"My brother, you're here," said Perdiccas, jumping up from his bench. "Come, let me greet you the way our father taught us."
Philip roared with laughter and ran to Perdiccas. He and his brother grabbed each other by their full, black beards and yanked outward with both hands. Both men screamed and shouted as their bodies followed each other's violent tugs. The absurd male contest ended when they released their grips and hugged each other like two Macedonian bears.
"Your beard's fuller that when last I saw you" Perdiccas remarked. "I hear that the Theban diet of vegetables and olive oil produces thick beards on captive barbarians."
“You heard well, brother," said Philip laughing. “But your point is well taken. We can defeat any Greek army because of our diet alone. I can't wait for a true Macedonian feast.” He glanced at the stranger sheepishly, wishing he hadn't been so open.
"You'll have one tonight. We were informed of your release a month ago. The celebration will be one you'll not forget."
While this brotherly exchange transpired, the stranger stood to one side, observing the two most powerful men in Macedonia acting like little boys. He moved closer, causing Perdiccas to note his presence.
"Philip, this is Iphicrates. He has just replaced the Athenian naval commander, Timotheus, as official envoy of Athens in Pella. I know that you have been isolated from events here. Athens has been instrumental in freeing our homeland of Ptolemy. The usurper's ashes now enrich the farmlands of his native Alorus. Our brother's and sister's murders have been avenged, and our father's line sits again on Macedon's throne."
Philip said nothing. He eyed the Athenian cautiously, as he listened to his brother continue his flattering praise. He sensed that Perdiccas was speaking on two levels about the Athenian. One level was represented by his words, the other through his facial expressions and body movements. One communication level didn't support the other. Philip allowed the deception to continue.
"Athens is eager to help Macedon shed Theban influence," Iphicrates finally said. "My predecessor eliminated the number of towns around the Thermaic gulf that support Thebes. Although she's still a powerful force under Epaminondas, she'll no longer dominate Macedon. Philip, know also that we are reestablishing our Athenian confederacy. Your neighbors in Methone and Pynda have joined us. Soon the entire Chalcidic peninsula will be in our benevolent sphere. Your brother and I are working toward the eventual achievement of that goal."
These were alarming words to Philip. Was Macedon shedding Theban domination only to be replaced by Athens's voracious imperial appetite? But he withheld reaction and deferred to his brother. There would be private Macedonian time to express what he really felt.
Perdiccas, sensing Philip's growing uneasiness with Iphicrates' pronouncements, intervened. "Philip, we have much to learn from Athens. Upon the advice of the philosopher Plato, I've arranged for an Athenian tutor to come to Pella. His name is Euphraeus. He has already begun teaching me geometry and philosophy. I've learned much from him about making Macedon a more advanced nation. The building projects you saw when you entered Pella and those around the royal palace are part of our efforts. These projects are the result of Athenian building genius and generous financial contributions to our treasury. In time, Pella will approach Athens in beauty and grandeur."
Philip, sullen and wary, decided to end the audience and convey his concerns to Perdiccas later. "With your leave, brother, allow me to bathe in Macedonian water and sleep before tonight's feast. I plan to drink our wine as it has never been drunk before. I'm going to ravish at least ten Macedonian maidens—if it meets with your approval, of course."
Perdiccas laughed raucously and led Philip toward the door. As they embraced, he whispered to his brother that they would go hunting in two days and he had much to tell him. "Hold your tongue until I've had the chance to explain our predicament."
Philip left the throne room and was taken to the baths. How delightful it was to use as much water as he wanted. During his time in Thebes, he often had to cover his body in olive oil and scrape off body dirt with a dull blade, much as a tanner would cure an animal hide. As he was steamed, boiled, and massaged by naked slave women, he considered the new challenges that faced his brother and him. The feast celebration and hunt were events that he had dreamed about during his long captivity, but his coming private talk with Perdiccas dominated his thoughts.
The feast surpassed Philip's expectations. He got drunk, provoked several fights, and made arrangements to bring three maidens to his room after dinner. Perdiccas, as was his custom, remained above the debauchery and ate little. Leaving the banquet hall, he told Philip there was some obscure aspect of geometry that he wanted Iphicrates to clarify.
It took all the next day for Philip to recover from the homecoming feast. His vision was blurred and he could keep nothing in his stomach. Toward evening, he had recovered enough that he could begin preparations for the next day's hunt.
Serious Macedonian hunters sought their prey mostly on foot, after having ridden outside Pella to the wild country west of the capital. Beaters drove as many wild animals as they could find through the dense growth. Then the royal hunters stalked the wild beasts, carrying only a spear, a short sword, and the circular, sixteen-pointed-star-burst-emblazoned Macedonian shield. As the prince chose his hunting weapons, he wondered what his brother would tell him.
Perdiccas and Philip had a successful hunt. They killed several boars and a beautiful lynx, and they worked together to impale a large lion. While the king's attendants gathered the animals, Perdiccas walked to a clearing and motioned for Philip to join him. They were alone, removed from their royal escort who honored their privacy from a distance.
Perdiccas sat on the flat shelf of large boulder and removed his armor. Philip did the same. The two brothers relaxed for the first time since Philip's return.
"We'll talk now," Perdiccas said.
"Yes, I want to know what you really think.”
"Macedon is threatened by many different enemies," the king began. "Some are the ancient ones our fathers knew. The Paeonians and the Illyrians would like nothing more than to have Athens occupy us here in the plains while they steal the highland provinces one at a time. Athens is another problem. While I admire their culture, they have already started to supplant Thebes' aggression. Not just here, but on the Greek mainland too. Macedon would again exist only to serve the needs of other states. I have different plans."
Philip considered his brother's words. Macedon's situation was more alarming than he had imagined when Epaminondas had first warned him about Athens. "What's your plan? What role do you want me to play?"
"I want good relations with Athens, but without their domination. I'll bring their philosophers, their architects, and their builders to Pella. You have already seen a transformation in our capital. I'll continue to cooperate with them politically, but at a slow pace. Athens must be held at arm’s length until you and I can solve our problems. I'll operate from Pella, you from the provinces. I'll continue mollifying them, seeking compromise as they flex their naval muscle around the Northern Aegean. We cannot openly oppose them, not yet. I want you to begin the modernization of our army. It's only occasionally effective against the primitive mountain tribes in Paeonia and Illyria. It would be annihilated by the powerful forces of Athens."
"I didn't think that when I left Macedonia, but my captivity convinced me you're right. I was trained by the Thebans in their new military tactics—even received instruction from Epaminondas himself. Our army must be restructured; Thebes is a good model."
“I’m surprised to hear that Epaminondas gave a potential rival military training, especially a Macedonian prince. His motives are suspect, but his hopes of controlling Macedon can work to my advantage. I've arranged for you to headquarter in Elimea.” He paused to get Philip’s reaction. There was only silence from his brother. "You'll be governor there and the youngest general in our army. Go there after the Macedonian games, three days hence. Do you want to
see mother before you leave?"
Philip's immediate fate had been decided, quickly and abruptly. He had hoped to remain in Pella and assist Perdiccas in his struggle with Athens. Yet an opportunity had been presented. It was one that he might have chosen, had he been given the chance. It would have been better to begin the reorganization of the army in Pella, close to the source of power. He had learned that from Epaminondas. But at eighteen, his brother's command offer was more than he had thought possible when he was a captive atop the Cadmea. This would suffice for now. Macedon needed him, and he needed to lead. Let his brother play the political games with Athens. He would take the direct action that his youthfulness and impetuosity required. "I'll see mother. She's not done honor to our father with her actions the last three years. Did she or Ptolemy kill our sister, Eurynoe?"
"I've forced myself to believe it was Ptolemy. It's the only way I could let her live after I removed him. We never speak of it."
"At least we'll continue the line. Where is she?"
"Banished for life in Aigai.” His face showed a cruel look that was unusual for him. "I've arranged for an Athenian tutor to teach her to read. That will keep her out of Pella. Besides, she's found ecstasy in Eukleia’s cult. I'll let her die of natural causes and bury her beside her deity. That's more than she deserves."
"You're right. She has no role to play in what we must do."
"Come, we must leave. I'll speak to you after the games, before you leave for Elimea."
Elimea was a difficult one-day ride from Pella. Philip and one hundred of the king’s royal companions followed the Haliacmon River to where it emerged from its source in the mountains. It was out of the way for him to visit his mother in Aigai now. He would visit her when time allowed.
Toward evening, the group arrived in the dusty, miserable province. Philip established his headquarters and a temporary governor's residence in the village's largest home. Its former owner had been killed in the fighting that overthrew Ptolemy, and Perdiccas had seized all his property. He held a brief meeting with his royal companion officers before retiring for the night. Only two of them were older than twenty-five; Philip was easily the youngest. Despite everyone in the small group being dirty and tired from the long ride, there was a spirit of camaraderie and energy to begin the task that lay ahead. The newest Macedonian general addressed his officers and told them to assemble the provincial army at sunrise for inspection.
"Have you set the chain of command yet?" asked Parmenio. He was the son of the ruling family of Pelagonia and had been one of the first to join Philip. Ten years older than Philip, he had recognized early his leadership abilities and threw in his lot with the young general. His life-altering decision had been made after Perdiccas announced his plans for the returning prince. Clearly, Parmenio expected high rank promotion as a condition of serving Philip.
"I've not," Philip responded. "You'll rank high among my officers, don't doubt that. I intend to promote only those who produce results. Laggards who are here because of family influence will be warned once and then sent back to the capital. Macedon cannot afford the luxury of coddling spoiled children who have gotten into trouble in Pella and sent here to learn responsibility. This will anger some prominent families, but that's how it’s going to be. This will be our first and most serious challenge."
Philip's inexperienced young officers were not immune to his caustic words. Some of them fit precisely the description that the new general and governor had just uttered. Philip sensed that he had struck a raw nerve and was pleased. Let them realize from the outset that I’m going to get results. Childhood friendships don’t apply anymore. Macedon's national destiny is in Perdiccas's and my hands. I will not fail.
"Leave me now," Philip said. "We'll assemble when the cock crows. I'll not tolerate anyone being late, for we're an example to whatever caliber of soldier we will find here."
The companions left and Philip was alone. He didn't bathe or remove his uniform before retiring. Stretching out on a wood-framed bed, he experienced a happiness that could only come from doing what he had always wanted to do. The gods intended that military conquest was to be his destiny. Here, among loutish and dirty men, he would make his mark. He would serve his homeland the only way he knew. Proving his mettle would start before the next day's light. The eighteen-year-old prince allowed himself to enter a dreamless sleep.
Philip spent the next months evaluating, reorganizing, and retraining the motley group of provincial Macedonian soldiers that he found in Elimea. The only strength he found in them was their indomitable fighting spirit. Macedonians were, above all else, fighters and hunters of wild animals. They enjoyed the hardships of the field and displayed an instinctual love for adventure and combat. But everything else that made up an effective fighting army was missing. He got support from Perdiccas to refit the common soldier. Over time, what had resembled a disparate group of conscripts began to coalesce as a unified fighting unit. He marched the army into the field, requiring them to carry full provision packs on their backs. Common soldiers and royal officers alike were subjected to incessant close order drills and tactical maneuvering. The best training techniques of Epaminondas were rote-drilled into his provincial force.
When the forced marches ended at last, Philip gathered his men one evening around a roaring, log bonfire. Hardly any of them wanted to hear the young snip of a general after a long, arduous day, but they had no choice. Philip waited for the grumbling to subside, and then walked to the center of the gathering. His army grew quiet and the only sound heard was the crackling of the fire. Seize the silence and multiply it by three—it was one of the speaking principles that his Theban tutors had taught him. He used it now, enlisting the fire’s support to build anticipation. “I’m proud of every one of you. You came here as farmers, hunters, spoiled adolescents, and whoremongers. That has changed. You are on your way to becoming a fighting force. Soon, no army of equal number will be able to oppose you.”
There was scattered laughter, flatulent release of bowels, and grunts of agreement. Every man in the army realized how he and his comrades had changed. Pride of that accomplishment shown in their eyes.
Phillip had their complete attention. He was a little surprised that another of the public speaking tenets that the Pythagoreans had taught him had worked. During the army’s reaction to his introductory comments, he was undecided about his rhetorical direction. Should he stay with Theban logic or resort to the bawdy metaphors of his countrymen? You’re thinking too much. Speak from your heart. Make your men love and follow you for who you are.
Calmness fell over him and he continued. “When I was a hostage in Thebes, I saw for the first time how another city-state has used Macedonia’s natural resources, her farm products and her craftsmanship. The palace of Epaminondas is filled with bounty of our homeland. He didn’t purchase it. He didn’t ask for it. The Theban army came here and stole it. Not just from my brother, King Perdiccas, but from each of you. They raped Macedon’s national treasure for Thebes. Athens, the other Greek city-states, and the Persians have done the same thing. Believe me men, in their minds we are simpleminded barbarians, existing only to serve their needs.”
Philip paused to let his men’s’ nationalistic pride and indignation build. He heard “The fuckers won’t ever do that again” and “If they ever come north of the Haliacmon, we’ll skin their cultured asses.”
A broad smile filled his face, and then he grew serious again. “The day is coming when one or more of the city-states will invade us again. If we are not strong, if our army isn’t the best in Greece, most of you will die. They will win yet another victory over Macedon and your sons will grow up as hungry as you were as children. Will you allow that?”
The men jumped to their feet and shouted “No!, Not ever!, Hell no!, Never again!”, at the top of their lungs. Many waved their weapons in the air, jabbing at unseen enemies. Still standing, they grew quiet again.
“I will continue to ask much of you,” Philip resume
d. “Macedonia will continue to ask much of you. You have more to give because you are Macedonians and your cause is just. I want the spirit that the hunter shows when he faces a lion with just a spear to be in you all. Most of you have shown that spirit encountering wild game. When next we meet Macedon’s enemies, you must release that ferocious, fighting pride. I will always do what I ask of each of you. You’ll find me on the front line, fighting beside you. I never saw Greek generals do that. The world will reel from what we are building here. When you are old, living in a secure Macedonia, comfortable beyond your present dreams, tell your children who helped save Macedon. It was a former Theban hostage named Philip.”
Spontaneous cries of “Phil-ip, Phil-ip, Phil-ip” broke into his speech. Philip let the cries run their course, and then concluded.
“But Philip did it only with the finest army ever to be put in the field. For we are tied together. Without you, I am nothing. Without me, you are nothing. Tell your children that Philip did it by focusing your courage and fighting spirit. Keep that truth alive as we keep each other alive.”
His army roared their approval. Each knew that something special was happening. Slowly, the adolescent who had come to lead them was becoming a man, worthy of respect and emulation. He was teaching them to believe in him and in themselves. They were slowly beginning to realize that Philip knew the answers to all Macedon's problems. This realization awaited only the first harsh test of battle.
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