The Lie 22
'The king himself, they say, lived in Susa or Ecbatana, invisible to all, in a marvelous palace. Outside the palace doors, the leaders and most eminent men were drawn up in order, some called 'guards' and the 'king's eyes and ears', so that the king himself might see everything and hear everything' - Aristotle of Stagira
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After another week of travel, the court had arrived at Persepolis, just in time for the Nowruz celebration and the annual tradition of satraps giving tribute to the King, reaffirming their submission and loyalty.
Artaxerxes stood among his family members, Amestris, his mother, Rhodogune and Amytis, his sisters, and countless other uncles, cousins, and half-brothers. They were preparing for the celebrations set to take place that night, the biggest party of the year. Xerxes had once famously begun the celebration of Nowruz, only to end it 180 days later. Demonstrating his resources and wealth.
This was impossible for Artaxerxes, with a famine rampaging throughout his empire and rebellious subjects, he was lucky to be able to hold these celebrations at all. "Brother, which satrapies do you believe to send tribute?" Amytis asked, she had her long brown hair styled elegantly, flowing down her back. She wore a flowing white and gold gown with rosette motifs and the imperial eagle painted colorfully on her exposed back.
Responding for him, Amestris, his mother, spoke, "Obviously they will all submit, even that rascal Hystaspes will show himself and offer earth and water. A house cannot stand divided, he understands that."
The other Achaemenids who had been listening in had mixed responses, some believing he will submit, and some who were privy to the knowledge of Hystaspes rallying his banners, aware of the war on the horizon.
Artaxerxes decided to maintain silent, it would do no good to stress the woman of the Achaemenid clan on matters that didn't concern them. Though it was only a matter of time before word of Hystaspes' defiance reached their ears, Artaxerxes thought the longer that was prevented the better.
Though it took some time, servants eventually finished decorating the royal family befitting their public image. Having finished preparation, Artaxerxes was now dressed in a similar attire his father once wore. Flowing silk courtly robes, colors ranged from Tyrian purple to brilliant white, his outer robe was emblazoned with lion and eagle motifs. He wore the classic Persian trousers, paying tribute to his nomadic ancestors. The baggy white silk trousers were cut off by blue ankle cuffs and silver braces. On his feet, the King donned a pair of dark blue suede shoes.
For accessories, Artaxerxes wore a gold torque and had a pair of gold ring earrings .He also carried a gold scepter, with the imperial eagle as its top. With Kohl caked around his eyes as he was accustomed to for vision against the sun's rays, Artaxerxes led the family into the Apadana of Persepolis. The majestic building, dwarfing any other structure in the empire, was filled to the brim by citizens, ranging from common merchants who had traveled tirelessly to witness the festivities, to foreign dignitaries here to represent their kings, princes, and leaders.
As the Achaeminds entered, the surrounding quickly quieted, many of the onlookers craned their necks for a view of the new king, seeing him, many were shocked. after hearing his age, many pictures him no more than a boy, one to be used as a tool. What they saw was totally different.
Artaxerxes grand outfit aside, he stood at a towering 6'8, with a strong and lean build honed from years of training. His hair was long and styled with a casual yet elegant look, capturing his youth and authority perfectly. He had already begun growing a beard, though short, was full and was heavily gelled and styled like the iconic Persian kings of old.
His pitch-black eyes caused those who met them to look away, fearful and in awe of his majesty. Having walked through the crowd that parted like a tide in the face of the Kings path, the Achaemenids arrived at the elevated terrace, where they would dine and watch the festivities from above.
Artaxerxes himself, separated from his family, who had sat at the first level of the terrace, above them was a terrace, shaped like a ziggurat, where one had to climb the steps to finally reach the chair at the top. The chair that only one man could sit on, the King of Kings. Artaxerxes thought back with emotion to when he had just reincarnated and witnessed his father receive tribute like a god - now - it was he who would be in the position of absolute power.
Walking up the steps to the Takht in dead silence, Artaxerxes finally reached the throne. Turned around and stared down at the countless people below, his family, foreign ambassadors, nobles, merchants, eunuchs, princes, and kings. They were all beneath him.
Raising his scepter, which was used for issuing favors and edicts, the crowd broke out into jubilant cheers and celebration as the King signaled for the commencement of the Nowruz festival.
"Artaxerxes!"
"Artaxerxes!"
"Artaxerxes!"
Artaxerxes, hearing the crowd chant his name with zeal, something he had only seen them do for his father, was overcome with emotion. Sitting down on his imperial throne, the chanting calmed and the festivities began, now began the tedious sitting phase of the festival, where Artaxerxes would have to sit for a few hours, and then when the moon was directly overhead, they would commence the ceremony that meant most to Artaxerxes. Tribute.
With this ceremony, Artaxerxes could affirm which vassals were loyal and which were harboring rebellious intentions. With this knowledge, Artaxerxes would be able to react and plan accordingly to the dangers his empire faced.
Finally, after hours of sitting, and almost falling asleep, the time for tributes had arrived.
'Let's see if Hystaspes has sent any diplomats.' Artaxerxes thought, still barring some hope at the back of his mind that his brother will surrender.
The festivities, just as vibrant as hours before, were interrupted by the sound of huge bronze trumpets ripping through the air with triumphant fanfares, and an orchestra of drums, cymbals, and sistra, accompanied by harps and lyres, created a rhythmic march that signaled the commencement of the ceremonies that were central to the festival.
The new Hazarpatish (Commander of the Royal Guard) stepped forward, Themistocles. After the night of the Red Apadana, Artaxerxes trusted the Greek enough with his safety and named him Hazarpatish. Had there been another option, Artaxerxes would have chosen so, however, Artaxerxes currently lacked capable and loyal personnel.
Themistocles, stepping forward, made an announcement.
"Artaxerxes the king proclaims, By the favor of Ahuramazda, these are the countries of which I am King outside of Persia. I rule them, and they bring me tribute: Media, Elam, Arachosia, Armenia, Drangiana, Parthia, Areia, Bactria, Sogdiana, Chorasmia, Babylonia, Assyria, Sattagydia, Lydia, Egypt, Ionians, who dwell by the Sea and beyond the Sea, the Maka people, Arabia, Gandara, Indus, Capadocia, Dahae, Scythians who drink haoma, Scythians who wear pointed hats, Thrace, the Akaufaka people, Lybians, Carians, and Nubians."
The Hazarapatish, finishing his announcements, signaled for the emissaries from the aforementioned nations to step forward and offer tribute. As a tribute, they would bring various things native to their homelands such as gold, turquoise, lapis lazuli, wool tapestries, silk coats, cotton tunics, and spices, and leading horses, camels, sheep, and even lions into the lofty throne room.
Artaxerxes watched with indifference - though if one looked closely - you could see a slight smile on the corner of his lips, as ambassadors from various nations stepped forward and offered tribute. After some time, it had finally reached the time for the ambassador of Bactria to present his tribute.
A single man stepped forward, which surprised Artaxerxes, who figured Bactria wouldn't send anyone. The man, dressed in simple courtly robes was plain and average by all means, raising questions in the minds of onlookers of his status to kneel before the king.
What happened next sent shockwaves throughout the empire, rather than kneeling, kowtowing, and kissing the floor as was customary when offering tribute to the Great King, the man remained standing, and than he spoke:
"Hystaspes, Great King, King of Kings, King of Countries, King on this Great Earth Far and Wide, second son of King Xerxes, son of Darius, the Achaemenid. The Great King proclaims: With the protection of Ahuramazda, I sentence the usurper - Artaxerxes - to death by dismemberment for the murder of my brother and father, for the usurpation of my birthright, and for the massacre of the Red Apadana."
Silence. That was the reaction from the thousands of onlookers. Artaxerxes, mind ran wild, never had he thought his brother so bold to use the festivities of Nowruz, to launch a platform for him to throw accusations at him and sully his name.
The Hazarapatish, Themistocles, enraged, dashed forward and swiftly decapitated the man before anyone could react. Spitting on the ambassador's corpse, Themistocles turned to Artaxerxes with courtesy.
Satisfied at the sight of the ambassador's corpse, Artaxerxes nodded in thanks to Themistocles then turned to the thousands of shocked onlookers in the Apadana. "By the Grace of Ahuramazda, I have become King on my father's throne. The man responsible for my father and brothers' murder, a servant of the Lie, Artabanus, has already been brought to justice. He now rots in the House of Lies. Hystaspes, my brother, is also a servant of the Lie, brought to this earth to spread chaos and evil. Thus, I hereby declare Hystaspes a traitor and sentence him to death by decapitation, Ahuramazda wills it!" yelling the last part with raised arms, the crowd cheered and screamed in a zealous cacophony of shouts and noises.
'Good thing religion exists to use as a tool for shifting blame.' Artaxerxes thought, relieved to have narrowly dodged a bullet. Sitting back on his throne, the cheering died down, with the tributes continuing, with Areia, Chorasmia, and Gandara all not sending tribute.
Now that Artaxerxes knew the coalition that stood in his path to hegemony, he could begin making plans with his aides and generals, and soon...march to war.