Alexander: Child of a Dream by Valerio Massimo Manfredi Page B
Authors: Valerio Massimo Manfredi
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invade? You’ll end up in direct conflict with them.’
‘I have no quarrel with the Athenians, in fact I hold them in great esteem. But they must understand that coming near my borders is like putting their hand straight into the lion’s mouth As for your uncle, I too am sorry that he has to leave. He’s a fine young man and an excellent soldier and … I get on with him better than I do with your mother.’
‘I know.’
‘It seems to me there’s nothing more for us to discuss. Do not forget to say goodbye to your sister, and your uncle of course. And Leonidas as well. He is not a famous philosopher, but he is a good man who has taught you all he was capable of teaching and he is as proud of you as if you were his own son.’
From the other side of the door came the sound of Peritas scratching, trying to find a way in.
‘I will,’ replied Alexander. ‘May I go now?’
Philip nodded and then went to the desk, as though looking for some document. But the simple truth was that he did not want his son to see his eyes brimming with tears.
12
Alexander went to visit his mother the following day at sunset. She had just finished her meal and the maidservants were clearing up. The Queen gestured for them to stop and had a chair brought.
‘Have you eaten?’ she asked. ‘Can I get you something?’
‘I’ve already had supper your
brother’s farewell feast, Mother.’
‘I know … I know, I’ll say goodbye to him in person before retiring. So … tomorrow is an important day for you.’
‘It looks that way.’
‘Are you sad?’
‘A bit.’
“You mustn’t be. Do you realize how much your father’s spending on moving half the Academy to Mieza?’
‘Why half the Academy?’
‘Because Aristotle isn’t alone. Together with him there’s his nephew and disciple Callisthenes, together with Theophrastus, the great scientist.’
‘How much is he spending?’
‘Fifteen talents a year for three years. Zeus knows he can afford it the
Pangaeos mines bring in a thousand a year in gold. Between helping friends, corrupting enemies and financing his projects, he’s put such quantities of gold into circulation that over the last five years prices throughout Greece have increased fivefold! Even the price of philosophers.’
‘I see you’re in a bad mood, Mother.’
‘And why shouldn’t I be? You’re going, my brother’s going. I’ll be left here alone.’
‘But Cleopatra will still be here. She loves you, and indeed I really think she’s like you. She’s so young yet she already has a strong, determined character.’
‘Yes,’ Olympias nodded. ‘Of course.’
Then there was a long silence. From the courtyard came the sound of the rhythmic marching of the guards who were starting the night watch.
‘Don’t you agree, Mother?’
Olympias shook her head. ‘No, that’s not the problem. The truth is that of all Philip’s decisions this is certainly the wisest. It’s just that my life is so difficult, Alexander, and it gets worse every day. Here at Pella I’ve always been looked upon as “the foreigner”; they’ve never accepted me and for as long as your father loved me everything was bearable … enjoyable even. But now…’
‘I think my father …’
‘Your father is a king, my son, and kings are not like other men: they have to marry when the interests of their kingdoms require it once,
twice, three times even or
they have to reject their wives for the same reason. They are required to fight interminable wars, they have to plot, to make and unmake alliances, to betray friends and brothers if necessary. Do you really believe there is a place for a woman like me in the heart of a man like that? But do not feel sorry for me. After all, I am still a queen, and the mother of Alexander.’
‘I will think of you every day, Mother. I will write and I will come to visit you whenever possible. But remember that my father is better than many other men better
than most of those I know.’
Olympias stood up.
‘I have no quarrel with the Athenians, in fact I hold them in great esteem. But they must understand that coming near my borders is like putting their hand straight into the lion’s mouth As for your uncle, I too am sorry that he has to leave. He’s a fine young man and an excellent soldier and … I get on with him better than I do with your mother.’
‘I know.’
‘It seems to me there’s nothing more for us to discuss. Do not forget to say goodbye to your sister, and your uncle of course. And Leonidas as well. He is not a famous philosopher, but he is a good man who has taught you all he was capable of teaching and he is as proud of you as if you were his own son.’
From the other side of the door came the sound of Peritas scratching, trying to find a way in.
‘I will,’ replied Alexander. ‘May I go now?’
Philip nodded and then went to the desk, as though looking for some document. But the simple truth was that he did not want his son to see his eyes brimming with tears.
12
Alexander went to visit his mother the following day at sunset. She had just finished her meal and the maidservants were clearing up. The Queen gestured for them to stop and had a chair brought.
‘Have you eaten?’ she asked. ‘Can I get you something?’
‘I’ve already had supper your
brother’s farewell feast, Mother.’
‘I know … I know, I’ll say goodbye to him in person before retiring. So … tomorrow is an important day for you.’
‘It looks that way.’
‘Are you sad?’
‘A bit.’
“You mustn’t be. Do you realize how much your father’s spending on moving half the Academy to Mieza?’
‘Why half the Academy?’
‘Because Aristotle isn’t alone. Together with him there’s his nephew and disciple Callisthenes, together with Theophrastus, the great scientist.’
‘How much is he spending?’
‘Fifteen talents a year for three years. Zeus knows he can afford it the
Pangaeos mines bring in a thousand a year in gold. Between helping friends, corrupting enemies and financing his projects, he’s put such quantities of gold into circulation that over the last five years prices throughout Greece have increased fivefold! Even the price of philosophers.’
‘I see you’re in a bad mood, Mother.’
‘And why shouldn’t I be? You’re going, my brother’s going. I’ll be left here alone.’
‘But Cleopatra will still be here. She loves you, and indeed I really think she’s like you. She’s so young yet she already has a strong, determined character.’
‘Yes,’ Olympias nodded. ‘Of course.’
Then there was a long silence. From the courtyard came the sound of the rhythmic marching of the guards who were starting the night watch.
‘Don’t you agree, Mother?’
Olympias shook her head. ‘No, that’s not the problem. The truth is that of all Philip’s decisions this is certainly the wisest. It’s just that my life is so difficult, Alexander, and it gets worse every day. Here at Pella I’ve always been looked upon as “the foreigner”; they’ve never accepted me and for as long as your father loved me everything was bearable … enjoyable even. But now…’
‘I think my father …’
‘Your father is a king, my son, and kings are not like other men: they have to marry when the interests of their kingdoms require it once,
twice, three times even or
they have to reject their wives for the same reason. They are required to fight interminable wars, they have to plot, to make and unmake alliances, to betray friends and brothers if necessary. Do you really believe there is a place for a woman like me in the heart of a man like that? But do not feel sorry for me. After all, I am still a queen, and the mother of Alexander.’
‘I will think of you every day, Mother. I will write and I will come to visit you whenever possible. But remember that my father is better than many other men better
than most of those I know.’
Olympias stood up.
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