The Mistress of Cities, the Peak of Panhelenic World

The Egyptians received Crassus with due pomp into Alexandria, a sizeable procession being laid out for the Roman ambassador. Wonders of all the ancient world were wheeled out to greet him; lions, tigers, elephants, and even the strange hairy creatures from far east that walked upright like men but howled like dogs. Ptolemy Alexander, the tenth king of that name, was waiting in the grand palace of the God Kings, surrounded by viziers, attendants, mercenaries, and slaves of all shapes and sizes. They were clad from head to foot in silks, perfumes, gold and gemstones, a single piece of royal jewellery enough to pay an entire empire's ransom. Even to Crassus, a man renowned for his luxury, the full decadence of the east must have cut a startling comparison to his short haired, toga-wearing countrymen.

Ptolemy Alexander was a wiry, soft spoken man, with eyes that darted from one person to another with startling speed. Even on his Pharaonic throne, he seemed uncomfortable. It was not everyday that Roma came knocking. On Cyprus, his predecessor and elder brother, Ptolemy Lathyros, was still living, and the King ever lived in fear that he would come and retake his throne with Roman swords at his back. At his side sat his young niece and Queen Berenice, who had likewise inherited the mousy look of the inbred Macedonian dynasty. As was the custom, they were overseen by the all-controlling Eunuchs, who took into their hands the formalities of court protocol, introducing Crassus to the divine King of Kings, son of Amun Ra, et cetera...

"Hail, voice of Rome, Pro-Consul Crassus. You are known to us, here in the land of the great Zeus Ammon's heirs."

Called out the reedy voice of the King's chief minister. It was customary for the King not to speak unless in more private audiences, and all knew the eunuchs spoke the will of Egypt's divine monarchs.

"Alas, our glorious king is confronted with pretenders on his northern coast. Surely, such a dangerous and potent threat would prove a natural ally for Mithridates Eupator, scourge of Asia. I believe it is all our best interests if this vile pretender is removed, for while he exists he strangles our food exports and will surely attack any efforts we make on Rome's behalf."

The minister licked his lips, and smiled in a sickly fashion.

"With the land of the Gods made safe, our glorious and divine son of Ra could commit whatever Rome requires to the War effort.

"We shall commit ships and men, fear not."

All grew silent as the King of Egypt raised a hand. Ptolemy, it seemed, had blinked first.

"If Cyprus is returned to us from the pretender, curse his rotten heart, when Mithridates is defeated."

"Granted."

Ptolemy the tenth, undoubtedly the lesser of his great forebears, nonetheless had the magnanimity to grant the Roman's request. That Megas Alexandros himself was entombed here was a source of great pride of the Pharaohs, and the keystone of their legitimacy as rulers. They were keen to parade it whenever possible. After the treaty had been properly signed and concluded, Crassus was given the freedom of Alexandria.

The Egyptians truly are weaker than their old grandeur, but nonetheless give the Romans 1000 heavy infantry, 500 cavalry, and 1500 Light Infantry. Many of these are mercenaries, some even being Roman by birth. They also lend Crassus 7 Quinquireme with which to carry these men to Asia Minor.

Almost the exact replica of Egypt awaited Crassus in Cyprus, albeit the grandeur of Alexandria could not quite be properly copied amidst the rugged provincialism of Cyprus. It was a fine palace that Ptolemy IX had made for himself, for certain, and the King, slaves, and attendants were all properly outfitted. There must have been a sense of deja vu for the Roman, as the court formula proceeded exactly the same as before, with seemingly endless ceremony and flowery introductions made between the Pro-Consul and the Cypriote King. Ptolemy looked similar to his brother, but ruddier; no make up could hide the alcohol induced redness in his face.

The complex web of Asiatic kings was difficult to track; this one was brother of Egypt and brother in law of one of the Syrian pretenders, Antiochus VIII having eventually married both Ptolemies' sister Cleopatra Selene, also the ex wife of them both. Likewise had Antiochus IX once been their brother in law, albeit that sister of the Ptolemaic kings had died prematurely. And all of them hated each other.

Ptolemy's vizier, a eunuch clad in gold and silks, spoke on behalf of the King, who seemed to have inherited the same flinty and fickle mannerisms of his brother. No wonder the dynasts had grown so unpopular in Alexandria as of late.

"The Lord of the Two lands and King of Cyprus wishes to know when Rome will help in regaining his kingdom, lost to the fickle schemes of his brother, who he names as usurper and kinslayer."

The spider's web of Ptolemaic politics was not to be understood by the Romans, who struggled to comprehend the ways of these eastern despots. Like a fly, it was easy to be caught in the middle.

"Likewise does he name Grypus an enemy and traitor, and sympathises with the Republic. The Syrian dynasts are not to be trusted. Perhaps the king should be replaced with one that is more amenable to the cause of Rome."

The Vizier licked his lips as the King nodded sternly.

The Vizier pursed his lips.

"The Great King desires to aid his friend and ally Rome, of course. First, he wishes to come to an... arrangement, one that would see Roman coin borrowed to reclaim Alexandria from the usurper king at a future date. Of course, the fine details could be arranged properly at a later date, most excellent Pro-Consul."

The eunuch gave an obsequious bow. Ptolemy sat in observation, stone faced, almost statuesque. He was breathing heavily, audible throughout the throne room.