by David Alkek
Chapter 18
The celebrations, after the battle and diplomatic victories of Chaeronea making Philip master of Greece, continued over several weeks. He now saw his way clear to an invasion of Asia, and sent his generals, Parmenio and Attalus to foment rebellion among the Ionian Greeks. Everyone knew that they were preparing for war with Persia. But for a while, they would exercise during the days and have drinking parties at night.
After Attalus returned from across the Hellespont, he had a meeting with Philip and reported on the progress in Asia. Wine was brought and poured for the two men. Philip was pleased and raised his cup to Attalus. "You and Parmenio have done well. I will send an advanced guard across next year. Before I join them with the main army, I must first rest my wounds from Chaeronea. My leg still pains me." He put down his cup and rubbed his leg that was propped up on a stool.
"The army is ready, Sire. You get your strength back to lead it. I have an idea for a celebration. What about a wedding?"
"Whose, Attalus, yours?"
"No, I was thinking that you could strengthen your ties with the Macedonian aristocrats. What about an alliance between your house and mine?" Attalus was a member of an old, established family. “My sister’s daughter, Cleopatra, is a beautiful girl.” Cleopatra was a popular Macedonian name, the same as that of Philip’s sister.
"I have noticed your niece. How old is she?"
"She is eighteen, Sire, the right age to produce children."
"I can always use more children to carry on my conquests. Cleopatra will be my seventh wife, a lucky number."
"What about Olympias? She will be even more jealous if you marry a woman of Macedon instead of a foreign one."
Philip slammed down his empty cup. "What of her?" he raised his angry voice. "I am sick and tired of her tirades and little intrigues. I know she tries to turn people in court against me. She even makes Alexander resent me. I will not have her undermine my son’s loyalty to me." He slammed his fist against the chair.
"They say she is a sorceress and talks with snakes," Attalus submitted.
"Not only that," added Philip, "but she consorts with gods and spirits. She said that a snake in her bed was Apollo." A thought occurred to him, "I know. I will accuse her of infidelity. That will be grounds for me to get rid of her."
"Why don't you send her to her brother, the king of Epirus?"
"An excellent idea. I will banish her, so I won't have to put up with her acid tongue and jealous conspiracies."
"Then we will have a wedding?" asked Attalus.
"Let us have a wedding, my friend."
Attalus poured another cup of wine for the two of them to toast the coming wedding.
Over the course of the next few months, the wedding preparations were made. The ceremony was to be in the spring, and Olympias was to leave for Epirus in the summer after the spring rains. Alexander had been told by his mother about her banishment. Even though he was aware of his mother's violent and jealous nature, he still loved her and was angry at his father's treatment of her.
"Your father will marry this Macedonian," Olympia said. She was angry and bitter, as she and Alexander talked in the sitting room of her house outside the palace. "This will not be like his other wives who are alliances with foreign powers. This will be of his own court, the niece of his general. You will have to be on your guard to protect your inheritance."
"What do you mean?" Alexander exploded. "I am his eldest. I am a proven leader in battle."
"True," said Olympias, "but Attalus is shrewd. He will use the marriage of his niece to increase his own influence with Philip. He may even convince him that a son of a true Macedonian should inherit the throne."
"He dare not," Alexander spit out.
"He is not incapable of it. Just be on your guard, my son." She continued to stoke the fires of anxiety and jealousy within Alexander.
A few days later at the wedding feast following the ceremony, the huge hall was filled with celebration, heavy drinking, and eating. Alexander sat with his friends, quietly brooding. He raised his cup to the toasts for the wedding couple, but did not share a drink. He thought about what his mother had told him, and realized that she would no longer be in Pella to help him. He would have to defend his position himself, but knew that he had good friends that he could rely on.
He looked at his father, who had drunk many toasts, and how he pawed at his new bride. He swallowed the last of his wine and in disgust slammed the cup to the table.
At that point, Attalus arose. “I wish to propose a toast to the king and his new bride. May the gods bless this marriage and send us a legitimate Macedonian son."
Alexander saw Attalus glance in his direction. He understood the barely disguised remark. Anger rose like a fire lit by his clenched fist, to his heart racing in his chest, to the crimson flush of his face. He stood with his empty goblet and threw it at Attalus. "Am I, then a bastard?" he screamed.
Attalus raised his hand to deflect the cup that would have hit his head. Philip yelled at his son, "You dare throw your cup at the uncle of my new bride. You insult him, and me, your father, at his own wedding." He rose and reached for a spear from a guard. He tried to come at Alexander, but too many cups of wine and his wounded leg caused him to stumble and fall.
Guests nearby gasped and reached to help the fallen king. Alexander laughed and pointed at the prone figure. "Here, Macedonians, is the man who would lead you across to Asia, and he cannot cross from one couch to another."
There was turmoil. Philip was bellowing, trying to stand between two men. Alexander's friends came to his side. They had seen what drinking and violent tempers could do, and quickly hustled Alexander from the hall.
The next day, Alexander was informed that he was also banished, along with most of his closest friends. He made plans to accompany his mother to Epirus. Over the next few weeks, Alexander heard that Attalus had been promoted and loaded with honors. He saw that his fear was turning into reality, that Attalus would promote a son of his niece to replace him as heir.
* * *
News of the squabbles of the Macedonian court spread through Greece. Some were happy with anything that vexed Philip, while others, who looked forward to his invasion of Asia, were concerned. The representative of Corinth approached Philip.
"We of the Corinthian League salute you Philip, King of Macedon, and captain general of the Greek alliance."
"Thank you. My generals are preparing for the invasion and one is already in Asia. I have been preoccupied with personal matters here in Pella, or I would be with him."
"It is about those personal matters that I would speak with you. We of the Corinthian League are concerned that your energy is distracted. You have worked hard at bringing peace to Greece, yet you have brought war to your own family. A man, who is to lead thousands in great conquests, must first have peace in his own house."
"You are right, my thoughtful friend." Phillip stroked his beard. "My personal problems have been a distraction. I am especially upset that Alexander dislikes me and is with his mother. She poisons his mind against me." He rubbed his troubled brow.
"Perhaps you should try reconciliation with her."
"How?"
"Does she not have a brother, younger than the one who is king of Epirus?"
"Yes, she does."
"And isn’t your younger sister unmarried?"
"I am beginning to see what you're aiming at..... a marriage between my sister and Olympias' brother?"
"Yes, Philip, that will accomplish several things. It will conciliate Olympias with another alliance to her family. It will make Alexander more comfortable in his mind and will seal his legitimate right as heir. And bringing peace to your family will allow you to concentrate on preparing for war with Persia."
"That is sound advice. Now I see why your city appointed you as delegate to the Corinthian League."
Philip thanked the ambassador for his good counsel and It was not long afterward that Philip proposed a marriage
to the king of Epirus. He said that a marriage of the king's brother to his own sister would give a double bond to their alliance. The king of Epirus could hardly decline the offer of the most powerful man in the Greek world.
After the betrothal was announced, Philip sent word to Alexander and his friends that they were forgiven and allowed to return home. To prove his goodwill, Philip also told Olympias that she would be welcome back in Pella with her family. He would personally escort her back to the palace.
* * *
Alexander and his friends rode into Pella as if returning from a triumphant campaign. The army had come to love the charismatic hero Chaeronea. Especially the champions, that Alexander had commanded during that battle, surrounded him as he rode his magnificent, Bucephalus. They cheered, through garlands at him, and beat their Spears on their shields. He was welcomed at the palace by Philip and his friends that had not been banished.
Olympias and her family are also welcomed by Philip. The elaborate festivities, that had been planned well in advance, celebrated the return of the royal family. Many dinners were given, and any excuse to carouse was anxiously used, especially among the hard drinking men of the Macedonian army.
One of the parties was for the king's bodyguard. Attalus paid for the food and made sure that there was plenty of good wine to go around. He attended the party to see that the men had a good time, for he wanted to gain the favor of these men. They were close to the king. By then his niece had a son by Philip, and he had hopes that perhaps he would be made heir to the throne. That would catapult Attalus' star to the highest heaven.
After the food and entertainment was finished, more wine was passed around the crowd. The party became loud as men talked of battles and women won. The revelers staggered around, laughing, spilling wine, slapping each other on the back. Attalus joined them, seeing that his party was a success.
Spilled wine on the stone floor made it slippery. More than once, a man lost his balance, spilling more wine. This of course exacerbated the riotous atmosphere of the party. One of the older guards fell on his face, throwing a full cup of wine onto the youngest member in the hall. The men around laughed at him. He was a beardless youth, only twenty with fair skin and long hair, by the name of Pausanias.
One of the guards nearby said to his neighbor, "Let's have some fun." He then grabbed Pausanias by his wine-soaked tunic. "Here Pausanias, let's help you with your soiled clothes." As a signal, several men jerked the clothes off of Pausanias.
"My, what a handsome body," one said. Laughter exploded.
"I'll bet you're a virgin, aren't you?" another said. More loud laughter. The youth blushed.
"Let's show him what it's like."
Two heavily muscled men held Pausanias faced down as one by one several of the guards mounted him. The young man knew that struggling would be useless and clenched his teeth, sweated, and grounded with agony as the men had their fun. He could hear laughter fill the hall and recognized Attalus as he stood by and enjoyed the fun that was at his expense. Finally, they let him up. He didn't allow them to see the tears that were in his eyes, but wiped the saliva and blood from his lip that he had bitten. Reached to pick up his tunic.
The men were still laughing and poking one another. Another besotted guard spoke up, "Wait a minute, Pausanias, I'll bet the stable boys would like to have some fun also." With that, they jerked his tunic away from him, and hustled him to the stables, where the hands had their way with Pausanias.
In Macedon the king was available to listen to anyone that had a grievance, particularly if he was a member of the army. He was the chief dispenser of justice. Two days after his traumatic experience, Pausanias asked to speak with the king. He told him of the shameful behavior of his fellow guards and what they did to him at the party. He was abused and humiliated. "Not only that, Sire, but your general, Attalus, was there, stood by, and did nothing to stop it. In fact, he seemed to enjoy watching the men take advantage of me." He was shaking with anger.
"What would you have me do, Pausanias?" the king said.
The youth’s face was livid. He stomped his foot and his voice shook. "I want redress for the insult. I want Attalus to apologize to me in public and for the main perpetrators to be punished."
Philip showed sympathy for the abused young man. "That was indeed a bad thing they did to you. The men had too much to drink. However, I consider it a playful escapade. No harm was done, other than your feelings. You will get over it. Consider it only as rough men's sport and put it behind you."
"But Sire, I insist that you punish them. Not only my feelings, but my honor was also damaged.” Pausanias beat his angry fist against his chest.
Philip held up his hand for Pausanias to calm down. "I will not punish them. Attalus is the uncle of my wife. The others are members of my bodyguard.” He paused as if considering and folded his hands in front of his body. “But I'll tell you what I'll do. I will give you a promotion and increase your pay.” He stood and raised his right hand, as if indicating that the discussion was over. “Now that is all. Just forget this unpleasantness and return to your duties."
Pausanias left, feeling betrayed. He had received no justice from the commander that he looked up to. Resentment and anger smoldered within his breast. Every day that he went to the bodyguard review, he saw smirks and knowing looks from his fellows. The embarrassment ate at his soul, which cried for revenge.
He went to Olympias. He knew that he would get sympathy from her, who had no love for Attalus and his niece. He told her of the affair and of Philip's reluctance to redress his wrongs.
"That was a shameful thing that Attalus allowed to happen to you." Here was another possible ally for her to use against Attalus and his niece.
"I can't face my fellow guards without imagining what they think of me. They laugh behind my back. Even the stable boys smirk and tell jokes. I want to kill them all."
"You can't do that, of course."
"Then I would like to kill Attalus."
"You can't do that either, because he is protected by Philip."
"I am angry at the king that he did give me justice and punish my assailants. I can't live with this dishonor. What can I do?” His anger made him tremble.
"You must show that you are a man equal to them. Show your courage in battle." She paused, picked up an apple from a bowl at her elbow and gazed at it, as if contemplating. She realized that she could use this young man’s anger and resentment. She looked up at Pausanias, who was waiting for her to continue. "There may be an opportunity for you to achieve your revenge."
"What is that?" He looked at her with hope in his eyes.
"Act as if you have forgiven this affair, and that all is well with you. Be courteous to your fellow guards, Attalus, and particularly the king. The wedding will be in a few days. Philip will be at his ease, celebrating the marriage of his sister to my brother. He has made peace with Alexander and doesn’t pay any attention to me."
She rose and walked to a window overlooking the palace courtyard. "As a member of the king's bodyguard, you will have an opportunity to get close to the king." She turned to face Pausanias. The light from the window filtered through her hair giving the appearance of flames emanating from her face. "Hide a dagger in your cloak and use it." She smiled, realizing that this fool would be her fist of revenge and make Alexander king.
Pausanias squinted at this apparition before him. Was she really a sorceress? "But what of Attalus?"
"Alexander and I will take care of him and his niece after Philip is removed."
"Will Alexander be part of this?"
"Alexander has no love for his father and is anxious to be king. I will not tell him of our plot, even though I'm sure you will have his sympathy. He will no doubt reward you afterward with a new command. Then you can laugh at the fellows who dishonored you."
Pausanias smiled at the thought. Revenge would leave a sweet taste in his mouth. "My old teacher told me something. He said to me, do you know how you can become the mo
st famous man in the world? Kill the most famous man in the world."
"Yes, Pausanias," Olympias agreed. "Your name will be famous. You will be remembered as the man who killed Philip of Macedon. No one must know of this conversation, for I will deny it. Now go and do your duty for your honor and for Alexander and me."
* * *
The wedding festivities were to begin the next week and the royal guests made their way to Aegae, where the arrangements were prepared. Aegae was the ancient capital of Macedon before it was moved to Pella. It had a large amphitheater used for important festivals, and was to be the setting for the wedding ceremony. The festivities would last for three days.
On the first day, the bride and groom would meet and pledge their troth, the families of both acknowledging the betrothal. Ceremonies and sacrifices would follow in the temple and all would drink to the couple.
The second day would see the formal marriage ceremony in the large amphitheater. All the ambassadors and representatives would be in attendance. Afterward would be feasting in the old palace and drinking into the night. The married couple would be accompanied with much merrymaking to their bedchamber, and the party would return to the banquet hall for more celebration
On the third day, after noon, the wedding couple would emerge from their room and acknowledge the congratulations of their guests and general people outside the palace. That was the plan for this marriage between two royal houses.
On the day of the actual ceremony, Philip prepared to enter the theater, crowded with his generals, nobles of both kingdoms, and representatives of many cities. He wore a new purple robe, embroidered with gold thread. A cleverly crafted, heavy gold chain hung from his neck. A new crown, set with a large red jewel adorned his brow. He stroked his beard and inhaled the expensive oils that anointed it. Before he started down the covered passageway to the orchestra, he turned and looked around him.