Since Alexandria was so divided in population, each of the three rulers relied for support upon one of the groups. Physkon sought the sympathy of the Egyptians; the Sister, of the Hellenes; the Wife, of the Judaeans. They even had three separate armies. Physkon's soldiers wore red crests on their helms; the Sister's, white crests; the Wife's, black crests. Each color was represented in the audience hall, standing in squads where they could quickly come to the aid of their respective sovrans if the latter were attacked.
The music stopped. Tetephras halted and roared: "I present to Your Divine Majesties the illustrious Eudoxos son of Theon, peace herald and sacred ambassador of the city of Kyzikos and holder of many distinguished offices in that city; the Reverend Xenokles, high priest of Persephonê in Kyzikos; and the eminent members of his Board of Sacrificers: Master Hipponax, Master Kerdon, and Master Timaios; the athletes: Master Anaxis the wrestler ..." and so on. Then he turned to us:
"Gentlemen: I present you to His Divine Majesty, Ptolemaios Evergetes, the king of Egypt, Cyrene, Cyprus, and other outlying possessions; Her Divine Majesty, the Queen Kleopatra the Sister; Her Divine Majesty, the Queen Kleopatra the Wife; and the divine children: the Prince Ptolemaios Philometor, the Prince Ptolemaios Alexandras, and the Prince Ptolemaios Apion."
These last were three youths, who sat on small thrones flanking the three large ones. Ranging in age from twelve to eighteen, all had the short, tubby Ptolemaic build. The first two were the sons of Physkon and the Wife; the third, of Physkon and a concubine. The first, Ptolemaios Philometor, was the one we now call "Lathyros." Physkon also had two daughters by the Wife, who later married Seleucid princes, but neither was present. On our right, a lean, stooped, gray-bearded, tutorial-looking man stood behind the two youngest Ptolemies.
We bowed this way and that until we were dizzy. I presented the gifts we had brought: a golden-hilted sword for Physkon (albeit he could have wielded nothing more warlike than a toothpick), a bronze statuette for the Sister, and a jeweled tiara for the Wife. I made my speech, telling the rulers how wonderful they were and how honored we were by their gracious hospitality. Knowing that, for all their pomp and finery, all three were probably bored half to death, I kept the oration short.
Physkon nodded and said, in a voice that reminded me of gas bubbling out of a swamp: "Thrice welcome, gentlemen! Our Divine Majesties rejoice in the safe arrival of the distinguished delegation from the illustrious city of Kyzikos. We welcome you with Our most gracious cordiality and trust that you will enjoy your sojourn in Our glorious capital. It will be Our pleasure to have further intercourse with you as circumstances permit. Our servants will make the arrangements. You have Our gracious leave to withdraw. Be in good health!" .
We all bowed again and backed down the hall, as Tetephras had instructed us. As we reentered the vestibule another group awaited admittance. These were Parthians: proud, fierce-looking men in short jackets and long, baggy trousers, with bulbous felt hats on their long, curled hair and great, sweeping mustaches, waxed so that they stood out like the horns of bulls.
Tetephras told us: "Tonight you shall dine in the visitors' dining hall. Entertainment will be furnished. Father Noptes will take you in charge at the eleventh hour." He dropped his voice. "You, Master Eudoxos, are requested to keep tomorrow evening open."
"Oh?"
"Aye. No slight to your delegation is meant, but His Majesty wishes your advice on a question of geography, for which the presence of the others would not be useful. There will be an intimate supper, so be ready."
That evening, Noptes collected us and brought us to our places in the visitors' dining hall. Then he excused himself, saying he had duties in the temple of Sarapis.
The couches were arranged in groups, one for each set of visitors. These included delegations from other Hellenic cities and, in addition, the Armenians, the Numidians, and the Parthians whom I had seen earlier in the day. As head of my delegation, I felt it my duty to make the rounds of the other groups, introducing myself and passing a few words with each. The head of the Numidians, a tall, hawk-nosed man named Varsako, asked me in stumbling Greek:
"Master Eudoxos, pray—ah, please tell me: how can I get —get copy of play by great Greek playwrights? You know, Aischylos and—ah—Sopho—Sophokles? Our King Mikipsa, le say there should be more culture in Numidia, so he ask me get manuscripts. How to do?"
"Do you know where the Library is?"
"Nay. I have never been in city big like Alexandria."
"Well, I have never seen the Library, either; but I don't think it's far from here. Any Alexandrine can direct you. When you get there, apply to the Chief Librarian for the services of a copyist. Since it's a request from a king, he ought to assign you one without cost."
"Who is Chief Librarian?"
"One Kydas, I believe."
The next set of couches I stopped at were those of the Parthians. To my surprise, the chief Parthian greeted me in excellent Greek. After we had passed the amenities, he said:
"I heard your advice to the Numidian, Master Eudoxos. Do not tell him to apply to Kydas."
"Why not?"
"Because Kydas is a mere retired soldier, to whom Phys— ah—to whom His Divine Majesty gave the job as a sinecure. He knows nought and cares less about literature, and a request left with him will be simply forgotten."
"What, then?"
"Bid him apply to the Assistant Librarian, Ammonios. Then he'll get some action. Our king, who is also a tiger in the pursuit of culture, commanded me to get him some manuscripts on my last mission hither. So I know."
On my way back to my couch, I passed the word to Varsako, who was effusive in his gratitude. After the repast, our red-haired friend Hippalos brought in an orchestra and signed them to strike up a tune. He clapped his hands, and in came a squad of girls, who hung garlands of rare red and blue lotus flowers around our necks and went into their dance. As the wine was passed, Hippalos came in and sat on the end of my couch.
"You certainly have those girls well drilled," I said.
"I learnt the trick when I was a drillmaster in the army of Antiochos Grypos of Syria," he said with his satyrlike grin. "If you want one of those girls for the night, old boy, I can arrange it." When I hesitated, he dropped his voice and added: "Or, if you prefer boys, I can arrange that, too."
"Thanks, but I'm under a vow of chastity for the nonce." Naturally I was not going to admit my real reason for refusing.
"By the two goddesses, how utterly beastly!" said Hippalos. "But look, dear Eudoxos, I'm serious about this African venture. I know something about you and your shipping firm. By
Hera, with your money and my wit, we could garner immortal fame—"
"My good Hippalos, you have a fine job right here. Why are you so eager to go galloping off on a hunt for gryphon's eggs? You'd probably only get yourself speared and eaten by the natives, or swallowed by one of those league-long serpents they tell about. What's the matter with your present situation?"
He smiled a sly, crooked smile. "You had a good look at my divine employer today, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"How long would you guess that she'll continue to shed her radiance on this earthly plane?"
I shrugged. "It's dangerous to guess about such things where you might be overheard. But I get your point."
"And, when the kingdom changes hands, many that were "at the top of the ladder before find themselves at the bottom. A wise man foresees these things and makes preparations. But I'll talk some more to you about it. Now I must tend to my girls."