Warnings:

1. This is an –M– Chapter, because it’s a little, er- cruel, so beware.

2. This is an –H– Chapter, what the hell does that mean? Highly Historical chapter with lots of info.

 

CHAPTER 153

 

The thoughts of Decius Caecilius Metellus

59 BC Rome

 

“I blame it all on Alexander the Great. Ever since that little Macedonian twit decided that he had to conquer the whole world before he was old enough to shave, every fool with a sword and a decent pair of boots has sought to do the same. In the days of my youth there were a number of would-be Alexanders in Rome. Marius had a go at being Alexander. Sulla tried it. Lucullus tried it. 

 

[…] Pompey came close to succeeding. Since Rome was a Republic, he couldn’t simply inherit an army as Alexander had, and he was too lazy to bother with holding the offices requisite for higher military command, so he just got his tame tribunes to ram legislation through the Assemblies, giving him the authority and claiming that a state of emergency forbade his return to Rome to stand for office […] But that just shows that Pompey was more intelligent than Alexander. Romans are usually more intelligent than foreigners.

 

[…] And then again, Alexander was usually fighting Persians, which helped him no end. Rome never dealt with a Darius. Alexander faced him twice, and twice Darius ran like a flogged baboon at the first clash, deserting his army, camp, baggage train, and wives. All of the enemies of us Romans were hard fighting brutes, who bloodied us severely before agreeing to be reasonable and settle down and pay their taxes. Alexander never had to face Hannibal. If he had, he’d have gone straight back to Macedonia to count his sheep, which is all Macedonians are good for, anyway.

 

The unlikeliest contender of all was Gaius Julius Caesar, and he came the closest to winning the imperial crown of Alexander. To my everlasting horror, I helped him almost get there." (1)

 

-o-o-o-

 

Hephaistion had been standing in the place of the Assembly since dawn broke, paying attention to nothing, as if his surroundings had suddenly dissolved, as if he were the only living creature left in the camp after last night events. His dark cloak wrapped around him made the General look like a giant vulture waiting patiently in the shadows, immobile, his eyes settled on the front, watching everything and nothing… What was what he had become now? A vulture waiting for Philotas to die so he could eat from his cold flesh? Could Achilles be right? Was he blinded by his hatred and about to witness the demise of an innocent man?

 

But the hipparch of the hetairoi cavalry was not innocent. He was sure! His instincts shouted inside him, even if he had no solid proofs to sustain this. He had nothing to show in a tribunal against Philotas and his father, nothing but an ancient hate, resentment and a long list of coward and disgusting acts perpetrated by the hipparch. But still, Philotas had to be guilty. Was that the truth or his guilt wanting to reassure him that he hadn’t played his part to condemn an innocent man? 

 

The night before, Philotas, and the men listed by Arion, had been arrested; everything had been done in the utmost secrecy and according to Alexander’s wishes, and now, this cold morning, the whole army would witness the hipparch’s trial.

 

Hephaistion knew he had arrived early, but he wanted a moment alone in this place before thousands of souls gathered. As Macedonian custom dictated, Philotas would be judged by his peers and the Assembly, the same one who had the power to ratify a King. As a Macedonian noble he couldn’t be put to death without a trial, and even if the King had the power to prosecute him it was the Assembly the one that had to convict him.

 

This was also another reason of why Alexander never could get rid of him years ago, not only Parmelio was a very powerful man, Philotas was a good hipparch, a good officer, and more importantly, a free man. No Macedonian King could execute a man just by sheer caprice because they weren’t barbarians, they weren’t Asian potentates passing judgment on their subjects as if these were nothing more than the King’s slaves.

 

The General closed his eyes, his body felt a little stiff after being standing for a long time in the cold but he didn’t care; he heard the sound of hundreds of feet arriving and knew the time had come. He left his place and went to the King, to the platform at the front, rising like a stage where the final act of Philotas’ life would be presented.

 

The silence that fell upon all the present was oppressing, a heavy atmosphere settled all over the place, something was amiss and all could feel it, something was going to happen, and this feeling didn’t vanish until the King appeared on the platform, just when the tension was too much to bear. His guards, the hypaspist of the Agema, carried Dymnus’ body behind him on a stretcher and left the corpse in front of the Assembly, for all to see. Murmurs arose immediately, men pointing at the front and whispering in the ears of his companions. Nobody seem to know what was happening, they all had heard rumors of course, something about a plot to assassinate the King or something like that, but no one knew for sure.  

 

On the platform, the scene presented to them was like one taken from a play, a drama. The colors, the textures, the stage, the characters and the audience, everything in place: Alexander dressed in a dark blue chiton with his black fur cloak covering him, his feet in boots slightly apart; his hypaspist in full military regalia standing behind him with sober expressions, a dead body at the King’s feet still dressed in blooded cloths and his face an eternal grimace of pain.

 

Hephaistion was at one side of the platform with Achilles at his right side and Leonnatos, Perdikkas and Ptolemy on his left. All eyes were on Alexander and he waited a long moment before addressing his men, increasing the tension to a point almost painful.

 

- ‘Men! I was almost snatched from you by a criminal conspiracy’ (2)–this was an exaggeration but Alexander achieved his goal, to shock his audience and to catch their full attention—‘It is thanks to the Gods’ providence and mercy that I still live, and the awe-inspiring sight of your gathering has made me feel even more angry with the traitors because my first pleasure in life… No! My only pleasure, is that I am still able to repay all the brave men who have deserved well of me’ –several men shouted their support or their outrage before this news.

 

- These traitors…‘I still shudder to mention them and I keep from naming them as though it were possible to save them […but] how could I remain silent about such an outrage?’ –more rumors arose among the troops— Here! –Alexander pointed at Dymnus’ body—Lies the proof. Dymnus preferred to take his own life before standing a trial for his crimes, for treason! –he made a pause, increasing the interest of his audience— Parmelio! –he said the name loud and clear—‘Parmelio, despite his age and obligations from all the benefits he received from me and from my father; although he is the oldest of all my friends, it was HE who offered to head this monstrous crime. His accomplice was Philotas, who suborned Peucolaus, Demetrius, and Dymnus!’ –he pointed again at the corpse—‘And other equally insane individuals to assassinate me’ –his words echoed through the ranks of his now silent soldiers. 

 

One of the pages came running and gave the King a letter. Alexander took the piece of parchment and raised his arm so all could see what was he holding. 

 

- This is a letter found yesterday among the possessions of the Iliarch Hegelochus –outrage voices arose at the mention of Iliarch’s name— A letter! –Alexander raised his powerful voice—From, no other than, General Parmelio –the Assembly broke into shouts, angry voices, rumors, and the King waited a moment before continuing—I’ll read the letter to you:

 

‘First, look out for yourselves, then for yours: for thus we shall accomplish what we have planned’ (3)

 

It took a while for the men to stop talking and Hephaistion could hardy blame them. They all had come knowing almost nothing of what had happened and then, found a conspiracy to assassinate the King led by no other than, the many times decorated and very respected, General Parmelio. 

 

- It pains me to present a man like the old General as a traitor –Alexander continued— But, as I said, this can’t be ignored –he enunciated.

 

The King called to testify Arion, Cebalinus, Ennychus and even Philotas’ mistress, Antigone, who repeated in front of the Assembly everything she had told Krateros over the years about his lover’s complaints and resentment towards the King. At some point Hephaistion started to bite his lower lip nervously, they didn’t have enough proofs to convict Philotas, for that matter neither Arion or Cebalinus named him as part of the conspirators, and all Antigone had was hearsay and gossip. This didn’t look good. What would happen if the Assembly found Philotas innocent? Alexander would look like a fool and this would only serve to Parmelio’s interests.   

 

- ‘Dymnus, you will say, did not name Philotas despite designating the others involved in the crime’ –the King continued when the witnesses stepped down from the platform—‘That is not evidence of Philotas’ innocence but of his standing: he is so feared by the people who can betray him that, even when they confess their own guilt, they withhold his name. But Philotas’ own record accuses him. When my cousin Amyntas engineered a treacherous plot against me in Macedonia, it was Philotas who made himself his ally and his accomplice’ 

 

Hephaistion pursed his lips, it was a good idea to remind the men about Philotas’ friendship with Amyntas, but it was also dangerous, after all, Alexander had executed his cousin without solid proofs of his treachery. Was it a good idea to remind that to the men? 

 

- ‘It was Philotas’ –the King continued—‘Who gave his sister in marriage to Attalus, the worst enemy I have ever had!’ –again this was a little exaggeration, after all the one who had arranged the marriage had been Parmelio, but in those moments these details didn’t matter much— ‘In view of our close association and friendship, I had written to him of the oracular response of Zeus-Ammon. It was Philotas who had the effrontery to reply that, while he congratulated me on being received among the Gods, he nevertheless felt pity for people who would have to live under a man who was more than human. There are all indications that he has long been alienated from me and become envious of my fame’ –he made another pause—You heard his mistress, you yourselves had heard his complains and know that what I say is the truth. But, ‘if you believe him […] Where am I going to turn, men? To whom am I to entrust my life? […] I take refuge in your hands and your weapons’   

 

And, as if it had been rehearsed, 2 guards appeared in that dramatic moment dragging the hipparch of the hetairoi cavalry. Even if Hephaistion had seen him just the day before he was truly surprised by the pity state of Philotas: dressed in a ragged cloak, tied with his hands behind his back and looking more like a condemn man without hope than anything else; and if he was struck by his appearance the men were shocked and, to Alexander’s chagrin, they started felt pity for him.

 

Things started to get out of control then. Amyntas, one of the King’s Generals, started to shout that Philotas had betrayed them to the barbarians and that it was thanks to him that they couldn’t go back to their homes and wives. Many voices rose in protest and Alexander pursed his lips. He had tried by all means to avoid the ‘lets go back home’ issue and wasn’t happy that the men were reminded of their families back at Macedonia, but he said nothing.

 

Hephaistion turned when he heard movement near him and, to his surprise, he saw Koinos approaching the platform with a rock in his hand.

 

- Philotas! You treacherous rat! –he threw the rock to his brother-in-law with all his forces, but was stopped by the guards before he could attempt something else. 

 

- Why is he doing that? –asked Leonnatos, confused—Yesterday he was the only one defending Philotas, after all he is his wife’s brother, and now he is accusing him of treason? Has Koinos lost his mind?

 

- No –answered Hephaistion, his eyes on Koinos who had been restrained and was pulled away from the platform—He is trying to save him –his words caught Leonnatos’, Perdikkas’ and Achilles’ attention—Koinos doesn’t want Alexander to torture Philotas, maybe he thought that if he stirred up the crowd they would stone Philotas here and save him from a worst fate. 

 

Achilles nodded slowly, understanding his father’s words, Leonnatos frowned and shook his head and Perdikkas said nothing.

 

- This whole trial is a farce! –exclaimed Philotas with contempt—What are you accusing me for? 

 

- Isn’t this clear enough for you? –answered the King—You knew about the plot to assassinate me and you said nothing, even if its well known for every man here that you come to the King’s tent daily, sometimes twice in a day.

 

- I report nothing because there was nothing to report –the hipparch turned to face the Assembly and then, Alexander stepped down from the platform, leaving Philotas alone. The hipparch laughed nervously watching this, and shook his head— See? ‘the man who can best judge my case is not present, though why he should refuse to hear me himself I simply cannot understand. After hearing both sides, he is as much at liberty to condemn as to acquit me whereas, if he does not hear both, I cannot be absolved by him in his absence, not after being declared guilty by him when he was present’

 

As much as Hephaistion hated Philotas he had to admit the man was right. What was Alexander planning? Why did he leave like that?

 

- ‘I don’t understand, quite frankly, of what crime I stand accused. None of the conspirators names me; [Arion] said nothing about me; and Cebalinus could have known no more than what he had been told. And yet, Alexander believes I headed the conspiracy. Then could Dymnus have omitted to mention the man whose lead he followed? Especially when my name should have been included, even falsely, at the time when [Arion] was asking Dymnus about his confederates, should have been included to persuade [Arion] when overtures were being made to him […] he omitted my name and mine alone. I ask you, my comrades: if Cebalinus had not come to me, if he had wanted me to know nothing about the conspirators, would I be on trial today, when no one names me?’

 

I don’t like this –thought Hephaistion—He is making a great defense for himself.

 

- ‘Let us suppose that Dymnus were alive’ –Philotas looked at the corpse for a moment—‘And also that he wished to protect me. What about the others? Of course they are going to confess their own guilt, but omit me?! […] Will so many conspirators fail to admit the truth, even when put on the rack? No! Just as no one protects the condemned man so, I believe, the condemned man protects no one’.

 

For Hephaistion’s consternation several heads nodded their agreement. This was going bad for Alexander.

 

- ‘I must turn to the one REAL charge against me, which goes: ‘why did you remain silent about the matter that was reported to you? Why so little concern when you heard?’ Alexander, wherever you are!’ –Philotas raised his voice—‘I confessed to this misdemeanor, such as it is, and you pardoned me.’ Or have you forgotten your own words when I apologize for this? –he made a pause to take a deep breath— What proofs are present to you to sustain such accusations? Gossips! Hearsay! The only proofs you have against me and my father are: an ambiguous letter and the assumption that, if all the conspirators, named by a mere boy with no proofs! –he reminded them—Were my father’s friends, then he must be also implicated –more heads nodded their agreement.

 

- ‘Unfortunately for me’ –Philotas continued— ‘I thought that what was coming to my ears [from Cebalinus’ mouth] was a quarrel between lover and boyfriend, and my doubts about [Arion’s] reliability arose from the consideration that he did not bring the information in person but induce his brother to bring it […] Suppose I had been Dymnus’ accomplice in such a horrible crime. I ought not to have hidden for those 2 days the fact that we had been betrayed, and Cebalinus himself could have been eliminated without difficulty.’

 

And now that Philotas thought about it, this was precisely what he should have done in the first place, but never thought the lad would go as far to talk to the King. That had been his mistake and now he was paying for it dearly. 

 

- I’m accuse of being an accomplice of Amyntas son of the late King Perdikkas –the hipparch said— He was my friend! Now, am I accused of being the friend of a Macedonian Prince? And if indeed I was Amyntas’ accomplice tell me, why am I alive? Why the King granted me the post of hipparch of the hetairoi cavalry if I was guilty of plotting against him?    

 

- I don’t like this –said Leonnatos at Hephaistion’s side—Philotas has lots of big points here. 

 

The General said nothing but he agreed with his friend. If he weren’t so sure that Philotas was guilty he would doubt in these moments. But his instinct told him he was guilty and his instincts had never failed him.

 

- Now, Alexander accuses me for writing ill words against him after his visit to the oracle of Zeus-Ammon –the hipparch continued— I wrote to the King as a friend, I was honest and I said what I think, aren’t we free men? Can’t we say what we think? Or now Alexander wants us to say only what he likes?

 

- Philotas! –an old soldier called Bolon spoke from below the platform—We all know you, and we also know the contempt you have always felt toward your subordinates, or do I need to remind you that once you evicted troops from their rightful quarters so you could have more space for your own slaves? The wagons with your things were so numerous that you blocked the entire street and your servants kept the men at distance so the noise wouldn’t disturbed you –hearing this the men let escape angry shouts, and some went as far as to ask that the hipparch should be tear to pieces.

 

Hephaistion smiled, that had been very clever from Bolon, just when the men were feeling sympathy for the hipparch he had just reminded them what a jerk he really was.  When he heard the shouts, the King appeared again and dismissed the Assembly with instructions of gathering again next day.

 

XXX

 

- It was a circus out there –Alexander complained once he was alone with Krateros, Perdikkas, Koinos, Leonnatos, Erigyius and, of course Hephaistion. Achilles was again with them, but the same as the day before, sitting in an obscure corner—I can’t believe Philotas had the nerve to attack me like that –he paced around the room. 

 

- What did you expect? He is like a wounded animal, and he will attack with everything he has –said Hephaistion, thinking in all that had happened that day—And he made every valid arguments, I don’t like to admit it but…we have nothing against him, or Parmelio, for that matter. 

 

- But not all is lost, the men aren’t happy with Philotas, in fact they dislike him –said Leonnatos.

 

- That’s good but not enough to convict him –said the King, finally taking a seat—It’s as Hephaistion says, and the proof is that, so far the Assembly agreed to put only the other conspirator to death in the traditional way. 

 

- Death by stoning –muttered Perdikkas.

 

- But that’s not enough! –exclaimed Alexander—I will not be left like a fool letting Philotas go away, he is guilty, and so is his father. 

 

They all fell silent. Hephaistion started to wonder why was the King so sure he was guilty.

 

Because I told him Parmelio was planning something –thought the General—But that’s the true and Alexander is right, we can’t let him go unpunished.

 

- What I need is a written confession –said Alexander after a while. He lifted his head and turned to face Krateros—You were right after all, it looks like we’ll have to torture Philotas.

 

And so it was decided that Krateros, Koinos and I would torture Philotas. That is one of the darkest moments of my mortal life, I didn’t know what to do because I had never tortured a man before…Why am I laughing? Because it’s hilarious to say that now, now that I’m a Tzimisce and you know that we are famous for our skills to inflict pain. I kept thinking about that night for a long time, sometimes I wondered if indeed I did it to protect Alexander of I did it because I hated Philotas and I wanted to take revenge. 

 

Maybe it were both things…

 

You don't know how to start

Just look inside your heart

If you

Start, start, start to wake up,

Scream, scream, scream all you want

See, see, see what you've done

Start, start, start to wake up

(Switchblade Symphony, Therapy)

 

- In Egypt I told you that: one day I would make you pay for what you did to me –Hephaistion hissed in the hipparch’s ear, his beautiful face was splattered with blood, a contrast between his creamy skin and the dark red; his dark gray eyes looked almost black under those lights, looking like a predator.  

 

The hipparch lifted his head with difficulty to look at him with one eye, he couldn’t open the other one after the savage beating Krateros had given him, but still, he was defiant and looked at the General with all the arrogance he could muster in those moments. 

 

- It took you…time…to get your petty revenge –said Philotas, panting. He was tied from hands and feet, sitting on a simple chair, hunched to the front and naked.

 

His body glistered with sweat and blood, his skin wounded and covered in weals and bruises, but he was a strong man, and stubborn too, he won’t break easily, not even after Krateros beating and burning, and he won’t answer to any of Koinos’ question. His brother-in-law was there not to inflict him physical pain, but to extract from him a confession as soon as possible and spare him further pain, but, so far, the only answer he had gotten from the hipparch had been a spit on the face.

 

Philotas’ tongue played inside his mouth, he was missing a teeth.

 

- I know, for a long time now, that your father had been plotting against Alexander –said Hephaistion, louder so the other 2 could hear—I know Parmelio is the one behind all those rumors about Alexander sleeping with Achilles –that took all of them by surprise, even Philotas looked at him taken aback, how was possible that he knew that?

 

- Is that true? –asked Koinos anxiously, approaching him—Is Parmelio behind the rumors? –the hipparch said nothing but his expression was very clear: it was true. His brother-in-law hit his thigh in frustration—Philotas, at this point, you are beyond salvation but can stop suffering. 

 

- Don’t try to reason with him –said Krateros, cleaning the blood from his face with the back of his hand—It’s useless, but maybe after another beating he would feel like talking.

 

- No –said Hephaistion, suddenly, his eyes still on the hipparch—Lets do this my way.

 

- And what way is that, pretty boy?

 

The General ignored him and went to pick up a very sharp dagger from the table. He had only done this with rabbits but in those moments he felt sure of his actions, of what it had to be done. Hephaistion took Philotas’s left arm with force, looking serene, calm, even his pulse was normal; he wasn’t enjoying this like Krateros, who took a sick pleasure in beating and burning a man he had hated for some time now; but, even if the General had all the reasons to hate the hipparch, in those moments what he felt was the same cold detachment that scientists feel towards rat labs. 

 

Koinos opened his eyes in astonishment and Krateros lifted his eyebrows then they saw that Hephaistion did exactly what he had always said he would do to Philotas: he flayed his skin. The hipparch’s screams rang out the tent sending shivers to the guards at the entrance, but Hephaistion was impassive, ignoring the excruciated pain he was causing.

 

I must admit that I was truly shocked and scared by my reaction that night because, while I was tearing his skin into strips, I felt nothing, his screams meant nothing for me, and I did my task with methodical detachment. Of course, as you can imagine, Philotas confessed everything, but something curious happened…

 

A heavy silence fell upon the group after Philotas confessed the plot was real, what they intended to do, the truth behind the rumors, Hegelochus’ part as his father’s agent and his own intentions to join the conspiracy after Cebalinus came to him. For long moments they could only hear the laborious breathing of the hipparch and the sound of the reed pen over the parchment.  

 

- There, it wasn’t so difficult, was it? –said Krateros to Philotas in an almost sweet tone. The hipparch’s arm bleed terrible, the muscle expose all the way to the elbow. Koinos tried his best to avoid looking at the horrendous wound Hephaistion had inflicted him. It supposed a great effort for him but Philotas lifted his head and saw Krateros with burning hate—Oh, don’t look at me like that, I wasn’t the one who skinned you like a chicken. 

 

- Maybe…I…forgot to mention…—said the hipparch with difficulty, his voice was nothing more than a whisper. The pain, the shock and the fear didn’t let him think before and he only answered what he was asked, but now, he had to say it. 

 

- What’s that? I can’t hear you –Krateros mocked him and bent to the front.

 

- A name…there is another…name…

 

- Koinos, our guest has another name –the taxiach called him, but Koinos was busy writing the confession.

 

Hephaistion stayed standing near Koinos with a strange expression on his handsome face, something that was unnerving his companions.

 

- A name…—Philotas continued but he looked in the General’s direction, wanting to catch his attention—My accomplice…Krateros…

 

The taxiarch hit him hard on the face and, at last, he fell unconscious.

 

- Why did you do that for? –Koinos complained.

 

- He insulted me –said Krateros, pale.

 

- And what about the name?

 

- It was nothing, he just insulted me –said the taxiarch and Koinos nodded, he wanted to get out of there.

 

Krateros turned to look at Philotas. That had been close, but, what if the hipparch said something about his participation in Hephaistion’s blackmailing next day?

 

I should have cut his tongue but then Alexander would have had my balls –thought the taxiarch, not for the first time that night, feeling a terrible fear.

 

The other one who was tortured was Hegelochus. According to Philotas he was his father’s principal agent and he had all the information regarding the plot. I didn’t torture Hegelochus before you ask. I felt…strange that night and when we were over with Philotas I wanted to be alone, so I took a walk outside the camp. I know, that was reckless for my part, but I didn’t care much of what could happen to me in those moments.

 

I felt as if nothing around me were real, as if I didn’t belong in that place. I was a stranger in my body. I kept thinking over and over again in what I had done to Philotas, in the sound of his skin while I cut and pull, the sight of his blood and the look of pure terror in his blue eyes. I can tell he had never felt such pain before and he couldn’t bear it, he begged for me to stop, saying he would confess everything, but I didn’t stop…why didn’t I? I wasn’t satisfied until the whole skin of his left arm, from fingers to elbow was gone.

 

But…why had I done that?

 

I remember being sitting outside the camp, under a dead tree, watching my hands still stain with blood and thinking over and over again: why didn’t I stop? Why? I didn’t want to accept it but there was a voice inside me trying to let me know the truth, but I didn’t let it speak. What truth? The truth that I was good inflicting pain and that I would do it again.

 

I can’t remember if I cried, but I must have done it because when I arrived at my tent hours later, my cheeks were wet. That night, I had the feeling that I was being followed, that someone was watching me, but, at that time, I thought I imagined all, I had no way of knowing that Bendis, my Sire, watched from the shadows, that she watched me torturing Philotas, and that that night I had awaken her interest in me, that night I sealed my destiny. She would  follow me from this moment until the day I died and beyond Death...

 

XXX

(1) John Maddox Roberts. SPQR series: Nobody loves a Centurion, p 1 and 2

(2) Quintus Curtius book 6 # 9.1 to 36

I have to explain something here. Everything marked with ‘’ is copied from Curtius’ account on Philotas’ trial, but since it was a lot I summarized some parts, that’s everything that doesn’t have ‘’. 

 

(3) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 344