She was a Sixteen-year-old maiden among the captured natives of Bactria. He was the Emperor from Macedon, a young dreamer at twenty-eight. He had toppled their ruler and taken over their fort, hence she was a captive. She was always told about these situations by her father, who was a minor Baron and one of the high socialites in the king's court. Usually, the men who won would enjoy their victory by taking possession of their lands, wealth and women. She was old enough to be called one and dreaded the awaiting consequences.
All the women were lined up in the palace courtyards as per the new king's order. He was coming on an inspection, they said. All the women whispered among themselves. Some were saying he is coming to choose his prize, and after him will follow his generals and the rest of the army. Some said this emperor was kind and respected women. Her eyes blurred with tears. She wanted freedom. The ropes were too tight on her soft hands." Bow down to the Basileus of Macedon, Alexander III, son of Philip II, captives!"
With the guard's announcement, everyone was bowing before the figure that walked in. She could only see his royal red shoes and nothing more as he walked past her and announced, "Rise, women of Bactria. You are the respected mothers, sisters and daughters and not our slaves."
She looked up, and their eyes met.
His hazel eyes were fixed on hers in a surprised look. He continued his speech, but his eyes never left hers. " Someday I dream of conquering the world, and that day I want all my subjects to be happy with their Emperor. Do not fear me, but love me and support me, oh women of Bactria! I promise you respect and prosperity in return!"
Something told her that, unlike others with his power, he was not lying.
" Untie their ropes and give them a guest's welcome while I talk to their men."
He walked out, stealing a last glimpse at her and whispering to his general.
Back in the hall where the women were captive, they were given bread and wine. Everyone was blessing the new king for his act of generosity. She could not help remembering his warm stares.
"Roxanne, my dear! Have this delicious bread! What are you thinking?"
" Nothing, Meredith."
" I am sure it's something you can tell your friend dearly."
" Well, I may be wrong, but I think..."
Their conversation was interrupted by a guard.
" Lady Roxanne, the Baselius of Macedon wants to see you at his chambers." Her heart skipped a beat. Women were discussing whether maybe they were wrong about the emperor.
She made her way to his Chambers with the guard. He was sitting on a chair and having wine.
" So your name is Roxanne, and your father is a baron, they tell me."
She stood silent. Feet away. Bowing before the king.
" I saw you in the courtyard today, and I am mesmerised by your beauty." He sounded embarrassed at the confession. " I have been looking for a suitable wife, and I will send my proposal to your father soon. I want your consent before I do. Tell me if you are willing or if your heart belongs elsewhere?"
"My heart belongs to no one, My Lord. I am willing to do anything my father decides."
" Thank you! I am going on a conquest down south, and when I return, I shall make you mine, Roxanne."
A year passed by as the Emperor returned victoriously and sent a proposal and gifts to her father. He readily agreed to make his daughter the emperor's chief wife. The wedding followed. They travelled to Macedon together to meet his mother as his wife. Like her son, Olympias too was mesmerised by her beauty and humble nature. Before long, he wanted to start exploring further southeast to pursue his dreams.
" Roxanne, do you want to come with me on my next conquest and exploration? We can see the world together, my Love!"
" Where are we going, my Lord?" She, who had never travelled beyond her hometown in Bactria and the palaces at Macedon, was excited.
Seeing the childish delight on his young wife's face, he smiled. " To India. The land of natural treasures. The oldest and most spectacular of civilisations lie there. "
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| Alexander and Roxanne were painted by Pietro Rotari. Source: Wikipedia |
They travelled together for years, to India and central Asia. He married two more royals, Daughters of an enemy he killed, but his heart and time belonged to Roxanne. She was his soul mate. He continued wars and conquests as she stayed in Babylon and Macedon, praying for him and waiting to see him. Four years had passed by since their marriage, and she was pregnant and with his mother under her care in Macedon. He did not know if the child was a son and heir or a princess.
News of his death arrived in Macedon when she was in her seventh month of pregnancy. People cried foul play by his trusted Generals. Confused and broken, Roxanne and Olympias sought refuge in each other. Two months later, a beautiful baby boy was born, an heir to the throne. She named him Alexander IV after his father. To protect her baby, all that she had left, she made an indecision under the influence of her husband's trusted people and killed his other two wives to protect her son. She killed them, knowing of their jealousy and intentions to harm her child, and threw their bodies in a well.
She, along with her infant and his mother, wandered in disguise for many years with the help of some trusted Generals and their families. But disaster followed as Olympias was assassinated when her child was only seven years of age, and she was forced to take shelter under the then-ruling General Cassandra with her child. Thinking she was safe, she stayed there for six years before being poisoned to death along with her thirteen-year-old son by the power-hungry son of Antipater, Cassandra.
All through her thirty-three years of life, she struggled to find a place beside her husband through his difficult dreams and to protect her son from traitors. She gave up her life supporting Alexander of Macedon to become Alexander the Great in history, yet people do not know her name or the sacrifices she made to maintain a life she never chose in the first place.
