by H A CULLEY
Iphitos was told to concentrate on the conflict between Phocis, Athens and the Amphictyonic League and on the situation in Chalkidike. A lot was happening with the former and not much with the latter; that is until a messenger from Thrace to Olynthus was intercepted.
Given the slaughter of two defeated mercenary armies, it wasn’t surprising that Phalaikos had experienced difficulty in raising another one. This time he had to offer twice as much as he had paid before and even then he couldn’t recruit enough. His other problem was that the treasuries in Delphi had contained an awful lot of silver and gold coins but the supply didn’t resemble the Horn of Cornucopia. He was running short of money.
The conflict had also exhausted Thebes and their Boeotian allies. Nearly half the male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty five had been killed or crippled. Athens, Corinth and the rest of the Amphityonic League had all suffered significantly. The Scared War was bleeding Western Greece dry.
However, Phocis still had enough resources to continue the war, albeit with a reduced army, and in the past year they had launched two more abortive campaigns against Boeotia and Athens had invaded the Peloponnese with equal lack of success. A few cities had changed hands and then been recaptured. Philip seemed pleased by the stalemate when Iphitos informed him of the latest failure by Phocis to make any gains in the north of Boeotia.
‘Don’t you see Iphitos, the more they exhaust each other the less then can trouble me in Thessaly and the more ready they will be to invite me to broker the eventual peace treaty.’
Iphitos wasn’t clear how calling on Philip to negotiate the end of the war in due course would help establish him as the premier power in all Greece, but he didn’t say anything. No doubt things would become more obvious to him in due course.
The newly developing situation in the west was of much more concern at the moment.
‘As you know, basileus, the message from Cersobleptes and his brother, Amodocus , invited the leaders of Olynthus and the other cities in the Chalkidikean League to join with them in attacking Philippi and Amphipolis simultaneously. If successful, Thebes would get Philippi and Chalkidike would gain Amphipolis.’
Philip waved at him impatiently. He knew all this.
‘What we don’t know is if more than one message was sent and, if so, whether Olynthus received it. However, our agents report that neither Olynthus nor any of the other cities in the league appear to be preparing for war at the moment. Of course, if Thrace doesn’t receive a reply to their overtures they could well either send another message or even an embassy. We must therefore assume that the invitation will get through soon. We have no way of knowing what the reaction will be until we get reports that the Chalkidikean cities are calling up their militias or making other obvious preparations for war.’
‘What do you suggest that we do?’
‘Well, we could send a forged reply to the two Thracian kings purporting to reject their overture to Olynthus and, at the same time, send the original message onto Olynthus. It’s unlikely that Thrace would risk mobilisation without support from Chalkidike, especially if they were told that they would intervene to help Macedon because of the treaty between the two of us. Meanwhile either Olynthus would reject the approach themselves, in which case we are no worse off, or they could mobilise, thus giving us the excuse to attack first.’
‘I’m impressed, Iphitos. My thinking exactly. Now, go and discuss with Uzava how we put it into practice.’
-o0o-
It was shortly after the forged letters had been sent that Uzava came to Iphitos with a problem.
‘It would seem that our agent in Olynthus has died, kyrios.’
‘Why do you think that?’
‘I communicated with her via our agent in Amphipolis, who pretended to be her brother. She was a priestess in the Temple of Aphrodite and was over sixty so I don’t think she had been discovered or anything like that. It’s merely bad luck.’
‘How did the man in Amphipolis find out?’
‘His last letter was returned saying she was dead and there is no reason to doubt that it was of natural causes. Our immediate problem is getting a replacement inserted; this really couldn’t have come at a worse time.’
‘Yes, you’re right about inserting someone; we don’t have time to recruit someone already there.’ Iphitos sighed. ‘I suppose we could send someone to seek work there?’
‘Like you did at Potidaea, kyrios? May I make another suggestion?’
When Iphitos nodded he continued.
‘We could pick one of the boys in the School of Pages and send him there to attend a philosophy school with one of the scribes in my section as his pedagogue.’
‘Yes, that’s an excellent idea, Uzava . Well done. Do you have any suggestions about who we might send?’
‘Well, Chronos has some friends amongst the pages, perhaps he might know of someone suitable? As to the scribe, I have just the man.’
‘Very well, I’ll talk to Chronos.’
Iphitos wasn’t surprised when Chronos volunteered to go himself but he pointed out to the boy that his father, Demetrius, was hardly likely to agree, nor was his lover, Lysis. After sulking for a while, his aide suggested Callimarcos, the thirteen year old son of Dardanos, Attalus’ chief engineer. Dardanos was puzzled when Iphitos sent for him and asked him to bring his son with him. He was even more concerned when he found Uzava , Chronos and a man he didn’t know waiting for them in the tent with Iphitos.
‘You sent for me and my son, kyrios?’
‘Yes, Dardanos. Thank you for coming; you too Callimarcos. If your father and you are amenable, I have a little task I’d like you to carry out for me. The king has already agreed to release you from your duties as a page if you agree to do it.’
Uzava then described what was required. Philip would pay the fee charged by the philosopher in Olynthus and also pay the boy a significant sum.
‘I assume that my son will be given warning to get out of the city before Olynthus becomes aware that Macedon is about to attack?’ Dardanos asked.
It was evident from his tone that he was unwilling to put his son at any kind of risk. The fact that he had failed to accord Iphitos the courtesy of addressing him as kyrios was another indication of his reluctance. On the other hand, Callimarcos seemed really eager and gave his father an annoyed glance.
‘Yes, I can tell you now when we want him and his pedagogue to leave and make for Amphipolis, where we will meet up.’
‘I’d be very happy to do it,’ the boy butted in before Dardanos could raise any further objections. ‘What sort of information do you need?’
‘A rough idea of the layout of the city, the size of the garrison and its make-up in terms of hoplites, peltasts and so on and anything that would be helpful for us to know about the strengths of the walls and gates; in particular what lies just inside the gates. Don’t make it too obvious that you are collecting information, just be a naturally inquisitive boy. As we are currently allies of Chalkidike they won’t be on the lookout for spies.’
‘Unless they have agents in Pella and know that Philip is preparing for war,’ muttered Dardanos.
Iphitos was beginning to lose his patience with the man, although he understood his natural concern as a parent. However, it wouldn’t be long before Callimarcos became an ephebe and then a soldier. He would be in a lot more danger on the battlefield. His father couldn’t protect him for ever.
‘Even then, the cover story will be that we are advancing on Thrace,’ he snapped. ‘Right, if we are all agreed then, Callimarcos, you will join my staff tomorrow for a more detailed briefing by Uzava . Thank you everyone, that’s all.’
Iphitos got up, causing everyone else to do so. Dardanos nearly raised further objections but he knew he’d been outmanoeuvred. He hadn’t wanted his son to join the School of Pages, knowing Philip’s reputation, but it was an honour and he could hardly refuse. Now it seemed that he was to become a spy. It wasn’t what he would have chosen for h
is son but he knew how a similar mission had brought Iphitos to the attention of the king. Perhaps Callimarcos would make his name for himself in a similar way.
He tried to comfort himself with that thought and to reassure himself that everything would go without a hitch but it didn’t do any good. However, what he feared the most was the reaction of his wife. Perhaps it would be best not to tell her. He would have to warn Callimarcos not to say anything. He needn’t have bothered; Uzuva had already told the lad to keep his mouth firmly shut. He knew how boys liked to boast but the threat that he would surely die if he told anyone should do the trick. He even told him not to tell his father any more than he already knew.
Two days later he and his new pedagogue rode out of Pella heading east.
-o0o-
Philip decided to take the armies of both Parmenion and Attulus with him when he attacked Olynthus. Antigonus was left at Pella with his men in case there were unexpected developments in Thessaly or Illyria. Iphitos found it very hard to leave Chloe and, for the first time ever, he began to wish that he could avoid the coming campaign. Once they were married he and his bride had enjoyed an even more passionate love life than when they had first met. Then he had been a callow boy learning how to make love; now he was a much more experienced and confident young man of twenty one. People thought it was a scandal that he had married so young, and to a widow who was his senior by eight years. However, given his rank and standing with the king, they were all smiles to his face.
Chloe was pleased that her circle of acquaintances had expanded beyond Kharis and Myrrine , but she wasn’t fooled. Parmenion’s wife and her companion were her only real friends. She was only too well aware that people made snide remarks about the age difference between her and her husband, but just so long as they weren’t made to her face she decided that she could live with it. Then her happiness was complete when she found out that she was expecting a baby.
She had worried for so long that she couldn’t have children after taking daily potions to prevent that happening when she was a hetaera that she had almost given up hope. It was Kharis, who was pregnant again herself, who first spotted the signs and asked her if she was also expecting. At first Chloe didn’t allow herself to believe it, but her constant bouts of biliousness had Iphitos worried and she eventually told him that she might be pregnant.
He didn’t think he had ever been happier and so, when he had to leave her a few days later, he was distraught. He wanted to stay and look after her but he knew it wasn’t possible, and he took some comfort from the fact that Myrrine would be clucking around both her and Kharis like a mother hen. He took a tearful farewell of Chloe and forced himself to stop fretting and concentrate on the job in hand.
His mind was soon taken off everything else except the campaign. When they arrived before Olynthus he was faced with several conflicting priorities and called a meeting of his senior officers. He slowly looked around his somewhat cramped tent.
His two assistants, Lysis and Kleandros, sat beside him with Chronos, as his personal aide, standing behind them. The two chief artillery officers from the two armies sat in front of him with their six senior artillerymen, one for the lithoboloi, one for the gryphettes, and one for the kapeltikons in each army. The last two men where the senior engineer officers.
‘Right, thank you for coming. Our immediate task is to construct five forts. A large one to the north to house Attulus ’ army, whose task is to prevent a relief force from either Thrace or the other Chalkidikean cities coming to Olynthus’ aid, and four smaller forts, one in front of each gate, to prevent supplies entering the city and to deter the garrison from sallying forth. I propose to visit all the possible sites for these fortifications tomorrow morning and reach a decision so that you can start work as soon as possible.’
He paused and fixed each of the artillery officers in turn with his eyes.
‘That’s the easy part. I’m sure that you won’t like what I’m about to say next but it needs to be done. Attulus ’ army will be the mobile element that will meet any relief force in the field. He can therefore best make use of the all the kapeltikons and the gryphettes that we have available. Similarly, Parmenion’s army is to besiege Olynthus and therefore needs all the lithoboloi.’
As he had expected there was an outcry at this because it would mean whole units serving alongside others who they didn’t know and under commanders that they weren’t familiar with.
‘Enough! I haven’t given anyone permission to speak!’
The hubbub quietened down, although there was an air of simmering resentment in the tent.
‘You are not alone in this re-organisation. Parmenion’s cavalry epihipparchia is to transfer to Attalus’ command, where they will be more use for patrols and foraging, leaving the King’s Companions with the dual role of bodyguard and cavalry to counter any sorties. One chiliarchy of Illyrian hoplites is also joining Attalus. However, he will be providing a hipparchia of cavalry and a tagma of infantry every week to escort Demetrius’ re-supply columns. So you see we are all to serve where we are most needed.’
‘Who will command these new combined units, kyrios?’ Attulus ’ chief engineer asked.
‘Thank you Dardanos.’
He wasn’t surprised that the man had asked the first question. He had taken a dislike to him when he had met him to discuss his son becoming a spy and he hadn’t improved on further acquaintance.
‘Kleandros will be in overall charge of the construction of the five forts. Under him it makes sense for you to take charge of the main fort to house your army and you, Endemion, will supervise the four smaller forts. Naturally, you will also remain in command of the artillery allocated to your respective armies. As to the command of the combined units, the most senior phylearch will be in command with the senior phylearch from the other army as his deputy. That means that Glaucos will command all the kapeltikons with Narkissos as his duputy ; each will still command his own force of kapeltikons , of course. I hope that’s clear?’
‘So does that mean that I command all the lithoboloi?’
‘Thank you, Linos . That’s a good question. As Endemion only has one type of artillery to worry about he will be in command and you and Eos remain in command of your sections, as now.’
‘Is Praxis senior to me?’ Heirax , the commander of Parmenion’s gryphettes, asked looking aggrieved.
Lysis leaned across and whispered in Iphitos’ ear.
‘Yes, it would seem that he is, Heirax , thank you. Well, I hope that we have now managed to sort out who’s who in the new pecking order,’ Iphitos said, a trifle wearily. ‘The change-over of the artillery is to happen first thing tomorrow and Lysis will be here to deal with any queries. Kleandros, Dardanos and Endemion; you are to meet me at the horse lines an hour after dawn. Go and brief your engineer officers now and tell them not to be late. I hope that they can all ride.’
As Iphitos and his engineers were preparing to set off the next morning they saw the main gates swing open and a group of officers and three civilian officials rode out of Olynthus followed by a tetrachium of cavalry as their escort. Shortly afterwards Philip rode out of the Macedonians’ tented camp with Parmenion and Attulus , followed by fifty Companions, and rode towards the other group. Iphitos was too far away to hear what was said but it was obvious that the exchange was getting increasingly heated.
The leaders of the Olynthus council were outraged that Philip had broken the treaty of perpetual peace he had agreed to under oath at Delphi just six short years ago. They threatened him with the vengeance of Apollo but Philip just laughed.
‘I’m the defender of Apollo and I’m the man who has exacted vengeance on the sacrilegious Phocians, who even now defile his sacred temple. As to breaking the treaty, it is you who have been in secret correspondence with Amadocus and Cersobleptes of Thrace, plotting to invade Macedon. Now you will pay for your perfidy.’
Philip’s accusation forced the Olynthians onto the defensive.
‘We
have not been plotting with anyone,’ the senior elder spat back at him, emphasising the word ‘not’. ‘We can’t help it if the Thracians are trying to stir up trouble, we have refused to have anything to do with their warmongering. You are using this as justification to attack us, your allies, when you have, in reality, no justification at all. You are a foresworn oath breaker, Philip of Macedon, and we demand that you withdraw your army from all Chalkidikean territory immediately.’
‘You are in no position to make any demands. You are the ones who are foresworn.’ Philip’s eyes glittered dangerously. ‘This exchange is getting us nowhere. You have a simple choice. You can surrender the city to me now or you can wait until we take it by force and sack it. Choose the second option and I will erase Olynthus from the face of the earth in the same manner as I obliterated Potidaea.’
‘We will never surrender to you. Stay here then and try to capture this city. You will fail and be trapped here when the other cities of Chalkidike come to our aid. No doubt Thrace will also take the opportunity to invade Macedon and free Amphipolis again. Your overarching ambition will be the death of you, Philip.’
Philip glared at him and spat in his face before turning his horse and galloping back into the camp.
Iphitos didn’t need to be within earshot to get the gist of the confrontation. He had never expected the negotiations to come to anything. He knew now that Philip intended to be the master of all Greece as a preliminary to invading Persia. It was an ambition he shared. The Hellenic world of city states and petty kingdoms spent all their wealth, energy and manpower in internecine warfare, which made them vulnerable to Persia, both in terms of political interference and outright invasion.
He mounted and led his officers round the city to consider the various possible sites for the four forts which would blockade the four gates into the city. It was Kleandros who raised the problem of the cavalry horses. They needed pasture to graze on and water to drink. That would have to be gathered up and taken to the stables in the forts each night. Furthermore, the muck they produced would need to be shovelled up and taken out of the stables each day.
