18. Personal desires
Posted by Labels: Alexander, Antigonus, Black Cleitus, Cassander, Hephaistion, Nearchus, Parmenion, Philotas, Polyperchon
PTOLEMY (v.o):
For Alexander, there could be no pretender to the throne of Asia, which now included all of Sogdia and Bactria.
PTOLEMY (v.o):
It was here that he made one of his most mysterious decisions.
Ten years after his mother insistence he marry a Macedonian…
Through our union, Greek and barbarian may be reconciled in peace.
PTOLEMY (v.o):
The most powerful man in the world took a girl of no political significance. Why?
Some say it was for alliance with the tribes. Others, the desire for a successor. And yet other said Alexander truly fell in love. Who Roxane really was, I doubt that any of us ever saw further than the pools of those black eyes.
On this glorious occasion, I toast this great army that has given so much. And in honor of them, those of you who set out with us seven long years ago, I pronounce all your debs paid forthwith from the royal treasury.
The soldiers:
Praise Alexander!
Alexander:
And in honor of my bride -my beautiful bride, we recognize the many women who’ve shared the long hard road with us. And grant them dowries befitting a proper marriage.
Black Cleitus:
What about our boys?
Alexander:
And lastly, lastly, the gods demand no less of us that your children be given a proper Greek education and military training under our protection so as to be the new soldiers of our kingdom in Asia.
Parmenion:
Your father must be turning in his grave, Alexander. After all this time, a hill chief’s daughter? You call this tribal wedding legitimate?
Alexander: Do you forget my father took a barbarian as his queen?
Parmenion:
Yes, but few would call it a profoundly happy marriage.
Philotas:
But what’s the point, Alexander? She’s your captive. Just take her as your concubine.
Alexander:
Cos I want a son. Damn you, Philotas.
Philotas:
Then half you nobles have sisters who’d make fine Macedonian mothers.
Alexander:
To take an Asian as my queen, not a captive, is a sign of deep respect for our subject. It will bring us together, unify us. Which is not to say I won’t take a Macedonian.
Philotas: As a second wife? You insult Macedonia.
Antigonus:
Never will our people accept this girl’s son as king. They’ll be angry enough to find out their husbands all have second wives in Barbaria.
Alexander:
Then they’ll learn! By Athena’s justice, this girl has spirit. She’ll breed a brave son.
Polyperchon:
Alexander! This is about the honor of our kingdom.
Parmenion:
Exactly. What can be won, Alexander? We’re in Asia to punish them for their crimes. We’ve achieved that. Seven years from home, now we drift from one far region to another, chasing nomads and bandits when Macedonia bleeds its manpower. For what? To build roads in Asia? To give these people cities?
Black Cleitus:
And now make an army of them?
Alexander:
To found cities and expand our reach is not to drift, Parmenion.
Parmenion:
What benefit to Macedon?
Alexander:
It’s far richer than before!
Parmenion:
Look what you give them.
Nearchus:
With respect, Parmenion, had you fought better at Gaugamela when your flank was crumbling we would’ve had Darius--
Philotas:
How dare you, Nearchus?!
Nearchus:
General Nearchus, to you, boy.
Philotas:
Alexander spread our flank too thin! There was nothing my father, or any of you, could’ve done!
Parmenion:
Philotas! (To Alexander) Alexander, I’ve known you since you were born. I supported you at your father’s death. At the very least, for Zeus’ sake, and in respect to the council that chose you king, give us a Macedonian heir. A Macedonian heir.
Alexander:
You’ve been heard clearly.
Parmenion: But—
Alexander:
Parmenion! After the wedding, take two brigades back to Babylon, where I look to you and Antipater in Greece, to maintain our empire and supply this expedition. I’ll winter in the north with my army at Marakand.
Parmenion:
I pray to Apollo you’ll soon realize how far you’ve turned from your father’s path.
Alexander:
I damn you, Parmenion, by the gods and your Apollo. What was in my father’s guts wasn’t overripe in reason like yours!
Parmenion:
He never lusted for war, Alexander, or enjoyed it so. He consulted his peers in council, among equals, the Macedonian way. He didn’t make decisions based on his personal desires.
Alexander:
I’ve taken us further than my father ever dreamed. Old man… we’re in new worlds.
Cassander:
Alexander, be reasonable! Were they ever meant to be our equals? Share our rewards? You remember what Aristotle said. An Asian? What would a vow mean to a race that’s never kept their word to a Greek? Alexander: Aristotle be damned!
Others:
Alexander!
Alexander:
By Zeus and all the gods, what makes you so much better than them, Cassander? Better than you really are. In you and those like you is this.
Hephaistion:
Alexander.
Alexander:
What disturbs me the most is not your lack of respect for my judgement. It’s your contempt for a world far older than ours.
0 comments:
Post a Comment