Manjani nodded in agreement. ‘When he finally reached the oasis, Alexander was immediately taken to the Temple of the Oracle — a magnificent edifice built atop a natural acropolis that rose above the surrounding ground.’
Garcia flashed a picture of a crumbling ruin on the video screen. ‘We’ll have to take your word on it because the years haven’t exactly been kind to the temple.’
Manjani smiled. ‘Trust me, in the time of Alexander, the Temple of the Oracle would have been the focal point of the area. If there was one thing that drew people to Siwa, this was it. It would have been cared for above all other buildings, immaculately prepared for those who had traveled great distances to commune with the spirits.’
Cobb was familiar with the influence that these spirits could wield. Whether it was Joan of Arc leading the French army into battle or Kevin Costner building a baseball field in Iowa, there were plenty of people willing to do irrational things when asked by a higher power. Given what Alexander had already accomplished, Cobb wondered what message was possibly worth the journey for the Macedonian king.
‘What did the oracle tell him that was so important?’
Manjani smiled. ‘Alexander learned that he was a god.’
Sarah rolled her eyes. ‘How can you just become a god? I mean, not to sound metaphysical, but isn’t that something you’re born into? As in, you need to have a deity somewhere in your family tree.’
Manjani nodded. ‘You do, and he did — if his mother is to be believed. From the time of his birth, Alexander’s mother, Olympias, maintained that he was not the son of King Philip the Second. She claimed that he had been sired by a god in the form of a serpent. Alexander took her word on it and began living his life in accordance with his divine lineage, even though he harbored many doubts. But those doubts were erased on his trip to Siwa.’
‘Erased how?’ she asked.
‘Before Alexander was admitted to the temple to talk to the oracle — which was actually a large statue of Amun — he first met with the High Priests of Amun, who welcomed him in his familiar Greek. As non-native speakers of the language, they blessed him not as their son — “paidion” — but rather as the son of god: “pai dios”.’
Sarah scoffed at the notion. ‘One slip of the tongue and Alexander became a god? Is that all it took?’
Manjani shook his head. ‘The linguistic confusion was only the beginning. After consulting with the oracle, Alexander emerged from the temple alone and immediately renounced his mortal father. He also proclaimed that he wasn’t a son of a god, but rather a son of the god, Amun. The high priests supported his declaration and heralded his divine provenance, forever linking him to the king of kings.’
69
Sarah was still struggling with Alexander’s ascension to the Egyptian pantheon. ‘Hold on. Alexander visited the temple alone. Afterward, he claimed he was the son of a god and the priests just took his word for it? How do they know what the oracle said?’
‘Because the priests were there,’ Manjani explained.
‘They were where? Inside the temple?’
‘Yes, inside the temple.’
‘But you said he went in alone!’
‘Technically he did, but when the ruins were investigated centuries later, it was discovered that the entire structure was essentially one big performance stage. There was a hidden second floor that could only be accessed through a secret entrance. It allowed the priests to remain concealed while they, not the statue, spoke to those inside.’
McNutt laughed. ‘Sounds like the Wizard of Oz.’
‘Similar,’ he conceded. ‘There were also double walls surrounding the statue. The gaps between could only be reached via an underground tunnel that originated behind the temple. From within these walls, additional priests could add special effects to enhance the booming voice from above. Pounding, musical instruments, and hushed echoes were all used in concert with the message being delivered. Anything to convince the visitors that they had, in fact, communed with a higher power.’
Garcia was dumbstruck. ‘Why would they trick Alexander?’
‘They didn’t,’ Manjani assured him. ‘Considering all of their efforts to protect Alexander even after his death, it would be foolish to assume this was some sort of elaborate ruse. What you have to understand is that the priests truly believed they were the conduits through which the gods would make their desires known. They considered themselves to be mystics, the earthly reflections of the divine rulers. As such, they were the chosen voice of the pantheon, and it was their responsibility to ensure that its will be conveyed to the people. If they told Alexander that he was the son of Amun, it was only because they believed it to be true.’
Papineau agreed. ‘That makes sense. From the priests’ perspective, only the son of a god could have accomplished his feats.’
Manjani nodded. ‘They saw him as the most powerful man on earth. So powerful, in fact, that he could not possibly have been of mortal blood. When Amun sent them word that Alexander was his son, they did not question it. When Alexander accepted his fate, their duty had been fulfilled… Or had it?’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Sarah asked.
Manjani pondered the dot near Siwa. ‘The priests were the source of his power, and he was the source of theirs. For the remaining years of his life, Alexander showered the priests with tributes, and they, in turn, offered their guidance and wisdom. In the eyes of the priests, the glories of Alexander were hopelessly intertwined with those of Amun. It only makes sense that they would want to bring his body back to Siwa after his death. By placing Alexander’s tomb near their holy temple, they would create an eternal bond. They would be linked in death, as they had been in life — just as he had hoped.’
‘Alexander wanted to be buried in Siwa?’
Manjani nodded. ‘On his deathbed, it is said that Alexander spoke of his desire to be laid to rest next to Amun. It stands to reason that he would want his body returned to the place where he first learned of his divinity, to be forever interred in Siwa.’
Although many historians have suggested that Alexander’s body was secretly taken back to the oasis at some point in time, little has ever been discovered to support such a claim. In fact, the ruins in Siwa give the impression of abandonment, not adoration, leading some to speculate that even if the body had been taken there, it had been moved away some time later.
He continued. ‘In the time of Alexander, the high priests controlled the land. They were the authority, and they determined who was allowed to enter the oasis. Their absolute power made Siwa a logical spot to hide Alexander’s tomb.’
Sarah furrowed her brow. ‘But the second dot wasn’t in Siwa — it was miles away. Why put the tomb all the way out there if you’re trying to keep an eye on it?’
Manjani was ready with an answer. ‘Having the tomb concealed within the city would have made it easier to guard, but it also would have limited their options. They couldn’t build a shrine in the middle of Siwa and still expect to keep their secret. Someone would have questioned their efforts. But constructing a temple in the outlying desert would not only safeguard its exposure, it would protect it from uninvited guests. Remember, this is the terrain that once swallowed an entire Persian army overnight. It has taken millions of lives over the centuries. Two thousand years ago, it was even worse than it is today. It was known to bring nothing but death.’