HPLN: Chapter 58

The Emmisaries from Ptolemy Philadelphos' Court arrived at my camp the morning before I planned to cross into Lower Egypt to aid Ptolemy Kerounos in the final defeat of his brother, now that I had slain Magas of Cyrene and Cyrenaica was largely pacified, or at least was otherwise about to be pacified. The group was an unlikely one. They had no Strategoi or military folk among them that I could see. Instead, they seemed to be a collection of Hellenic noblemen and officers of the Court, most wearing their courtly attire instead of being armed or armored. It seemed this Embassy trusted in their banner of truce to protect them, though given that there were several Libyan Tribes that could have attacked them in a bid to take advantage of the Chaos of War, such as the Psylli or Nasamones, both of which inhabited the Desert south of Marmarica, between the Western Borders of Egypt and the territory of the Garamantes.

These ambassadors were headed by Dionysos, a diplomat and ambassador who, in a different timeline, would have been Ptolemy Philadelphos' Ambassador to Amitrochates of the Maurya Empire. It also included Ptolemy Philadelphos' Chief Biographer and current Basilikos Grammateus, or Royal Secretary, Kallimachos of Cyrene, who in another timeline would have helped to formalize the catalog system for the Library of Alexandria. There were also several Nomarchs and other Hellenic Nobles from the Provincial Governments of Lower Egypt, including the recently retired admiral, Timosthenes of Rhodes, who had retired prior to the War starting and had become the Oikonomos of the Diopolite Nome in the Nile Delta just in time for the war to begin. All in all, it seemed a more or less representative slice of the Hellenic Populace of Egypt.

"Pyrrhus King, we come to you with heavy hearts to beg your indulgence." Began Dionysos.

"You have it, for the moment. Tell me, what does Ptolemy Philadelphos wish of me and what will he give me to do it? I warn you, I will not easily abandon my friend and ally, Ptolemy Kerounos. Especially not now that he seems poised to win the war." I intoned.

"Ptolemy Philadelphos, Basileus and Pharaoh, he of the two ladies, he of sedge and bee, wishes there to be peace between Epirus and Egypt. He acknowledges that you, by force of arms and cunning, have fairly won Cyrenaica, and knows that the Cyrnaican Provinces of the Pentopolis and Marmarica, which Magas once held as Basileus, will not be easily parted with by your August Self. He is willing to allow you to have them if you would but stay your hand." Spoke Dionysos.

"And why should I do such a thing? Ptolemy Kerounos has already agreed to allow me to annex Magas' lands. Why should I abandon him when your Basileus offers naught but the same prize, which I have already won?" I questioned.

"Because Ptolemy Philadelphos, rightful Basileus of Egypt, also offers you a princely sum in addition. One hundred talents to agree to the deal, which is in keeping with your august stature." Intoned Dionysos.

One hundred talents of silver was equivalent to six-hundred-thousand Drachmae, or roughly three-million-six-hundred-thousand Roman Denarii. That was a princely sum indeed, which brought a number of questions to my mind. After all, I had thought that Ptolemy Philadelphos had been fairly hard up for cash when rebuilding his army. That had been the rumor, at any rate. Was he planning to pay me in installments? I'd had some pretty bad luck with that sort of thing and was leery of allowing it to happen. Ultimately, though, I needed more information before I could make a decision.

"I see. And where would this money come from? I was under the impression that Ptolemy Philadelphos was in need of coin, yet now you say he can afford to give away such a sum? How is this possible?" I queried.

"You are correct, Pyrrhus King, that my Basileus does not possess such a sum. Yet, at any rate. However, once the Gold Mines of Nubia have been wrested from the grip of Ptolemy Kerounos, such a sum will be simple enough to scrape together." Admitted Dionysos.

"So in effect, Ptolemy Philadelphos offers to pay me later, after a victory he may not even win? Is this some form of jest, Dionysos?" I asked.

"It is no jest. My Basileus offers you surety on the payment. Should you agree, he is willing to deliver his young son, the future Basileus and Pharaoh, Ptolemy the Younger, as a hostage." Informed Dionysos.

I frowned at that. Ptolemy the Younger was three years old at the moment, but if Ptolemy Philadelphos won, he would go on to become Ptolemy III Euergetes, the third Ruler of the Ptolemaic Dynasty. As my hostage, I would effectively raise him until he came of age, which would be one hell of a diplomatic coup, as I would be able to shape the mindset and beliefs of the future ruler of one of the powerhouses of the Hellenistic World. Of course, this all presupposed that Ptolemy Philadelphos won the Second Brother's War. That wasn't a given, and at this late stage, seemed unlikely to happen unless something drastic changed on the battlefield. Then there was the fact that it would mean abandoning a friend and ally, something that didn't sit well with me in the least. Unfortunately, the potential diplomatic and political leverage that Ptolemy Philadelphos' offer could bring merited consideration just by default.

"Give me three hours to consider your offer. Then, you shall have my response." I intoned, dismissing the ambassadors.

Dionysos and the delegation from Ptolemy Philadelphos bowed before leaving my tent. I really did need to consider this carefully. The potential gains on all fronts, territorially, diplomatically, politically, and economically, could be enormous if I went ahead with this, but it also wasn't a sure thing. I could potentially make it a sure thing by releasing captive Cyrenaican Soldiers to Ptolemy Philadelphos' custody. He could use those former captives as veteran reinforcements, ones that might tip the scales of the war in his favor, but that would mean betraying my alliance even more than simply making a separate peace would. Would it be better for my Kingdom to do so? Potentially, even if it left a foul taste in my mouth. However, that potential meant I still had to consider it an option. After all, I was not simply beholden to myself. All of Epirus would be held to account should this backfire, just as all of Epirus would benefit if it went well.

It was as I pondered the offer that a smaller number of delegates, including the former admiral, Timosthenes of Rhodes, asked for a second, more private audience with me. I granted it and would be glad I did.

It would wind up simplifying my decision quite a bit. . .

XXXX

"Timosthenes of Rhodes. Do you know why I granted this smaller, more private audience?" I questioned as the smaller delegation was ushered into my tent.

Timosthenes of Rhodes was flanked by two others, the Aristocrat and Court Engineer Sostratos of Knidos, and a well-to-do youth of sixteen that I didn't recognize, though he was clearly a clerk or scribe of the Ptolemaic Bureaucracy of some sort. Sostratos would have, in another timeline, funded and designed the construction of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria on the Isle of Pharos. Meanwhile, Timosthenes had not only been an admiral but an explorer, and would, if nothing changed, go on to write a famed Periplus that formed enough of the basis for Eratosthenes' Geographika that some, such as Marcian of Hereklea, would later accuse Eratosthenes of wholesale plagiarism from Timosthenes.

"I don't, Pyrrhus King, though I am glad you did." Intoned Timesthenes, drawing me out of my thoughts.

"Would you be interested to know that I hold your accomplishments as an Explorer in quite high regard?" I queried.

"I am honored that one such as yourself would say so, but we did not come here to speak of my journeys to Arabia Felix or Gedrosia." Demurred Timsthenes.

"Then why did you come?" I asked.

"Go on, Lad. Make your Master's Case." Spoke up, Sostratos, nudging the youth forward.

The Youth, an unbearded Lad of sixteen in a fine, if travel-stained, Chiton of linen, dyed green with yellow geographic designs on the hem. He bowed as he approached, and I regarded him curiously. Why was this youth speaking for men such as Timosthenes and Sostratos? I couldn't help but wonder that. Whatever it was, it had to be something interesting, at least. You wouldn't ordinarily see something like this, after all. Of course, I realized I was going to receive an answer to that question in short order.

"Pyrrhus King, I am Zenon of Kaunos, recently appointed a low-level Clerk in the Office of the Dioiketes, Apollonios. He has bid me to come here to deliver a proposition to you on behalf of certain people whom he has backed in the Court." Began the Youth.

"The Lad was the most expendable Clerk the Dioiketes had. In short, a perfect messenger for such things." Smirked Sostratos.

Zenon of Kaunos was a name that was known to me. If things didn't change, he would eventually rise to the position of Apollonios' personal secretary, working directly underneath the Dioiketes and learning enough about economics from Apollonios to become a prominent businessman in his own right once Apollonios died. Had this war jump-started that process a full decade and a half ahead of schedule? What would happen if it had? Would I have to deal with it? It was an interesting scenario to think about, even if it didn't really affect me in a major way at the moment. However, I didn't really have time to think about that right now. Not with more negotiations to be done.

"Speak, Young Zenon. What does the Dioiketes have to say to me?" I questioned.

"He bids you not to take Ptolemy Philadelphos up on his offer." Spoke Zenon.

"And just why would Ptolemy Philadelphos' own Dioiketes be working against him?" I queried.

"It's not just Apollonios. Many of us aren't content with the way Ptolemy Philadelphos has bungled things thus far." Intoned Sostratos.

"Indeed. In truth, it's more than that. You might have heard that Ptolemy Philadelphos has opened the ranks to native Egyptians? Many of the Nobility are uneasy that he has done so. It may very well presage a native revolt, after all." Informed Tomosthenes.

"Yes, we swallowed our pride, hoping that patience would reward us. It has not." Scowled Sostratos.

"I see. I would hope that the Dioiketes has something in mind to counter the proposal that Ptolemy Philadelphos has put forth, yes?" I asked.

"He has, Pyrrhus King." Confirmed Zenon.

"Then speak. I would know what is on offer." I insisted.

"Apollonios offers Epirus a breeding population of War Elephants and a lucrative trade deal for Egyptian Amethyst and Alabaster. All you need do in return is continue on your course and convince Ptolemy Kerounos to keep Apollonios on as Dioiketes after the defeat of Ptolemy Philadelphos." Explained Zenon.

That was also a tempting offer. Epirus would not have been a decent climate for War Elephants, not year-round, at least. However, Cyrenaica would very easily be able to sustain a population of War Elephants. Plus, trade deals on Amethyst, which was rare outside of the Eastern Desert of Egypt, and Alabaster, which was more common but still an in-demand trade good, were a pretty decent sweetener. It still was a more modest offer than one hundred talents and the power to influence the future ruler of Egypt during his formative years, but it was a hell of a lot safer a bet. It also had the benefit of not betraying my ally, which made me feel good about agreeing to it.

"Very well, you may tell Apollonios that I agree to his terms." I intoned.

"You will not regret this, Pyrrhus King." Bowed Zenon.

"Of that, I have no doubt. After all, it seems a much safer option than the one Ptolemy Philadelphos offered, even if in truth that offer was potentially quite lucrative." I agreed.

"With commensurate risk, of course." Scoffed Sostratos.

"Indeed. It would also require me to betray a friend, something I am loath to do, which is why I have decided to go with the Dioiketes' offer." I admitted.

"It speaks well of you, Pyrrhus King, that you would not betray an alliance for something as petty as political leverage and coin." Agreed Timosthenes.

"Ephemeral though those promises may have turned out to be." Added Zenon.

"Indeed. Now, however, I must prepare myself to reject Ptolemy Philadelphos' generous offer. You may take your leave now. Discreetly, if you would." I intoned.

And with that, Zenon, Timosthenes, and Sostratos left my tent via the same circuitous route they entered. An hour later, when the full delegation reconvened, I sent them packing back to Alexandria, seemingly empty-handed. As soon as they had left, I gave the order to strike camp and prepare to resume the march into Lower Egypt. One week's time later, we would rendezvous with Ptolemy Kerounos northwest of Herakleopolis. Two days after that, we would meet with Ptolemy Philadelphos in battle once more at the City of Lahun. It would hopefully be the final battle of the Second and Last Brother's War.

Hopefully, it would also be one that would be decided in our favor. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here we have the next chapter. It turns out that a lot of prominent and wealthy Hellenic Noblemen did not like Ptolemy Philadelphos' opening the ranks of the Army to Native Egyptians and waving off their concerns. They swallowed their pride for a bit in the hopes that it would get Ptolemy Philadelphos the forces he needed to win the war, but thus far, he's been using those Native Egyptian troops to lose the war. It's resulted in a Court Faction looking to switch sides that sees Pyrrhus, as a third party, as an ideal way to do so. Meanwhile, Ptolemy Philadelphos seems to be growing desperate. Enough so to offer his son and heir as a political hostage to Pyrrhus in order to secure peace with Epirus. Predictably, Pyrrhus wound up deciding not to backstab Ptolemy Kerounos.

Place names in this chapter include Marmarica, which straddles the border between Egypt and Modern-Day Libya, Cyrenaica on the coast of modern-day Libya, Rhodes and Alexandria, which are self-explanatory, Kaunos, which is near the Modern-Day Town of Dalyan in Southwestern Anatolia, Herakleopolis, which is near the modern-day city of Beni Suef in Egypt, Lahun, which is on the site of the Modern-day city of Faiyum in Egypt, Lower Egypt, which is the northern half of Egypt, the Diopolite Nome of Egypt which is on the delta near the Modern-day City of Damietta, Nubia, which strides the border between Egypt and Sudan, Arabia Felix, which is the modern-day area of Yemen and Oman, Gedrosia, which roughly corresponds to the location of the Makran Area of Pakistan and Iran along the Indian Ocean Coast, and Heliopolis, which in on the site of Modern-Day Northeastern Cairo.

At any rate, the next chapter will be Pyrrhus and Ptolemy Kerounos fighting the Battle of Lahun against Ptolemy Philadelphos. It will be the final battle of the Second Brother's War, after which, we'll get some more interludes showing goings on elsewhere in the world.

Stay tuned. . .