Requiem For Athens

by David Alkek

  "I will, Sire," he said.

  Not long after Alexander saw the work that Dinocrates was starting, he was presented with a model of the city that was being planned. A large harbor with a guarded entrance to the Mediterranean was graced with wide avenues lined by noble buildings with Doric and Ionian columns. Piers and wharves for a hundred ships lined the northern side, while stately buildings of the palace complex and government, a theater, gymnasia, palaestra, and temples occupied raised ground that would be constructed by a thousand workmen. The Egyptians were used to monumental building and Alexander with his architect, Dinocrates, planned to build a city that would be a contrast to the huge and overpowering style of the ancient Egyptians. Alexandria would be a jewel of classic Greek architecture and art. Dressed in white marble, its glory would shine across the eastern Mediterranean and symbolize the new era of Helenization of the East.

  Satisfied that Dinocrates would build him a city he would be proud of, Alexander turned his attention to his generals to make sure that they were preparing for the campaign against Darius. The priests of Ammon sent word that they would like to meet with Alexander.

  "Hail, Alexander, Son of Ammon, the living god," said the Chief Priest as he and his assistants prostrated themselves before Alexander.

  "Arise, Holy Ones. What do you wish of me?"

  "We wish nothing of you, Sire. On the other hand, we wish to give something to you."

  "What is it that you can give? I already own all of Egypt."

  "We wish to confer upon you the title that goes with that ownership. We wish to crown you Pharaoh, King of Egypt. You will join a long line of living gods who have ruled Egypt for centuries beyond number."

  "I thank you for your compliment," said Alexander. "Can we do this in the next few days, for I am busy as you can see?"

  "Oh god-who-walks, the ceremonies that befit the deity must be performed in the great temple complex of Karnak. We must prepare the royal barge and make the coronation garments and vessels. We have not had a Pharaoh since the Persians conquered us and placed their satrap here to govern."

  Alexander acquiesced to the planning of a grand coronation. He was impressed by the wealth and the ancient monuments of Egypt and the chance of being crowned in a royal ceremony. The priests told him that it would take two weeks to prepare the royal barge and make his vestments. The barge would sail up the Nile to the great Karnak, which would take three days. Then the ceremonies themselves would last four days with a great feast afterwards lasting two more days. The barge would then return leisurely back to Memphis, allowing the people along the Nile to cheer and give obeisance to the new Pharaoh.

  Alexander was awed by the great newer and enormity of the Temple complex of Karnak. The priests told him that for centuries stretching back over two thousand years, more than fifty Pharaoh's had contributed to its temples and monuments. For four days, he was led through ceremony, after ritual, after sacrifice. Finally in a ceremony lasting two hours, the Chief Priest put the flail and crook in Alexander's hands, the symbols of the pharaoh's sovereignty. Then he placed on his head the double crown of upper and lower Egypt.

  Then he spoke the words in Egyptian and Greek, "Hail Pharaoh, son of Ammon, the living God, may you reign and live forever." He then prostrated himself in front of Alexander until his forehead touched the ground.

  All the other priests and ministers repeated the words and gesture. The Greeks and Macedonians said, "Hail Alexander, Pharaoh of Egypt," but they did not prostrate themselves. This Egyptian and Persian way of obeisance was foreign to Greeks who were not comfortable with it. To them this prostrating and groveling was a mark of barbarian weakness. They would later find out otherwise.

  Chapter 25

  Back in Memphis, Alexander was again feted with dignitaries and officers. One day after a night of sumptuous feasting, Parmenion, his second in command and his generals, Seleucus and Ptolemy, asked to visit with him. Alexander welcomed them, lounging on silk cushions and dressed in an Egyptian linen gown. His chief generals were without their breastplates wore only the short Greek tunics.

  "Hail, Alexander," said Parmenion.

  "Hail, Alexander, Pharaoh of Egypt," said Ptolemy, bowing slightly.

  "Hail, Alexander, conqueror of Asia and Egypt," replied Craterus also declining his head.

  "Thank you, my friends. Please have a seat and help yourselves to wine. What is on your minds?"

  "Know that we come to you as friends and fellow soldiers who share your hardships and love for your troops," said Craterus. "We speak not only for ourselves but for your officers and men. We think that this life of luxury, of feasting and drinking, is making us soft. They long to see you in your Greek clothes and armor riding Bucephalus and giving commands. These Egyptian priests and ministers are corrupting you."

  "We enjoy Egypt," said Ptolemy." It is an ancient civilization with much to teach us of architecture engineering and medicine. We may return here, but we have other work that is unfinished. We must defeat Darius, before he can gather more forces and attack Egypt."

  "What say you, Parmenion? You are my chief general, yet you have not said a word."

  "Alexander, I have served your father and you. We have won many battles together. What Craterus and Ptolemy say is true. You cannot allow yourself to be seduced by Egyptian luxury and the fawning of priests. They mean only to use you. Their flattering is but empty words. You are a Macedonian soldier. The officers and men respect that. Do not lose their respect. Show them that you are still the same Alexander, who will lead them to victory over Darius."

  "You are right as usual, Parmenion. You have always given me solid counsel. As to this Egyptian dress, you are also correct. These fine clothes are not those of a Macedonian King." He stood, tore off the linen garment, and stood naked before them. "Hand me my Greek tunic from that chest. I will not wear Egyptian clothes any longer. Tomorrow we will discuss the campaign that we will begin in the spring. Have the troops ready for inspection at noon. Afterward, we and the senior staff will gather here for lunch and planning."

  At noon the next day Alexander rode his magnificent black steed, followed by his chief generals. He wore a new silver and bronze breastplate and silver helmet shaped like a lion’s head. Underneath the armor was a white pleated skirt. Gleaming brass greaves covered his shins and silver sandals his feet. Bucephalus paced slowly down the ranks of disciplined soldiers with gleaming armor and spears. Alexander nodded in recognition to some as they looked up and smiled at him. He was proud of these warriors. He would share their food and water, their hardships, and even their wounds-- and they knew it. He led by example, daring them to follow him into the thickest of the battle. They loved him, as they knew he loved them, and they would follow him across the river Styx to hades, if he asked them to.

  He addressed his troops from his horse.” Fellow Macedonians, fellow Greeks, fellow comrades, we have been enjoying the fruits of victory and congratulated ourselves with feasting and revelry. But now it is time to resume what we have come this far to do. The Persian King, our enemy, is still in his capital preparing to defeat us. We must cast off the softness of Egypt and harden ourselves for the conflicts to come.

  "As you can see, I will no longer wear the Egyptian clothes, but those of the hoplite, like you. I will eat your food and drink your wine, and I will train my body hard like yours. Today my generals and I will make plans for the campaign. You will also prepare by training and exercise. Obey your officers without question and prepare for battle?"

  "Yes!" the assemblage yelled.

  "Will you make your bodies hard and your weapons sharp?"

  "Yes!" they yelled again.

  "Will you follow me to meet Darius?"

  "Yes!"

  "Will we destroy the hated Persians?"

  Again, they screamed, "Yes!"

  "Then prepare yourselves," and he turned his steed and rode away, as all the army roared and beat their spears on their shields.

  As the days grew longer and warmed t
heir bodies from the night's chill, the soldiers’ blood burned for battle. They knew that it would not be long before they were ordered to march from this rich and green land into the desert called Sinai and beyond. The week before the Greeks were to break camp, Phidias called for Callisthenes, Gorgas, and Pharacrates to meet with him.

  "It has been a while since we have met," said the Phidias. "I am preparing a collection of letters to send to Aristotle. The ship will sail to Athens next week. What do you have for him, Gorgas?"

  "I have collected many specimens of plants and animals from the Nile, all the way to the first cataract. I have many rolls of fresh papyrus for him to write his books."

  "What about you, Pharacrates?"

  "I have collected many papyruses, herbs and medicines that the Egyptian physicians use, also chemicals they use to preserve the dead. Aristotle can use these for his animal specimens."

  "That is very good; the Egyptians are experts in preserving the dead. What do you have for Aristotle, Callisthenes?"

  "I am keeping a detailed account of everything which I will produce into a book, when I return to Greece. As for my uncle Aristotle, I have written a report about Alexander's activity in Egypt. I told him mostly about Alexander's experiences at the Temple of Ammon, at Siwa, and at Karnak. I included some of my impressions for him."

  Phidias gave them some advice. “I want to admonish you to remind Alexander of his scientific and philosophic principles, and of his promises to Aristotle. The exigencies of war monopolize his time. Try to engage him in philosophic discussions when he is not occupied with military matters, and attempt to keep him from bouts of drunkenness. He often becomes unreasonable and violent under the influence of too much wine."

  "We will do the best we can, Phidias," said Gorgas. "Alexander listens more to you that to us, since you are Aristotle's friend and fellow teacher."

  "He is hardheaded at times, especially when he drinks," said Pharacrates.

  "Especially now that he is a god-king, Alexander thinks he can do no wrong. It is hard to criticize his behavior or even give him advice when his mind is set against it," complained Callisthenes.

  "Do your best, gentlemen, as true philosophers and historians. That is all I can ask," said Phidias. "Now we all have work to do. May the god of nature, who watches over the world, watch over you also."

  They all said their thanks and farewells and embraced Phidias. Callisthenes was the last, and as he put his arms around him, Phidias whispered for him to stay. After the others left, Phidias said, "What are the personal impressions about Alexander you spoke of? I have an idea of what they may be."

  "Alexander is taking too seriously this talk of his divinity. The Egyptians praise him as son of Ammon-Zeus and Pharaoh, a living god."

  Phidias replied, "Don't the Greek poets talk of the Olympian gods having offspring with humans? Do we not speak of great men such as Socrates being the son of god? Why not Alexander?"

  "Phidias, you know as well as I do that the term, son of god, is meant in a symbolic and allegorical sense. I do not believe literally in the Greek myths and the sexual activities of the Olympians. Their personalities and acts are to be interpreted allegorically to teach a lesson, not to be taken literally. I know that you and Aristotle believe the same."

  "What you say is true, but the common people do not believe as you and I. They may want to believe in Alexander's divinity."

  "His soldiers do not! I have heard the officers and men make fun of this divinity of Alexander. They revere him as their king and general, but they know he is no god. I fear that Alexander is losing touch with reality and believes he is a god. That would lose him the fealty of his men."

  "That may be so, but you must not speak of it. Do not instill doubt or disloyalty among the men. That is dangerous. You might even be arrested for treason. So keep your opinions to yourself. You may write of them to Aristotle, but make sure no one else sees them. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, I do. I will watch my tongue and my back. I will continue to chronicle Alexander's exploits like a good historian."

  The next day, Phidias sought out Alexander." May I speak with you, Alexander? Are you busy now?"

  "We are preparing to leave Egypt and march on Persia next week. But most of the major work has been done. My generals are taking care of the smaller details. I always can make time for my philosopher friend. What can I do for you?"

  "Your successes in battles and sieges have been impressive, but the Persians have a huge empire with many men and resources that still oppose you. You must keep your perspective and not let your head be turned by luxury, and flattery, and talk of divinity.”

  “Your advice has always helped me to put things into perspective, and I think I have developed a new one. Since being crowned Pharaoh, I have been overcome by a sense of world unity. If the gods of all nations are really the same, then why can't all people be united under one king, one culture, one language? I have united Greece with Macedon, and then with Ionia, then with Asia west of the Euphrates, then with Egypt. I intend to unite this with all of Persia. We will have one nation, one monarch, one people. Isn't that a worthy dream?"

  "It is a dream to be cherished and certainly to work toward. I believe you can attain it if you follow your heart and keep your head. I have warned you about drinking in moderation, and I have watched in approval as you limited your cups of wine or mixed more water in them as you feasted with your officers. That has helped you keep your violent temper under control."

  “Yes, it has, my friend, but I still have those demons that haunt my dreams. I have nightmares of swimming in rivers of blood, surrounded by dismembered heads and arms and legs."

  "Those are the dreams of a military man. War is indeed a hideous nightmare. On those nights, awaken, put on a cloak, and go for a walk. Do not drink any wine, but some warm milk, if you can get some. The night terrors will pass."

  "Thank you, Master Phidias. I will try that."

  "I have more serious advice for you, Alexander. I have watched how you enjoyed the ceremonies of the Egyptian priests, especially as they addressed you as living god. Perhaps you enjoyed it too much. The Egyptians have always addressed their pharaohs as such, and you see that they have all been very mortal. All men die. We are not gods, and you are not a god. If you persist in placing yourself on such a high pedestal above your men, who fight and die for you, you will alienate them. They will lose the adoration they have for you as a valiant warrior if you force them to adore you as a god-king."

  "But they do adore me, Phidias. They love me. I see it in their eyes, I hear it in their cheers, and I feel it in my heart."

  "True, but it is because they know you share their hardships and dangers. You lead them without fear into the thickest of the battle. They admire you more than adore you."

  "I see the difference."

  "Most important, I would leave you with this advice. Do not let your own power and ability and even courage blind you. Do not succumb to hubris, to overweening pride. Trust not solely in your own power but heed also the counsel of your generals and advisers. Remember the poet said, ‘Those whom the gods would destroy they first make proud’. Do not be destroyed by your own pride, Alexander."

  "Thank you for such good advice, my philosopher friend. I will take it to heart. Now I must prepare to meet and destroy Darius and conquer Persia."

  "Go with the gods, Alexander. Please remember what I have said. Good fortune to you." Then he turned and left, wondering if his earnest words had fallen on deaf ears.

  Chapter 26

  Spring in Egypt brought new life to the banks of the Nile. Papyrus plants raised their umbrellas and lotuses put out their showy blooms, while flocks of birds glided overhead to resting grounds or waded in the shallows for their lunch. The Macedonians were also feeling spring’s rush of new energy, anxious to follow Alexander into Persia before the heat of summer and the Nile flood.

  Alexander met with his commanders and outlined his campaign. "We will march divided and f
ight united”, he said. “It will be easier to manage our forces in two parts, yet be close enough to combine, if we observe the enemy." His generals agreed to this plan. “Parmenion, you will take half the army across the Euphrates at Thapsacus. I will gather the Greek mercenaries from the coast and follow you."

  "Sire," one of the generals spoke up. "You think it wise to spread our forces so much? Darius will surely take advantage of our temporary division and attack and destroy us piecemeal. He has enough men for four armies, each bigger than our combined force."

  "I do not share your pessimism, Cleander. I believe the Persians will retreat before us. It is to their advantage to do so. Why should they give battle, when they saw what we did at Issus? No, they will not attack us. But to assuage your timidity, I will allow you to wait for the mercenaries and lead them to me. That is all gentlemen. Let us prepare to invade Persia."

  Parmenion and then Alexander crossed the Euphrates, and pushed north east and crossed the Tigris in September. Four days later, his scouts told Alexander that the enemy was encamped on the plain of Gaugamela near Arbela. Alexander was delighted, "I thought the coward, Darius, would continue to retreat as his advanced guard has done the past two months. Now, we will test his courage and that of his army. This battle will decide the fate of Asia."

  However, as Alexander topped a small rise and viewed the vast multitude spread out on the plain before him, he was dismayed. There over a hundred thousand men, thirty thousand horses, chariots, and even elephants were spread before him. Twenty-four nationalities with their colorful uniforms and varied weapons were encamped, Persians, Armenians, Parthians, Cappadocians, Carians, Bactrians, Indians, and of course Greek mercenaries still fought in the pay of the Great King.

  Alexander turned to a captain, "I could never imagine such an army. What if we are surrounded and overwhelmed by their sheer numbers? All our victories will be canceled by one defeat."

  "Be of good cheer, Sire," his veteran captain said. "Do not fear the great number of the enemy, for they will not be able to stand the very smell of goat that clings to us."