ALEXEIN Volume I: The Women Behind the Conquest

ALEXEIN Volume I: The Women Behind the Conquest

I'm deep in the trenches of rewriting and editing ALEXEIN, Volume I. Correcting significant timeline errors and adding crucial details has revealed the need for a more multifaceted approach, particularly regarding the women of this era and not just Olympias. The historical record's silence surrounding Olympias' mother, Cassiopeia (a name I've chosen to give her to address the injustice of historical omission), highlights a broader issue: ancient writers frequently overlooked the significant contributions of women, both in shaping men's conquests and navigating the treacherous waters of ancient politics.

ALEXEIN will explore not only the world of Alexander the Great, his father, Philip II, and the complex dynamics of royal succession but also the mighty women who shaped their destinies. I aim to illuminate the world of women alongside men's ambitions and conquests, exploring their agency and pivotal roles in shaping the events of this era on an equal footing.

My portrayal of Olympias challenges widely held misunderstandings and stereotypical views. I’m determined to present a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of her, lifting the women behind Alexander's life from the shadows and revealing the previously unseen forces that shaped the rise of Macedon and its expansion throughout Greece.

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The Serpent and the Maenad

Crimson light, spilling through the stained-glass windows depicting scenes of Dionysian revelry, painted Olympias’s private chamber in a vibrant, almost hallucinatory glow. The air hung heavy with exotic perfumes—myrrh, frankincense, and a wilder, untamed fragrance that hinted at the rituals to come. Olympias, her beauty a dangerous blend of girlish innocence and simmering power, paced restlessly before a richly adorned mirror, her reflection a captive in the shifting hues of the crimson light. Her dark eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, were now clouded with a deep, almost desperate intensity.

A hush fell over the chamber as a group of women entered—Maenads, their leader at the forefront. The air crackled with their presence; they were not simply dancers; they were conduits of untamed energy, their movements charged with the raw power of Dionysus. Their unbound hair, wild and swirling, mirrored the intoxicating energy they exuded. The leader, her eyes dark pools reflecting the power of the god, sat cross-legged on a plush rug, a tambourine resting casually in her lap. Despite its opulent decoration, the room was infused with their presence, their aura of raw power subtly overwhelming the ornate luxury surrounding them.

“So, you’ve summoned me, Princess Olympias,” the Maenad murmured, husky. Her knowing amusement sliced through the chamber's carefully cultivated atmosphere. She tilted her head, her dark eyes assessing the young princess. What desires—of the flesh or the spirit—call you to my company today?”

Olympias stopped her restless pacing, her gaze intense and unwavering. She turned to the Maenad, her voice low and controlled yet carrying a weight that belied her years. “I desire power, Maenad,” she said, her words precise and deliberate. “The kind of raw, intoxicating influence you wield over men, the ability to bend their wills to your desires. The kind of control allows you to command attention, shape events, and dictate outcomes.” She paused, her voice dropping to a near whisper, the intensity of her ambition almost palpable. “Teach me. I beg you.” Her unspoken desires hung heavy in the air, a potent blend of ambition, yearning, and the intoxicating promise of power. The Maenad smiled, a slow, knowing curve of her lips that hinted at the dangers and the immense potential awaiting the young princess. The game had begun.

The Maenad smiled, her lips curving slowly sensually to hint at both understanding and something darker. "Power is a seductive mistress, Princess. It is a wild, ecstatic dance that must be felt deep within the core of your being." She gestured towards the rug. Begin by shedding the constraints of your maidenhood. Let loose your inhibitions and unleash the raw energy within you."

Olympias's dark eyes, burning with a fierce determination, met the Maenad’s gaze. "Yet, I am still a virgin, Maenad. How can I learn to wield such power without knowing the intimate knowledge of this dance? How can I command men if I have yet to unleash the power of my body fully? This is where I struggle." Her voice wavered slightly.

The Maenad’s eyes widened, and a hint of something akin to surprise crossed her features. "Such purity... untouched," she breathed, tracing a finger across her throat. "You seek the power that comes from the union of body and soul, which transcends mere physical pleasure. A power found in the ecstatic rhythm, reflected in the wild, untamed freedom of the dance, a freedom that speaks of the female form. You can wield that power. Let me guide you to your full potential. The dance of Dionysus opens pathways to the soul and to this kind of influence.”

The Maenad, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity, leaned forward, her gaze piercing Olympias. A faint smile played on her lips, a knowing smirk that hinted at the depths of her understanding. "You may believe that a woman's sexual power is dependent on men," she said, her voice low and resonant, "but that is a falsehood. We, as women, possess both feminine and masculine energies. It is simply a matter of which aspect we choose to present to the world, which dominates on the surface. Women can be as muscular as men; men can be as delicate as flowers. True power, however, lies in the control you wield over your energy, the ability to harness both aspects or to unleash one with devastating effect. Do you wish to be dominated by men, to be a plaything in their games of conquest? To be conquered as they conquer the battlefield?"

Olympias's response was immediate, fierce, and utterly devoid of the girlish hesitation that might have been expected of a princess her age. "I want to be equal," she declared, her voice ringing with the unwavering confidence of one who has already forged her path. "I am not drawn to dolls and flowers. From a young age, my father ensured my education; games like petteia were not mere amusements but tools to hone my strategic thinking and foresight. They taught me patience, focus, and perseverance—qualities crucial for navigating the complexities of court life. That is my power; I will not be a mere ornament in my father's court, a decorative element designed to showcase his authority. I will be a queen, his equal, a queen who commands respect not for her beauty but for her intelligence, her strategic brilliance, her capacity to control and influence the political landscape." Her eyes flashed with a dangerous light, reflecting the profound ambition that burned within her. “Our family holds the power of the Basileus, the king, as a living god, and his supreme authority shapes every aspect of court politics. Yet, even that power is not absolute; that power is shifting, its grip loosening, as ambitious courtiers begin to wield their influence against the crown.” Her ambition's raw intensity and determination to control her destiny were almost breathtaking. Maenad, sensing the fire in the young princess’s soul, nodded slowly. The path ahead would be dangerous, but Olympias was clearly ready to walk it.

The Maenad, her gaze sharp and assessing, leaned closer. “I assume your marriage to the Macedonian prince, Philip II, is a strategic decision.”

Olympias met her gaze directly, her eyes blazing with ambition. "It is the most advantageous match," she stated, her voice unwavering. "Macedon's king is a Basileus, a descendant of Heracles, the legendary demi-god hero. Our family line traces back to Achilles. Such a union would create a powerful alliance, a potent combination of divine lineage and military might. At this moment, I know of no other princess who can claim the bloodline of a Basileus except me. Prince Philip is the youngest son; his older brothers are already married. I believe my father chose Philip not out of mere preference but because he recognizes Philip's potential to carry on the legacy of Amyntas. His older brothers lack the intelligence, the military acumen, and the strategic understanding to secure the future of Macedon. With Philip returning from Thebes, having been trained by Pelopidas and Epaminondas, I am certain he will ultimately rise to become king." Her voice was low, but the intensity of her conviction was undeniable.

The Maenad’s expression softened a hint of grudging respect in her eyes. “I admire your foresight, your insight,” she said, her voice laced with genuine awe. “You see the changing tides of Greek history with a clarity few possess. You, my princess, are a true genius.”

Olympias acknowledged the compliment with a slight nod, but her expression remained focused, her gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the chamber walls. “I appreciate your assessment,” she replied, her voice measured. “However, men often underestimate me because of my age and my status as a princess. That is precisely why I must forge my power and create my destiny. It is not about being born male or female; it is about who I am. My gender or sexuality is irrelevant; my intelligence, my strength, my divine right as the daughter of a Basileus—these are the things that define me. I am destined to rule alongside my future king. We will ensure that our kingdom flourishes and expands. We will conquer, we will build. You will see. I am certain of it.” Her words were a prophecy, a declaration, and a chilling promise of the power she intended to wield. The Maenad watched, knowing she had encountered a force of nature, a woman whose ambition knew no bounds.

Olympias stood before the Maenad, her dark eyes blazing with an intensity that belied her years. This wasn't the playful, mischievous princess; this was a woman—a Basileus in the making—who carried within her the weight of her divine heritage and the unshakeable certainty of her supreme authority. The Maenad, her presence radiating the untamed energy of Dionysus, met Olympias’ gaze. She saw in the young princess ambition and a deep understanding of power—a potent force capable of challenging the male-dominated world of Greek politics.

“Dear future queen,” the Maenad said, her voice husky with reverence, her words carrying the weight of ancient wisdom and deep understanding. “I now comprehend your frustration, the limitations you face as a woman navigating this world of men. I offer you my service, my clan's service; we will help you embody your divine power, the power inherent in all women, and the untamed, intoxicating power of our god, Dionysus.”

Brimming with a fierce mix of gratitude and determination, Olympias stepped forward and embraced the Maenad, the hug feeling more like a bond forged between sisters than a simple expression of thanks. The touch was brief but charged with the unspoken understanding between two powerful women who recognized their shared destiny and cause.

“Thank you,” Olympias said, her voice thick with emotion yet resolute. “These men, they simply do not understand. They see women as mere tools, as pawns in their political games, overlooking the depth of our intelligence, our strength, our capacity for strategic thinking, and our power. That is a grave mistake. For myself, you, your clan, and all women, I will fight against this arrogance and rise above the petty constraints they have created. I will demonstrate what women are capable of and show them what it means to hold power, wield influence, and command respect. I will be queen, and my reign will be a testament to the power of women in a world dominated by men.” Her words rang out, not as a mere declaration, but as a battle cry, a powerful statement of intent and an undeniable promise of the transformative force she would unleash upon the world. The Maenad, sensing the raw power contained within the young princess, smiled; the future held both immense challenges and unimaginable possibilities.

The Maenad’s sharp and knowing gaze settled upon Olympias. A subtle smile played on her lips, a hint of amusement mixed with a deeper understanding. "My young princess," she said, her voice soft yet carrying an undercurrent of power. I sense you've entered womanhood. The cycle of katharmós—the purification—has begun, hasn't it?"

Olympias nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly, a mixture of embarrassment and a strange sense of awe in her eyes.

The Maenad’s expression softened a hint of empathy in her dark eyes. "It can be a terrifying experience at first," she acknowledged, her voice laced with gentle understanding.

Olympias's voice was tinged with frustration and a palpable longing for something more. “Honestly, I wish I didn’t have this cycle," she confessed, her voice laced with a youthful impatience. "It makes me ill—the cramps, the headaches, the fatigue. I'd gladly give it to any man.”

The Maenad chuckled, a low, throaty sound that held amusement and a more profound, almost ancient wisdom. “Indeed. Why is it that men are spared this experience? Why must women endure the discomfort of katharmós, the pain associated with childbirth? It is a mystery, a gift—or perhaps a curse—from the gods. I wonder if our goddesses themselves share in this cyclical experience…" She paused, letting the question hang in the air, a hint of speculation in her voice.

Olympias, her expression still a mixture of frustration and longing, knew there was little she could do about the biological reality of her body’s changes. “But my body will change, won’t it?” she said, seeking reassurance. “I will become fully a woman, capable of bearing children. That is a power men will never possess.”

The Maenad’s smile widened, her lips' knowing, almost conspiratorial curve. “And that power is to be celebrated, my princess. We women understand this rhythm, this cycle. We guide each other, and we support each other. We have our ed battlegrounds, our crimson tides that wash away the old and renew the body. It's a process of purification, of shedding what's no longer needed to make way for new life. This katharmós is intrinsically linked to our rituals, the moon's rhythms, and the power of the goddesses—Artemis, Hera, Eileithyia, and even Hecate. We celebrate these cycles through our dances, ceremonies, and connection to the divine feminine.” The Maenad’s gaze held Olympias, a silent invitation into a world of female power, ancient wisdom, and untamed spirituality. The young princess felt a surge of both excitement and anticipation. A new world was opening before her.

Maenad rose, her fluid, hypnotic movements. She began to move, her body a vessel of pure energy, her limbs weaving a spell of intoxicating rhythm. The tambourine, a mesmerizing counterpoint to the music playing softly in the background, shimmered in the light, each beat punctuating the sensual dance. It was a dance as old as time, as primal as life itself—a dance that promised both liberation and power, a dance that could transform a virgin princess into a queen.

Olympias watched, mesmerized. Her desire for power became intertwined with a newfound fascination with the raw, untamed energy emanating from the Maenad. The richly decorated chamber seemed to shimmer and shift with the rhythm of the dance, its colors becoming a living echo of the primal energy released. It was a dance that promised to transform her life, a dance that could change Macedon's very destiny.

As Maenad and her companions emerged from Olympias’s chamber, the crimson light from the stained-glass windows painting their faces in an ethereal glow, Queen Cassiopeia awaited them. The queen, her regal bearing a study in controlled elegance, moved with practiced grace toward them, her presence starkly contrasting the untamed energy the Maenads exuded. The richly decorated corridor, with its intricate mosaics and tapestries depicting scenes of huntresses and nymphs, seemed to hold its breath, the opulent surroundings a silent backdrop to the exchange of power and understanding between these remarkable women.

“Greetings, my queen, your majesty,” the Maenad said, her voice husky and resonant, her demeanor a blend of respect and quiet confidence.

Cassiopeia’s smile was warm yet held a hint of something more profound—a shared understanding of the complexities of womanhood in a world ruled by men. “Thank you for coming, for guiding my daughter,” she replied, her voice soft yet carrying an authority that could not be denied. “I overheard snippets of your conversation, and I am deeply impressed by your wisdom and insight into the nature of female power.”

The Maenad’s eyes sparkled, her gaze meeting the queen’s directly. “It was my pleasure, your majesty. Olympias is truly exceptional. I have rarely encountered such a keen intelligence, such an unwavering awareness of her destiny—as a queen, a political strategist, and the future wife of a king. She possesses a remarkable vision and a capacity for strategic thinking that is astonishing for one so young. She will be magnificent, a queen who will not be overshadowed. You have raised her well, my queen.”

Cassiopeia nodded, her expression pensive, her words reflecting her challenges as a queen in a world built for men. “We women need more empowerment,” she stated, her voice carrying both conviction and weariness. “It's not just about this court or politics, but about the fabric of our society itself. We must be educated, empowered, and provided with the tools and the opportunities to participate fully in all aspects of life, not just be confined to the expectations of men. This court—with its constant maneuvering, its relentless quest for power—is quite overwhelming at times, particularly given the nature of our Basileus, his almost godlike authority.”

The Maenad’s expression turned profound, empathetic. “I can only imagine the challenges you face, my queen, standing beside a king, constantly navigating a world not designed for women's ambitions.”

Cassiopeia extended a hand to the Maenad, offering a small bag filled with gold coins. “My gratitude and my deepest thanks. Please return whenever you can. Entertain and educate the women in my harem—particularly the young ones. They need guidance, empowerment, and a different perspective, especially during social events. I desire for my women to feel powerful and appreciated, not just an accompaniment to the men.”

The Maenad smiled, accepting the gift. “It is my honor, your majesty. I will return, to share our knowledge, to forge strength amongst your women, to create a bond of feminine power that mirrors the unwavering dedication men bring to their pursuits. We shall stand beside them, not as their shadow, but as a force to be reckoned with.” The exchange of understanding, respect, and the tacit acknowledgment of shared purpose was powerful and profound.

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Researching the title "Basileus" (βασιλεύς) has been a breakthrough. I’ve always been fascinated by Alexander's divine heritage, and this research has deepened my understanding of the Divine Oracle's role and Alexander's centrality to the Greek power game. The entire narrative now coherently points back to Delphi, the oracle, and its pivotal role in the era's political machinations and military conquests.

My initial focus was a straightforward chronological study of Alexander's 33-year life, a self-imposed education. That proved inadequate; it was merely scratching the surface of a far more intricate story. From birth to death, Alexander's life was interwoven with countless individuals, creating an astonishingly complex web of relationships that shaped the world he would dominate.

In Volume I, Alexander has yet to be born. Yet the stage is already set, and the seeds of his future triumphs are already planted. Many significant events unfold that will pave the path for him. His father, Philip II, and even his father's astonishing life choices, including his assassination, laid the groundwork that would culminate in Alexander carrying on the legacy of Macedon.

While rewriting, adding previously unseen scenes, and fleshing out the narrative, I've uncovered hidden elements, revealing significant events and interactions before Philip II's ascent.

I’m adding considerable depth to ensure the narrative resonates with readers, providing a fresh and comprehensive understanding of this pivotal historical era. This won't just be Alexander the Great's story, but a kaleidoscopic portrayal of countless lives—men, women, and all those who existed in-between—revealing the vibrant and complex tapestry of this era, with Alexander at its epicenter.


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