ANCIENT EGYPT SERIES NOVEL

Alexander-Pharaoh of Egypt is currently being written. These blog posts for the Ancient Egypt series are about the author’s decades’-long journey to the book. Before publication, readers should know something about Alexander, the journey, some of which was perilous, and the new book with its characters.

So it begins …

A young man dangles his legs, astride a black horse which sports a white star on its forehead. Casually turning sideways to face viewers, he has one hand on his hip. Dressed as an ancient Greek, his hair is blond, and he wears a red cape.

What an alluring cover!

Inside, the book begins with a birth. It sounds like another story about a Greek hero, except that this person really existed. His name was Alexander-the-Great.

The narrative hasn’t changed in two thousand years.

Alexander’s father, King Philip, dreamed he closed his wife’s womb with a wax seal depicting a lion. A Greek seer from Caria, Aristander, interpreted the dream. He reasoned the closure of the womb was due to the fact Olympias was already pregnant. The lion-seal meant the child would be as bold as a lion.

It makes perfect sense. Especially, as the seer was a favourite of the adult Alexander.

Three victories occurred on Alexander’s birthday. His father’s horse won the Olympic games, he was victorious in battle, and his worthiest son was born. 

Plutarch related that the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus burned down the day Alexander was born. The goddess was so busy with the prince’s birth, she neglected to put out the fire!

That is the thing about Alexander. He is a real hero, embedded in ancient myth and legend. Of course, that was his intention.

It worked.

Alexander-the-Great is remembered to this day.

There are other traditions, of course. The Persian one is less than complimentary. After all, he conquered Persia, razed Persepolis to the ground. apparently in a drunken rage, and burned their holy writings.

To this day, in Iran (modern Persia), Alexander is known as accursed. He is considered to be the devil, which is not surprising.

And then there is the tradition of the Alexander Romance, where he embarks on fantastical adventures, which add to his reputation of conquering all in his way.

Alexander wanted to be remembered as a hero and a god. He got his wish. For thousands of years, children brought up in the West have learned about this man, who is always cast in a positive light.

Of course, in Iran it is a different story. If youngsters do not go to sleep, their mothers threaten them with the bogeyman, Alexander, who punishes all disobedient children!

And then there is religion. Alexander appears in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles, and also in the Quran.

It is simple mathematics which brings Alexander across the centuries to billions (as opposed to millions). This means, that with the possible exception of Jesus Christ, he is the most famous man in history. And despite what he thought about it, not a god! Which makes his achievement all the more stunning.

After reading, I close the book. The ancient Greek is staring straight at the reader. Unlike Hitler or Napoleon, he seems to be a “goodie”. He’s handsome and very young.

He seems nice. I might write about him.

But tomorrow is a school day.

And I’m ten.