Lion of Macedon

'Of course.'

'Then do my bidding.'

Attalus chuckled. 'Already you sound like a King. Very well, Philip.'

The door opened and a servant entered and bowed. 'My lord, the Athenian ambassador is seeking an audience.'

Philip rose and took a deep breath. 'Tell him I shall be with him presently.' The King bade farewell to Attalus and then walked through to his bedchamber where he changed his clothes, dressing himself in a long pale blue tunic and a Persian cloak of fine dark blue wool.

Then he sat, allowing his thoughts to drift over his problems, identifying each and preparing himself for the meeting. To remove Athens from the fray was an urgent priority — but it would prove costly. Once again the city was struggling to be the leader of all Greece. Since Parmenion had crushed the Spartans the real power struggle had developed between Thebes and Athens, both forming alliances in bids to secure supremacy. Perdiccas had favoured the Thebans, sending Macedonian troops to the independent city of Amphipolis in the east to aid them against Athenian aggression. Understandably this infuriated the Athenians, who had ruled Amphipolis. It was an important settlement, controlling all trade routes down the great River Strymon, but its people wanted nothing to do with Athens and had been fighting for independence for more than fifty years.

But now the Athenians had despatched an army to remove Philip from the throne, and he had no force to oppose them. If they succeeded, Amphipolis would fall anyway.

Placing a slender gold circlet on his brow, he walked out into the throne-room to meet Aischines.

The man was short and stout, his face the unhealthy crimson of the weak of heart.

Philip greeted him with a broad smile. 'Welcome, Aischines, I trust you are in good health?'

'I will not complain, sire,' the man answered, his voice deep, his tones clipped and exact. 'But I see that you are in the best of condition, like a young Heracles.'

Philip laughed. 'Would that I had only twelve labours to perform! However, I must not burden you with my problems. I have sent messages to Athens — a city I have always admired — and I hope our friendship will be lasting.'

'Sadly, an attitude not shared by your late brother,' said Aischines. 'He seemed to prefer the Thebans and even — dare I mention it — sent troops against us in the battle to recover Amphipolis.'

Philip nodded. 'Sadly my brother did not share my view of Athens. He did not see the city as the father of democracy, nor understand the true nature of her greatness. I think he was dazzled by the exploits of Epaminondas and Pelopidas, and trusted our nation to prosper under the wisdom of Thebes. A great shame,' said Philip, shaking his head. 'But let us walk awhile and enjoy the cool of dusk as we talk.'

The King led the way to the outer corridors and the royal gardens, pointing out different blooms that Simiche had planted grown from seeds sent from Persia. As they walked Philip's mind was whirling. He needed Athenian acceptance, if not their direct support. An army financed by Athens was marching to steal his kingdom and place Argaios on the throne. As yet the Macedonian forces were unready for another major conflict; but could he be so rash as to surrender Amphipolis, a city so vital to the sea trade in the Thermaic Gulf?

Tread warily, Philip! he cautioned himself.

They halted by a high wall and sat beneath a tree heavily laden with purple blooms. Philip sighed.

'I will be frank with you, Aischines,' he said. 'After all, your spies already know of my contacts with Thebes.' Aischines nodded gravely, which amused the King since no such contacts had been made. 'They wish to send me an army in order — as we are both aware — not to protect Macedonia but to stop Athens from regaining Amphipolis. I need no more lengthy wars fought on Macedonian soil, and I desire no new masters. Rather, I wish for friendship with the premier city of Greece.'

'The Thebans,' said Aischines carefully, 'seek only the power of tyranny. They have no culture.

Where is their philosophy? In the power of the sword? In the last hundred years they have known only two great men, and those you have already mentioned. When Pelopidas was slain in Thessaly and Epaminondas fell at Mantinea they had no one to replace them. They are a failing power. Athens is once more in the ascendant.'

'I agree,' said Philip soothingly, 'but what choices do I have? The Illyrians have invaded my upper kingdom. Paionians are pillaging to the north. The Thracians are massing on my borders, seeking to install Pausanias. I am threatened everywhere. If Thebes is the only answer, then Thebes it must be — 5,000 hoplites would secure my throne.'

'Only for Thebes, sire. Not for you.'

Philip turned his gaze to meet Aischines' eyes. 'I have known you only a few moments, Aischines, but I see that you are a man I can trust. You are a fine spokesman for your city and an honest, noble man. If you tell me that Athens wishes friendship, I will believe you — and I will spurn the offer of Thebes.'

Aischines swallowed hard. Neither man had mentioned the Athenian force marching with Argaios.

'There is, still,' he said, 'the question of Amphipolis. As you are aware she is an Athenian city, and we would much like to restore her to the League. You currently retain a garrison there, I understand?'

'It will be withdrawn the moment we reach agreement,' promised Philip. 'Amphipolis is not considered by me to be Macedonian. In truth, the citizens requested our aid and my brother -

wrongly, as I believe — agreed to help them. Now, tell me, Aischines, what message should I send the Thebans?'

'I see that you are a man of culture and wisdom,' said the ambassador. 'I can assure you that Athens respects such men — and desires only friendship with them. I shall send my report to the council immediately, and will return to you directly.'

Philip rose. 'It has been a pleasant meeting, my dear Aischines. I hope you will join me tomorrow at the theatre; there is a new comedy I have been waiting to see. The players are Athenians and it would be an honour for them — and for me — if you would sit beside me.'

Aischines bowed.

Philip accompanied him back to the palace and then returned to his rooms, bis face darkening with fury. Nicanor was waiting for him.

'It did not go well with the Athenian?' asked his friend.

'Well enough,' snapped Philip, 'but if I give away much more of Macedonia I shall be the ruler of three trees and a stagnant pool. Tell me something good, Nicanor. Cheer me!'

'We have gathered almost 1,000 men from the remnants of the army. But morale is not good, Philip; we need a victory somewhere.'

'Is the gold still getting through from Crousia?'

'Some, but I think the governor is holding back, waiting to see who is likely to win. He may already be communicating with Cotys or Pausanius.'

'Then we can hire no mercenaries. So be it. A victory, is it? You have spoken to the officers so, tell me, which of them has the belly I need?'

Nicanor leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. 'Antipater is a good man. He kept his troops together well and they fought a tight retreat. I think he is respected. The others? There is no one special, Philip.'

'Send him to me. Tonight!'

'Who are we to fight?'

Philip laughed then and spread his hands. 'The one thing we are not short of is enemies. But it will be the Paionians. What news of Parmenion?'

'He won a battle for the Satrap of Cappadocia. He is in Susa, being honoured by the Great King.

But we have got word to him. I must say though, Philip, I cannot see why he should come. He must be rich by now. Why would he return to Greece? What can we offer him?'

Philip shrugged. There was no answer to that.