CHAPTER 179

 

Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger and Julia

60 B.C. Alexander’s tomb, Alexandria

 

“Alexander of Macedon, surnamed the Great” the priest intoned, his voice echoing impressively, “Died at Babylon in his thirty-third year, the 114th Olympiad, when Hegesias was Archon of Athens.” I tried to remember who the Consuls of that year might have been, but I couldn’t. “Before he went to join the immortal gods, he conquered more land than any other man in History, adding to the empire of his father the entirely of the Persian Empire and miscellaneous other lands. When he died is lands stretched from Macedonia to India to the Nile cataracts.” Match that, Pompey, I thought.

 

“He died in mid-June,” the priest went on, “And since the godlike Alexander had no adult heir, his body lay in state for  a month, during which his generals settled the future of the Macedonian Empire. Then skilled Egyptians and Chaldeans were called in to embalm his mortal remains.”

 

“They left him for a month?” I said. “In June? In Babylon?

 

Julia dug an elbow into my ribs. “Shh!”

 

“Er, well, it may be that some thoughtful person drained the, ah, bodily fluids to aid the preservation and placed the King in some cool part of the palace. In any case, undoubtedly the body of Alexander was not as that of other men. He had joined the immortals, and it is likely that, as when the corpse of Hector was dragged behind the chariot of Achilles, his fellow gods preserved his body from deterioration.”

 

“I would hope so,” I said. “Must’ve made the whole palace uninhabitable, otherwise.” Another jab from Julia. […]

 

“The funeral car was drawn by sixty-four selected mules. The mules wore gilded crowns, and golden bells on each cheek, and collars of precious cloth adorned with gold and gems […] From Babylon the King traveled through Mesopotamia, into Syria, down Damascus and then to the Temple of Ammon in Lybia, where the god might behold his divine son. From there the funerary carriage was to proceed to Aegae in Macedon, there to rest among the tombs of former Macedonian royalty, but in crossing Egypt the procession was met by the King’s former companion, Ptolemy Soter, who persuaded the leader of the procession to allow him to perform the final rites instead, at Memphis.”

 

“Hijacked the body, eh?” I said. “Good for him. You wouldn’t catch me letting that much gold leave my kingdom, either” Jab. […]

 

The final chamber was a room of relatively modest dimensions, perfectly circular, with a domed ceiling. In its middle lay Alexander, sheathed in thin, perfectly molded gold, looking as if he might wake up at any moment. After the Macedonian custom, he was laid out on a bed, this one carved from alabaster. I leaned toward Julia and whispered in her ear:

 

“Short little bugger, wasn’t he?”

 

Unfortunately, the chamber was one of the magical sort that magnifies sound. My whispered words boomed out as if shouted by a herald. The priest and the other tourists glared at us and we made our embarrassed way out, bestowing effusive thanks and proclaiming our appreciation. (1)

 

-o-o-o-

 

Alexander did not lose time staying longer than it was necessary at the Soghdian Rock. He defeated, with the help of his new father-in-law and his 30 000 men, another renegade baron named Chorienes who, surprisingly, controlled another fortress on another inexpugnable rock. Perdikkas complained that these Persians did not have much imagination choosing places for their fortress because this one was very much the same as the last.

 

After this, the King headed back to Bactria, to the city of Zariaspa, from where he would coordinate everything for his upcoming campaign in India. Unfortunately for Alexander not everything were good news and lavishing banquets, there was still trouble in Soghdiana, and not only because of Cyrus’s revolt that had the whole satrapy upside down, also 2 leaders by the name Catanes and Austanes refused to submit to the Macedonian rule.

 

Rumor was that these renegades were thinking to join forces with the Persian Prince and, if that happened, things could be extremely complicated for Alexander who would not be able to continue with his plans for a new campaign, not even if all the gods on Olympus came down to fight at his side. So, the young conqueror dispatched Krateros, Polysperchon and Attalus to attack Catanes and Austanes, on the territory of the Pareitacae, before they could reach Cyrus Ochus.

 

In theory Chorienes, the man who until recently had been holding a fortress against the Macedonians, was the ruler of Pareitacae but the fact that he could not control his own men when he had already surrendered to Alexander, was proof enough of the bad situation of the satrapy where everybody appeared to be on arms against the invaders.

 

— Commander, may I speak to you? –asked Achilles, approaching Krateros before he left to Pareitacae, ready to follow the King’s orders. The commander nodded and left his officers to join the Prince.

 

Krateros, the same as Hephaistion, enjoyed a great popularity among his troops but for quite different reasons. The high officers dislike Hephaistion because one of two main reasons: they were envious of his privilege position or they desired him...or they were envious and desired him. But his own men respected the hipparch because he was a great warrior, just, and never endanger the lives of his subordinates in foolish attacks or taking rash decisions. Krateros, on the other hand, was brutal, forced his men to give everything, imposing hard marches haranguing them with bad words and curses, and they all loved him for this.

 

Soldiers were a strange breed, they could hate a man for being too strict and love another for exactly the same reasons.

 

Krateros walked with Achilles, looking like a bear in his massive cloak of fur, standing in front of the delicate figure of Alexander’s heir. It maybe summer but the weather on this part of the mountains was always cold. 

 

— What can I do for you? I don’t imagine you just came to see me off, eh? –even if the commander knew he had no chance of becoming the Crown Prince’s erastes, he liked to be with the boy. Achilles was not only beautiful he was really intelligent and Krateros could see that he fought really hard to be taken seriously despite of his delicate appearance, and that was something he could respect.

 

— I want to ask about your orders –said the Prince in a formal tone that took the commander aback— Are you going to engage Cyrus Ochus in battle?

 

— No –answered Krateros, crossing his massive arms over his muscular chest— My orders are only to stop Catanes and Austanes before they can join forces with Cyrus Ochus –Achilles nodded— Listen, I heard he was your friend –said the commander softening his voice, taking the boy by the shoulder— But if he is smart your friend would be able to keep his head; the King gave a direct order that, if we found him and if he surrenders, we have to take him alive before him.

 

Those words eased the Prince’s heart.

 

— Thank you –Krateros patted his shoulder.

 

XXX

 

Not far from there Roxanne observed everything. She had gone out for a walk accompanied only by her personal maid Parmys, a woman of 27 years old that had served the Queen since she was a girl. Roxanne trusted this woman so much, knowing that Parmys felt an almost religious adoration for her mistress, ready to do anything for her, that she was the only servant the Queen took with her after the wedding. 

 

— So, the brat is not the King’s son –said Roxanne, stopping for a moment to watch Achilles talking to Krateros— But his lover’s.

 

— That is what the Persian servants said, your highness –said Parmys, walking prudently behind her, her voice always a whisper—But the Prince is the King’s nephew, son of his full sister. 

 

— But not his son –the Queen insisted, nodding slowly, her index finger over her lips— This is good. The King does not have sons of his own?

 

— Just one, a bastard named Herakles.

 

— The mother? –Roxanne asked with curiosity, her eyes never leaving Achilles, paying attention to Krateros’ behavior toward him. The rude commander liked the Prince and this was bad news for her. The Queen new little about all the Macedonian high officers and nobles but even she knew Krateros was an important man, like Hephaistion.

 

— Old Artabazus’ daughter is the mother –answered Parmys.

 

— She was a good match, why is she not here? –asked the Queen— The King could have taken her as a concubine if he did not like her for a wife. 

 

— I don’t now your highness, but apparently the King…—the maid fell silent, not knowing how to explain this.

 

— The King what? –this time the Queen turned to look at her.

 

— All the royal servants said the same thing –said Parmys, her eyes on the ground— That the King is in love with his best friend and he would never do anything against his wishes.

 

— His best friend? You mean the brat’s father? –Roxanne refused to acknowledge Achilles by his proper title.

 

— Hephaistion son of Amyntor, yes.

 

The Queen fell silent thinking. If the King had turned down old Artabazus’ daughter, refusing to recognize this Herakles as his son because of Hephaistion that meant Hephaistion was more dangerous than she had thought. The true power of a Queen lay in her ability to manipulate the King to fulfill her wishes but, if the best friend already had that place of honor, this would complicate things even more for her.

 

Besides, Hephaistion is the brat’s father, could it be that he persuaded the King to adopt his son and name him his heir? It certainly seems possible, I would have done that in his place –thought Roxanne— I don’t like this, even less because the King has not share my bed since the wedding night. I need to learn more and meet this Hephaistion soon…and I have to learn Greek quickly too…

 

— The King! –gasped Parmys, prostrating when she saw Alexander approaching.

 

The Queen turned and bowed graciously. She bit her cheek angrily when she saw the King was not alone but accompanied by a very beautiful woman of long blue-black hair and big dark gray eyes. A Macedonian woman of 27 years old. By principle Roxanne disliked beautiful women, she hated competition, and, to worsen her mood, she noticed that Achilles came with them.

 

— Wife, I want you to meet Berenike wife of Leonnatos –said Alexander and the Prince hurried to translate— Leonnatos is one of my friends and somatophylax of the King, and his wife –Berenike smiled— Has accepted the honor to keep you company and to help you to learn our language.

 

Hephaistion’s sister kept her smile but did not bowed and that did nothing to improve Roxanne’s mood. She did not know what a somatophylax was but she presumed it was important or the King would not tolerate that this woman showed her disrespect. The Queen was used to the Persian protocol even if she was not Persian, and could not understand why Berenike behaved as if they were equals.

 

But Roxanne was a consummated actress and knew better than to make a tantrum, men dislike scenes and tantrums, so she gave Hephaistion’s sister her most adorable smile. 

 

— It is an honor to meet you –said Roxanne.

 

— The honor is mine Roxanne –said Berenike sweetly and polite but the Queen felt as if someone were pulling all her hair. Roxanne? Why did she call her by her name?— I can only imagine how lonely you may feel in a new place full with strangers. I hope we can be friends.

 

— That will be my greatest pleasure –the Queen answered.

 

I don’t like her –thought Roxanne, but one look at Alexander told her that he was very pleased now that the 2 of them were going to be together so she played along— This woman is intelligent and beautiful, bad combination…At least she is married but…No, I don’t like her.

 

XXX

 

Alexander left the women really pleased, embracing Achilles by the shoulders as they walked away. After a very long talk both, Nikandros and Hephaistion, had convinced their sister to help the King. At the end Berenike accepted because she felt sorry for the Queen, in her words, so young and in such a strange place, all alone without her family. But everything went well at the end…or that was what Alexander thought.

 

Achilles considered if this was a good opportunity to tell his adopted father about Bagoas, about what he had learned. He had hoped to talk to both, the King and Hephaistion, but the hipparch had gone to collect supplies for the upcoming campaign and was not coming back for a while.

 

Should I wait for daddy to come back? –thought the Prince, but before he could take a decision, Ptolemy came running with an urgent matter that required the King’s immediate attention.

 

XXX

 

Weeks passed and the Prince just could not find a suitable moment to approach either, his father or the King, with the information he got from Bagoas and, since everybody seemed to be extremely busy and, truth to be told, Achilles had not uncovered a plot to assassinate Alexander, he had to wait patiently for his turn.

 

Soon it would be the King’s birthday, a day that usually was of no significant importance to Alexander, but that year he was looking forward to it since his beloved had promised him a surprise. The past weeks had been a nightmare for the young conqueror, his Macedonian officers, as Nikandros had said, were unhappy knowing that their King were giving important appointment to Persians, but now, to make everything worst, 2 things were ending with Alexander’s patience.

 

One, were the consequences of his decision about 30, 000 native youths he recruited for the army. The King, thinking ahead in new conquests and adventures, had taken native youths to be taught Greek and to give them Macedonian military training, something that did not make his officers happy, not even if he tried to sell them the idea that this young men were hostages; everybody knew that, what their King wanted, as to use them as Successors for his present soldiers.  

 

Two, was the very delay problem of the proskynesis. What was this? For some time now the hostilities between the Macedonian and the Persian nobles had done nothing more than increased, especially regarding the proskynesis. Persian nobles always prostrated themselves in front of the Great King, and since Alexander was now the Great King, they always greeted him in this way recognizing his authority. But, for the Macedonians and Greeks, it was unthinkable to do this in front of a man since you only prostrated yourself in front of the gods.

 

So, the good Macedonian officers made rude remarks and jokes every time a Persian noble did the proskynesis in front of their sovereign.

 

— And this cannot continue –said Alexander that night, lying at his beloved’s side on the bed. Hephaistion had just retuned from his mission and his lover had not lost time in sharing with him his problems.

 

Everything was dark and just the pale light of the full moon, entering through the open window, illuminated the interior of the King’s bedroom. Alexander had spent just one night with his wife and, after that, everything went back as usual, which meant that Hephaistion continued sharing his bed always for Roxanne’s absolute puzzlement and anger.

 

She, the same as Bagoas, was unable to comprehend why they behaved as if they were married if both were men; even worst, married men usually did not spend every single night with their wives as Alexander did with his beloved. Truly strange behavior that had the Queen sleepless trying to figure this out. 

 

— For years I have ignored this –the King continued— But after my wedding things are getting out of control, did you hear I had to put Polysperchon under arrest?

 

— No, why? –asked Hephaistion, resting on his side, his hands under the pillow.

 

— I received a Persian delegation the other day and, when they prostrated, he began to shout “come on, don’t just touch the floor with your chin! Bang it, Bang it!” (2) –said the King, still angry— Even Leon has been making fun of the Persians. 

 

— Mm, I don’t agree with them but I can understand why they behave like this –said his beloved with calm— We are not use to see men prostrating in front of our King, we are allow many liberties, we don’t even call you “your majesty” but always by your name. You should have seen my face when Darius pretended that I prostrated myself in front of him –he chuckled.

 

— Yes but my own nobles are causing me problems with the Persians and also with my wife’s family –Alexander complained— I need the Persian nobles on my side and, in order to maintain the peace, I will have to treat them all, Macedonians and Persians, in the same way.  

 

Those words put Hephaistion on alert. Knowing as he did the most conservative fraction of the army, these words could only mean serious trouble.

 

Maybe for you who live in the XXI Century hearing everyday speeches in favor of the Human Rights and equality among people this idea does not sound too bad, but trust me, at my time, it was as crazy as to suggest pigs could lay eggs.

 

— What are you planning? You can’t possible be thinking to demand us to do the proskynesis –not even the burning of Persepolis sounded as crazy as this, the consequences of such decision could be catastrophic.

 

— Why not? –that question took the hipparch aback. 

 

— Alex, you already have a lot of problems with the conservative fraction of the army –said his beloved with caution— If you asked us to prostrate in front of you…—he puffed his cheeks out— Are you sure this is the only way to amend the situation with the Persian nobles?

 

— Phai, the Persians hate me, do you think I don’t know this? They have hated me always, and the only reason they followed me is because they feared me but, I do not doubt, not even for a second that, if they had the slightest opportunity to defeat me, they would have already risen in open revolt –said Alexander, holding his gaze and making a pause— I cannot go to India unless the situation here is under control.

 

Hephaistion understood this, he really did but still, he feared the reaction of the officers because the men, the ranking soldiers, could not love their King more. For the common soldier Alexander was truly the god to whom they pray before every battle, but the nobles, the high-ranking officers, they were something completely different. Not even Alexander’s friends would be happy with this news, and the hipparch only had to remember Perdikkas’ words to know this…

 

…But that's no pretext to start adopting the Great King's customs. Next thing we are going to hear is that he wants us to prostrate in front him…

 

For any Macedonian the Persians are nothing more than barbarians, they are our slaves and we are the victorious conquerors –thought Hephaistion— If our King starts to treat us as he treats our barbarian slaves…I fear the consequences. But Alexander is right and something has to be done or we would never be able to pacify this region.

 

— If you have to do it –said his beloved slowly, as if every word were difficult to pronounce— Then you need a very good reason of why we should do it.  

 

The King nodded.

 

— I have been talking with Kallisthenes and Anaxarchus about this –he said and the news did not surprise the hipparch— Anaxarchus thought to tell the men that, since I was recognize as the son of Zeus-Ammon, then I am a divine being and it’s perfectly fine to do the proskynesis…—Hephaistion laughed out loud, unable to stop.

 

— Alex, the men would never buy that –the King sighed. If these words had came from another mouth he would be furious, but he could never be with his beloved. 

 

— I know…Kallisthenes also opposed the idea –said Alexander a little angry with his historian and this erased his beloved’s smile.

 

— Interesting, so far Kallisthenes had no problem recognizing you as the son of Zeus-Ammon, why the sudden change? –this was truly intriguing. Kallisthenes disliked the conservative Macedonian fraction because he was a Greek, and like almost all Greeks he considered hardcore Macedonians little better than barbarians, in fact, he had been really pleased during Philotas’ trial, thinking it was the end of Parmelio’s power over the army. Why was he opposing now to this measure?

 

— What you need –Hephaistion straightened himself, resting his head against the back of his hand, elbow on the pillow— Is to find a way in which your men won’t feel humiliated by doing this.

 

— What do you propose? Because right now I have no idea of what to do –asked a very intrigued Alexander and his beloved took a moment to think.

 

If his King was going to do this then, the least he could do was to do it right...But how? Before answering this Hephaistion had to ask himself another question, what was the problem? The problem was that the Macedonian nobles were used to treat their Kings as an equal, the problem was that they, the same as the Greeks, only prostrated in front of their gods.  

 

And the problem is that, for the Persians, their King is also their God –thought the hipparch.

 

But, to force this concept of a divine King upon the Macedonians was the same as calling for disaster. What Alexander needed was a way in which his nobles would not feel humiliated, in which they could feel their King was still the same man who left Pella so many years ago…

 

Even if we all know this is a lie –thought Hephaistion— Alexander is not the same man he was when we left, neither of us is anymore… I wonder, what would Aki think of this…

 

And then inspiration struck him as hard as a stoning, remembering a conversation he once had with his well-versed son in Persian History and customs.

 

— Aki told me once that, when Persians greet a man they consider an equal, they kiss that man –Hephaistion explained, feeling as if a ray of light had fallen upon him— I don’t know, maybe you could kiss your nobles after their prostrate showing that you still consider them your equals.

 

The King smiled and sat to kiss his hipparch, embracing him with force.

 

— What would I do without you? –he whispered against his hair, that wonderful cascade of silk that always smell like chamomile.

 

— A mess –answered Hephaistion, making him laugh.

 

— Phai –said the King softly, caressing his cheek with his lips, his breath hitting his creamy skin making his beloved’s body shudder.

 

— Mm? –Hephaistion purred.

 

— My birthday is next week –whispered Alexander, kissing his cheek.

 

— So I noticed –Hephaistion smiled, knowing all too well what was his lover thinking. They had not talked about what had almost happened between them and Nikandros at the Soghdian Rock, but that was not necessary to know what the young conqueror wanted.

 

— I still have the wine –said Alexander, making him laugh.

 

— Tell me something –he turned, brushing his lips against the King’s, talking slowly, caressing him with each word— How badly do you want to sleep with my brother and I?

 

Alexander slid his hand between his legs, making him moan softly.

 

— Do you want me to show you? –Hephaistion smiled with lazy arrogance but his smile disappeared in the same moment that someone knocked at the door.

 

The King was at one step of calling his guards to execute the intruder but all his rage disappeared when he found that the intruder was no other than Achilles. Even the hipparch was surprised to find his son there at such a late hour.

 

The Prince had thought a lot about this, not knowing if it was a good idea to interrupt them but at the end, he decided he had already lost a lot of time: first his father was out on a mission to gather supplies and the King terribly busy, later, the hipparch came back but both were still extremely busy with the preparations of the upcoming campaign. It was now or never.

 

— Aki, what’s wrong? –asked Hephaistion, sitting on the bed.

 

— My apologies for interrupting but I truly need to talk to both of you and, the only moment when you are together, and alone, is during night –said the boy, catching their complete attention.

 

— Come son –said Alexander and the boy sat down on bed, in front of them— What do you want to talk about? 

 

— I know who gave daddy the wine with the aphrodisiac herbs. 

 

Throughout the entire story Alexander and Hephaistion looked at Achilles with their complete attention, like small children caught by a very interesting tale of adventures. And, at the end, their expression went front incredulity and surprise to indignation and ultimately anger.

 

— Motherless eunuch! –exclaimed the King furious— He wanted to let Chrysaor rape Hephaistion!

 

Well, at least now I know what truly happened that night –thought Hephaistion, still amazed at the complicated plan of the eunuch. Did he truly think this was going to work?

 

— Dad, I want you to listen to me –said Achilles softly, almost pleading and that calmed down Alexander…a little— I know that what Bagoas did was terrible but you have to understand that he is in love with you.

 

— Yes, Aki but this? –said the King, the vein on his forehead popping out. 

 

— Yes dad but his plan was stupid –Achilles insisted— Understand Bagoas’ position, he is a eunuch, he was Darius’ favorite and he was desperately looking for a way to catch your attention. 

 

Alexander fell silent for a moment, looking at his adopted as if he wanted to read his thoughts.

 

— Why are you defending him after what he did to your father? –he asked.

 

— I like him –answered the Prince, making Hephaistion smile— Besides, I find his behavior really childish. He is like an orphan kid. 

 

— Childish or not he could have as well poisoned your father –said the King angry.

 

— I am sure he never thought that –Achilles said innocently. He truly had no idea of what were Bagoas true intensions since the eunuch never confessed that, what he truly wanted, was to use Seleucus to kill Hephaistion. And Bagoas would never confess that. 

 

— I don’t care of what he did or did not think –said Alexander— But I don’t want him near me. He will be put under arrest until I think what to do with him.

 

The Prince looked a little disappointed but said nothing. The King was right, the eunuch could have poisoned his father but he wanted to believe that Bagoas only wanted to catch the King’s attention.

 

What happened to Bagoas? Like Alexander said he put the eunuch under arrest until he had time to think what to do with him. Despite the shocking news neither had time to waste on Bagoas and days passed before I could talk to him.

 

I don’t have to tell you how difficult was to convince my companions to prostate themselves in front of our King. It took us days to talk to them and even if they had already agreed, they were reluctant when the time came for this public demonstration of loyalty and submission not only to a Macedonian King, but to a truly Great King. You can imagine the fuss, if my companions did not like the idea of having their King dressed in Persian fashion they almost suffered an apoplexy when they heard what Alexander wanted from them.

 

Leonnatos and Perdikkas actually laughed like crazy thinking this was a joke.

 

— I am serious –said Hephaistion in his brother-in-law’s house and both of his friends stopped laughing, replacing their amused expressions for ones of utterly puzzlement.

 

— Really? –exclaimed Perdikkas and the hipparch crossed his arms over his chest giving him a very clear look that said: “what do you think?”

 

— Phai, you can’t be serious –said Leonnatos.

 

— Why not? Why is so strange if Alexander wants to ask for a gesture of loyalty from his friends to demonstrate the Persians that the Macedonians are men of honor? –that was a very clever way to explain the situation but still, his friends were not convinced and moved uncomfortable in their seats.

 

— Phai, last week Alexander’s philosopher… —Perdikkas snapped his fingers trying to remember the name.

 

— Anaxarchus? –said Leonnatos.

 

— That guy! Gods! Why can’t I remember his name? Anyway, Anaxarchus came last week babbling something about Alexander being a god and that there was nothing wrong if we prostrated in front of him –said the taxiarch.

 

I am going to kill Anaxachus this time –thought Hephaistion— He only causes problems, first with his stupid ideas after Kleitos’ death and now this.

 

— Want to know what I thought when I heard this? –asked Perdikkas— First that the philosopher was crazy.

 

— All philosophers are crazy –muttered Leonnatos.

 

— And second that, if Alexander truly believe Anaxachus’ words, then our King is even more crazy –the taxiarch leaned to the front— I know that the Oracle in Egypt said Alexander was the son of Zeus-Ammon but, if he is actually thinking that he is truly a god, then Philotas was right when he said he felt pity for people who would have to live under a man who was more than human.

 

This is not good –thought the hipparch.

 

— Perdikkas, I can assure you that Alexander does not think he is truly a god –said Hephaistion with such force and certainly that he would have convinced the rocks to start talking.

 

— Then, why does he want us to prostrate? –the taxiarch asked and Leonnatos nodded in agreement.

 

Hephaistion took a moment before answering that question.

 

— Fine, I will tell you but you have to promise you won’t say a word –he said in a conspiratorial tone, sure that his friends would tell everybody, but that was exactly what he wanted. As was expected both nodded and leaned even more to the front— Alexander is truly disappointed with the Persian nobles, he can’t trust them…

 

— Everybody knows that! –exclaimed Leonnatos.

 

— Yes, but we need them to keep the peace here while we are in India –the hipparch continued.

 

— You know, Phai? Alexander’s problem is precisely this –said Perdikkas in a professional tone— He thinks we need the Persians, but we came this far alone –that was an exaggeration but Hephaistion decided to say nothing— We don’t need the Persians.

 

— Every army needs expendable men –that was cruel but the hipparch needed to tell them something they could understand— Even if they are Persians they can always fight on the first line of battle. 

 

Both fell silent, this made sense after all.

 

— Alexander does not trust the Persians, but what has that to do with the prostrate thing? –asked Leonnatos.

 

— He needs to demonstrate them that all his Macedonian officers are loyal to him in case they are thinking to revolt –said Hephaistion as if he were talking to children.

 

— But why prostrate in front of him? Can’t we do something else? –his brother-in-law insisted.

 

— Because this is the only way in which they will truly understand how loyal we are.

 

— I don’t know, Phai –Perdikkas shook his head— It’s humiliating.

 

— Alexander does not want to humiliate you, on the contrary, he will show the Persians that only us are equal to the King, that is why we all are going to receive a kiss, after the proskynesis –the hipparch’s explained.

 

— Why a kiss? –asked Leonnatos confused.

 

— Aki told me that Persians only greet their equals with a kiss –Hephaistion said and Perdikkas’ eyes shone.

 

— This was Aki’s idea? –he wanted to know.

 

— Not exactly.

 

— And speaking about Aki, are you sure he does not want an erastes? –asked the taxiarch and that made the hipparch remember his conversation with Seleucus.

 

— Very sure –Hephaistion assured him— So, are you going to help Alexander with this?

 

— If you said this is only to demonstrate the Persians that we are the King’s favorites…I’m in –said Leonnatos.

 

— And you, Perdikkas? –his friend was not convinced— Aki is going to perform the proskynesis too –that was low but if the hipparch could use it to help this lover, so be it.

 

— Fine –the taxiarch agreed.

 

I talked to a great number of my companions in order to convince them to do the proskynesis, and I am very proud to tell you that I was very good doing it… and no, I did not have to sleep with anybody, even if they tried, especially Ptolemy who said he would do it if I spend the night with him or Polysperchon who tried to gain a kiss in exchange.  

 

Achilles talked to Kallisthenes because I knew how much the man hated me, he had disliked me since I was a boy slightly older than my son and, since Achilles was his student, I thought he would be luckier than me, but what my son told me was not very encouraging…

 

— Daddy, I do not think we can trust Kallisthenes –said the Prince.

 

— Why not? Did he refuse? –Hephaistion knew he needed Aristotle’s nephew in this, he was Greek, and it would be good if the King’s Greek historian did the proskynesis.

 

— No, he did not agree but did not refuse –said Achilles confusing his father— Kallisthenes said he will attend to the banquet and drink from the cup of friendship but…—the boy made a pause— Daddy, Kallisthenes hates Persians and despises their costumes, and I find hard to believe that he will prostrate like a barbarian –Hephaistion fell silent— In all the years I have taken classes with him I got to know Kallisthenes and he only follows dad because he thinks he can make him a Greek King to spread the Greek ideals among these lands. How do you think he feels knowing that instead of a Greek King dad is becoming a Persian Great King?

 

Achilles was right but in that moment I could not have foreseen what his words mean.  I was under a lot of stress with the proskynesis and I could not spare a moment to think about Kallisthenes, maybe it was a mistake considering what happened next.

 

The day of the banquet finally arrived, and I have to say that everything went really fine, better than I had expected. Everyone agreed to do the proskynesis and it was truly a fun spectacle I have to admit, one by one, the Macedonian nobles and officers came, drank from the cup, prostrated, looking as if this task were as difficult as to lift a warhorse, and received a kiss from the King. Everything was quite good considering how difficult it had been to convince them all for this but someone had to ruin the moment… 

 

— Are you sure? –asked Alexander while Kallisthenes approached to drink from the cup.

 

— I am –answered Hephaistion, sitting at his side, speaking in whispers.

 

— When did you hear this?

 

— Just a moment ago, a messenger brought the news –the hipparch looked as serious as if his mother had died. 

 

— How this happened? I gave precise orders to spare his life –said the King barely moving his lips.

 

His beloved shook his head.

 

— You said that, if Cyrus Ochus surrendered, you would show mercy –he reminded him.

 

— And?

 

— He did not surrender –said Hephaistion and Alexander settled his eyes on his Prince, sitting alone at his right. What were they going to tell Achilles?

 

And so lost was the King in his thoughts that he failed to noticed that Kallisthenes had drank from the cup but did not prostrate, and he would have probably kissed the Greek, as he did with all the rest, if it had not being for Perdikkas, who exclaimed:

 

— Hey! He did not prostrate!

 

Alexander turned and found Aristotle’s nephew standing there with no visible intentions of doing the proskynesis any time soon, proudly lifting his head. The King was not in the mood for this, if his historian did not want to prostrate he would not acknowledge him as his equal, in other words no kiss for him.

 

— “Well then, I will leave the poorer by a kiss” (3) –said Kallisthenes and Hephaistion could see how his lover clenched his jaw furious.

 

This was going to be a very long day.

 

XXX

(1) Robert Maddox Roberts. SPQR IV: The Temple of the Muses, pages 83-86

(2) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 373

(3) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 376