Alexander Page #6

Alexander!

This is about the honor of our kingdom.

Exactly. What can be won, Alexander?

We're in Asia to punish them

for their crimes. We've achieved that.

Seven years from home, now we drift

from one far region to another...

...chasing nomads and bandits

when Macedonia bleeds its manpower.

For what? To build roads in Asia?

-To give these people cities?

-And now make an army of them?

To found cities and expand

our reach is not to drift.

-What benefit to Macedon?

-It's far richer!

-Look what you give them.

-With respect...

...had you fought better at Gaugamela

when your flank was crumbling-

-How dare you, Nearchus?!

-General Nearchus to you, boy.

Alexander spread our flank too thin!

There was nothing my father...

-... or any of you could've done!

-Philotas!

Alexander, I've known you

since you were born.

I supported you at your father's death.

At the very least, for Zeus' sake...

...and in respect to the council

that chose you king...

...give us a Macedonian heir.

A Macedonian heir.

-You've been heard clearly.

-But-

Parmenion! After the wedding, take two

brigades to Babylon, where I look to you...

...and Antipater in Greece, to maintain

our empire and supply this expedition.

I'll winter with my army at Marakand.

I pray to Apollo you realize how far

you've turned from your father's path.

Damn you, Parmenion,

by the gods and your Apollo.

What was in my father's guts

wasn't overripe in reason like yours!

He never lusted for war, Alexander,

or enjoyed it so.

He consulted his peers in council,

among equals, the Macedonian way.

He didn't decide based

on his personal desires.

I've taken us further

than my father ever dreamed.

Old man...

...we're in new worlds.

Alexander, be reasonable!

Were they ever meant to be our equals?

Share our rewards?

You remember what Aristotle said.

An Asian?

What would a vow mean to a race

that's never kept their word to a Greek?

-Aristotle be damned!

-Alexander!

By Zeus and all the gods...

...what makes you so much better

than them, Cassander?

Better than you really are.

In you and those like you is this.

Alexander.

What disturbs me most is not your lack

of respect for my judgment.

It's your contempt for a world

far older than ours.

Five to any man

who bothers to kill me.

Have another drink, Cleitus.

-Shouldn't you be bound to a king?

-Cleitus.

Alexander, you look weak

when you not accept these honors.

I understand, my dear father...

-... but it's against Greek ways.

-Then Greek ways are weak.

I still think she got the better of him

in this bargain.

My daughter, Roxane...

...she shall make you good wife.

She shall kill for you.

Raw skunk, ruler of heaven...

...and earth.

In honor of this great alliance...

...I, Oxyartes, offer you these great gifts.

I would like to honor a toast

to you from my people.

Good morning, sire.

We shall fight for you, Alexander.

It shall be bloody.

Who's the bear?

Parmenion.

You've been in complete control

of your supply lines.

His pessimism is infectious.

But he'll stay loyal...

...as long as his son remains with us.

Hey!

Her eyes tell me

she cares for you, Alexander.

Perhaps too much.

In the ways of my country...

...those who love too much

lose everything...

...and those who love with irony...

...last.

I found it in Egypt.

The man who sold it said it came

from a time...

...when man worshipped sun and stars.

I'll always think of you...

...as the sun, Alexander.

And I pray your dream

will shine on all men.

I wish you a son.

You're a great man.

Many will love you, Alexander,

but none so pure and deep...

You...

...love him?

He is Hephaistion.

Thank you, Bagoas.

Your boy?

There are many different ways

to love, Roxane.

Come.

No.

No, no.

No. No.

You have no fear.

It's fitting.

A man searches for a woman

at Earth's top...

...and finds her.

The myth becomes real.

Great man, Sikander...

...you I kill now.

Do it.

End it. I would do the-

I would do the same.

I'll die a fool...

...for this love.

My life is now yours.

You will have my son.

Who is this woman you call your queen,

Alexander? A hill girl?

You with your breeding.

Already she makes enemies

with her strong, clumsy nature.

Do not confuse us.

I was never a barbarian as Philip said.

We are of Achilles' royal blood.

Zeus is your father.

Oh, I understand she brings

you some happiness...

...but how can she help you?

You must know that

she does not speak in your name...

...which is yours and yours alone.

Preserve it, secret it...

...and hear me when I tell you,

act...

...and act soon.

After seven years, people wonder:

"Who is this King Alexander?"

I have given you ample proof.

Antipater daily undermines your authority.

Return to Babylon

and strengthen your center.

Or come home to Macedonia

and reorganize.

But do not chase your dream...

...further east.

Your life and mine depend on it.

Remember...

...my only thoughts are of you.

As you, too, must face

your glorious destiny.

Think kindly of your mother.

Provide for me.

Protect me from your enemies

when you are gone.

And remember always...

...it is I who love you more than any.

If only you were not a pale reflection...

...of my mother's heart.

Pregnant so soon. The little whore.

He will marry her in the spring,

during Dionysus' Festival...

...and when her first son is born...

...her sweet uncle Attalus will convince

Philip to name the boy his successor...

...with himself as regent.

And you...

...you will be sent on

some impossible mission...

...against some monstrous Northern tribe...

...to be mutilated in one more

meaningless battle over cattle.

And I, no longer queen,

will be put to death...

...with your sister and the remaining

members of our family.

I wish sometimes you could see

the light, Mother.

The truth is, he's taken nothing from you

that you've not been long without.

The only way is to strike.

Announce your marriage

to a Macedonian now.

Beget a child of pure blood. He would

be one of them, not mine...

...and he would have no choice

but to make you king.

There is still Kynnane.

Eurydice was perfect. If your father,

that pig, had not ravaged her first!

Say nothing more of my father.

Do you hear me? Say nothing.

You're right.

Forgive me.

A mother loves too much.

Who shall I sing to sleep

at night anymore?

I wish- I wish we could spend

more time together.

Like we used to, when you were

the sweetest boy.

There's never been time, Mother.

Since I was a child, I've been groomed

to be ever the best.

My poor child, you're like Achilles...

...cursed by your greatness.

Yes. Take my strength.

You must never confuse your feelings...

...with your duties, Alexander.

A king must make public gestures

for the common people.

I know, but you will be 19 this summer...

...and the girls already say you don't

like them. You like Hephaistion more.

I understand.

It's natural for a young man.

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