Eumenes 1, Chapter 2: Descendants of Dionysos

From the snow-capped Kaukasos, plenty of water is dripping off, pouring down in canyons, irrigating the fields of Gandhara, finally collected to the river Kophen25.
Kophen river is, however, nothing more than a part of Punjab, the Sindhu26 river system. The mainstream rises in Himalayan glaciers, transversing the Sindhu valley, discharging its water into the Arabian Sea.
We descend Kaukasos mountains along Kophen river.
“There flows river Sindhu.” Vakhshuvarda27, who is the father of Raokhshna and Amastri sisters, pointed his finger.
“What a wonderful landscape.” I'm stunned. A breathtakingly beautiful scenery, with waterfalls, lakes, and forests.
At the junction of the Kophen and Sindhu rivers, on the opposite bank across the Sindhu, there is a city.
King directed us, his companion soldiers, to prepare for capturing the city.
But before we start to cross the river, a ship came toward us. The crews look like civilians, not armed. They must be ambassadors sent out from the city. King commanded us to keep ready for combat. He also charged me to contact them.
About thirty delegates of the city landed on the shore. I led them to the middle of our camp. Some of our soldiers are holding arrows in their bows, and some are taking spears in their hands. Horses mounted with saddles are waiting for their riders. The delegates look so scared that they can't even speak.
I talk to them, “We come from afar, Hellas, to the west of Persia, which was your ever-sovereign empire. It has already been overcome by us and no longer has power to reign Asian peoples. To seize the old Persian territories as intact as possible, that is our mission. If you admit our legitimacy, you are secure. We will treat you as our citizens, also I promise you to preserve your fortunes and your traditional customs as before.”
They still keep almost silent, only some Persian words are murmured among them. I asked Vakhshuvarda to communicate with them. At last, an eldest of them stepped forward.
“Thank you for your kindness. I am the patriarch of this city.”
“My name is Eumenes. I am an officer in our King's army.”
“Good to see you, Mr. Eumenes.”
“May I have your name, Sir?"
“I am Ardhanara.”
“An Arian name,” Vakhshuvarda whispers to me. “'Ardha' means 'Half'. 'Nara' means 'Man'.”
“'Half a Man'? What's that? Half man and half what? Half god and half man? Or, half man and half beast?”
“Sorry, but I have no idea.”

“Nice to meet you, Ardhanara.” I seated him, also did myself in front of him. “I would like to ask you some more questions. What is your city's name?”
“Suvastu. The most sacred city in Punjab.”
“Suvastu, good. Let's next, what is your origin? Which ethnicity? Persians? or Scythians? You look like Arians.”
“No sir, we are Hellenes, descendants of Dionysos28.”
“Are you Hellenes? The same race as us? Don't be silly!”
“I am serious. Suvastu was built by Dionysos a long long time ago. Since then, we've never forgotten to celebrate the Dionysia.”
“Dionysia! Incredible. We must be the first Hellenes who enter this district of India.”
"Your doubt is quite reasonable, but I am just telling you an ancient legend, which has been handed down by the citizens for centuries in Suvastu."
“Which country does Suvastu belong?”
“Suvastu is a free state.”
“Free state? Independent from other nations?”
“Yes, the Persian kings have assured us.”
“Very curious. Patriarch Ardhanara, I want to know precisely. how do you govern this city? You govern as a king? Or you are the representative of a republic state?”
“No, Dionysos reigns.”
“God reigns you? But how?”
“According to His Oracles. In favor of His Will. We have maintained theocracy from the beginning of this city.”
“Amazing. What an archaic style.”
Ardhanara told me that they are to perform a special festival, an extra Dionysia, to celebrate the guests coming from Hellas, the far-away homeland of Dionysos. I am still not sure, but eventually I accepted his invitation. I called up a bunch of companions, armed them heavily, led them into Suvastu.

The city is over-crowded with half-naked tanned natives, male and female, singing and dancing in pathological enthusiasm. Ardhanara explains, “Dionysos is the great Liberator, liberate everybody, even the evil, the impure, and sinner. During Dionysia, there is no difference between citizens and strangers, or gods and humans. Altogether, noblemen as well as slaves, the rich and poor, drink liquors, burn incense, dancing to music, and freeing ourselves from ourselves.”
“The festival of super-freedom.” Vakhshuvarda giggled.
I turn to him, “As far as I see, this is mere a spree, or a fanaticism driven by wild instinct. Nothing like our Dionysia in Hellas.”
“I know nothing about Hellenic festivals, but this kind of worship is very common in this region. Very similar to such of Load Shiva.”

I see villagers carrying a large pole like a penis.
“Is that a Phallos29?”
I remember that in Hellas we also carry a large statue of penis, called Phallos, during the Dionysia.
“Phallos? We call it Shiva Linga. That is, the top structure is called Linga, the symbol of the fertility of males. And the bottom part is called Yoni, which symbolizes the female organ.”
“Do you mean that the symbol represents sexual intercourse? Let your little daughter Amastri never see such an obscene object.”
“I hope so.” Vakhshuvarda giggled again.
“In some respects it resembles Dionysia, but I cannot understand this city and people are Hellenic. This is a typical Arian city, isn't it? What do you think?”
“Well, I don't know Hellenic religions very much, but the language spoken in this city, the names of mountains and rivers around here, and the faces of inhabitants, those all features implies that this city is genuine Arian. Persians and Arians share a lot of words, culture, and religion. I believe that Arians and Persians must be close relatives.”
“That means they are Arians, not Hellenes. Why they intend to deceive us?”
“I'm not sure, but, look at that divine statue. It has the bull body with cloven hoofs, and the bull head tied with vines of grapes. It seems a god of wines, or a god of harvests. I think that, perhaps they simply call their god Dionysos or sometimes Bakkhos30, so that you Hellenes easily understand their god's concept.”
“It would be possible.”
Bakkhos is another Hellenic name of Dionysos. Some existent myth says that in ancient times Dionysos was a foreign god, worshiped in eastern countries, but one day, he drifted to Hellas, after a long journey wandering in Asia. Ardhanara's words would reflect some truth if the myth is authentic.

The citizens of Suvastu seem quite polite and prudent, having no hostile attentions to us. After we checked all the city has been demilitarized, the rest of King's army crossed the Kophen river.
King marched straight to the Temple of Dionysos. A big buffalo with long horns was pulled to the altar. I've seen many wild buffalos on the Nile; but this Indian buffalo has more gentle eyes than the Egyptian ones.
King himself drew a large ax from his back. At one stroke, the head of the sacrifice was cut down, then he offered a prayer, kneeing on the bloody altar. King also celebrated a gymnastic and musical contest.
King fixed a camp on a meadow in the vicinity of Suvastu, so as not to disturb the citizens' life, not to invoke their anti-Hellenic feelings.

King grants Ardhanara an audience in person.
King is now taking a rest in a tent with his consort, Raokhshna.
I lead Ardhanara to King.
I glanced at King through a slit of curtains. He has already taken off his armors, enjoys having simple supper with Raokhshna, who is a daughter of Vakhshastra and the elder sister of Amastri. King and Princess Raokhshna are both wear thin and loose Persian-style Khitons31 made of unbleached silk.
“We had better do not disturb Him and His consort now,” I whispered, pulling Ardhanara's sleeve.
“Who's there? Come in. I don't care.” Raokhshna says. King calls us in by swinging his bearded chin.
“Namaste, Maha Rajah.”
“Welcome, Maha Guru. I hear from Eumenes that you claim that you are descendants of a Hellenic god. That means we are the same Hellenes. Is it true?”
“Absolutely. Our God, Dionysos, wandered all over the world, reached India, the far east of Asia, and decided to leave old or injured soldiers who can't engage in military services anymore, before he returns to Hellas. For this purpose, he built a city here, at the foot of Mount Suvastu on the river Kophen, as a monument of Himself to preserve His name and honor. That is the origin of this city.”
“Very impressive.”
“I know, Maha Rajah, that you have founded several colonies during your campaigns, too. At Issos, Egypt, Oxos32, and also in Indian territories. You gave your name to the cities, 'Alexandria', to decorate the world with Your name, to memorize your countless achievements. Your glory is excelling Dionysos. You will continue your work further and plant more colonies, build cities, farms, citadels, harbors, dockyards, and settle war-worn followers all over the world.”
“Sure, I will.”
“Your excellent work is very honorable, not only for you, but also us, for all the descendants of Dionysos.”
“Thank you for your grateful words. And what is your wish?” King flashes his eyes.
“I truly tell you, oh my Lord, if you respect our God Dionysos sincerely, please leave our city free. Don't impose any taxes nor military duties. That is our wish.”
Free city? No taxes? And no military cooperation? How dare he can say that! In spite of being in King's presence, I lost my temper and shouted, “Lier! What a flattering tongue you have! Who believes that nonsense story. Are your people also Hellenes, the same descendant of Dionysos? How can you be Hellenes, living far apart from Hellas, in the middle of India? You surrendered without fighting a single battle, and you think you win our sympathy? Saying 'we are the same Hellenes.' How shameful you are!”
King raises his hand, smiling softly.
“Eumenes, don't be rude. He is my guest.
Ardhanara, I appoint you the satrap of Gandhara. Rule judiciously. Let Suvastu, the capital city of Gandhara, be a free city, without taxes and military duties. As long as you keep your Hellenic tradition, I regard you as our companions.”
“I really appreciate your kind mercy, thank you, my lord.”
“That's all? You are dismissed.”

I couldn't leave King's throne, unable to understand his decision.
“Eumenes, do you have something more to say? You know I am very tired struggling through a lot of battles. I want to rest well with my wife.”
Raokhshna gazed me, with frosty eyes.
“I am truly sorry for interrupting Your private time, my Lord, but I was taught by my Master that 'even though you offend your Load, the most loyal way is to speak out frankly.' Therefore, I can't help offering you my sincere opinion.”
“Skip introduction. Proceed to main subjects.”
“Yes, my Lord. Why did you show too much mercy upon such a disgusting man? I am afraid if you trusted him.”
“I never trust him, as I don't trust bogus barbarians such as Celtics or Scythians.”
“You ordered him to govern this province in the name of you because you trusted him, didn't you?”
“Not at all. A Governor's task is to rule people. Not to be honest. Honesty is none of his business. Nor do I trust my governors. A proverb says 'It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white so long as it catches mice.' A good cat catches mice wisely, regardless of the fur color. Likewise it doesn't matter whether a governor is honest or not. A capable but cunning officer is much better than faithful but useless one, don't you think so?”
“Possibly are you saying about me?”
“Don't be so suspicious. I say nothing about you, Eumenes.
All right. I explain plainly.
The words of Ardhanara encouraged us, not only me, but all the soldiers. In this hostile land of India, Ardhanara blessed us, this very opportune time. He was the one I expected in this situation. How his speech helped me, who is responsible for an army as the commander.
Contrarily, how foolish my fortunetellers are. A fortune is nothing but complete fake. It's sometimes useful when the soldiers are frightened confronting tough enemies. Good fortunes relax and encourage them. Hence, I employ those lazy parasitic daydreamers. But they never assist me. They say only, 'Don't modify the fortune. Your personal interpretation is not required. Hear the fortune innocently. Accept your destiny as it is.' Who are we? We are the Makedonian Army! Who am I? I'm the King! Why cannot they twist and tweak the result more flexibly for my assistance? Raw turkey meat tastes better if it is grilled and flavored. A fortune should be also cooked and seasoned effectively. Do you understand what I want to say?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“But they never cooperate with me.
Ardhanara, he is more sophisticated. He can deal with better. I am very grateful for his assistance.
As you know, Eumenes, this land, Asia, is the place where the civilization first came out. Since then it has evolved and developed gradually and continuously. Uncountable dynasties have risen one after another for tens of thousands of years. Tribes and clans have been unified into nations, then merged into empires. In consequence of this process, uncivilized stubborn barbarians have been wiped away from earth, and only smart citizens survived. In Asia, one people feel nothing when they are ruled by another. All Asians are accustomed to the Imperialism. Or say, the Kosmopolitanism. A king conquers other kings to gain and rule their peoples. Peoples are ruled by their king without complaint so long as the king treats his peoples fairly.
Very different from Hellas. Especially Athens. They damn kings. They constantly conquer other people to gain slaves for their own sake. Or lose to be slaved. They are so simple because they are wild barbarians. Hellenes are obsessed by Individualism, which is so different from Kosmopolitanism. That is the reason, why Hellas had to be integrated by us, the Kingdom of Makedonia, and that is also the reason why I had to be the Asian king. The reason why I can't be the Hellenic king. Are you following me, Eumenes?”
“To a certain extent.”
“In Asia, a single king can rule all populaces of all nationalities, like a charioteer handling several horses at the same time. Ardhanara is well aware of such Asiatic tradition. The citizens of Suvastu might worship Indra when Arian warriors were passing by, or pray for Marduk when Assyrians invaded, or bow to Median Magi or Ahura Mazda when Persian army came. For a long period of time, they have been subject to Asian empires, paying tributes to Asian kings. Otherwise, they could not survive on this crossroad of the world.
No principle? Not consistent? There is no choice but to do so. Life is incomparable for everyone.
I admire Ardhanara. He negotiated everything what he should do, hiding his shiver with fear under his robe. Here, in the center of the Asiatic continent, the leader of a people must be such a brave and wise man.
We must be generous enough if we want to utilize them. Don't you think so, Eumenes? I do not care if the legend of this city is complete fiction. I am also not interested in which god they believe in.”
I felt myself go red. I hang my head down in shame. I am so sorry for disturbing King's precious private time with his consort Raokhshna.