Philip and Olympias: A Novel of Ancient Macedon

by Peter Messmore

  Demosthenes sought war support from Athens's allies but they dallied. At last, word came to the assembly that Philip had defeated Cersobleptes and a new urgency was introduced into the debate, now approaching two months. Philocrates, after lengthy private discussions with Eubulus, finally rose to confront the real and, to him, only issue facing Athens.

  "We have spent most of spring doing what we pride ourselves most: debating vital issues facing our democracy. I, more than most men, favor that process. Yet while we have debated, Philip has acted. Cersobleptes, once our ally, is now Philip's. Shall we debate for the next year while Philip solves the Phocian problem the same way? The Macedonian will not yield on the treaty exclusion points, be assured of that. If we don't return to Pella and swear the king to some form of peace and alliance, we must prepare for war. Not next year, not soon, but now. A fund for support of this war must be found and conscripts called. Not next year, not soon, but now! The time for discussion is over. We must act immediately!"

  There was intermittent but not widespread applause for Philocrates' words. Then the still-respected fiscal minister, Eubulus, rose to speak. "I have agonized over this decision. Only recently have I come to the opinion that Philocrates' position is the only one that Athens can pursue. Our inaction plays into Philip's hands. A motion by Philocrates is before this body. It urges a second delegation be sent to Pella, swearing the king to treaty terms. Philip has shown intentions of supporting the treaty, albeit a different one than most of us favor, by having three of his generals here these months. Their only mission has been to wait for our answer and then swear for Macedon their agreement. They will not swear to terms that Philip will not support. It is as simple as that. If we send them back empty handed, war is imminent. There is no other alternative."

  Aeschines and other speakers supported Eubulus’s position, although reluctantly so. Then, as everyone knew that he would, Demosthenes rose to attack what was becoming, to him, a dangerous shift of assembly sentiment. The orator, weary from the long sessions and little sleep, began an unusual, extemporaneous speech. "I'll support this motion only if Athenian control of besieged Halus is assured, only if our prisoners of war are released without payment, and all matters related to Phocis are guaranteed by the treaty terms."

  Demosthenes knew that Philip had specifically instructed his ministers not to swear to the treaty if Halus's continued affiliation with Athens was protected by treaty language. The same was true if the difficulty surrounding Phocis were included in the final draft. It was his last weapon against Philip, and he intended to use it. "I also wish to avoid war. But war is preferable to giving Philip everything he wants in this treaty. I will return to Pella and fight for these vital issues, if the assembly softens the harshness of these Macedonian terms. Philip will yield on these matters if we stay united and of unanimous resolve. It is in your hands."

  Acrimonious debate continued, but, as the day yielded to evening, the assembly voted to give up any insistence on Halus's continued Athenian alignment. This was a victory for the pro-Macedonian members. The crucial issue of Phocis was deliberately left ambiguous in treaty language, allowing the delegation and Philip to resolve the matter in the second Pella negotiations.

  Parmenio, knowing that Philip would not accept this, knew that it was probably the best that Macedon could get from a divided Athenian assembly. He, Antipater, and young Eurylochos were administered the oaths of acceptance as Philip's representatives by the president of the assembly, Demosthenes.

  The Macedonian negotiators left the city hurriedly, traveling to Thebes to calm their Boeotian allies about what Macedon had done. It would not take long for the political ripples to begin spreading throughout Greece. Parmenio wanted to put the correct cast on the agreement, so as not to alarm what he knew would be a suspicious Thebes.

  In a week the same ten-member Athenian delegation that had been sent to Pella three months ago journeyed north again to refine the treaty terms with Philip of Macedon.

  Although Philip could have returned home to Pella earlier, he deliberately kept the second Athenian delegation waiting while he tarried in Thrace. Parmenio was summoned to join the king at Amphipolis and report to him on events in Athens. The king knew that he was close to getting nearly everything he wanted, but it was still Phocis and Macedon's allies in central Greece that weighed heavily on him. At a high promontory overlooking the blue Northern Aegean, Philip walked with his senior general and discussed Macedon's future. A strong sea breeze made each man's hair dance as they paused beside a large rock outcropping.

  "We have them then, except for troublesome Phocis," the king said with a worried look on his aging face. "Is that what you are telling me?"

  "It is, Philip. Our contacts in Athens, our secret retainers in the boule, and your senior staff all feel that we have prevailed. Prevailed except for the issues related to Phocis. It will require your hand to deal with her. The Athenians and their allies see Phocis as the key to their security. If we deal with her harshly, a religious backlash will unite Athens's allies to oppose us with force. They know that once we're inside the gates of Thermopylae, there will be no stopping our army. They understand that we could easily take Athens and eventually move south into the Peloponnese. The stakes are enormous. We can lose everything if we miscalculate."

  Parmenio was telling Philip what he already knew. More than any other time in his life, now was a time for caution. He had come far. A foolish move would lead him and Macedon to defeat. He remained silent and resumed walking. His head was down, his hands at his lower back.

  Parmenio followed his absorbed king, until Philip turned to face him.

  "The three of us made our way to Thebes, after swearing to the tentative terms of the treaty," Parmenio explained. "They're suspicious of both Athens and us. They've even called up half their hoplite reserves, anticipating confrontation over Phocis. If we're not careful, we'll settle with Athens, and then have to fight our nervous ally."

  "What the hell does Thebes expect of us?"

  "Harsh domination of Athens; the eradication of Phocis, her leaders, her people, and her villages."

  "I thought so. They want us to do what they never could do. Our position must fall between what Athens and Thebes expect. I won't gain alliance with Athens and lose Thebes. Even though she's a marginal ally, we must tiptoe through these issues. I intend to be seen as the savior of the Delphic Temple when this ends. Recognized as the only leader who can bring peace and unification to Hellas. Our Persian invasion awaits these moves and counter moves. I'll need Thebes's fighting army and Athens's navy if we're to be successful against Ochus. If we manage these negotiations carefully, the emotional religious issues surrounding Phocis will be the glue that holds Greece's petty poleis together."

  "You dream mighty dreams. I share them, of course, but I advise you that any talk now of Persian invasion is dangerously premature. Athens is our immediate problem. We must placate her fear that these negotiations are just preludes to Attic invasion."

  "I don't want to invade southern Greece. I'm intent on winning through negotiations. War, if it comes, will be our last resort. Let them fear what they will. It will only pressure them to accept our entry into Thermopylae. Phocis' leaders will be toppled, one way or the other. If I'm allowed, I'll deal leniently with her citizens. The key is Thermopylae. I want Macedonian troops there, inside the pass, with the assistance of Athens and Thebes. That's my decision and our immediate goal. Come now, old friend, a meal awaits us in my tent. Tomorrow we leave for Pella and more talk with the nervous Athenians."

  When Philip arrived two days later in his capital, a host of civil administrators, envoys, high and low ranking diplomats, court sycophants, heartsick boy lovers, the members of the Athenian delegation, and especially Queen Olympias demanded to see him. He sent word to the Athenian delegation that he would meet with them in two days. His first inclination was to refuse Olympias an audience, but he thought better of it and sent for his wife. Because he had long ignored her du
ring the months since the first Athenian delegation's visit, he knew that she could easily become a marital disease. A disease, that if left untreated, could hurt him where he had little power to defend himself, in his court and palace. In private moments, Philip told himself that he didn’t love Olympias anymore. But their relationship had become a contest. Philip relished competitive contests of every sort. His goal now with his wife was to dominate her. In the months and years ahead, she would feel the strength of his will. No person or city had ever been able to withstand that force.

  Olympias came to the king's quarters, dressed stunningly in a rose-colored garment that caused Philip to lust briefly for his still beautiful wife. Her youthfulness, carefully preserved, bewitched him. But he quickly reigned-in his sexual itch. For a hesitant moment, he was torn emotionally. Were it not for her vicious personality, he might consider some form of reconciliation. Put it out of your mind. She is who she is, and she will never change. Her only role is to raise and guide your son. Before long, Alexander will be delivered to Aristotle and any need for Olympias will pass. Besides, Greek events were more important to him than any woman, even one as beautiful as Olympias.

  "You're more beautiful than when I last saw you, Olympias," the king surprised himself by saying. "Your gods treat you well."

  "They always have. Like you, they know I’m special." Olympias showed a smug countenance.

  "Come to the balcony. Rest yourself and enjoy the few breezes Loudias offers. It's been damn hot in Thrace, hotter than Pella."

  Olympias gave her husband a curious look and studied the man that she was growing to despise. His dead eye had grown more dreadful since she last saw him. It appeared as if he had allowed an infection to develop in it while in the field. Looking closely, she saw that a yellow liquid had welled up where his tear duct used to be. He wore a fresh cut, the length of her index finger, on the right side of his face. The impression that he presented was that of a prematurely aging man who had fought too many battles and consumed far too much uncut Macedonian wine.

  "Alright—what do you want?” Philip asked.

  "Two matters need your attention. First, I want to know what your plans are for Alexander. His brightness surpasses his tutors' abilities. He is bored. I cannot manage him when he is bored. He needs stimulation and more education. But his future teacher must be a man of intellect. I will not, nor should you, accept anything less."

  "I've seen these things. The boy still has two more years with you. Arrangements have been made to have him tutored by one of the finest minds in Greece when he is thirteen. You met him briefly before he left to become an academic at the court of Hermias. He is Aristotle of Stagirus, and I've been in regular communication with him. His intention is to join us here when his scholarly investigations are completed. Of course, much can happen in two years—to Aristotle, to you, and to me."

  Olympias allowed Philip's remark to go unchallenged. She knew it as only part of the threatening game that he played with her. While Alexander lived, she was secure. "I approve of your choice. We spoke only briefly, but I didn't know you were considering him seriously," she lied. "He impressed me with his wisdom and patience. Our son demands those qualities. I'll tell Alexander of your plans."

  “Leonidas and Lysimachus will continue to teach him. Already the boy has a better education than I ever had. But I want him to spend the next two years improving his horsemanship. His athletic training should be accelerated too. A leadership position awaits him at the head of my cavalry when Aristotle is done. Discourage his effeminate musical performances and writing those embarrassing poems. No enemy was ever defeated with music or poetic phrases."

  "His musical and poetic abilities are gifts from his father, Philip. Don't degrade what you don't understand."

  "I know the poison you continue to teach him about Zeus-Ammon! But it doesn't matter. If you use these years to do what I command, you can think what you want about his spiritual father. I injected you with the seed that made Alexander on our wedding night. Your orgasmic screaming, echoing through the palace hallways, testified to that. Stop deluding yourself. It's still the best bedding I ever had! That's all I care about.”

  He paused, trying to calm himself.

  “What's your second request?"

  Olympias hurled Philip a look of hatred. She held her husband's single eye gaze for one confrontational moment, and then lowered her eyes. She would make her second request no matter how contentious the encounter had become. "Although you have refused to see me these months, I learned through my sources that you are nearing a breakthrough on Phocis. The Pella priests, the priestesses of Zeus-Ammon, and I have sought divine guidance about Apollo's temple at Delphi. He has made it clear that the temple is to be solely in Macedonian hands. When that happens, I have been directed to travel to Delphi and build a temple there. It will elevate Zeus-Ammon to a level equal to Apollo. This is a holy requirement made of both of us as repayment for our son. I now give you this holy message. The god requires that you comply with it or lose your life on a battlefield in central Greece. Remember what happened to you at Methone."

  Philip placed his index finger in his dead eye-socket and stroked the scar nervously. His eye had been taken when he violated the sanctity of Olympias's personal god, and he knew that far worse could happen if Zeus-Ammon were further offended. Her words were not lost on him, but her silly demand that Macedon take control of Delphi only made the imminent negotiations with the Athenians more difficult. Hellas would not stand for Macedon to replace Phocis as the usurper of Apollo's sacred temple.

  "The message of the god is received. Tell him that King Philip must work out the terms related to Delphi, so that the rest of Greece's mere mortals will understand. I tire now of our discussions. You're excused."

  Olympias had observed her husband fingering his vacant eye when she reminded him of his bedroom ceremony violation. She knew that the event still had a powerful hold on him and that her request would be given serious consideration. That was all that she wanted for now. Philip's goal was political and military domination of Hellas. One of her goals was religious domination of the Greeks. Her remaining goal was to assure Alexander’s ascendancy. As she left Philip's chambers, she was content that both of her dreams were closer to becoming a reality.

  Before meeting with the Athenian delegation, Philip gave truncated audiences with representatives from Thebes, Thessaly, and even far-off Sparta. The worried envoys wanted to influence him and ensure that their parochial interests were given consideration in the second phase of the talks. The king committed nothing, but gave fair hearing to each diplomat's entreaty. Each left feeling that he had gained special sympathy for his position. Clearly, Philip was in control of events. He needed only to exercise diplomatic sensitivity, while using the ever-present threat of resorting to all-out war, to achieve final victory. The diplomatic area of greatest danger remained meddlesome Phocis and the resolution of the sacred war that her actions had caused.

  When Philip finally granted the Athenians an audience, all other issues, save Phocis, had already been resolved. Agreement had come in secret meetings, with both sides agreeing not to inform their allies of the compromises until the talks were concluded. Philip was careful to keep the Athenians and the Thebans away from each other, for he wished to both weaken Theban domination of central Greece and to retain her as a nominal ally.

  After days of haggling over Phocis, the Athenians and the Macedonians approached a critical juncture. Athens wanted alliance between themselves, Macedon, and its puppet-ally, Thessaly. Included in this alliance were to be Sparta and the citizens, not the blasphemous Phocian military leadership, of Phocis. An alliance between these states would, if sworn to, emasculate Theban power in central Greece. This policy had, for generations, been an Athenian goal. Philip skillfully allowed Athens and her allies to believe that this was slowly becoming his position. He insisted simultaneously that the Macedonian army be allowed inside the gate of Thermopylae. Finally, the Athenians gave
an opening. If Macedon would agree to end Theban domination of her neighbors, if Philip would deal harshly only with the misguided leaders of Phocis, then Athens would not oppose Macedon's army when it entered and occupied Thermopylae Pass. Then, and only then, they told the king, could the terms ending the twelve-year sacred war be finalized.

  Philip acceded to the demands secretly. But he demanded, cunningly, that the final negotiating site be moved to Pherai, in Thessaly. Pherai was only a two-day march from the gate of Thermopylae. This move would put the Macedonian army in a position to take quick and decisive military action if the talks broke down. The Athenians agreed reluctantly to his ultimatum and the talks adjourned. Then most of Philip's massive army and the diplomatic envoys traveled to Pherai.

  Arriving in the Thessalian city, Philip arranged for only those of his allies who supported the treaty to be sworn to it by the Athenian delegates. The king took the oath for Macedon. The Athenians left Pherai, followed immediately by Philip and his army. When the delegates arrived in Athens to report on events to their boule and assembly, Philip entered Thermopylae Pass. He encamped his army in the pass itself, poised but not yet ready to enter central Greece. He wanted to enter middle Greece not as a conqueror, but as the savior of the holy temple at Delphi. His full attention was then directed toward the people and leadership of Phocis.

  Immediately south of the Thermopylae Gates waited the Phocian mercenary army of Phalaecus, Phocis's current general. Thebes' commanders urged immediate attack and destruction, not only of the Phocian mercenaries, but also of the villages and cities of Phocis. But Philip reigned in his alarmed ally, initiated talks with Phalaecus, and called for an Amphictionic Council convocation. It hardly mattered anymore that Athens was again balking at the treaty terms. The presence of Macedonians in Thermopylae Pass was more than most of the boule and assembly members could stand.