n
502 - 525 AVC
The Gods play with Us
502 AVC
After his last victories, Ptolemy Kerounos, aged 53, was thinking about his heirdom. After two civil wars, one fullscale war and many barbarian invasions, Macedonia was bleeding from its wounds.
He was discussing with his Grand Vizier, also husband of Cleopatra Ptolemy, his first daughter, and Heir Apparent.
"See, Grand Vizier. I have annexed Illyria, submitted the Dacians, conquered Thracia and Bithynia, and proved my strength against two rebellious lords. Isn't Macedonia the greatest power of its time?
- Great Basileus, my King... your glory is assured and the Gods have heard your name. But you know that the Gods have their own disputes, their own battles and their own plans. If you have pleased Zeus and Ares, then maybe other Gods might feel that you have betrayed them.
- How could I betray them, when I am also submitting the northern barbarians to our rule and bringing faith and civilization to them?
- The Hierophant told me yesterday that he has seen new signs. You have to pray and worship Aphrodite, and look for her blessing. You have to bring a lasting peace to Macedonia.
- Our Hierophant has been participating in wild orgies a whole month. That might sound quite acceptable to Aphrodite.
- Yes, Majesty. The Hierophant told us that it was bringing good blessing to us.
- And pleasure for him, that is for sure. But peace! Our lords told me the same thing! Peace! They are all looking for peace. And I am too.
- Our remaining lords have lost all their sons and brothers in these wars. My King.. .they are hoping to see their grand-daughters and grand-sons become full women and men, to be alive to see this, and be assured that their successors will live long enough to have a family as well.
- Do not tell me about this! NEVER! Never speak of family to me, Grand Vizier..."
Ptolemy made a pause. He was thinking about his two lost sons.
"Tell me of the other Powers. What do you know of the Seleucids?
- They have led a successful war on Egypt. They have survived a civil war and extended more control on their western frontier, conquering several kingdoms which were trading with us. But we have been trading with the Seleucids for several yearsas well. Though their power is tremendous, they are not a threat to us.
- Are they not a threat to Bithynia, our recent conquest?
- We are friends with all countries to the East, Majesty. Your diplomatic skills have brought us many friends. Bithynia is actually a good defensive position, the wall which protects Macedonia itself. Thracia is now our seconday wall. Macedonia is well protected from an eastern invasion.
- Diplomatic gains, yes... still, the Seleucids have always refused to ally with us. I was looking for such an alliance in order to have some security to the East, before heading out on the Romans. And if they are not allies, then they will be enemies, one time or the other. And Egypt?
- Aegyptus is concentrating all its mind on the Seleucids, and maybe even on Carthage. Besides, you have built a strong navy, my King. Poseidon will take out half of their fleet, and our amiral the other half, if they decide to come to us.
- Alas, we have no report about their own navy, Grand Vizier, we might as well be blind. Besides, since 478 Egypt has always refused to trade with us, just like Carthage and just like the Romans. If they do not even trade with us, then this means that they have... other plans... to bring our riches to them!
- Yes, my King. Your words are true. Carthage, Egypt and Rome are threatening us.
- What about Carthage?
- The Carthaginians had several succession problems. Civil war struck them, then rebellion and unrest. But they managed to extend some control in Iberia. and they were successful in their war with their former ally, Numidia. They completely annexed them. Carthage seems to be strong and dominate all western trade.
- Strong! You call them strong, yet they seem to be so afraid of Romans.
- Yes, my Majesty. Carthage bowed to the romans, and let them conquer Syracuse and Tarentum.
- Both cities should have been under our protection, Grand Vizier. Romans are a problem. Unfortunately, maybe they are too big of a problem to be taken care of?
- Yes, my Majesty. They are... too big of a problem to be taken care of.
- You are wrong, Grand Vizier. Rome has plans for Greece, plans to enslave us all in their roman civilization. Plans that I will not tolerate.
I will make Macedonia strong. I will raise strong cohorts, gather immense armies. I will build the strongest Greek navy of all times. I will make Macedonia so strong, that the Romans will think twice before attacking us. Leave me ten or twenty years of so called 'Peace', and I will have Macedonia prepared for Rome.
But I do not hope to live so long, Grand Vizier. Hades might one day call me to his realm. That is exactly why I have called you.
- Yes, Majesty? said the Grand Vizier, apparently trying to hide his whole satisfaction about being Basileus himself.
- Grand Vizier, you will no longer be our Heir.
- ...
- But you will be King nevertheless.
Call our scribes. We are making an historic change. I will make our rulership be of cognatic succession.
Our daughters are full grown women, with children and spouse. Cleopatra has shown great skills, and Eudipia has proven that she is a true daughter of Apollonia. Both are gifted with great intelligence, finesse, charisma and understanding of military problems.
Being older, Cleopatra will be our Heir. I am still healthy, but do not plan on living twenty or thirty more years, not even ten. Cleopatra will be Basileus after me. She will be a Queen Basileus, and you will be our next King.
- A wise decision Majesty...
- I was sure you would like it. Bring the scribes there. Oh, and remember to tell our shipwright to continue building the newly equipped triremes we have discussed.
- Triremes? Do you plan for a war?
- No, Grand Vizier. There will be peace! But we need a stronger navy than the romans. Romans must be impressed.
- Yes, wise Basileus. With the fleets we already have, and the fleets you are building up, they will surely be impressed.
-Let's hope that they won't be so impressed that they could understand the threat we are. I hope that they will leave us alone for some years. Oh, and I have also two ministers and one governor to remove.
- To remove, Majesty?
- Yes, they have proven disloyal to the crown. Or actually, they do not approve you as the new heir. I do not want to risk a new civil war. Strip them of their power and influence, and they will be forgotten and unable to cause unrest.
- At once, Great Basileus.
- I might not have to put up such removal, as soon as the new sucession law is written and known to the people. With your children and mine, we are adding five legitimate heirs to the throne.
- A wise move, my King. A very wise move."
Macedonia was then set for years of peace... unless the Romans would decide for something other.