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Book: Son of Zeus. Lyubov Voronkova: Son of Zeus Philip's Happy Day

Karl Marx noted that the highest external flowering of Greece coincides with the era of Alexander the Great. More than twenty-three centuries separate us from this era. During this time, the picture of the world has changed many times. States arose and perished, peoples disappeared and were reborn, various forms of exploitation gave way to a society in which the exploitation of man by man has been abolished; the world socialist system was formed.

In this progressive movement of mankind there was not a single historical period, not a single country in the world, where the era of Alexander, the life and work of the famous commander of antiquity and the Eastern epic associated with him were not studied. The explanation for this, obviously, must be sought in the special importance of this era, which had a significant impact on the fate of numerous peoples and states.

The books by L. F. Voronkova "Son of Zeus" and "In the depths of centuries" are devoted to this most significant and most striking era in the history of antiquity. At the center of the whole story is Alexander - the famous commander, politician and statesman (356-323 BC). The writer traces his life from the cradle to the last hour, tingles his indefatigable spirit of quest and thirst for exploits.

The first book - "The Son of Zeus" - with great artistic skill describes the childhood and youth of the Macedonian commander, the conditions in which he was brought up and took his first independent steps in the military and state field. Alexander was the son of King Philip II of Macedonia, an outstanding statesman, commander and diplomat. This bright, colorful figure, which formed the military genius of the future commander, became the protagonist of the work.

Philip II was a very active, purposeful, brave and cruel person. Significant socio-economic changes in Macedonia itself and the most important events in all Greek states were associated with his name. Alexander's homeland at that time was a country torn apart by civil strife. Separate small kingdoms into which it was divided were at enmity with each other. Philip managed to undermine the power of these kings, unite the whole country and become the ruler of all Macedonia. He carried out important reforms in it, which strengthened its economy and authority in international affairs. Through his efforts, a permanent regular army was created, in which the famous Macedonian phalanx of heavy infantry occupied the first place. This army was distinguished by the expedient proportionality of the composition of all branches of the armed forces, different in armament and mode of action. But they all acted harmoniously and harmoniously, obeying a single command. Relying on his army, Philip II not only strengthened the military power of his state, but also directed his policy towards conquest, seizure of land and wealth.

L.F. Voronkova showed well how Macedonia had strengthened by this time, how its powerful army was able in a short time not only to seize neighboring lands, but also to subdue Greece, which had weakened from numerous wars and social struggles. The struggle of the Macedonian king with neighboring states, his cunning interference in the internal affairs of Greece, the action of the anti-Macedonian front under the leadership of the famous orator Demosthenes are shown with great persuasiveness.

The final episode of the book is the image of the first independent steps young Alexander who, after the tragic death of his father, became the king of Macedonia. The reader will learn here about the beginning of his state and military activities.

The book "Son of Zeus" is of great educational value. It not only shows the difficult period of Greek-Macedonian relations on the eve of the Eastern campaigns, which is important and instructive in itself, but expands the reader's horizon with its numerous excursions into Greek nature and mythology, into the history of the Greek liberation struggle against the Persian conquerors, in the field of science, culture and art of ancient Greece.

The chronological continuation of the "Son of Zeus" is another book by the writer Voronkova - "In the depths of centuries", which reveals the whole stormy, contradictory, filled with many important events life of the Macedonian commander.

Particular attention is drawn to the military genius of Alexander, his courage and fearlessness, his desire for "great deeds", as he considered his aggressive campaigns, are emphasized.

Alexander really was a brilliant commander, a military genius. Having studied the experience of his predecessors, he and his associates skillfully organized the army, abandoned outdated military methods of struggle, mastered new tactical skills, skillfully applying it in various situations. Alexander managed to master various tactical methods of battle; for the first time he began to fight not only in summer, but also in winter; introduced the method of actively reaching the enemy and attacking immediately, without rest; preferred quick offensive operations followed by the pursuit of the enemy to the bitter end.

Alexander's military actions are admired for their courage and scope. He himself was brave and courageous, during the battle he fought like a simple soldier, quickly made decisions and also quickly moved to action; He endured hardships and difficulties steadfastly, knew how to raise the spirit of soldiers in the most difficult conditions. He had an iron will and a strong character.

However, his personality was very controversial.

It intertwined the qualities of a talented, strong-willed and courageous commander with cruelty, deceit and immense ambition. Not only his opponents, but even those close and devoted to him suffered from Alexander's treachery. His anger and Irritability led to horrendous crimes: cities were destroyed, palaces perished in flames, old, loyal friends and military leaders perished. His vanity knew no bounds. He was inclined to attribute his failures to the will of the deity and emphasized that he never retreated before people, but only before God.

Alexander was an educated man of his time. He knew literature well, loved Homer's poems, reread them before going to bed, put them under the pillow next to the sword. As the best student of the famous Greek scientist Aristotle, he was versed in philosophy, medicine and other sciences.

However, he remained superstitious and suspicious. The book gives enough examples of this dual nature of Alexander, when his genuine interest in science and culture was combined with his primitive barbaric habits, superstition and ignorance.

Alexander could be at the same time a tender friend, bitterly mourning the death of Hephaestion, and an insidious enemy; a loving son and a ruthless killer; an innovator in the field of martial arts and an oppressor of freedom. Despite his talent and brilliant abilities, in his way of life, in his ideas and goals, in essence he remained the son of his era, a major Macedonian slave owner.

The whole drama of Alexander's complex personality lay in the fact that he devoted his talent, his extraordinary abilities to a cause that was doomed to failure. He dreamed of creating a world state and becoming the ruler of the world. His dream, he said, is to penetrate all countries to the end of the universe, where the sea washes the last shore and where no one can step on his path. But not all warriors supported this dream of world domination. Along with those who blindly believed in the fate of Alexander and followed him, there were those who, in the course of the conquest, mentally began to see clearly and became opponents of further campaigns. In India, this epiphany embraced the entire army - Macedonians and allies. As a result, Alexander was forced to return back, having been defeated by his invincible army.

The commanding staff of the Macedonian army, having begun the eastern campaigns in complete unity, in the course of the conquests was divided into two opposing camps: Alexander's associates and opponents of his eastern policy and his world-power aspirations. The presence of such opposing forces created tension and difficulties in solving not only military, but also political problems, complicating the solution of the tasks that Alexander set for himself.

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1907–1976

L. F. Voronkova and her books

The name of the remarkable Russian writer Lyubov Fedorovna Voronkova is known in many countries of the world - so great is the popularity of her books.

The writer knew the secret of the living word. Because everything in her books lives, breathes, sounds. The voices of birds and animals, forest rustles, the murmur of a stream are heard in them. A firefly flashlight glows with a quiet light. And if you lie low, you can see how the awakened flower spreads its petals. And the people in her works live like in real life - they work, think, feel sad and happy, help each other. Everything is true there.

Where did the living word come from?

First of all, from the village childhood.

Lyubov Fedorovna was born in Moscow in 1906. But later her family moved to a small village near Moscow, and this period of life turned out to be very important for the writer, which influenced the nature of her work. There, in the village, she developed the habit of constant, patient work. The beauty of Russian nature was revealed. And she reached for her pen in order to express her love for the land and working people in poetry and prose.

Already an adult, she returned to Moscow and became a journalist. She traveled a lot around the country and wrote about life in the countryside: this topic was close to her.

In 1940, her first book, Shurka, was published. Then came "The Girl from the City", "Sunny Day", "Geese Swans". These books, which have become classics of children's literature, speak of the main thing: love for the Motherland, respect for work, human kindness and responsiveness. Also, it's about getting over yourself. The man is scared, but he goes to take trouble away from someone. Of course, such a person will grow up strong in spirit and, when necessary, will be capable of a feat.

Each of the characters created by the imagination of the writer was close and dear to her in her own way. And yet, more than others, she loved Valentine from the book "The Girl from the City." She pitied her for her war-deprived childhood.

The story "The Girl from the City" was written during the war years, but still touches the hearts of children and adults, because it tells not only about a great disaster, but also about the great kindness of the people, which helps to endure in difficult times, restores faith in life.

The book "Geese-swans" will not leave anyone indifferent. She is a little sad, but life is not only filled with joys. Sometimes it happens to be sad and grieve, especially when close people do not understand you, besides those with whom you want to be friends. So it was with the village girl Aniska. Her subtle movements of the soul and actions that were unexpected at first glance seemed strange and incomprehensible to those around her, which brought her a lot of grief and made her suffer.

Aniska is a complex, poetic character, and by creating it, the writer seemed to reveal to her reader a secret about a person, that he is not always what he seems, and one must be able to see the best in him, hidden from a superficial glance. And about how rich the inner world of a person is and how beautiful it is! But only a sensitive heart can see and understand this.

Lyubov Fyodorovna had a big, sensitive, sympathetic heart. And her house resembled a magical land where all sorts of miracles happen. Her books were written there. Her friends were there. There she, like a real witch, talked with her flowers, as if those living beings. And early in the morning, the voices of the guests of the balcony woke her up there: sparrows, tits, two conspicuous jackdaws, pigeons. She fed the birds, grumbling good-naturedly at them for their brisk talkativeness.

But flowers and birds - all this was just an introduction to the main miracle: the arrival of the heroes of future books.

They appeared - some quietly, some noisily, in accordance with their character. And she, discarding all earthly worries, sat down at her desk. The most ordinary table, at which it is comfortable to sit with friends, talk heart to heart with them, drink tea. But it will be later. And now began the witchcraft over the manuscript. And so every morning, her bright, inviolable time, devoted to work. And every morning - three pages. Otherwise, do not have time to write everything that is planned. “We have to work, work,” she kept repeating. “There is life and joy in our work.”

Writing for her was the highest joy.

In recent years, Lyubov Fedorovna wrote historical stories and novels. For her herself, such a seemingly abrupt transition from today's day into the depths of centuries was not accidental. She has long been attracted by stories ancient history, ancient writers became favorite reading: Plutarch, Pausanias, Thucydides, Herodotus. In the chosen genre, the words of the “father of history” Herodotus served as a kind of parting word to her, who wrote his works, “... so that from time to time the deeds of people would not be erased from the memory and great and surprisingly worthy deeds would not be ingloriously forgotten ...”

For a very long time, Lyubov Fedorovna did not dare to take up her first historical book. What she wrote about before was her native element: everything is familiar, everything is close and understandable, everything could be looked at with your own eyes. And how to see what has already passed, sunk irrevocably into eternity? There is no such train that would bring in the past, where the people lived, about whom she wanted to tell in the planned book.

She stood as if in front of a closed door leading to unfamiliar worlds. It was necessary to diligently prepare for a meeting with them. And she got ready. She studied the mountains of historical materials, completely immersed herself in the era she was going to write about.

That's when the mysterious door opened, and the writer found herself in the 6th century BC, when the Persian king Cyrus lived. About him was her first historical tale. Then she looked into even earlier centuries, when the Messenian wars were going on.

If in the story “Trace of the Fiery Life” the center of attention is King Cyrus, his unusual fate, then in the “Messenian Wars” the main character is a whole people from the small country of Messenia, who courageously fought for freedom and independence. Forced to leave their country, wandering for three hundred years in foreign lands, this people did not forget either their language or the customs of their homeland. And we, despite the remoteness of the era, are close to the thoughts and deeds of the Messenians, who glorified themselves through the ages with their heroic struggle for freedom and their devoted love for their homeland.

In history, L. F. Voronkova was attracted by strong and unusual characters that influenced the course historical events. Therefore, she turned to the image of Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). So her two books appeared: “Son of Zeus” - about the childhood and youth of the Macedonian king and “In the depths of centuries” - about his conquests and the creation of a state that included the lands of Europe and Asia.

Before starting to create a novel about Alexander the Great, she read many books about him and the era in which he lived, studied the serious scientific works, and when the time came to write a chapter about his campaigns in Central Asia, she went to those parts to find additional material for her book.

She visited Samarkand, or Marakanda, as this city was called during the time of Alexander the Great, through which the famous commander passed with his troops in 329 BC and severely destroyed it. She was in Bukhara and in its environs, which were once part of the country known under the name of Sogdiana. There, the Sogdians, led by Spitamen, offered desperate resistance to Alexander the Great - touching pages are devoted to this event in the book “In the depths of centuries”.

She wandered through the narrow streets of the ancient cities of Uzbekistan, peering into the faces of people, and admired their beauty, proud posture, seeing in each of them the descendants of those Sogds who were headed by Spitamen.

Thoughtfully, with interest, she entered the previously unfamiliar world of the East and looked at everything through the eyes of an artist. She memorized the color of the sky and the color of the desert at different times of the year, looked at the mountains for a long time in the evening dawn and at dawn, admired the flowering gardens and the bright, indescribable colors of autumn. After all, as in the time of Alexander the Great, here the sun was just as sultry, the winds blew just as dryly, the hot sands did not change their color, the mountain peaks were still covered with eternal snow, and the sky did not lose its brightest blue.

There were so many impressions from acquaintance with Central Asia and they turned out to be so strong that the writer could not move away from them. She wanted to tell about her beloved land, and a small book “Garden under the Clouds” appeared - about the life of Uzbek children. Later, she wrote the book Furious Hamza, a fictional biography of the famous Uzbek writer and revolutionary. I was going to write about the famous astronomer Ulugbek, but did not have time. In 1976, the writer died.

The last book published during the life of Lyubov Fedorovna Voronkova is The Hero of Salamis. Fascinating plot, swiftness of action, subtle psychologism, sense of time, nature, pure, transparent language. Here everything is proportionate, everything is built solidly.

Already from the first pages of the story, we enter the turbulent, full of worries and anxieties, the life of the Athenian state. At the meeting of citizens of the country, the most important issues of their lives are decided.

Innumerable hordes of the Persian king Xerxes moved to Hellas. He would undoubtedly have succeeded in conquering both Athens and Sparta - after all, almost all the Hellenic city-states submitted to him - if not for Themistocles.

Themistocles managed to raise his compatriots to fight against the enemy, instill in their hearts faith in victory - and victory came.

With great skill, Lyubov Fedorovna Voronkova describes the events of those years and the heroes acting in the story, with their unexpected twists of fate. Everyone is remembered here. But the portrait of the protagonist, Themistocles, is especially convincing and psychologically authentic. Times change, years go by, and he becomes different. Only in one thing Themistocles remains unchanged: in his love for his homeland.

The book "The Hero of Salamis" is evidence of how over the years, with greater depth, with some new facets, the writer's talent in the most difficult genre, the genre of the historical novel, was revealed.

The events of ancient times are shown in historical works Lyubov Fedorovna Voronkova. But they worry us. And they will always worry. Because it is the past of humanity. And comprehension of the Past helps to understand the Present. For the sake of the future.

Valentina Putilina

Son of Zeus

Where did the line of Macedonian kings begin?

Once, in ancient times, three brothers left for Illyria from Argos, the middle state of Hellas. Wandering through the wooded mountain country, they moved from Illyria to Macedonia. Here the brothers found shelter: they were hired as shepherds to the king. The elder brother grazed the herds of royal horses. Middle - herds of cows and bulls. And the younger one drove small livestock - goats and sheep - into the mountains to pasture.

The pastures in the mountains and valleys were free, but it was necessary to go far from home. Therefore, the king's wife gave the shepherds bread for the whole day, equally for everyone. The queen herself baked bread, and each slice was in her account.

Everything seemed to be going well and calmly. However, for some reason, the queen began to think. And one day she said to the king:

- Not for the first time I notice this: I give the shepherds bread equally. But each time, the younger bread turns out to be twice as much as the brothers. What would that mean?

The king was surprised and alarmed.

“It's a miracle,” he said. No matter how badly it turns out for us.

And then he sent for the shepherds. The shepherds came, all three.

“Pack up and leave,” the king ordered, “and leave my country forever.

The brothers looked at each other: why are they being persecuted?

"Good," replied the older brother. - We'll leave. But we'll leave after we get the pay we've earned.

- Here's your pay, take it! - mockingly shouted the king and pointed to a bright solar circle lying on the floor.

The sun at that time was high, and its rays poured into the house through a round hole in the roof, where the smoke from the hearth escaped.

The older brothers stood in silence, not knowing what to say to that.

But the younger one answered the king:

- We accept, king, your payment! He took out a long knife from his belt and with its point outlined a solar circle that lay on the floor, as if cutting it out. Then he scooped up a handful of sunlight like water and poured it on his chest. So he did three times - he scooped up the sun and poured it on his chest.

This done, he turned and left the house. The brothers silently followed him.

The king remained perplexed.

Even more alarmed, he called his relatives and close associates and told about what had happened.

– What does it all mean?

Then one of the close ones explained to the king:

The younger one understood. What You gave them, therefore you accepted it so willingly, because you gave them the sun of Macedonia, and with the sun - Macedonia!

The king, hearing this, jumped up.

- On the horses! Catch them up! he shouted in rage. - Chase and kill!

The brothers from Argos, meanwhile, came to a large deep river. Hearing the chase, they rushed into the river and swam across it. And as soon as they reached the other side, they saw horsemen chasing them. The riders galloped without sparing the horses. Now they will be at the river, swim across it, and the poor shepherds will not be saved!

The older brothers trembled. The younger one was calm. He stood on the shore and gazed intently at the quiet, slowly moving water.

But now the chase is already at the river. The riders shout something, threaten the brothers and drive the horses into the river. But the river suddenly began to seethe, swell, and raise menacing waves. The horses rested and did not go into the seething water. The chase remained on the other side.

And the three brothers marched on through the Macedonian valleys. They climbed mountains, descended through passes. And finally we found ourselves in a beautiful garden where extraordinary roses bloomed: each flower had sixty petals and their fragrance spread far over the surroundings.

Next to this garden rose the harsh cold mountain of Bermia. The brothers from Argos took possession of this impregnable mountain, settled on it, built a fortress. From here they began to make military raids on the Macedonian villages, captured them. From these villages they recruited detachments of warriors; their army grew. They began to conquer the nearest Macedonian valleys. Then they conquered all of Macedonia. It was from them that the family of Macedonian kings went.

There is another legend about the origin of the royal family.

Once the Hellenic state of Argos was ruled by King Feidon. He had a brother Karan. Karan also wanted to become a king, and he decided to win a kingdom for himself.

But before setting off with the army, Karan went to Delphi - the sanctuary of the god Apollo - to ask the deity for advice. The oracle told Karan to go north. And there, having met a herd of goats, follow him. Karan gathered an army and went north. The paths indicated by the oracle led him to Macedonia.

In one of the valleys Karan saw a herd of goats. The goats were quietly grazing on the green slopes, and Karan stopped the army. We must follow the goats, but where? To pasture?

Suddenly it started raining. The goats rushed to run, Karan hurried after them. And so, following the goats that were fleeing the downpour, the newcomers from Argos entered the city of Edess. Due to the rain and fog that tightly covered the dwellings, the inhabitants did not see how foreigners entered their city and captured it.

In memory of the goats that brought Karan, he gave the city a new name - Egi, which means "goat". Karan seized the kingdom, and the city of Egi became the capital of the Macedonian kings. This city stood where the plateau descends into the flourishing Emathian plain and the turbulent rivers running from the mountains sparkle with noisy waterfalls.

Legends have lived since ancient times, passed from mouth to mouth, asserted, became authentic. On the banner of the Macedonian army was the image of a goat. And the Macedonian kings often decorated their helmets with goat horns.

And the main thing that was kept and persistently affirmed in these legends was that the Macedonian kings came from Argos, from Hellas, that they were Hellenes, Hellenes, and not barbarians; barbarians in the eyes of the Hellenes were all the peoples of the world, except for those born in Hellas.

We are from Argos. We are from the genus of Hercules. We are Hellenes!

However, Hellas stood in front of Macedonia, in front of this small, no one famous country like a majestic, indestructible fortress. She was strong in land forces, in her harbors were numerous long ships - the navy. And round, merchant, fearlessly went into the sparkling expanses of the Middle Sea ...

The Macedonian kings actively strengthened their state, their cities. Every now and then they fought with neighboring tribes, capturing a piece of their land.

But with Hellas they tried to maintain an alliance and friendship. It was dangerous to touch her. The Hellenes captured the entire coast, cutting off Macedonia's path to the sea, and hence to trade. The Hellenic colonies approached the very edge of the Macedonian land ... And yet - union and friendship!

While Macedonia is weak. For the present, there is no strength to stand before Hellas with a weapon in hand. While Macedonia is fragmented and does not have a strong army ...

So two hundred years passed until the day when the youngest son of King Aminta, Philip of Macedon, came to power, who brought many troubles to the Hellenic cities.

Happy Philip's Day

Philip, king of Macedonia, had just conquered Potidaea, a colony of Corinthians who settled in Macedonian Chalkidike.

In armor and helmets, sparkling under the sun, with swords and spears, the Macedonian army was returning from the battlefield. Strong horses, fattened in the rich meadows of Macedonia and Thessaly, still sweating after the battle, stepped steadily and firmly, as if not feeling the weight of the horsemen dressed in iron.

The army spread throughout the peninsula. Fires were still smoking in the plundered city.

Philip, cheerful, tired, covered in dirt and in the blood of battle, dismounted from his horse.

Let's celebrate the victory! he immediately shouted, throwing the reins to the groom. - Prepare a feast!

But the servants and slaves knew what to do even without his orders. In the large, cool royal tent, everything was already ready for the feast. Gold bowls shone on the tables; finely carved craters were full of grape wine, the smell of fried meat, seasoned with silphium - a fragrant spicy herb ...

Throwing off his armor, Philip breathed a sigh of relief. He took Potidaea. Now this city, always hostile, will not stand in the way of Macedonian trade with Athens. True, Potidea was a member of the Athenian union and Athens is unlikely to like Philip's actions.

But the Pangaean region, which he captured with Potidea, and Mount Pangaea, full of gold, are worth enduring an unpleasant conversation with the Athenian democrats who are now in power.

An unpleasant conversation ... And why was Philip given eloquence, charm, the ability to flatter and win hearts ?! He will tell Athens everything they want to hear, he will say everything that they will be pleased to hear - he is their friend, faithful ally, he is devoted to them until the end of his life! .. He does not feel sorry for words!

Therefore, pour more cups - let's celebrate the victory!

Fun at the king's table - noise, conversation, laughter ... His friends gathered in a huge royal tent: generals, military leaders, his eters - bodyguards, noble Macedonians, who always fight shoulder to shoulder next to him in a bloody slaughter.

Closest to Philip sits his commander Ptolemy, the son of Lag, a handsome man with an aquiline profile - a nose with a slight hump, a bulging chin, a predatory and imperious face.

Here is the commander Ferdikka, unstoppable in battle, selfless at the feast, one of the closest advisers to the king. Next to him is Meleager, the commander of the phalanx, broad-shouldered, clumsy at the table, but dexterous on the battlefield.

Here is the commander Attalus, one of the most noble people of Macedonia. Already very tipsy, with eyes as black as olives, he climbed to everyone with a cheeky conversation and every now and then reminded them that they were sitting and feasting, and the commander Parmenion was now fighting in Illyria. But Parmenion is his father-in-law! And he, his father-in-law, the commander Parmenion, is now fighting, and they are sitting here!

And somewhere far away, among the rest, less noble eters of the king, sat, without touching the cup, the stern Antipater from the family of Iolla, the closest person to the king, an imperious and experienced commander, who more than once proved to Philip his unshakable loyalty and devotion. One of the first in battle, he was the last at the feast - Antipater did not like drunken and rude fun.

Philip often repeated, laughing:

- I can drink as much as I want - Antipas will not get drunk (as he affectionately called Antipatpa). I can sleep soundly - Antipas will not fall asleep!

And more than once Philip was seen furtively throwing dice under a chair when Antipater appeared.

The king sat at the head of the table - tall, handsome, with a large bowl in his hands, in which wine shone, crafty, treacherous, like the sparkling eye of the god Dionysus, who grew the vine.

In the midst of feasting, speeches, and cheers, a messenger entered the tent. He was exhausted from the long ride, blackened with dust. But his teeth flashed in a smile.

- Victory, king! Victory! he shouted, raising his hand.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

- Where are you from? Philip asked.

- From Olympia, king!

- What?! Philip jumped up, almost knocking over the table. – Speak!

- Victory! he croaked, still smiling happily. Your horses have won the competition.

- My horses! In Olympia!

Philip, without restraint, shouted and laughed with joy, banging his fist on the table.

My horses have won! Aha! The horses of the Macedonian king won at Olympia against the Hellenes! - He handed the herald a heavy precious cup: - Drink. And take a cup. That's how! Have you heard? - jubilant, with shining eyes, he repeated, addressing his guests. - You heard? The Greeks at Olympia were defeated by the horses of the Macedonian king, barbarian! ..

The last word he uttered with bitterness, in which there was also a threat. Philip suddenly became thoughtful and gloomy. The cries of victory that had risen in the tent subsided.

– Do you remember how they said it once, in those ancient times, to my great-grandfather, the Macedonian king Alexander? Philip's face became heavy, and his eyes filled with anger. Maybe you don't remember, maybe you don't know? Alexander then came to Olympia, he wanted to, like any Hellene - and we are Hellenes from Argos, descendants of Hercules, as you know! So, he wanted to enter the competition. And what a fuss they made there! "Remove the Macedonian from Olympia! Remove barbarian! Barbarians have no right to participate in Hellenic festivities! But Tsar Alexander did not give up. He managed to prove to them that we Macedonians descended from the kings of Argos, from Hercules himself. And then the great Pindar himself glorified his Olympic victories. And now, - Philip laughed, - now we are not only participating, but also winning. I order in memory of this victory to knock out horses and a chariot on my coins - let them not forget that we know how to win!

The merriment raged again in the tent. But not for long. Philip, upset by the memories, thought.

- How much did the Macedonian kings work to strengthen and glorify Macedonia! My father Amyntas fought hard wars with the Illyrians and the Olynthians all his life, defending our independence. And my older brother, Tsar Alexander? True, he acted more by persuasion, by gold. He paid off the Illyrians. He was ready for anything, if only the enemies would give our country the opportunity to gather strength. That's why I was handed over to them as hostages.

Perhaps you will say that my older brother, Tsar Alexander, did not love me and did not feel sorry for me? “Yes,” you say, “he didn’t feel sorry for you. He gave you, a very small child, his youngest brother, as a hostage.” Yes, I gave. But he did this to protect Macedonia from enemies who were stronger than him. My older brother was a wise ruler. Who moved the Macedonian capital from Aigus to Pella? Tsar Alexander. Because it's safer here. And in Egi we will bury our kings. My older brother Alexander is already resting there. And they will take me to Aegy when I die. And my sons who will be kings after me. You know the prediction: as long as the Macedonian kings are buried in Egi, their lineage will not end.

“King,” one of the commanders called out to him, “why talk about death at a feast?

- No no! - Philip threw thick blond curls from his forehead. “I'm talking about my older brother, Tsar Alexander. After all, when he began to reign, enemies threatened him from all sides. Illyria threatened him terribly. And he didn't have the strength to defend himself. What was he to do? Conclude a treaty of friendship, pay off. That's when he handed me over to the Illyrians as a hostage. But he paid the ransom and brought me home. And your fathers, the rich rulers of Upper Macedonia, did not want to help him!

Indistinct noise, indistinct protesting speeches were heard in response. Philip did not understand them and did not hear them.

- You will say that my older brother, Tsar Alexander, gave me a second time as a hostage? Yes, I gave it to the Thebes. And what was he to do? After all, he needed to establish and strengthen friendship with Thebes, because the Theban leader Epaminondas, the most glorious, invincible commander, he needed a friend, not an enemy. For three whole years I lived in Thebes, in the house of the great man Epaminondas. There I became a real Hellenic, there I understood what Hellas is, how high its culture is, how great its poets, philosophers, sculptors ... I was brought up there, I was given an education. And most importantly, I was taught to fight. Let's drink to the great commander and philosopher, to the stern and noble man Epaminondas!

The wine sparkled again in the cups, the voices rustled again, and the merriment that had been extinguished revived the feast again. And no one heard the clatter of the horse's hooves in front of the tent. And they did not immediately see how a new messenger appeared in the tent.

Good news to you, king!

- Where are you from? Philip asked. What news do you bring me?

The messenger barely took a breath:

- I'm from Illyria...

Philip immediately sobered up.

– What is there? How is my Parmenion?...

“General Parmenion is alive and well. And congratulations on your victory.

- With a win? Defeated the Illyrians?

The Illyrians have left the battlefield. There was a big fight. Many troops lay down. But we defeated the enemy. Parmenion bows to you.

– My friend Parmenion! Thank you. Do you hear? The Illyrians are defeated. So many victories at once: Potidea is taken, my horses won at Olympia. And now - the Illyrians are defeated! .. Give the messenger wine, reward him! Let's celebrate this victory!

But the extraordinary news did not end there. A third messenger rushed in, also tired, and also joyful.

“I am from Pella, king!” From your home. Queen Olympias told me to tell you that your son was born.

- Son! - shouted Philip and with a clang he brought down the bowl on the table. - You hear? Son! I have a son! Philip's eyes sparkled with happy tears. Do you hear, Macedonians? Philip stood up and looked around at his entourage. – Your future tsar was born… What else was ordered to convey to me?

“It was also ordered to convey that two eagles sat on the roof of your house all day today.

- Two eagles. This is a good omen. I will name my son after my older brother - Alexander. The future king of Macedonia, Alexander, was born. On horses! To Pella!

The hooves of heavy horses rumbled along the rocky mountain roads. Horsemen, already without helmets and armor, rushed to Pella, the new capital - the fortress of the Macedonian kings, which stood on the Ludia River, on a wide plain surrounded by mountains.

At Pella, the soothsayers announced to Philip:

“Your son, whose birth coincided with three victories, will be invincible.

All this happened in the summer, on the sixth day of the month of Hecatombeon in Hellenic, and in Macedonian - Loya, three hundred and fifty-sixth year BC.

Lyubov Voronkova

Son of Zeus. In the depths of centuries

Son of Zeus

ALEXANDER THE MACEDONIAN AND HIS AGE

The final episode of the book is the depiction of the first independent steps of the young Alexander, who, after the tragic death of his father, became the king of Macedonia. The reader will learn here about the beginning of his state and military activities.

Particular attention is drawn to the military genius of Alexander, his courage and fearlessness, his desire for "great deeds", as he considered his aggressive campaigns, are emphasized.

However, his personality was very controversial.

L.F. Voronkova especially succeeded in the images of Alexander’s associates (Hephaestion), as well as his opponents (Parmenion and his son Clitus, the historian Callisthenes, a group of young warriors, the so-called “pages”, Antipater and his sons).

The author convincingly showed that the path of the Macedonian commander to the East was by no means littered with roses. That his conquests were opposed not only by his representatives immediate environment, but also his army as a whole, as well as the peoples of the Balkan Peninsula, the Near and Middle East, Central Asia and India. The mass anti-Macedonian uprising on the territory of modern Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan is given much attention in the book. Thus, several chapters are devoted to the liberation struggle under the leadership of the talented and experienced commander Spitamen.

The novel "The Son of Zeus" by the famous children's writer Lyubov Voronkova describes the childhood and youth of the famous commander of Antiquity, politician and statesman Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), the conditions in which he grew up and was brought up, his first independent steps in the military and state fields. For middle school age.

A series: School Library (Children's Literature)

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by the LitRes company.

Son of Zeus

Where did the line of Macedonian kings begin?

Once, in ancient times, three brothers left for Illyria from Argos, the middle state of Hellas. Wandering through a wooded mountainous country, they moved from Illyria to Macedonia. Here the brothers found shelter: they were hired as shepherds to the king. The elder brother grazed the herds of royal horses. Middle - herds of cows and bulls. And the younger one drove small livestock - goats and sheep - into the mountains to pasture.