Tomb of the Lost

Chapter THIRTY THREE



Thirty six hours later and the team along with Hutchinson and Peter Dennis bumped and jarred their way over rough, sand swept roads in hired Land Rovers. The two at the rear carrying their equipment. Hutchinson, Dennis, Natalie and George in the lead vehicle. They had left their hotel rooms at 6a.m. and met Dennis, in the restaurant for breakfast. At 8a.m. they had hit the road. They had taken the motorway south from Tunis, and nearer Gabes they had taken the road that hugged the coast. It was now near midday.

“Could we have some more air conditioning please?” Hutchinson asked the driver.

Dennis smiled to himself while looking out of the window.

“What are you smiling at?” Natalie asked him.

“I was just thinking how people today can’t survive without air conditioning. In 1942 when my grandfather was out here they were driving around in lorries that had nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Not even lining in the cabs. Just bare metal. Imagine how hot or cold that must have been.”

“What was it like for those men out here all those years ago?”

“In one word ‘Desolate’ They lived with death everyday, with disease, with poor supplies. Sometimes they would run out of petrol and just sit where they were for two weeks, and here’s the thing, nearly fifty per cent of their petrol supply was lost to evaporation and poor, leaking, storage containers. Did you know? Even their tea and coffee tasted of petrol because the petrol cans were all they had to make beverages with. Imagine what drinking petrol, even a miniscule amount, does to your insides. My Grandfather always said years later that he could still remember the taste. It’s been sixty five years but for those men and women involved the war has never left them.”

Out of tiredness Natalie put her hand up to her mouth to suppress a yawn.

“I’m sorry. I’m boring you.”

“Oh no. Sorry, no I’m just tired. No it’s very interesting. Please continue,” she said genuinely liking him.

“I knew nothing about it myself. I only began researching it after my Grandfather died.”

“What was he like?”

“He was the kindest man I ever knew. I’m not just saying that. He never had a harsh word to say about anyone.”

Dennis raised his backside off the seat enough to pull his wallet from his Jeans back pocket.

“I have a picture. A photograph. Here,” he said opening the wallet and taking out a very old black and white still. Natalie held it in her hand. There were two women seated in front of a young man in a British army uniform.

“That was taken in 1939 when he was called up. The young woman is his wife, my Gran, Ronnie.”

“Ronnie?”

“Veronica.”

“Oh I see. Is the older woman his Mother?”

“No my Gran’s Mother.”

“Pardon me for saying but she looks like a very stern woman.”

Dennis smiled. He agreed.

“I never knew her. She died before I was born.”

“Oh I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

She looked at him. His smile was friendly.

“Why do people who’ve never met someone or know the circumstances always say they’re sorry to hear that that person has died.”

He was right. She knew it.

“Human nature I suppose.”

He was staring out of the window at the miles and miles of sand.

“He’s a very good looking man.”

His attention back he stared down at the photograph in the girl’s hand. Natalie handed the picture back to him.

“Yes he was very good looking.”

“Almost movie star looks. I can see where you get it from,” she hadn’t meant to say it quite so. It had been a slip of the tongue and now she felt awkward, almost like she was a schoolgirl again revealing her first crush.

‘Why does he make me feel like this?’ she asked herself.

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. I just think your Grandfather was a very good looking man and you’ve inherited his looks,” she was able to recover.

There was an awkward silence. Broken by Hutchinson.

“So what does everyone know about Alexander the Great?”

“I know the basics,” Natalie replied.

“I learned him at school,” George said “Every Greek learns him at school.”

“Peter perhaps you’d like to tell the story.”

“Of course Jim. Thank you,” Dennis cleared his throat “Imagine the scene,” he said looking at the faces in the car, “It’s a hot summer night. The date is the 20 of July. The year 356bc. The place Pella, Macedonia. Pella is a city, the capital. Macedonia is a country ruled by King Philip II. Philip is a good King. Good to his people and good for Greece….”

Natalie glanced at George who confirmed it with a nod.

“….Back then Greece was a country of warring tribes, not yet unified. Not even after the great invasions by Persia, led by the Kings Darius and Xerxes. No. Philip changed all this. He united the tribes at the battle of Chaeronea with the eighteen year old Alexander by his side. Father and son fighting together. Alexander actually saves his fathers life in this battle.”

“Where did it go wrong between them?” Natalie asked.

Dennis took a swig of water.

“That same year Philip, estranged from his wife, Alexander’s mother, Olympias, marries Euridyce, Atalus’ niece. Philip orders Alexander to pay homage to Atalus and an argument, no more than a slanging match starts. Accusations fly and a brawl starts right there at the wedding reception. Philip, drunk by now, turns on Alexander who makes a comment back. Suddenly Philip rushes Alexander but trips over a rug and falls. Alexander then gloats asking the guests ’Is this the man who would lead you into Asia when he can’t even make it from one couch to the next’

Philip, still on the floor, banishes Alexander from the realm.

“But he does return though doesn’t he.”

“Yes he lives with his mother during his wilderness years. She announces to him that once Euridyce becomes pregnant Alexander’s rise to the throne will be gone.”

Dennis glanced across at Roussos.

“Have I missed anything George?”

“No your knowledge is very good Mr Dennis.”

“Please call me Peter.”

George nodded. He would continue to call the Englishman ‘Mr Dennis’

“Are you an expert on Sikander Mr Dennis?”

“What? Oh you mean Alexander. No I’m not. And it’s Peter….”

“As you wish Mr Dennis. Peter. You seem to know so much about my wife’s country’s greatest ruler.

“I’m not an expert sadly. As soon as my Grandfather told me his story I rushed out and bought books and used the internet on the subject. It’s a truly fascinating story.”

“It is.”

“It’s a story of revenge,” added Hutchinson “Please continue.”

“Philip was murdered wasn’t he?” Natalie asked.

“Yes I was just coming to that.”

“Oh sorry.”

Again there was that look between them.

“Philip was assassinated. The year now 336bc. There were lavish games to celebrate the marriage of Alexander of Epirus to Philip’s daughter Cleopatra, Alexander the Great’s sister. Alexander and his mother were both present. For a moment all their differences with the King put aside. Finally Philip himself arrived at the theatre at Pella. He walked in alone to great applause, the sun in his eyes. Suddenly he was confronted by a guard, Pausanias. Before Philip could speak Pausanias kissed him briefly on the lips before plunging a dagger into his heart, killing him instantly.”

They could all imagine in their minds the chaotic scene.

“Why did he kill him?” from Natalie.

“Well some said that Pausanias was raped by some of Philip’s guests at the wedding reception and that Philip did nothing. Even after Pausanias complained to him personally. Others said that Alexander and his mother were involved. I suspect the latter to be nearer the truth.”

“So Alexander became King of Macedonia?”

“Yes he was instantly sworn in.”

“And the assassin?”

“Pausanias? He attempted to escape of course, was chased, tripped and fell and was run through. Killed before he could answer any questions.”

“They didn’t attempt to capture him?”

“No just ran him through with their javelins.”

“It does sound like a set up.”

“Yes. Maybe they were just angry at Philip’s death but I suspect Pausanias was got rid of before he could speak. They could have caught him easily.”

“And Philip’s new wife and baby?”

“Put to death almost instantly by Olympias.”

“So Alexander’s accession becomes complete.”

“He now becomes ruler of all of Greece.”

“And then he invades Persia?” from Hutchinson.

“No. Incredibly the Thebans rise against his rule so he has to quickly go North to quell them. He has to go as far as the Danube. Once they are subdued he begins his campaign. The first thing he does is travel to Delphi to consult the Oracle. He arrives at a time of the year when the Oracle is not functioning. He grabs the priestess and attempts to drag her out by her hair.

“My son,” she shouts at Alexander, unhappy at her treatment, “You are invincible!” He promptly drops her and thanks her. It was all he needed to hear. The campaign was on. He crossed into Turkey during the autumn and comes up against his opponent, some say his toughest, Memnon, the mercenary from Rhodes, the brother of Mentor.”

“Memnon was the greatest soldier who ever lived,” said George.

“Many would agree,” Dennis continued, not minding their interruptions, “Some say that had Memnon not died suddenly as he did Alexander would never have gotten out of Greece.”

Dennis took another swig of water. It was hot inside the car. He felt the sweat trickle down his spine.

“Memnon dying was a stroke of luck for Alexander. The great Persian King Darius had no one available to replace the Rhodian. At first he wrote to Alexander offering money, asking for a truce. Alexander refused so Darius offered his daughter’s hand in marriage as a gift. Alexander laughed at this “Why would I want her as a gift when I could take her anyway” he mocked. Darius, now, had no one to turn to so he took the battlefield in person. It was a cold November afternoon as the two armies opposed each other across the Granicus river in Turkey. Darius tried one last time for peace between them but the young Macedonian King was having none of it. The Greeks hadn’t forgotten what the Persians had done 150years before. The battle was over very quickly, the Persians, outnumbering the Greeks, were smashed. Darius turned his heel and fled leaving his army in disarray. The two men would meet again however at the battle of Issus. At this battle once again Darius’ army was beaten and he fled back to Babylon.”

“Did Alexander chase him?”

“No he let him go. Alexander moved down through Turkey into Israel, Lebanon and Egypt. It was there that he founded the greatest city he built, Alexandria. Did you know he built twenty three Alexandria’s in all.”

“No I didn’t,” Natalie said. Hutchinson was surprised also. George just scowled. Dennis fell quiet for a while. Each of them were left with their thoughts. Then Natalie asked.

“What happened 150 years before?”

“Oh yes sorry! In 490bc Darius I, King of Persia, ruler of forty five different nations had invaded Greece with a small force and marched on Athens. They were stopped and defeated at Marathon and the Persians withdrew. Ten years later Darius’ son Xerxes, returned with the largest army ever mustered. Twelve hundred warships accompanied the forty thousand strong army and as they marched overland Xerxes sacrificed at Troy to the Trojans who had died a thousand years before.

When news reached the various Greek states of the advancing Persians Athena and Sparta threw aside their differences and united against the vastly outnumbering Persians and led by their King Leonidas the three hundred Spartans set up a roadblock at Thermopylae in the narrow pass. They held off the Persians for four days before Leonidas was killed and the three hundred overwhelmed.

Following this victory the Persians continued towards Athens and the Athenians abandoned their city and boarded ships for Salamis, an island offshore. The Persians sacked Athens, burned her temples and the greatest insult to Greece, they cut down the sacred olive tree of Athena.

Next the Persians had tried to surround Salamis and as Xerxes sat on his golden throne and watched from a nearby hillside they closed in for the kill.

That night Themistocles, the Greek commander, spread a rumour that the Greek ships would make their escape by sailing the straights between Attica and Salamis. Xerxes was quick to react and the Persian ships moved before dawn, cramming themselves into the narrow channel of sea. When the Greeks saw that the false rumour had worked they sailed their warships to the attack. The Persians were unable to manouevre and the Greeks caused them a catastrophe. The Persian fleet was almost destroyed. Themistocles urging the Greeks to fight for their wives, their families, their very lives. The Persians had been forced to withdraw though they did leave a large army behind. This army was defeated at Plataea the following year. From then on the Persians set the extent of their empire at Western Turkey.

The Greeks rebult Athens, building the incredible Acropolis and the blackened columns of the original Parthenon were set into the walls. The Greeks would never forgive or forget the Persian attack and the Greek tribes vowed revenge on Xerxes empire. It would be a twenty year old Alexander who took revenge.”

“How far do you think Alexander wanted to go? You know from the beginning.” Hutchinson asked.

“I don’t know. From what I’ve read I would say, to begin with, to conquer Persia. Probably to take Persepolis and the seat of Darius. I don’t think he intended to kill the Persian King though.”

“Did he kill him?”

“No Darius wanted to raise another army after his second defeat. Darius’ generals wanted to run. Eventually Darius was stabbed and a general by the name of Bessus proclaimed himself King. Alexander’s forward party found Darius stabbed and left for dead by the river Oxus. By the time Alexander arrived Darius was dying, some say Darius was already dead, Alexander was too late. Some say Alexander was openly shocked by the death of such a great man. Others though said that Alexander cradled the dying King and they spoke, though if true Alexander never revealed what the conversation was about. He took it to his grave. Alexander was now ruler of the whole of Persia. Many thought that this would be enough for the King. He had avenged the Hellenistic world for Marathon one hundred and fifty years before. But no. Alexander now set his sights on more. That winter what started as an army of thirty thousand had now swelled to double that and they crossed the mountains of the Hindu Kush into Afghanistan. Alexander now wanted to rule the whole world.”

“When you say the whole world what was the extent of their knowledge?” from Hutchinson.

“Imagine the Mediterranean world as it is now. It hasn’t changed much. The coastline is still the same. For the Greeks of the fourth century B.C. they knew little or nothing of the outside world. The discovery of the American continents was still almost two thousand years away. The Japans years after that. When Alexander’s army arrived at the Caspian sea in the North of Iran they ran into it to drink only to find it was salty. They then believed that they’d reached as far North as they could go. That this was part of the great sea that encircled the entire earth, that they could get into their boats and sail around India and all the way around Egypt and up the Nile and back to Greece. “

Natalie shook her head smiling.

“The whole of Russia is above the Caspian sea and beyond India is China. Their knowledge really was limited wasn’t it.”

“Yes they knew nothing of these countries East. They knew of Italy, Spain, France, though the Greeks seldom, if ever, traded that far West. You know there was even talk among Alexander’s confidants about a campaign to Britain, though of course that would never take place, not until Julius Caesar arrived in 55BC.”

“The Greeks must have heard of China though.”

“I’m sure they did. To them India was the biggest country in the world. It was even feared that the great King of India whoever he was had an army of over one million, riding Elephants!”

“Did this deter Alexander?”



“Not him. Not the lion of Macedon. His army paused by the Beas river, India, while on the opposite bank thousand upon thousand of Indians lined the other side and challenged the Greeks to cross. They didn’t. It wasn’t that they were afraid Far from it. But it was morale. Some of them hadn’t seen their homelands in ten years.”

“What did Alexander do?”

“He got in among the ranks, reminded individuals of what he’d personally done for them, accused others of treason. His lifelong friend Coenus was the only one brave enough to stand forward and speak. He reminded Alexander of personal sacrifices. Every man there that day had bled for their King. Coenus named those that had fallen, Black Cleitus, Parmenion, his father Philip. Alexander continued to rant and rave but his army had had enough. Finally Alexander returned to his tent where he sulked for three days. He hoped they would give in, but on the fourth day Alexander realising they weren’t going to budge an inch re-emerged from his tent, performed a sacrifice and announced that the odds weren’t favourable. The army cheered. They would return home.”

Each of them sat in the car for a minute silent.

“On the return journey Alexander made a grave mistake. He led them into the Makran desert, the most inhospitable place on earth. Without water in plentiful thousands of them died of thirst. There is a famous story to come out of it though. A helmetful of water was found and presented to the young King. He took it and looked down at it, his parched throat agony, as were the others. He raised it to his lips and then stopped looking out over his thirsty men. Then he tipped the helmet and emptied the water into the sand. “I’ll drink when you drink!” he said to the amassed ranks. Of course they cheered such bravado by their King.”

“There were other such stories weren’t there?” Natalie asked “I remember something about a horse.”

“Bucephalus,” George added.

“Bucephalus was Alexander’s favourite horse. He even named a city ’Bucephala’ in India after the animal when he was killed in the battle with Porus.”

“That’s sad.”

“Yes Alexander was inconsolable. He and Bucephalus had been together for over twenty years.”

“I remember now. Something about Alexander being the only one able to ride him. How did the story go?”

“Alexander was just a boy of ten when he attended a sale of horses with his father and mother. Philip had just become engaged as it were to Atalus’ niece. They were all there. Alexander’s mother sat away from them with the nobles. Philip as usual was drinking when a beautiful black stallion was brought into the show ring. Philip instantly bid a high price for the beast which nobody offered to raise. Philip was applauded as he left his seat and went down to greet his purchase, the show ring being open air, the sun shining strong and hot. But as Philip approached the horse became panicky and reared up several times while lashing out with its hind legs. Philip tried a few more times then swore and gave up. “This animal is too wild to be tamed. He will kill anyone who attempts to ride him. Sell him for meat” he ordered.

Alexander suddenly jumped in.

“Buy him for me father!”

“That animal can’t be tamed,” Philip shouted back.

“I’ll buy him.”

“With what?”

“If I cannot ride him I’ll give you ten times his worth.”

Philip laughed “You don’t have the money boy.”

“I’ll not need it,” Alexander replied.

Philip not wanting to see his son hurt was about to order the horse’s slaughter again when Parmenio stepped in.

“Let the boy try Philip. Surely he’s too good an animal to waste.”

Others took up the shout now. Philip turned a complete circle looking at his friends.

“Very well,” he said, leaving the show ring to a great applause. Alexander now stepped into the ring as the crowd fell silent. Slowly with no deliberate movements he approached the horse which was still skittering its feet.

“Shh! Shh!” Alexander called soothing to the animals ears. He reached for the horse’s rein and held it gently. The stallion now calm, he was able to reach up and pat his neck. Alexander while watching had noticed that the horse was afraid of its own silhouette.

“You don’t like your own shadow do you,” he said turning the horse into the sun, so the shadows were now behind. Alexander continued to soothe the horse. Then to the shock of everyone present, he deftly swung himself up onto the horse’s back and as the crowd cheered he trotted the horse from the arena and galloped across the fields and out of sight. The crowd waited anxiously and roared with delight when he re-appeared and galloped back into the show ring and brought the animal to a halt. Alexander jumped down and pressed his face against the horse’s neck.

“I shall call you Bucephalus,” he said stroking the beast’s nose.

Philip came limping into the ring now. He grabbed Alexander and lifted him onto his shoulders.

“Aha! My boy,” he roared with delight “Find yourself another kingdom! This one isn’t big enough for you.”

Natalie clapped.

“That is a beautiful story.”

“Yes and not far from the truth. Unlike some of the other propaganda we’ve heard like the one about the Gordian knot.”

“The Gordian knot,” Hutchinson said “I don’t think I’ve heard this one.”

“I know it,” said George.

Dennis smiled.

“Perhaps you would like to tell everyone about it,” Hutchinson said to George, only too happy to include others into the tale.

“No. Mr Dennis tells the story better than I.”

“You tell it,” Natalie said, reaching out and touching the journalist on the arm. Dennis made no reaction but Hutchinson saw an intimacy there between them, certainly from his beautiful archaeologist. Hutchinson also saw a reaction from George.

“Ah! Was that jealously,” he asked himself. George Roussos had always had a natural, instinctive, protectiveness over her.

“Very well if you insist,” Dennis said. Suddenly he was holding her hand and Hutchinson had to hide an embarrassed smile.

’Now there could be no doubt’

’Natalie desires him,” he was thinking, ’But what about him? I can’t tell….But wait….What was that look about? Does he fancy her back….I can’t tell but what man wouldn’t. She is beautiful. She is out of my league and George’s and anyone on the team for that matter. But what about him….Ah well no matter they’re both single. I just hope it doesn’t distract her from her job or I may have to intervene’

“Gordium,” Dennis began “Was an ancient city in Northern Turkey. There was an old farm cart here that centuries ago it was said that Gordius the father of Midas arrived in….”

“King Midas who everything he touched turned to gold?” Hutchinson asked, caught up now like a child at bedtime story telling.

“The very same. Anyway the cart was fixed to the yoke by a large knot known as a Turk’s head. It was said that whoever could undo this knot would be the ruler of all Asia. Alexander must have heard of this story before he came here but what now? His men urged him to try but at first he just studied it, checking from all angles. Surely he had to have a go or be accused of avoiding the issue, the opportunity…..But what if he failed?”

Dennis paused like great storytellers do, to keep their audience guessing. Finally Natalie asked.

“What did he do?”

“Well….” Dennis continued the story “Surrounded by his men and followers and even Arrian the famous biographer said “And I quote, I speak on this without confidence” Alexander stood for a minute studying the knot of cornel bark. Then….Some say….he pulled out the pin and thus undid the knot that way….Others though….Say he drew his sword and raising it two handed above his head and yelling “It doesn’t matter how it’s done!” brought the sword slashing down and cut the knot exposing the ends within.”

Once again they lulled into a silence. Then Hutchinson said.

“Which of the two stories do you believe are true?”

“Knowing Alexander and the times I would say that most definitely he used the sword.”

“I believe that too.”

“You know the story George. It would have been more like Alexander wouldn’t it.”

“I think so.”

“What sort of a man was he?” Natalie asked.

Dennis had prepared himself for this question but now it came he wasn’t sure where to start. Then he said.

“Young. Ambitious. Zealous. A great warrior, leader, King, a man who loved his men. He spoke coarsely, as a common soldier, unlike the Persian King. Alexander ate with his friends, lived with them, loved them. Twenty when he inherited his father’s kingdom, not quite thirty three when he died. Almost certainly an alcoholic at the end of his life. A borderline megalomaniac believing himself to be the son of the Gods. Sometimes superstitious. Always confident. Short tempered, no doubt fuelled by alcohol, often leading to treason trials, deaths of his associates, murder, revenge. Like the time when he and his father’s friend ’Cleitus the black’ got into an argument. Alexander drinking heavily as usual, Cleitus loose with his tongue. Cleitus never afraid to speak his mind. Accusations began to fly. Cleitus reminding Alexander that his achievements were dull compared to those of Philip. Alexander smarting under the insults, warning Cleitus to watch his mouth. Cleitus then ushered from the room only to return with one final insult. Suddenly Alexander was on his feet and he ran Cleitus through with a Javelin. Cleitus dying in Alexander’s arms. Alexander wept over his dead friends body for two days.”

Dennis stopped for a drink.

“As to his enemies though they fared differently. If they surrendered or openly accepted him without a fight he would reward them with gifts, land, titles, wealth. They more often than not ended up richer under Alexander than they were before. But if they stood against him. He would come against them and….” Dennis punched the palm of his left hand with his fist….”Smash them! He just didn’t know when to quit, when to stop. If you said to him that mountain can’t be climbed ….” Dennis continued pointing out of the window to the highest peak he could see. The vehicles occupants craning their necks for a better view…”Then he would climb it with ten thousand men just to prove you wrong. They say that his limit of endurance knew no bounds and he pushed his enemies until the very blood in their veins ran cold….” Dennis looked at each of them in turn….”I’ll bet it did,” he said.

“Why did you call your article the Lion and the Wolf?” Natalie asked.

“Why? Because Alexander the great was known as the Lion of Macedon. Hitler was often referred to as the ’Wolf’. His secret headquarters was known as the ’Wolf’s lair’. So as you can see it was easy to come up with a title.”

They fell quiet again. This time the silence went on and on. After ten minutes Dennis tapped Hutchinson on the arm.

“How much further?”

Hutchinson spoke to the driver.

“About another hundred miles.”

Dennis leaned forward and took his jacket off, rolled it up and placed it between his head and the window.

“In that case, if you don’t mind, I’m going to have a nap.”

“You carry on,” Hutchinson said.

Dennis closed his eyes. In minutes he was asleep. His mouth slightly open, his breathing deep and slow. Natalie watched him.

“Even in sleep he’s sexy,” she said to herself. Then feeling tired herself she closed her eyes and thinking about the story he’d told them she drifted off to sleep with her imagination taking her back to ancient Greece and the world of Alexander the Great.