CHAPTER 129

 

Just as Alexander wanted we left Babylon to march southeast, in direction to Susa, taking the Royal Road, the easiest and fastest route. We weren’t expecting any opposition now, so it was an easy march, but still we take our precautions. My King took with us 2 of Mazaeus’ sons: Artibelus and Hydarnes, I supposed the satrap wanted to show Alexander that he was loyal to him even if another of his sons, Antibelus, was with Darius somewhere hidden in the mountains.

 

Our baggage train was starting to look like a small mobile city and this was just the begining; after every major conquest, after stopping at an important city our camp followers, booty, captives, servants…Everything increased, until we looked nothing like that army full with illusions and dreams of glory that had left Pella years ago. 

 

I remember that, while we travel in Susa’s direction, I kept turning back asking myself if I would ever see Babylon again, if I would ever see Macedonia again. So far I hadn’t thought seriously about it, until that moment. I always knew that Alexander’s dream was to conquer the entire Persian Empire, but I never questioned if we were ever going to see our home again. Just as I said to my King, surrounded of such luxury and splendor was very easy to forget about the outside world, and while being in a place like Babylon was very easy to forget about this small humble place called Macedonia.

 

- I called you all here because I want to let you know about the changes I’m making to the army –said the King to his war council 5 days after leaving Babylon.

 

According to his guides it would take them 20 days to reach the imperial city of Susa, and he was planning to use that time to rearrange the army. His problems in getting the men out of the city and the increasing resistance to march further into Asia made the King think that he needed to adopt drastic measures. He had always knew what was his goal, and had always knew how difficult was going to be to convince his men to follow him.

 

So far he had managed to find strong arguments to sustain his desire of keep advancing instead of going back, after all, as long as Darius were on the run he was still a menace, but, what had happened at Babylon had told the King that he had to start thinking in ways to keep the army always loyal to him, not to the officers like Parmelio, but to him.

 

This was only the beginning.

 

Around him he could see puzzle and expectant expressions, not one of the high officers, commanders, captains, taxiarchs or iliarchs had the slightest idea of what was he planning, only Hephaistion remained impassive, he already knew what was he going to say and couldn’t agree more with his decision, even if he was sure that more than one wasn’t going to be happy. 

 

The General crossed his leg, resting the ankle on his knee, and leaned his weight back. He was sitting at Leonnatos side, among the rest of the somatophylakes, near the King. He hadn’t talked much with his friend since he had thrown Berenike out of his house and not because Hephaistion were angry with him but because Leonnatos was in a terrible mood. In the General’s opinion he needed time, but unfortunately, his indecision was complicating their lives, starting with his sister and her children.

 

- As you all know we received reinforcements sent by Antipater days ago –the King continued with his well-modulated voice, taking his beloved out of his thoughts—I’m going to incorporate them into our units and rearranged the disposition of troops. First the infantry –the taxiarchs looked at him with all their attention—I’ll create a seventh taxei, and from now on the men will no longer be distributed territorially. 

 

Hephaistion saw that Perdikkas was extremely serious, for years he had commanded men who came from the mountains of Orestis, the same as he, and clearly the new dispositions didn’t make him happy, but he was intelligent enough to say nothing. Krateros, on the other hand, was interested in the new dispositions nodding every now and then, showing his approval.

 

The General shook his head, even if he hated Krateros with passion he had to admit that he was a capable, and more important, an extremely loyal commander. A necessary evil, in his opinion. 

 

Alexander had told him more than once that Krateros was the King’s friend, while he, Hephaistion, was Alexander’s. He understood that, and it was precisely because he knew how important was the taxiarch to the King that he tried his best to be civilized around him, and by civilized one must understand “not to kill him on the spot”. 

 

- The squadrons of the hetairoi cavalry will be subdivided into 2 troops –Alexander kept explaining, moving his hands to illustrate his words—Each Ilai will have 2 lochoi, and each lochos will have its own commander, the same as the infantry, men will be organized in a non regional basis –Hephaistion could see more serious faces among the Iliachs, even his own cousin Demetrios didn’t look happy.

 

The General understood their discomfort, their authority was going to be diminished but there was hardly something they could argue against the new dispositions since they made perfect sense. An army must be a flexible body, fast, ready to act when it was needed, and the new dispositions made this possible, having smaller units it was easier to mobilize them.  

 

- Only the Ilai of the hetairoi cavalry will be divided or also the sarissophoroi? –asked Aretes with interest, the commander of that unit, the King’s scouts.

 

- Good question, all the Ilai are going to be subdivided –answered the King—But there is more, from this day promotion will be earned by merit not by seniority, I want you all to pay special attention to your men and those who show a gallantry behavior would be rewarded.  

 

Of all the men present there was no one who was more serious and more thoughtful than Parmelio. Alexander had told Hephaistion that he wanted to have more control over his army, especially among his officers, and this meant diminished even more Parmelio’s influence among the troops. This had proven to be a long and slow process that had started after the victory at the Granicus River, but it was until now that the King could complete the changes he had wanted to do since his father’s death.

 

Now, for the first time since he became King, would have “his” army, not his father’s, and no other than Parmelio understood this better. He was worried, Hephaistion could tell, but he would say nothing, he would keep his thoughts for himself and try to find a solution for his predicament.

 

I’ll keep an eye on him –thought the General.

 

The meeting was full with surprises but the only news that left Hephaistion in shook were the new appointments: Krateros’ younger brother, Amphoteros, was named navarch of the Aegean fleet and his own brother, Nikandros, lochagos; in other words, one of the captains of the newly formed lochoi.

 

- Are you out of your mind? –exclaimed Hephaistion later that day, as soon as they were alone—Nick as a lochagos? My brother is the most irresponsible person I know. 

 

Alexander laughed.

 

- Phai, he is your brother, whoever listen to you now would think Nick is your worst enemy –he said, taking a sip from a crystal cup with heavily watered-wine—Mm…I like better crystal cups, the wine tastes different.

 

- You are changing the subject –the General sat down on a couch, stretching his legs to the front.

 

- I want to have men I trust in key positions –the King explained, leaving the cup on the table— That is why I named Krateros’ brother navarch, and I didn’t want to leave your brother behind.

 

Hephaistion closed his mouth. It was very considerate for Alexander to think like this, not to exalt his enemy over him favoring his family; besides the King had a point, Nikandros could be irresponsible but he was loyal and would never do anything against Alexander.

 

- Thank you –the King nodded.

 

- How is your sister? –Alexander took a seat at his side, and the General sighed heavily.

 

- Fine, but this whole situation is driving me crazy –he leaned his weight back against his hands—Leon let her see the children, but still refuses to see her or the baby; Nick told Eni that she should go back home but she refuses.

 

- Why?

 

- Because Leon won’t let her take the children to Macedonia –Hephaistion explained, rubbing his eyes.

 

- Why not? –Alexander frowned—That doesn’t have sense, what is Leon going to do alone with 2 children in a military camp?

 

Hephaistion took a moment to find the words to explain the problem.

 

- Leon is confused, Alex –he said slowly—He can’t forgive Eni, doesn’t want to see her but still loves her. He doesn’t want to expose her as an adulterer and to divorce her would require to give a lot of explanations; to send her back home with the children would be the same as forgiving her and pretend that nothing happen, and to send the children back to Iokaste, Leon’s mother, would be the same as divorcing her –the King whistled— As long as Eni is here, she can see her children and Leon can pretend that he is too busy to be with her.

 

- This is one of those moments in which I’m glad to have no wife –said Alexander.

 

- Not funny –muttered the General and the King laughed—You have to marry one day –he wasn’t jealous, just stating the fact that Alexander had obligations that so far he had been eluding. If there was something Hephaistion worried about was the King’s image, it was already bad enough that at his 25 years old he was still single with an adult male lover, and he didn’t want people questioning his manliness. He had to get married because it was the proper thing to do. 

 

- Maybe, but not today and certainly not tomorrow –Alexander kissed his cheek.

 

- And talking about marriage, I want to talk to you about Aki –Hephaistion changed the subject.

 

The King nodded.

 

- I know what are you going to say, he needs a mother.

 

- Yes, I have been thinking about that for sometime now but the whole thing of the hetaira only served to remind me that I have to do something –said the General, resting his elbows on his thighs.

 

- Something like what? Like marrying my sister? –Alexander had also been thinking about that. 

 

- Would you let me do it? –Hephaistion wanted to know—Marry Cleopatra?

 

Alexander held his gaze, thinking carefully what was he going to say. 

 

- Lets think this with a cold head –said the King and his beloved nodded—Cleopatra is not only my full sister, she is also a Queen, to let you marry her would make Aki a potential candidate to Epirus’ throne in case something happened to his half brother Neoptolemus, my uncle’s first born. For me, it would be extremely convenient, this way my crown Prince would be King of Macedonia, Great King of Persia, Pharaoh of Egypt and potential King of Epirus –Alexander smiled—You, on the other hand, would be my brother-in-law, and if you have more children with my sister would mean that I would have more nephews and nieces with your and my blood in them.   

 

- Yes, I remember that you always wanted me to marry your sister and you to marry mine –the General cocked his head.

 

- But, I don’t want you to marry Cleopatra –said Alexander with all sincerity and Hephaistion laughed.

 

- Neither do I –the King laughed too—I don’t want a woman like her near my son…I’m sorry, I know she is your sister…—Alexander shook his head. 

 

- No, you are right. I guess you would prefer to have a wife like your mother, a loving woman who would make you and Aki happy.

 

- No, Alex, I don’t want a wife at all…But you are right, what I want is a mother like my mother for Aki…Does that have any sense? 

 

- Yes…At least for me –Alexander smiled mysteriously—That is why I thought of a solution to this problem –Hephaistion looked positively impressed.

 

- Did you?

 

- Honestly Phai, you think you are the only one who cares about our boy? –the King pinched his nose.

 

- What are you planning? –asked the General smiling.

 

- You’ll see, it’s a surprise. I wanted it ready for Aki’s birthday but its not going to be possible, maybe when we reach our next destination –answered Alexander mysteriously.

 

- At least, can I know what is our next destination, “your mightiness”? –he mocked the way in which Xsayarsa said that word and the King laughed. He always laughed a lot when he was with his beloved. 

 

- I don’t want to stay long at Susa –answered Alexander, caressing Hephaistion’s arm with his finger— I need to reach Persepolis soon.

 

- Why?

 

- Persepolis is a sacred place, a religious center and also the most important city of the region of Persia –the King explained—I told you at Babylon that I want to be crowned a legitimate Great King and the right place for that is Persepolis. You see, Phai, all the Great Kings, since the days of Cyrus the Great, have been Persians, not Babylonians, not Lydians, not Uxians, not Susians, not Parthians…Persians! I have to be crowned there, at the heart of Persia and then no one would question my authority.

 

Hephaistion understood this perfectly, it made sense, and Alexander was right in wanting to reach Persepolis as soon as possible but the General had his doubts.

 

- Alex, if all the Great Kings have been Persians, what makes you think that the priests and the Magi are going to accept to crown you? –he was the only one who dared, and was allowed, to question the King like that.

 

Alexander’s expression changed becoming hard and cold.

 

- They better do that or they will know that I can be a terrible enemy –he said in a tone that gave his beloved the creeps.

 

XXX

 

It was late in the afternoon by the time Hephaistion went back to his tent, after the meeting he had gone to check on his new recruits from Macedonia. He couldn’t complain Amyntas had did quite a job, even after the disaster of Zopyrion that had left them with virtually no reinforcements, he had managed to bring to Asia as many good men as he could.   

 

While he walked around the camp he found several new faces, many of the men had arrived while they were still at Babylon, but the great majority had been incorporated just a day before. He could see Perdikkas with his newly arranged taxei not far from him; his friend didn’t look happy with the changes and his bad mood was evident for everyone each time he opened his mouth to shout an order.

 

Hephaistion smiled and shook his head, never before he had been so grateful of not having Perdikkas as his superior. Then he heard someone whistling in that particular rude way men use when they saw a beautiful woman, he wasn’t going to pay any attention to this incident until he heard an uncalled compliment made in the most vulgar Macedonian directed to him.

 

- Ares’ balls! Who would have thought that such a beautiful ass like yours could be found in a military camp? –the General stopped and narrowed his eyes so much, that his face looked like drawn with 2 lines. 

 

He turned and found a man he had never seen before; Around his own age, or a little younger, black hair and extremely pale gray eyes that looked almost white giving him the appearance of a wolf, and the resemblance was even greater thanks to that smile of predator curving his lips while admiring the impossible beauty of the General with naked lust.

 

- Are you talking to me? –the General frowned.

 

- Yes sweetheart, I don’t see another succulent piece of meat like you around here –the man walked to him, his pale eyes traveling over the length of his legs.

 

- Excuse me? –Hephaistion was annoyed and surprised, this had never happened before. Of course that half of the army had wet dreams with him as the star of the show, but everybody knew better than to talk like that to a superior officer… Or to offend the King’s lover.

 

- So, how is going to be? –asked the man in the same confident tone, invading his personal space. He was almost as tall as Hephaistion, and even if the General didn’t like to have him so close to him, he didn’t want to step back, so he held his gaze and stood his ground.

 

- Listen, I have no idea of what are you thinking and I really couldn’t care less, so, I’m going to pretend that this never happen and I expect you to go and do the same –the man laughed amused.

 

- All right, I get it; you are the proud type –the man raised his open palms.

 

Is this guy serious? –thought Hephaistion.

 

- You really have no idea of who I am, do you? –he didn’t like to sound like that but he couldn’t tolerate to have a ranking soldier addressing in such a fashion a superior officer. All right, the ranking officer was new and the General was dressed in a plain Macedonian tunic with nothing that showed his rank, but he was unnerving him.

 

Hephaistion had never liked people paying attention only to his looks, to treat him just like an object of pleasure, and it had been extremely difficult for him to demonstrate that he was a good warrior to have to stand this kind of things. It was King Philip all over again, and that was more than enough to bother him.

 

- No –the young man didn’t sound concerned—Should I? Well, judging by what I see I would say that you must be pretty popular around here –the General was starting to get mad—I just arrived yesterday, my name is Chrysaor son of Attalos, but everybody call me Chrys. 

 

- Health to you, Chrysaor son of Attalos –Hephaistion turned and started to walk.

 

- Wait, wait, wait –for the General’s bad luck Chrysaor followed him—Are you mad? –Hephaistion didn’t answer that, it was a stupid question because it was obvious that he was mad—All right, I didn’t mean to offend you preciousness.

 

- Don’t call me that –said the General in a bad mood.

 

Chrysaor scratched his head and smiled.

 

- Well, if I knew your name I won’t have to give you names, you know?

 

- Hephaistion son of Amyntor –he answered proudly but the young man didn’t look impressed, he just laughed.

 

- That’s the strangest name I have ever heard –he continued laughing and worsening the General’s mood. Just who the hell was this guy?

 

Hephaistion stopped and faced him.

 

- Listen, I don’t give a crap if you just arrived but I will not tolerate that you keep mocking me –he said in a dangerous tone.

 

- Hey, I really didn’t want to offend you –said Chrysaor, a little more serious.

 

- Then you were doing a terrible job –the General turned and left him, and this time, he didn’t follow him.

 

Just what I needed –thought Hephaistion, shaking his head—What a day.

 

XXX

 

Susa received the Macedonian conqueror as Babylon had done, as the Persian custom to surrender a city dictated. Abulites, the satrap of Susa, sent his older son and right hand, Oxathres, to meet Alexander on his way, accompanied by the Macedonian officer Philoxenus with the news that the city was now in his hands and its treasure safely under guard.

 

It was a dangerous choice from Abulites to sent his older son after all, Oxathres had fought against the Macedonians at Gaugamela, commanding the Uxians and Susians under the orders of Bessus on the left wing, which meant he had fought against Alexander himself. But Oxathres behavior was impeccably, addressing the Macedonian conqueror as the Great King, which pleased Alexander immensely; besides the presence of Philoxenus reassured the King that everything was fine.

 

- How funny –said Achilles, mounted on Pegasus, riding at the King’s side as they approached Susa. His seventh birthday was next day, but he was so tall, almost 1.30 m, that he could ride without problems, showing the same grace and elegance of his father, as if rider and horse was the same creature. Alexander couldn’t be happier with his adopted son, now the boy’s head reached his shoulder and he was sure that, by the time he turn 15 years old, he would be taller than him. 

 

Hephaistion turned to look at his son and smile proudly, since Alexander had named Achilles as his heir he had seen that his son behaved like a true Prince to not embarrass the King, and the first step was to teach him how to ride, because no Macedonian would ever follow a King who couldn’t mount a horse properly.

 

But now that he is seven I should start teaching him fencing, I can’t let Kleitos to do this alone –thought the General.

 

- What’s funny, son? –asked Alexander, watching the procession coming from the city: camels, dromedaries, a dozen Indian elephants that immediately caught their attention, and again, squadrons of the Royal Household cavalry, just like it had happened at Babylon. But Susa, unlike Babylon, had no walls and the procession could be seen coming from the main street, like a long snake.

 

- They are surrendering the city as if you have captured it after a battle –said the Prince, catching the attention of the King and the men nearby them.

 

- Why do you say that? – Alexander’s voice changed, and now he was very interested in the boy’s words; Hephaistion understood better than anyone else why.

 

- I read at Babylon that “when a king or satrap was in the process of surrendering a town or a kingdom, he surrounded himself with his army, not to project ill will but, on the contrary, because political submission presupposes that the command of an army is symbolically handed over to the victor [then, is expected that] The surrendering army is incorporated into the triumphal procession, though in a subordinate place”(1) Just as happened at Babylon when the satrap Mazaeus came to received you –explained Achilles, having no idea of the impact his words had on the King—It’s funny, because one would think that the satraps, Abulites and Mazaeus, are trying to look as if you have conquered them instead of giving their back to Darius.

 

- In other words they are trying to conceal their betrayal under cover of defeat –said the King and Achilles shrugged.

 

- I think so.

 

Alexander’s good mood disappeared. Achilles’ words had sense and this only served to confirm his own fears that these people didn’t want to recognize him as a legitimate Great King.

 

Even if Abulites surrendered one of the most important cities of the Empire, just as Mazaeus had done, the satrap proved to be as fool as Mazaeus was clever; it could have been bad luck but he simply kept committing mistake after mistake, not knowing how to treat Alexander.

 

First he hardly suppressed his surprised when he saw how young was the new King, 25 years old,  his son Oxathres was much older than Alexander; and his second shock that day was when the King dismounted. It was clear that Abulites was used to Darius, who was as tall as me, and Alexander was hardly 1.60 m. But I have to admit that the satrap did his best to hide his surprise. Alexander could have been young but one just had to look at his eyes to forget his youth, his eyes were truly the reflection of his soul and it was impossible to hold his gaze.    

 

XXX

 

(1) Pierre Briant. From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire, p 846