The Sands of Ammon by Valerio Massimo Manfredi

Author:Valerio Massimo Manfredi
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers UK
Published: 2011-02-25T06:00:00+00:00

32

THE SIX HUNDRED AND ninety-three young men who had expressed their desire to join their wives left at the beginning of autumn for the journey back to Macedonia, where they would spend the winter. Shortly afterwards Parmenion also set off with part of the army and the Thessalian cavalry. The King, after having consulted the old general, gave command of this last to his cousin Amyntas, who had always displayed great valour and loyalty. The Black, Philotas and Craterus were part of this group too.

Alexander then held a restricted council meeting with Seleucus, Ptolemy and Eumenes, inviting them to supper.

So as to avoid problems of jealousy arising, he had arranged for his other companions, including Hephaestion, to be busy with duties in the surrounding area, and the chosen three were left feeling that they were in the camp and had been invited by chance. But the subject which Alexander broached left them in no doubt that at that moment the King was calling upon their intelligence rather than their physical prowess.

Not even the servants were admitted – only Leptine brought the food to them as they sat around a table, just like the days when they used to attend Aristotle’s lessons at Mieza.

‘Our informers tell me that Memnon has had an enormous sum of money sent to him from the Great King. It was transported by sea – an extremely risky operation. He intends to use it to enlist over one hundred thousand men, an army with which he will invade Greece. But perhaps more important is the fact that he has apparently already begun distributing gifts among many influential figures in all the Greek cities. General Parmenion has already expressed his opinion . . .’

‘That we should return home?’ Seleucus guessed.

‘Indeed,’ replied Alexander.

Leptine began serving their supper: grilled fish with beans and wine cut with water. It was a light meal, a sign that the King wanted them all to remain clear-headed.

‘And what are your plans?’ asked Ptolemy.

‘I have already made a decision, but I want to know your view. Seleucus?’

‘I say we should push on. Even if Memnon should succeed in taking Greece, what will he have achieved? He will never manage to enter Macedonia because Antipater simply will not allow it. And if we continue to occupy all the ports along the Asian coast, the Great King will eventually lose contact with him. In the end he will have to capitulate.’

‘Ptolemy?’

‘I see things as Seleucus does – let’s continue. If we could find some way of killing Memnon, though, that would be a good thing. It would save us no end of problems and would be like the Great King having his right arm amputated.’ Alexander seemed shocked and surprised by this proposal, but he continued his consultation: ‘Eumenes?’

‘Ptolemy is right. We must continue, but if we can we must also eliminate Memnon – he is too dangerous and too intelligent. He is unpredictable.’

Alexander was silent for a short while, chewing his fish without much enthusiasm, then he took a sip of wine.

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