Requiem For Athens

by David Alkek

"Yes Alexander, but you will be taking the army with you to conquer Asia. No opposition must be left behind. Even your generals cannot be fully trusted if you show weakness."

  "I will have any conspirators executed."

  "Not just executed. They should be made examples. You must torture them without mercy. Flail them alive, and then have them burned."

  "Mother, I will have them whipped and then beheaded. That is punishment and example enough. I will not show Mollosian barbarism by skinning them and burning them. I must show that I am a Macedonian."

  "You are not just a Macedonian, Alexander. You are the son of Zeus. You have a destiny. You will conquer the world. Nothing can stop you, because your father, Zeus, will aid you."

  "Yes, Mother.” He held up his hand to stop her. “I believe it. I will fulfill my destiny. First, I will destroy my enemies at home and those abroad. I will put Antipater in charge of Pella, while I lead the army north. He will arrest any conspirators."

  "But Alexander, I demand..."

  Alexander put up his hands in front of his face. "That's enough," he silenced her. "I will take care of matters. Now leave me so I can make plans for my campaign.”

  * * *

  While Alexander was campaigning, Olympias continued her reach for power and influence. She demanded of Antipater that he be more aggressive against possible conspirators. "Put them all in prison and torture them," she commanded him.

  "I cannot imprison all of Pella," he complained.

  "Then do so for anyone who might oppose Alexander, all of his half-brothers, all their followers and relatives, even their tutors."

  "But Olympias, even their tutors?"

  "I suspect that Athenian, Phidias, who tutored Alexander's brothers and sons of the aristocrats. He is known to teach about democracy, and rights, and such nonsense. I believe he is a spy and has encouraged their conspiracy."

  "What evidence do you have for such accusation?" Antipater put forth.

  "Evidence? I need none other than my suspicion. Arrest and torture him; he will confess."

  Antipater saw that further argument would be useless against this willful and vengeful woman. He bowed and left, and filled the prisons with suspects.

  Phidias was thrown into a prison under the walls of the palace, along with other suspected conspirators. From time to time men would be dragged from the cell, followed by sounds of blows and screams echoing back through the halls. Afterward, the bloody and beaten form would be thrown into the cell, the partly conscious victim moaning in agony.

  Phidias was horrified. He had not witnessed the effects of torture at firsthand before, and imagined that he might be the next victim of the torturer. He sat despondent in torn and dirty robes, pondering his fate, more likely a painful one.

  Some of Phidias’ former students also shared his cell. They were shocked to see him there. They knew him as an intelligent and calm teacher with no political ambitions.

  "Master Phidias," said Crastas, one of the half-brothers. "My brothers and I know why we are imprisoned, but we also know that you had nothing to do with any conspiracy. Aretas and his men have orders to arrest anyone under the least suspicion. You have probably been arrested because you were our teacher."

  "That is probably so, Crastas, but what can I do? I am helpless and will probably share your fate. Sometimes there is no justice, and the innocent suffer along with the guilty."

  "But surely Alexander doesn't know that you're here. He loves and respects Master Aristotle, and you are his friend. He holds in highest regard the philosophers of Athens, as did his father. Surely he will listen to you. You must proclaim your innocence in this matter.”

  "You may be right, Crastas. I must be allowed to speak with Alexander. I'm sure he will listen to reason. He must be convinced of my innocence. But he is in the north. How will I get word to him before the torturer works his will upon me? I am not a strong Macedonian like you, and will likely admit to anything under torture." Phidias sank back against the cold, damp wall in hopeless dread.

  * * *

  Alexander marched his army from Pella to suppress the northern barbarian tribes. In a series of swift marches, decisive strategy, and bloody battles, he subdued the closest of them. He then put down the revolt in Thrace and accepted its allegiance. Then turning north through the Balkans, he fought his way to the Danube. He crossed it in a surprise move and destroyed all resistance.

  While his army was engaged that far north, the Illyrians to the west of Macedon seized the diversion and invaded that country. Alexander force marched 200 miles and surprised the invaders in their rear. Soundly defeating them, he drove the survivors back to their mountain homes. He left his army there to recover, and sped back to Pella to make sure that the situation was under control.

  Phidias had despaired of getting any word to Alexander. He sat in a filthy cell, eating spoiled food, his clothes dirty and torn. His turn had come with beatings. His eyes were blackened and blood matted his hair and beard, but he had denied that he was a spy or knew of any conspiracy. A rat ran across his feet, but he was too distracted to kick at it. There must be someone who can help me get to Alexander, he thought. It suddenly occurred to him, of course, his friend Aristotle. So obvious. Why hadn't he thought of him before? He rose, shuffled to the door, and called out to the guard.

  The guard slowly walked over and spat at Phidias. "What do you want, Athenian dog?"

  "Let me speak with your captain."

  "Why should I? You will all die in a few days, and good riddance."

  "Please. I must speak with him. Here is a gold coin for your trouble."

  The guard snatched the coin from his hand and said, "I will ask the captain if he wants to see you. I promise nothing."

  The captain came about an hour later. "I got your message, philosopher. What is it you want of me?"

  "Captain, I implore you. I am innocent of any wrong doing. I have nothing to do with Macedonian politics. You may not believe me, but there is one who will. Would you please send a message to Aristotle to come and see me? I have a little money on me. It is all yours if you will do as I ask. Please." Phidias handed a small coin purse to the officer.

  The captain took the money and said, "I don't know if I should help an Athenian spy and conspirator. I resent how treacherous Athens has been in opposing Macedon. However, I know that both of the kings, Philip and Alexander, respect Athenian philosophers. I will take your message to Aristotle myself."

  "Thank you, Captain. You will not be sorry."

  "We shall see," he said as he turned and left the dark and foul-smelling dungeon.

  Aristotle came within the hour after receiving Phidias' message. "I heard that you had been imprisoned and will be executed for aiding the brothers of Alexander. I was shocked and tried to see you, but was not allowed. Is it true?"

  "No, I had nothing to do with any conspiracy. In fact, I warned against it."

  "To whom? Can you prove it?"

  "One of Alexander's half-brothers, Melias, approached me. He asked that I enlist you, and that we both give our support to him and his half-brothers. They said that they should inherit something of Philip’s kingdom."

  "What did you say?"

  Phidias explained. "I told him that they should all profess their loyalty to Alexander."

  "Will he corroborate your statement?"

  "I don't know. I haven’t seen or talked with him. He must be in another cell or already dead."

  Aristotle took Phidias' right hand between his and sold them. "If Melias is here, I will find and speak with him. Don't despair, my friend. We will send this matter right, and you will be freed."

  "Please hurry, before I die of the beatings or am beheaded," Phidias pleaded.

  "I will," Aristotle assured him. He went to the door and yelled for the guard. He asked to be taken to the captain, and asked him, "Do you have Melias, one of the king's brothers?"

  "Yes, Melias is here," said the captain. "He is in a cell with some of the main plotters."
/>   "I would like to speak with him."

  "I don't know if I can allow that."

  "You know who I am. I am Aristotle, whom King Philip brought to teach the young Alexander, now your king. Do I have to tell him that you refused to allow me to speak with a prisoner?"

  "All right, Master Aristotle. Follow me," said the captain.

  Aristotle found Melias with black eyes and split lips, his tunic torn and bloody. "Are you all right?" Aristotle asked.

  "I have been better. My consolation is that the suffering will soon be over. Why have you come to see me, Master Aristotle?"

  “I don't know if you are aware that your teacher, Master Phidias is also imprisoned."

  "Not Master Phidias. What has he done?"

  "Nothing. His only crime seems to be that he was the teacher of you and your brothers. He told me that you approached him to help him draft me to aid you."

  "That is true, but he refused. In fact, he told us to profess loyalty to Alexander."

  “That's what he said. Would you be willing to tell Alexander that?"

  "Certainly, but why would Alexander listen to me? I am to be executed along with everyone else."

  "That is precisely why he may listen. You have nothing to gain from him. You may, however, gain the freedom for your innocent teacher. If I can get Alexander's permission for you to speak with him, will you support Phidias and recount what he said to you?"

  "I will, gladly."

  "Good. I will speak with the king."

  Before he left the prison, Aristotle told Phidias that he had found Melias, and that he would support his innocence. "I will get word to Alexander, somehow, my friend. Don't give up hope."

  * * *

  Alexander returned to Pella and received reports from Antipater and Aretas of the situation in the capital, and of the conspirators who filled the prisons. He went over the list and said that he would speak with some before pardoning them are condemning them to death. He was surprised at one name. "Phidias? Is this master Phidias, the friend of Aristotle?"

  "Yes, Sire," Antipater was apologetic. "Your mother insisted that I arrest him."

  "What has he done? As he confessed anything?"

  "No, Sire," Aretas said. "He maintains that he is innocent."

  "As a matter of fact, Alexander," Antipater added, "Aristotle has asked to speak with you as soon as you returned. I didn't think it was important."

  "It may be important," Alexander said thoughtfully. "It may save his friend's life. Bring him to me."

  Aristotle told Alexander of Phidias' plight and of his involvement with Melias. Alexander knew that his half-brother Melias had plans of obtaining part of the kingdom. For Aristotle's sake he would listen to what Phidias and Melias had to say. "I will have them brought here. I want you to be present, also," Alexander told his teacher.

  Phidias and Melias were allowed to wash off the dirt and blood, and were given clean clothes before being presented to Alexander. Phidias was brought in first. "I have respect for you, Master Phidias," Alexander said. "I know of your reputation as an intelligent and kind teacher. I have also learned history from you. I am told that you have been imprisoned as a spy and advisor to those who would conspire to assassinate me. Is that true?"

  "No, Sire, I am innocent. I am no spy and am part of no conspiracy."

  "You were tutor to my brothers and sons of nobles for three years. Did you not teach them of the governments of other Greek states and foreign countries?"

  "I did."

  "Did you not tell them of Athens democracy, and how power is shared with the people?"

  "I did."

  "Those are dangerous ideas for Macedon, Master Phidias. We are not as civilized as you Athenians. We need a strong leader with discipline to guide the army and rule our allies."

  "I am aware of that, Sire."

  Alexander continued, "Then isn't it plausible that suspicion should be placed on you as an Athenian spy and instigator of rebellion against me?"

  "I suppose so," Phidias stammered, "but I...."

  "However," Alexander interrupted, "because you are master Aristotle's friend, I will listen to what you have to say for yourself."

  Phidias stood erect and stated his case with conviction. “I am no spy, Sire. I am but a teacher with no political interests other than what is historical. I did not influence your brothers or the sons of nobles or army officers to oppose you. In fact, I implored them to reaffirm their loyalty to you. Apparently they did not heed my advice. Ask Melias if this is not true."

  "But you knew of the plot and did not report it."

  "I knew of no plot. But even if I did, and had given my oath, I could not break it, even for a king."

  "I appreciate your integrity, Phidias. Now I know you would keep an oath to me as well."

  He turned to a guard, “Now bring Melias in.”

  Phidias stole a glance to Aristotle, who had been standing to the side. Aristotle nodded his assurance to his friend.

  Melias was brought in. A deep cut above his right eye had not healed, and a large bruise colored his left cheek. He did not bow, but to with courage and pride before his half-brother, now king.

  "As for you, Brother," Alexander addressed Melias, "I am disappointed that you would oppose any, when I could use your leadership in Asia. I don't know if I should trust anything you have to say."

  "I will speak the truth on my honor as a Macedonian officer," Melias stated. "I am not ashamed of my wish to share your power. After all, I am King Philip's son also."

  "True, but I'm afraid that you and some of your half-brothers would continue to plague me and my country if I spared you. You would also be manipulated by foreign enemies, including Persia. You know what your fate must be. But that is not why I had you brought here.

  "Master Aristotle asked that I listen to what you have to say concerning Master Phidias."

  "My brother," Melias began, "I know that you will order my execution, and I accept my fate. I will not be or cry for mercy." He straightened his back, and winced at the strain on his torn muscles. "I opposed you because I feared you would exile or kill most of us anyway. We know well how your mother despises the other wives and sons of Philip, and how you are influenced by her cruel plans. We all believed she would have you murder us."

  Alexander held up his hand to silence Melias. "Enough of my mother. I didn't bring you here to listen to you speak ill of her. What of Phidias?"

  Melias bowed in obedience, "As for master Phidias, he is innocent." He recounted how he approached his teacher to enlist Aristotle to help them. "He refused. In fact, he pleaded with me to bend the knee of loyalty to you. I rejected that advice and must pay the price. I do not apologize for it. I wish no harm to come to Master Phidias because of my decision."

  Alexander replied, "I accept your statement as a Macedonian officer. I am convinced that Master Phidias is innocent. You have asked for no mercy, and I respect that. Therefore, I will shorten your stay in prison and have you and the other conspirators executed in the morning, without further torture. Master Phidias, you are free."

  Outside the chamber, Phidias fell into Aristotle's arms, and wept." Thank you, my friend," he said. "I feared I was going to be executed. I did not fear death itself, but only the pain of the beatings.”

  Aristotle held Phidias at arm's length and said with tears in his own eyes, "We should all face death as if it is inevitable, and order our lives as if each day could be our last. It is not the immediate happiness of today that a man should be satisfied with. His happiness should be in the realization that he has done something to make his life meaningful. We are all in this world to improve it and ourselves.

  "Our death is not the end of our influence, only of our earthly existence. The people we touch, the students we teach will carry on and influence the generation after that. The books we write will survive long after us, and because of them, we will live on as well.

  "Therefore, be thankful that you have had to face death. Learn from that experienc
e. It will help you give meaning to your life."

  "Thank you, Aristotle. You are very wise. I thank whatever gods there may be for sending you into my life. I will try to do as you have advised."

  They went to Aristotle’s chambers, where Phidias enjoyed the first good meal and wine that he had had in several weeks.

  Chapter 21

  Rumors reached Athens that Alexander had been killed while campaigning in Illyria. Demosthenes was at first incredulous. "This news is too good to be true," he told a friend. "He has not been king yet a whole year."

  "Why not," his colleague replied. "He had to put down conspiracies in Macedon, then marched off to fight rebels along the Danube, and in Illyria. He has been beset by troubles."

  "Who brought this rumor? Let me speak with him," Demosthenes demanded.

  A man from an allied state that had fought with Alexander was brought to Demosthenes. He had lost an eye and walked with a limp, and had been given food and clean clothing after he appeared in Athens.

  "What is your name?" Demosthenes asked.

  The man told him.

  "I hear that you saw Alexander of Macedon slain. Tell me of it."

  He spoke slowly as if the pain he had received in the battle came back to him in the retelling. "It was at the battle of Pelium in Illyria. We were outnumbered by the enemy, who also occupied the surrounding hills. Alexander devised a clever ruse and surprised the barbarians who retreated. He led a charge with his Companions cavalry. I saw him in the thickest of the battle. A sling stone hit him in the head and he fell from his horse. Before he could regain it, he was clubbed from behind. I saw him fall, blood streaming from his head. He didn’t get up. The wound appeared fatal.”

  "Then we can assume he's dead. Praise the gods, especially Athena, who aids us." Demosthenes was jubilant. He turned to his friends. "Make sure that the exiles from Thebes know of this, and spread the word through Athens."

  There were several Thebans living in Athens, who had left their city after the battle of Chaeronea and Philip had placed the Macedonian garrison there. They were ready to use this opportunity for Thebes to throw off the yoke of Macedon. They met with Demosthenes. “Will Athens support Thebes if she throws out the Macedonian garrison?"

  Demosthenes sat with other leaders who were opposed to Macedon. "I can assure you that Athens will support you. I will also send letters to other Greek states. Now that Alexander is dead, none of them owe allegiance to Macedon. Persia will also give aid."