CHAPTER 172

 

Between Marcus Ulpius Trajan and his father

108 AD Rome

 

- What books are we looking for, father? – asked young Trajan with genuine curiosity.

 

- Commentari de Bello Gallico and Commentari de Bello Civili by Julius Caesar, where the great general describes his military strategies during the Civil War and his conquest of Gaul. I know you've read parts of these books with your tutor in Italica, but you must not only read these books in full, son, but own them and use them frequently. Caesar was the best strategist of all time, along with Scipio, Hannibal and Alexander the Great, but either Alexander or Hannibal left something written by themselves; although we have the writings of the Greek historians about Alexander the Great or of Livy and Polybius about Scipio and Hannibal, and we even know that Scipio wrote his memoirs. What a magnificent roll or rolls must those memoirs had been son. (1)

 

-o-o-o-

 

Nautaca,

Winter, Peritios

 

Even if Nautaca was a city the word “fortress” would suit it better, circled by tall and strong wall this place “stood on a high insulated rock, precipitous to all sides, and completely surrounded by a deep ravine which served as a natural trench to guard the approach” (2). The Macedonian army had arrived a couple of weeks ago and, since the satrap Sisimithres refused to surrender to the young conqueror, the King had ordered to bring up the battering rams to smash all the defenses posted around the natural trenches of Nautaca and the place was now officially under siege.

 

— The situation is complicated –said Leonnatos, in front of the military staff. Even if it was winter, inside the royal tent a suffocating heat had the somatophylax sweating, or could it be his nervous? He hated to give bad news to the King but he would say exactly what he thought— Nautaca has only one way to access, a path cut through the rock; its so narrow that only one man at a time can ascent, and, to complicate everything, the satrap Sisimithres has the pass strongly defended. 

 

— What happened to the battering rams? –the King wanted to know, his uneven eyes on the map spread before him over the table.

 

— They destroyed almost all the enemies’ defenses but, when the men approached to the city gates, they had to retreat thanks to the intense rain of arrows falling from the walls –answered Perdikkas before Leonnatos could open his mouth— The enemy even set one of the battering rams on fire. 

 

Alexander remained silent and immobile, with his eyes on the map, giving the impression that he had not heard what his taxiarch had said.

 

— Alexander, if I may –asked Ptolemy, and the King nodded— The main problem here are the precipices –the commander continued, standing to point at the map to illustrate his words— If we were able to surround the city, like in other times, the task would be easier…and faster –he added knowing that his sovereign always wanted everything done quickly.  

 

For a long moment, the only sound they could hear was their own breathing and the soft cracking of the chair every time someone moved uncomfortable with that silence that appeared to extent to eternity. Alexander thought what to do, ignoring completely the presence of his staff around him; it was almost as if he were alone in his room and took his time before speaking again.

 

— What if we heap up a pile of earth around the city, on the foot of the precipice, to level the ground –he proposed, finally lifting his eyes to face Artorios, whom he had invited to take part of the meeting. The chief engineer thought about this carefully. 

 

— It can be done sire –he nodded slowly— But it will take time.

 

— Then, the whole army will work on this –answered the King, promptly— Perdikkas, Ptolemy and Leonnatos –he tuned to see his friends— You are going to help me to supervise this. I want the men working day and night, taking turns, is it clear?  

 

— Yes, Alexander –answered the three of them.

 

— Then, if you excuse me sire, I will see to this immediately –Artorios stood up and left. There was no time to lose.

 

A short pause followed the engineer on his way out before the King spoke again.

 

— Ptolemy, you came to Nautaca looking for Bessus –said Alexander. When Hephaistion was ill and without memory he had received a letter from Spitamenes saying that he had Bessus under his power and, was willing to hand him to the Macedonian King if he sent an officer to Nautaca, located in the satrapy of Soghdiana near the river Kashka. Ptolemy had been chosen at that time— What do you know about this Sisimithres?

 

The commander sighed, and took a moment to choose his words. It had been 2 years since this incident and he did not have the King’s privileged memory.

 

Two years so fast! –thought Ptolemy— How much longer would it take for this campaign to finally end?

 

— I don’t know much –said the commander, his arms crossed over his chest— When I came looking for Bessus I only dealt with Spitamenes; I never saw Sisimithres but I heard rumors.

 

— What rumors? –the King insisted, every piece of information was welcome in those moments and, more than once, he had found that a rumor could be as useful as a stated fact.

 

— That he is married to his mother and has 2 sons with her –the look on his companions’ faces were almost comical. Many blinked confused and others had to wait a moment before the whole meaning of these words sank in them.

 

— His mother? –asked Leonnatos in calm shock— His mother-mother or his stepmother or his adopted mother?

 

Ptolemy smiled amused.

 

— His mother-mother young one –he said for Leonnatos’ absolute astonishment and repulsion.

 

— Holy harpies on a tree! –exclaimed Perdikkas with big round eyes. He could a veteran officer of 29 years old now but, in that instant, he was again an impressionable teenager of 13 with an insatiable morbid curiosity— I always knew these Persians were a bunch of degenerates, but his mother? And he has 2 sons with her?

 

— Darius was married to his own sister –Meleager remembered him.

 

— Yes, but this is his MOTHER we are talking about –insisted Leonnatos— That’s disgusting.

 

— Well, we’ll have to see his mother first and then decide how disgusting it is –said Meleager, making cousin Demetrios laugh.

 

The King cleared his throat to catch their attention.

 

— I’m very sorry to interrupt your conversation but we are not here to talk about Sisimithres’ wife –said a very serious Alexander.

 

— Still, I want to point something regarding his wife, Alexander –said Ptolemy— I promise, its important –he added when he saw his King’s expression of “I’m going to kill the next person who mentions his wife”. Sometimes Alexander felt as if he were dealing with children. 

 

— Go on –said the blond, not very sure of this.

 

— Sisimithres does everything his wife tells him –said the commander. 

 

— Of course he does! She is his mother –said Meleager laughing, but one look at Alexander erased his smile.

 

— What I mean is this, if you are still planning to reach some kind of agreement with him, then, this is worth to remember –said Ptolemy and the King nodded.

 

XXX

 

— Alexander! –Perdikkas called him when the meeting was over— Can I have a word with you?

 

The King did not answer immediately. He finished first with Eumenes, and the heavy bunch of letters he had to sign, before turning to see his friend.

 

— I’m listening –said Alexander, hearing his secretary opening the flap of the tent. A ray of light bathed the interior for a moment making the King’s hair shine like gold before the flap fell and the shadows returned. 

 

The taxiarch was very bad explaining himself and, he twisted his hands almost compulsively while struggling to find a way to say what he wanted. He had been practicing this conversation for a long time, talking alone and making his men to seriously consider the possibility that he had gone crazy. He knew Alexander did not have time to waste and what he wanted to say had to be said quickly, but watching those uneven eyes on him made his knees tremble and the words to escape from him. Perdikkas cleared his throat several times.

 

— Aki is almost a teenager now –he began, feeling his mouth suddenly dry— And I was thinking….er…hoping to be his erastes. 

 

Alexander’s face did not betray his thoughts. This was not the first time he heard this, but the feeling was just the same; inside he experienced the same sensation as if Perdikkas had asked to marry his virgin daughter. It was stupid to feel like this, he was perfectly aware that Achilles was a boy, to begin with, and more than one father would be very proud, not to mention very honor, to have an important and respected man, like Perdikkas, asking to be his son’s erastes.

 

Things had always been like this, even before the young conqueror was born, the more beautiful the boy the more suitors he had and more honored was the father, because an ugly or vulgar boy won’t have any suitors, right? But somehow, the King could not feel honored in those moments. He did not know this overprotective side of him that was born a few days ago, but, again, he had never had children before.

 

One thing was to be strict with his Prince, not to pamper him, to have named a hard, tough and rude man like Kleitos as his teacher, just as Leonidas had been his, but another completely different was this. For the Great King of 28 years old his adopted son was so fragile, so perfect and so innocent that he was at one step of calling the guard to arrest Perdikkas for attempting against the Prince’s pure soul, just as he had done the last time,But, of course this was the same as overreact, so he took a deep breath and crossed his arms over his chest. 

 

— Aki is not yet 11 years old –said Alexander, in a calm cold voice that reminded the taxiarch of the clean blue sky just before a terrible storm.

 

— But soon he will be –Perdikkas insisted, completely incapable of understanding what was his King thinking. This was one of the taxiarch’s faults: he sucked reading people. Perdikkas was genetically incapable to understand what others thought or felt or to unravel their hidden intentions. In not so many words, his problem was that he could not get the hints— And now that Aki no longer have a mentor –he had the good thinking of avoiding to mention Kleitos’ name— I would be more than happy to be his erastes.  

 

Alexander was not convinced about this.

 

— Maybe you have a point here, Perdikkas –he said, stressing the word “maybe”– But there is something I don’t understand, if you want to be my son’s erastes, why don’t you wait until he is older? At last 13.

 

But the taxiarch was ready with his answer.

 

— I thought that too –he said promptly— But then I realized that Aki is a very intelligent and precocious boy, just like his namesake Achilles, and, if I don’t recall wrong, at 9 years old your ancestor left his teacher Chiron, and became the eromenos of King Lycomedes in Scyros.

 

Perdikkas did his homework, Alexander gave him that, and he also admitted his friend had a point. He was very proud of his son because of this, because he was like their ancestor Achilles, in all except the part when he killed lions when he was 6 years old, of course; but his Prince was also brilliant and advanced for his age. What Perdikkas said had sense, but…

 

— You are right –the King nodded and the taxiarch made an effort not to smile, tasting victory— In fact you are so right that, if I were to treat Aki as if he were our ancestor, that means he must be the eromenos of a King, don’t you think? –said Alexander, successfully putting his friend in troubles. Perdikkas had not expected this and now the King had used his own words to corner him— I think is fitting, after all he is my son.  

 

Holy $%&/ Mother with $%&/ On top! –thought the taxiarch.

 

— Yes Alexander, I agree that Aki is not a common boy –said Perdikkas, squeezing his brain to find a way out— But… there is no greater King than you, not even one as powerful as you are now, so…so I think, it would be unfair to diminish your Prince with a lesser King, instead…—he thought so hard that it would be no surprise if soon it started to smell as if something were burning— Instead Aki should be with a…worthy man.

 

Oh, he is good –thought Alexander, truly amused.

 

— Fine. My Prince should be the eromenos of the best man –he conceded— What makes you think you are the best man?

 

— I have proven my courage before you in countless battles –answered Perdikkas, proudly— I’m loyal to you, and I proved my abilities when you left one column of the army under my command. I think that, if you trusted me with a part of the army, why not with Aki?

 

— Are you comparing my son to the army?

 

— No! No! Of course not, I mean…I’m just saying –what was he saying?— You can trust me.

 

The King fell silent for such a long moment that his friend was sure he was going to refused, or worst, to have him under arrest. Alexander knew that not all the erastai became their eromenoi’ lovers, but he also knew it was extremely rare to find a specimen of the endanger species known as an “erastes who never touched his eromenos”. The only case he knew, the only, was the one of Nikandros. The most common reason for an older man to want an eromenos was lust, and knowing his friend as he did, he was sure this was the reason behind all this.     

 

— Why do you want to be Aki’s erastes? –asked Alexander at long last.

 

— Well… –the taxiarch puffed his cheeks out— There are so many reasons –he smiled nervously— But the most important are that he is a brilliant boy and he is the son of 2 of my best friends –he congratulated himself for the clever answer. 

 

— Aha…And the fact that Aki inherited Phai’s beauty has nothing to do with this? –he could be many things but Alexander was not a fool and certainly, he was not naïve.

 

— Well…Not all the erastes have a romantic relationship with… —the King’s eyes appeared to say “don’t give me that shit” and Perdikkas knew it was better to speak with the truth, or he would be in serious troubles— All right –he threw his arms in the air— Yes! I like him…a lot actually, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to hurt him or anything…For how long have we been friends? Have I ever done something to make you think you can’t trust me?

 

— You slept with Darius’ wife –Alexander reminded him.

 

— One mistake, and I am sorry for that –said Perdikkas and the King fell silent again. 

 

He is right, after all he is not only my friend but also Phai’s –he thought.

 

Alexander applauded him taking his friend aback. For a moment the taxiarch was tempted to turn and see if this was not a way to call the guard.

 

— Perdikkas, I have to congratulate you, you truly were the best of all, at least you had the good sense to mention my ancestor Achilles, something the others forgot –said the King confusing him even more.

 

— What others? –the taxiarch did not like this. Alexander gave him one of his enigmatic smiles.

 

— Seriously, did you think you were the first one to ask me this? –he said and his friend felt a cold sweat running down his spine.

 

— Who else ask you?

 

— Krateros and Ptolemy –answered the King.

 

— Ah! –that was all that Perdikkas could say.

 

— Does this surprise you? Aki is not only brilliant and beautiful, he is my son, I am surprise that only the 3 of you had asked me to be his erastes but I suppose the rest is waiting for him to be older –Alexander made a pause— Perdikkas, I will tell you the same I said to Krateros and Ptolemy, I think you are doing this in the wrong way –the taxiarch frowned— If you want to be Aki’s erastes, you have to ask Aki.

 

His friend nodded.

 

— Yes, I already asked him –this surprised the King. Krateros and Ptolemy had asked him first because they were clearly looking to gain his favor— But I also wanted your approval.

 

This was half true. Perdikkas wanted Alexander’ approval because Achilles hadn’t given him an answer. He did not know if the Prince was shy or still very young and did not know how to react; but he liked him, a lot, just like he had said, and truly wanted to be with him. Since Achilles had not given him an answer he had hoped that the King would approve and force the Prince…not this.

 

— You did? What did he say? –now the King was intrigued.

 

— Aki hasn’t given me an answer –the taxiarch shook his head.

 

Interesting. If Pedikkas had already asked Aki, then, why is he asking me? Unless Aki refused him…but somehow I think he is telling me truth and my son hasn’t given him an answer –thought Alexander— I will talk to Aki. 

 

— I will respect whatever Aki decides –he said and his friend nodded.

 

XXX

 

Achilles was riding, with Chrysaor at his side, near the place where the men had started to work gathering earth to level the ground at the foot of the precipice. The Prince dismounted and walked near the edge to see how several stairs where placed for the men to climb down; he had been always curious about the work of the engineers, perfectly aware that, many of the things his adopted father had achieved, had been thanks to the work of these men.

 

Bastet, his 4 years old cheetah, was at his side. After all the doubts Hephaistion had about this animal, at the end he had turned out to be a very loyal friend for his son, and was at his side like the most faithful of dogs…just looking more impressive.

 

Chrysaor approached the Prince whistling.

 

— I wouldn’t want to be in their place –said the guard, his arms crossed behind his head, while looking at the men working— What’s the King thinking?  

 

— I heard from Artorios that dad wants to level the ground in order to attack the city from every corner –Achilles explained, making his friend laugh.

 

— Your dad is crazy; did you know that?

 

— Yes, but want to know what is the worst part? His crazy ideas always work –said a very proud Achilles, caressing the head of his cheetah. But the smile abandoned the boy’s face when he started to sneeze thanks to the clouds of dust and dirt that the men raised while working.

 

— You shouldn’t be here –Seleucus’ voice made the young Prince turned, covering his mouth with the back of his hand— This place is no good for your health. 

 

— You care too much about me –said Achilles with all his senses on alert. It was not that he distrusted the officer or that he disliked him, in fact he had nothing against Seleucus, but since Chrysaor had made him see that the officer liked him, he paid a especial attention to him.

 

The officer held his gaze.

 

— Does that bother you?

 

— I did not say that, officer –Seleucus smiled. Achilles tried to look serious but his voice was beginning to sound nasal thanks to his allergy, ruining his pose— I’m just wondering how is that you are always near me –he sneezed again. 

 

— Can’t be just a coincidence?

 

— I don’t believe in coincidences –replied the Prince slyly.

 

— What do you believe then, highness? –asked a very amused Seleucus, his hands on his hips. It had been a very long time since the last time they had a chance to talk and he was enjoying this.

 

— I believe in a man’s actions –answered Achilles— And I’m sure that you follow me on purpose.

 

— Perhaps –the officer admitted, bluntly, and that made the Prince raise an eyebrow. Was this man playing with him? Mocking him? But somehow he knew this was not the case. 

 

— Chrysaor –said Achilles in that tone of voice very “Alexander-like”, his eyes never leaving Seleucus.

 

— Achilles –his friend, who until that moment had been following the conversation with curiosity, stood to attention.

 

— Leave us –Achilles ordered and, even if his guard was not sure this was or not a good idea, he obeyed. The Prince could be almost 11, but his voice was that of someone used to give orders and he was used to obey, like all soldiers.

 

Achilles waited until they were alone, only Bastet remained at his side, hearing the distant voices shouting orders for the work to continue at the foot of the precipice, and the men’s hard breathing while digging. Now that he had a better idea of what was going on here he wanted to ask the officer a few things.

 

— You like me, don’t you? –that was the last thing Seleucus was waiting to hear, and he was taken aback, not only for these blunt words, but also for the Prince’s voice and demeanor.

 

Achilles was not nervous, not embarrassed, he wasn’t even excited; he was just stating a fact, nothing more and nothing less. The young Prince had a suspicion and was looking to confirm it. What he was going to do when he got an answer? Only the Gods knew because the officer truly had no idea of what to expect; but, one thing was certain, Seleucus was not planning to lie to him.

 

— Yes, I like you –he answered, still holding his uneven eyes— And sometimes I do follow you –Achilles nodded slowly, that was all what he wanted to know— So, now what are you going to do?   

 

— About what? –the Prince did not understand the question— What makes you think I should do something? –Seleucus smiled.

 

Sometimes, I forget he is still a boy –the officer thought.

 

— What I mean…

 

— Aki! —but Seleucus could not keep talking, Perdikkas voice interrupted him, while he strode in their direction.

 

The taxiarch was coming from behind the Prince and it was impossible for him to see his face, but Seleucus had a great view of Achilles’s expression of “no, please no” when he heard Perdikkas’ voice. That caught the officer’s attention.

 

— Joy to you, taxiarch –said the Prince, turning to face him, in a jovial and formal voice that gave nothing away of what he was really thinking. 

 

Perdikkas smiled.

 

— Please, I have told you, is not necessary to be this formal with me –he said, and it took Seleucus 2 heartbeats to know he also liked Achilles. Was because of this that the Prince did not like the newcomer? Because he liked him?

 

Achilles nodded even if he wasn’t planning to start been more familiar with Perdikkas, that was the last thing he needed.

 

— What can I do for you? –for the first time the taxiarch repaired in the officer’s presence, and Seleucus stood to attention. Perdikkas was his superior.

 

And words were not necessary, it was crystal clear that the taxiarch wanted to be alone.

 

— With your permission –said the officer to the Prince— Health to you, Achilles, taxiarch.

 

Perdikkas barely acknowledged him with a nod and focused his attention on the Prince. Seleucus turned and was walking away when he clearly heard the taxiarch’s next words…

 

— I talked to the King about being your erastes –the officer felt as if a hand were gripping his stomach but he did not turn and kept walking, thinking really hard how to learn more about this, but, who could he ask?

 

Seleucus was not an important man in the army and he had not powerful friends or friends among the King’s inner circle. He would have to think this carefully but one way or another he was going to find out what was going on here.

 

Achilles’ face was expressionless but inside he was praying really hard that his adopted father had refused the offer.

 

— Oh! And what does the King command? –he asked. Any other would have paid special attention to the words the Prince chose: “the King’s command” meaning that he would do what the King commanded and only because he ordered it. But Perdikkas paid no attention to this. 

 

— Alexander doesn’t oppose –this was very ambiguous, and something inside Achilles told him the taxiarch was not telling him all. He had to be careful with his answer and ask the King in the first opportunity he had— So, what do you say? I have been waiting for your answer for some time now. 

 

— Can I give you an answer tomorrow?

 

— Why not today? –the Prince squeezed his brain looking for a way out. He truly did not want to say anything, not before talking to his adopted father, but, what could he say now without looking like an idiot or insulting the taxiarch? But then, luckily for him, he started to sneeze again. 

 

— Because… –he sneezed, finally finding his excuse— I am not feeling… * sneeze * well…

 

— Oh! –Perdikkas seemed worried. He knew, as well as everybody else, that their Prince had a very fragile constitution and that he fell sick frequently— Oh, well, in that case I will take you to the royal tent.

 

— That’s most gracious of you, but I don’t want to take your time, you must be very busy right now with the siege –said Achilles but the taxiarch shook his head.

 

— I am never busy for you –the Prince’s expression of dismay was comical and he could do nothing more than nod and head back with Perdikkas, who, to his complete horror, took his arm to help him as if he were invalid or a very fragile girl unable to walk alone.

 

I guess I should be grateful that he didn’t carry me on his arms –thought a very unhappy Achilles.

 

XXX

 

— Dad, are you going to eat? –Alexander lifted his head when he heard Achilles’ voice.  He looked a little disorientated, he had spent all day in front of his maps and diagrams of the city, and was not very sure of what hour it was.

 

— What time is it?

 

— It’s night, dad –Alexander rubbed his eyes and leaned his back against the chair— Do you want me to call the servants? We could eat together if you want. 

 

— Yes, I will like that –the King smiled.

 

It did not take long for Bagoas to have everything ready, and soon, Alexander and Achilles were eating alone, talking about everything and nothing special. Since last year, when Hephaistion had to go for 8 months, the relationship between the 2 of them had grown stronger, now there was not one man in the army who would doubt that they truly were father and son. Even if sometimes it was not possible, the King tried to share the meals with his Prince. His own relation with King Philip had been hard, complicated and, at the end, he had learn to hate the man, and he did not want this for Achilles. Maybe he couldn’t be as good father as his beloved but he would do his best.

 

— Dad, Perdikkas asked me to be his eromenos –said Achilles, finally reaching the important part of this whole conversation.

 

— I know, he asked my opinion –said the King, taking another piece of bread.

 

—And, what is your opinion? –the Prince insisted.

 

Alexander left the bread and lifted his eyes to see his adopted son, taking a moment to choose his words.

 

— I should have talked to you about this before but, with so many things happening, I forgot –said the King putting his Prince on alert— Aki, Krateros and Ptolemy also asked me permission to be your erastes.

 

Achilles opened his eyes; he had not expected this. He was not going to ask “why?” because it was a stupid question, starting with the fact that his adopted father was the most powerful man on earth and following with the tiny little detail that his father was the most beautiful and desired man in the army. Combined: power and beauty, had made the boy a very attractive eromenos.  

 

— And? What did you answer to them? –asked the Prince.

 

— I said the same thing to the 3 of them, that 1: they have to ask you, and 2: I will respect whatever you decide, son –he said, making Achilles immensely happy— It’s your life and you are a very intelligent boy, I’m sure you will choose wisely.

 

Maybe Alexander was not aware of this, but his words meant the world for his adopted son. The King considered him intelligent and trusted him, the Prince could not think of a better compliment.

 

— Thank you dad. I have thought about Perdikkas’ proposal but…I would really love to know what do you think of him, after all he is your friend –his question pleased Alexander, he was glad to find that Achilles respected and cared for his opinion. 

 

— The truth is I don’t like it, Aki –he said for his Prince’s astonishment— Perdikkas is my friend, and he is a good commander, but he also has faults I dislike a lot and won’t like to have him near you as your erastes.

 

— What faults?

 

— He likes gold and women too much and that will be his ruin one day –said the King as if he could see the future— I don’t think you are aware of this but he had an affair with Queen Stateira –Achilles raised his eyebrows, he did not know that– I want to think Perdikkas means well, he likes you, but…I don’t want him as your erastes –the Prince nodded.

 

— There is just one thing I don’t understand –said Achilles— If Perdikkas likes women so much, why does he want to be my erastes?

 

Alexander took a moment to choose his words. What he was going to say was not pretty but it was necessary, even if it sounded cruel, he had wanted to talk to this with the boy and now was a great opportunity.

 

— Son, I know this bothers you and precisely because it bothers you so much you have to learn to control yourself –said the King very serious— I know you get angry when people say you look like a girl, and I know what happened after King Pharasmenes mistook you for my daughter –the Prince blushed intensely— But the truth is that, for better or worse, you inherited your father’s looks, and Perdikkas likes you because you also have a very epicene beauty that makes you look as if you lack a gender

 

— I hate my looks –he whispered, making Alexander smile. Where had he heard that?

 

— It doesn’t matter how you look like, it matters what you do in this life –said the King, catching Achilles’ attention— Aki, your enemies would always look for a way to hurt you, and the first one who must know his weaknesses is you. You need to stop complaining about something you cannot change before someone could use this to hurt you and learn to use your weaknesses at your advantage.

 

The Prince looked at him with wide opened eyes. He had never thought about this before but his adopted father was right.

 

— I will, promise I will –Alexander nodded.

 

 —Now, its your turn, what do you think of Perdikkas? –asked the King.

 

Achilles puffed his cheeks out.

 

— I don’t like the way he treats me –he said, catching the King’s attention.

 

— Why?

 

— Don’t worry, is nothing serious, but he likes to treat me like…like a girl –that made Alexander laugh— I don’t like it.

 

— Then you don’t have to accept his proposal, son –said the King and the Prince felt much better knowing that his adopted father supported him.

 

— And what do you think of Krateros and Ptolemy? –Achilles wanted to know. This was new but he wanted to be ready with an answer when they came to him.

 

— If I were you Aki, I wouldn’t accept any of them –said Alexander smiling and making his Prince laugh— Everybody have their faults, I am aware of that, but I want the best man to be your erastes. Ptolemy is extremely conceited and he would always tell you the version of things that makes him look better and I’m sure he wants to be your erastes to boast that he has my son as his eromenos. And Krateros…Your father would boil me alive if I let you be his eromenos –both laughed imagining that: a very comic version of Alexander inside a huge pot burning in a fire.  

 

— But you like Krateros, dad –Achilles pointed out.

 

— Ah! Yes, but here I want to tell you something –said the King, leaning to the front as if he were going to share a secret with his son— Krateros is an excellent commander, probably the best of all, and loyal to the end, but, your father, “Hephaistion, is fond of Alexander but Krateros is fond of the King”(3) Do you understand this?

 

The Prince moved his head up and down.

 

— Yes, Krateros is not your personal friend –Alexander smiled.

 

— I am sure he wants to be your erastes because you are the King’s son, and I don’t want that for you. Call me a fool but I want you to find someone who loves you –said the young conqueror fondly, but, this time, he was mistaken. This was not the only reason Krateros had to be near the Prince.  

 

— I understand.

 

— Aki, at the end, I just gave you my opinion, but I want you to choose whoever you want, not just who I want –said Alexander, his voice full with care. Achilles smiled.

 

— I know dad, thank you.

 

They fell silent for a moment and heard steps approaching. A page appeared, panting after running with all his might.

 

— Sire…—said the boy without voice.

 

— What is it? Is enemy attacking? –asked a very serious Alexander.

 

— No, sire…—the page took a deep breath— Hipparch Hephaistion arrived.

 

XXX

 

(1) Santiago Posteguillo. Los Asesinos del Emperador, p 141 (I made the translation, so all the mistakes are mine ^^)

(2) Connop Thirlwall. A history of Greece, Volumen 6, p 312

(3) Waldemar Heckel. The Marshals of Alexander’s Empire, p 95