he felt if Pella had been destroyed and his family killed or sold into slavery. He shook his head; it was a terrible thought.

 

- Do you have family outside Thebes? –Kyros shook his head—Friends? Someone who can look after you?

 

- No, sir –the boy kept his head down.

 

- What did your father do for a living? –asked Hephaistion, when his slave came to clean the table.

 

- He was a merchant, he used to sell… wine –said Kyros, still sobbing—We didn’t have much money but, the soldiers came to my house that night and… took all the wine amphorae. They killed my father and… they raped my mother... I was hidden in the closet but I saw everything –Hephaistion felt terrible—I tried to help my mother and then… that man dragged me out of the house…

 

- And I found you after that –the boy nodded—Don’t you have brothers or sisters?

 

- No sir, I was the only child.

 

Hephaistion sighed heavily.

 

- What am I going to do with you? –he rubbed his eyes.

 

- Don’t sell me –asked Kyros, and the pleading tone of his voice moved Hephaistion—Can I stay with you?

 

- With me? Gee, I don’t think that’s a good idea.

 

- Why not? –the boy insisted—I can work.

 

- I’m sure you can, but the thing is we are going to Asia next year to fight against the Great King –Hephaistion explained—It’s going to be a tough and dangerous campaign and I don’t know when are we coming back.    

 

- I don’t mind –said Kyros, who clearly didn’t understand half the implications of going to Asia.

 

- Do you know how to fight? Or as my brother says, can you distinguish one end of the sword from the other? –asked Hephaistion.

 

- No…but I have seem boys of my age with the Macedonian army –said Kyros, not willing to give up.

 

- That’s different; they are royal pages, the sons of Macedonian nobles who served the King and the most important men of the kingdom.

 

- Do you have a page?

 

- No.

 

- I can be your page –Hephaistion sighed—I know to read and write.

 

Hephaistion’s slave smiled.

 

- Master, can I say something? –asked the man and Hephaistion nodded.

 

- The boy is right, why don’t you keep him? He could help you, you work too hard since King Alexander was crowned –said the man—He can’t fight now but he is young and can learn.

 

- Listen to him, sir, please.

 

- All right, you can stay with me, but you will behave –said Hephaistion and Kyros smiled; it was the first time he smiled after the attack.

 

XXX

 

- How are you feeling? –asked Hephaistion to Perdikkas, latter that day.

 

His friend was resting at a house that served like hospital for the Macedonians and their allies. Leonnatos and Ptolemy were there too, laughing at poor Perdikkas who had his leg broken and in a splint, resting on a mountain of pillows.

 

- Better if Ptolemy and Leon stop laughing –grumbled Perdikkas.

 

- I’m sorry, but you look so funny lying there –said Ptolemy and Leonnatos laughed again—Besides you were the only moron who was wounded in the attack.     

 

- Of course not! 3 of my soldiers were wounded too –exclaimed Perdikkas with all the indignity he could summon. 

 

- I mean, of us –explained Ptolemy—Not even Kraterus, who was fighting at the front, is lying on bed from a broken leg –Leonnatos nodded his agreement.

 

- Bite me.

 

- We should leave Perdikkas to rest –said Hephaistion—Besides we have a lot of work to do.

 

- Tell me about it, I’m in charge of cleaning the city –said Leonnatos—Alexander gave the Thebans permission to bury their dead outside the Electra gate, but they are thousands of dead, and the wounded are another thousands.

 

- Did you hear what Philotas did? –asked Ptolemy.

 

- No; what did he do now? –said Hephaistion. Having Philotas under his supervision was proving to be something stressful. Philotas didn’t follow the instructions and always did as he wanted, causing problems with other men.

 

- He heard that you are in charge of selling the slaves –answered Ptolemy—And he decided to take his slaves and sell them separately.

 

- Why did he do that? –asked Perdikkas—I have no problem with Phai selling my part of the spoils, Alexander gave us all a number of slaves and the profits are ours, I don’t see why Philotas is acting like this.

 

- He said he didn’t trust Hephaistion –Ptolemy continued.

 

- What?! Is he trying to say that I’m stealing? –Hephaistion was angry—He is insulting me.

 

- Calm down, Hephaistion; Philotas said he didn’t trust your skills as a slave seller –said Ptolemy—He said you are too soft and probably you will sell them at a lower price just to be sure that the slave trader would treat them well.

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

- I would have done that if the slaves were mine –he said in a low voice— In fact, that was what I did with my slaves, but I can’t do that with yours, besides Alexander said he wanted at least 440 Talents for them.

 

Leonnatos patted his back.

 

- Don’t pay attention to Philotas, we all know he is nuts.

 

Ptolemy nodded.

 

- I know I can trust you –said the older one—And I admire that conscience of yours, even if sometimes is a burden.

 

Hephaistion smiled but said nothing. It was true, having a conscience like his in that time was a burden.  

 

- I also heard something interesting, by the way –said Leonnatos, taking a seat at the side of Perdikkas’ bed. 

 

- What did you hear? –asked Ptolemy, changing his height form one foot to the other.

 

- Oh, I heard that the Thebans are all scared and surprised by one Macedonian warrior –said Leonnatos, enjoying being the center of attention—They said he is the reincarnation of Ares and that he can’t be killed.

 

- People always exaggerate –said Hephaistion.

 

- They also said that he is as beautiful as deadly, and they started to call him: Ares’ sword –said Leonnatos, giving his voice a dramatic tone—The Theban soldiers are really impressed because he killed a war hero.

 

- Do you know who he is? –asked Perdikkas with interest.

 

- Yes, it’s Phai –the 3 of them turned to see their friend.

 

- Me? You are joking –truly Hephaistion didn’t think that way of himself; he was just slightly good using a sword, that was all.

 

- No, I’m serious. 

 

- But I’m not that good.

 

- Well, I heard from the boys of my brigade that you eliminated all the Thebans that were defending the main street –said Ptolemy—They said there were like 20 men.

 

- Hardly, they were 10 and I wasn’t alone –said Hephaistion—When did you heard that?

 

- My boys went to speak with Alexander, they wanted to inform the King about your performance –explained Ptolemy—They were really impressed.

 

Hephaistion blushed.

 

- And… what did Alexander say? –he wanted to know.

 

- Oh, he was impressed and very happy too –said Ptolemy—You know, proud to hear that his loved one was such a good warrior.

 

Hephaistion blushed even more. He would need to get used to this kind of attention, after every battle things like this happened to him; in Illyria, when they fought against King Cleitus the men of the Ile Basilike went to the King to ask that Hephaistion should be rewarded after saving the life of 5 of them, and now this.

 

Not that he didn’t like to be admired but... He just wanted to be able to protect his King and helped him in every way he could, that was all.

 

XXX

 

Agape was riding back to her village after a long day picking strawberries, she liked strawberries and since she heard from her neighbor where to find them she was eager to prepare a strawberry cake. And she was so busy imagined her cake that she didn’t knew when she got lost on her way back.

 

- Oh Sweet Hera! Now what? –she asked taking both hands to her face. She needed to get back before nightfall or she would be in trouble, in those lands were a lot of wolves and she was afraid of them.

 

Agape looked around, praying to find a way out of her predicament when she saw a couple of peasants pushing a wagon with the help of a donkey, and a small boy of 2 years old sitting on the wagon, happily playing with the vegetables.

 

Agape pressed her horse’s flanks and went to them to ask for directions; thanking good goddess Hera for her help. Hera was her favorite goddess and every time she was in troubles she prayed to her, and every time the good goddess answer her. 

 

- Excuse me –said Agape, her horse trotting at the side of the wagon, and the old couple turned to see her—I’m lost, could you please tell me how to go to the nearest village?

 

- Why are you lost? –asked the little boy with curiosity, a potato in his small hand.

 

Agape turned and had to restrain herself from screaming. He was the most beautiful boy she had ever seem with straight gold-bronze hair, creamy white skin and a pair of uneven eyes, one cerulean blue one brown like amber. 

 

Wait.

 

Uneven eyes? Agape immediately remembered the handsome Macedonian boys that had stayed with her almost 3 years ago, the resemblance was remarkable. One look at the couple told Agape that the boy wasn’t theirs; they were very old and had dark brown hair and dark eyes.  

 

- You want to go to the next village? –asked the old lady, giving her a kind smile that made Agape remember her grandmother.

 

- Wha…yes, yes, that’s… right –Agape continued looking at the boy—This boy isn’t yours.

 

So much for discretion. Agape spoke without thinking, but she couldn’t help it, it was obvious even from Mt. Olympus that the little boy wasn’t related to the couple... at least not in that universe. 

 

- Dear Aphrodite, Athena and Artemis! He looks just like them –those words caught the attention of the couple—But… It can’t be, it’s as if they have a child together but that’s impossible… unless the Gods have granted them a miracle. I think that could be possible, after all Hera had granted me many miracles, like that night when…

 

- Excuse me –said the old man—Do you know whose child is he?

 

- W-well I’m not sure, but he looks a lot like someone I know –said Agape, brushing her long hair aside of her face.

 

The man exchanged glances with his wife. 

 

- Could you please come with us? –asked the old lady, they seem very interested in what Agape just said.

 

And a few moments later, Agape was sitting in the small house of the couple with a cup of tea in front of her. The little boy was playing with a wooden horse on the floor and, every time she looked at him, she was more convinced that he looked like the Macedonians. But, why?

 

- You are right –said the old lady, taking a seat at her side—He is not our grandson not even a member of our family –that caught Agape’s attention— A woman came more than 2 years ago with him and said that his parents had died and that he had no one in the world. This woman heard in the village that we never have children of our own, and offered to leave him with us. She even gave us a very heavy bag with gold.

 

Agape listened fascinated. She adored good stories full with drama, and in a time were soap operas didn’t exist this was the second best option. 

 

- She was a strange woman –said the man, who didn’t have 2 teeth—I didn’t believe her story, there was something that didn’t fit and lots of very suspicious things. For example, she was disguised with a black cloak that covered her completely, and her clothes were expensive, I’m sure she was a noble woman, I’ll bet my house on that. Besides, she never told us her name, never said how his parents died; she didn’t even explained how she found the boy.

 

- So, what do you think? –asked Agape, intrigued.

 

- We think… –the old lady made a pause, she was nervous—We think this woman kidnapped the boy. Agape opened her eyes in surprise—She acted in a strange way and when we asked her if the boy had a name, she felt silent for a long moment and then she said “he must have a good name, call him Achilles”

 

- Aki is a very intelligent boy –said the man, looking at the boy with paternal proud—He can speak better that half the village, and is always asking “why” why is the sky blue? Why the birds can fly?… it would be a waste if he stays in a backwater village like this.

 

- We were thinking on the possibility of looking for his real family; but we are too old to do that by ourselves…Please, you said that Aki looks like someone you know; could it be one of his parents or his family? –asked the old lady. 

 

- I don’t know –Agape saw Achilles again—But he looks a lot like 2 Macedonians that stayed at my house some years ago. They were good boys, I don’t think that any of them would abandon his son, maybe you are right and he was kidnapped.

 

- Could you contact these Macedonians? –asked the old lady. She definitely looked like Agape’s grandmother and that moved her. 

 

- I can go to Pella, and if you want I can take Achilles with me –the couple looked excited with the idea—I just need a couple of days to get my things ready, it’s a long journey. 

 

- Thank you –said the old lady, taking her hands.

 

- You can take the gold the woman gave us with you, we never spend it –said the man.

 

- That’s not necessary, I’m glad that I can help, besides you gave me a perfect excuse to see my Macedonians again –said Agape, smiling.

 

- I insist, it’s not a cheap trip –said the man—And we want that Aki travel comfortably.  

 

Agape sighed.

 

- As you wish.

 

XXX

 

When we arrived at Pella, Alexander was welcome by a never-ending list of problems.

 

First: his mother

Queen Olympias had murdered Caranus, the little son of Philip and Alexander’s heir, and not just him, she had also killed his little sister Europa. Olympias burned both babies on a brazier. You can imagine how Cleopatra Eurydice reacted. When we came back he had hanged herself and Alexander was furious. 

 

Second: Amyntas

Gloomy Amyntas had to die, as hard as it sounds it was necessary. It gave no pleasure to Alexander to order the death of his cousin but after the revolt in Thebes there wasn’t another way; and by doing that he made an enemy of Philotas for the rest of his life. Philotas truly liked Amyntas –I will never understand why— and he never forgave the King.

 

Now, you don’t have to think of my Alexander as a heartless monster for destroying Thebes and ordering the execution of his cousin. We are talking about Macedonia more than 300 years before the Christian Era. What Alexander did, was nothing unusual, the unusual would have been to forgive the Thebans and Amyntas. In my world forgiveness was a luxury that you couldn’t afford all the time.

 

Kings and Princes before Alexander had ordered the execution of family members to assure their control over the Macedonian kingdom, and many years later they continued doing so. Cassander killed Alexander’s son for the Macedonian throne, Demetrios son of Antigonus the One Eye, killed Cassander’s son, Alexander V, and became the first King of the Antigonid dynasty. In fact, it was because a family purge that the Romans invaded Macedonia. The Roman Senate wanted Philip’s V second son, Demetrios, to be crowned King, but his older brother, Prince Perseus, killed his brother and his uncle Antigonus and crowned himself the new King.

 

Third: marriage

Now that Caranus was dead, and Alexander had no longer an heir, Antipater and Parmelio insisted that he should get married, and Alexander replied: “It would be shameful for the Capitan General of the Hellenes, with Philip’s invincible army at his command, to idle his time away on matrimonial dalliance”(2) His answer made nobody happy, except of me of course.  

 

Sadly but if Alexander had married and if he had had son before going to Asia, his empire wouldn’t have crumbled after his dead…

 

Fourth: money

Eumenes didn’t waste time reminding Alexander that he had no money, and the worst part was that dear Alexander abolished the taxes on his first meeting as King, and now had no way of filling the Treasury. If the situation was bad before we marched on Thrace, now it was chaotic. But, what about the war spoils and the Theban slaves? You ask. Well, Philip not only inherited his son a great army and a strong kingdom, he also inherited him a 1,000 Talents debt. Do the math, and you will see why we have money problems. 

 

Fifth: Persian gold

Good King Darius III spent the money we didn’t have buying Athenian politicians; the rumors said Demosthenes was the first beneficiary of the Great King’s generosity and Alexander’s greatest concern was an alliance between the Greeks and the Persians against Macedonia.  

 

Sixth: the Athenians

As you can imagine the Athenians were terrified when they heard about Thebes’ fate. So, they sent Demades on an embassy to speak with Alexander. Do you remember Demades? He was my father’s friend since I was a boy and now he was commissioner to plea for his city and avoided extermination. Of course Alexander was eager to finish with the Greek problem and he forgave Athens. 

 

All Athens sighed in relieve when they heard the news.

 

Now it was spring, the spring of the year now known as 334 BC. Everything was ready to march against Persia and Alexander, who at this point was tired and sick of problems at Pella, organized a nine-day festival called the Olympian Games…

 

- What’s this festival for? –asked Kyros, following Hephaistion through the crowded streets of the Aegae.  

 

The Theban had 2 months living in Pella but he still didn’t understand much of the Macedonian society. Antigone was moved by the boy’s story and said nothing when her son explained he would stay in the house. Lysanias was the only one who wasn’t very happy, they had almost the same age and for some reason he didn’t like the Theban.

 

- It’s a festival in honor of Zeus and the Muses –explained Hephaistion and Kyros had to run to catch him—9 days of dramatic and musical contests.

 

- And why do you do this before going to Asia?

 

- It’s tradition, King Archelaus established it long ago and King Alexander wants to keep the soldiers happy before going –said Hephaistion—We don’t know when we are going to return…

 

Hephaistion stopped abruptly and Kyros crashed against his back. He saw Nearchos’ sister talking to some friends and he cursed. Hephaistion had managed to avoid the subject of marriage working day at night at the palace and helping Alexander to arranged everything for the army. Now, he was well known by the Macedonian barons and the King had given him special tasks for Eumenes utterly dislike.

 

Of course Hephaistion was very happy in being able to help his dear friend, they spent almost all day and night together, but they had so much to do that they didn’t have time to do other activities… especially the ones that require a bed. 

 

- What’s wrong? –asked Kyros.

 

- We are going to take a different path.

 

- Why? –the boy frowned.

 

- Do you remember what I told you the first time you came with letters for me? –asked Hephaistion, keeping an eye on the girls.

 

- Oh, about that you don’t want to get married but you have a lot of marriage proposals.

 

- Yes. Do you see those girls over there? –Hephaistion pointed—One of them wants to marry me and she is also the sister of one of the King’s friends, so I don’t want to be seen, that’s why we are taking another path.

 

- You are weird –said Kyros, following him into an alley. 

 

- Why?

 

- You should be happy having so many women behind you, but you are not –said Kyros.

 

- You are too young to understand.

 

- Is it true? That you are the King’s lover? –asked the boy.

 

- Yes, it’s true –said Hephaistion, dodging a barrel—He was also my erastes. 

 

- Do you love him? –Hephaistion turned to see him and smiled sweetly, that smile that made his eyes disappeared in 2 cute arcs, making Kyros heart to beat faster.

 

- With all my heart.

 

When Hephaistion arrived at the ancient palace of Aegae, he found Alexander in a meeting with Perdikkas and Leonnatos, and judging by Alexander’s expression they were discussing something important.

 

- Phai, so good that you could come –said the King, feeling much better now that his dearest friend was there.

 

Hephaistion frowned, Alexander looked exhausted and had shadows under his eyes. Administration work would kill him, he belonged to his army and the thrill of the battlefield, the adventure, the emotion to face the unknown and to achieve the impossible… not working behind his desk and listening to family problems… women problems to be more accurate, after all his family were full with women.    

 

- Did I miss something? –asked Hephaistion, walking to his best friend.

 

- Just in time, Alexander is selling Macedonian’s crown lands along with its revenues –said Leonnatos, who was there on behalf of his father.

 

- You, what? But those are your lands –said Hephaistion, not believing his ears—You can’t sell them.

 

- Yes I can, and I will.

 

- Why?

 

- Because I don’t have money, Phai –said the King, grudgingly—If I sell my lands then I can pay for the expenses of the army in the upcoming campaign.

 

- But, if you do that, “what do you left for yourself, Alexander?” –asked Perdikkas.

 

The King gave him a confident smile.

 

- “My hopes”

 

- “In that case, we should do the same” –said Perdikkas—“It’s not right for the Barons to accept your possessions, we should all hold on in expectation of sharing Darius’ wealth”(3)

 

- Thank you, Perdikkas –said the King.

 

XXX

(1) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 148 and 149

(2) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 152.

(3) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 155 and 156