Rewards and Booty 35

'May Ahuramazda bear me aid, with the gods of the royal house; and may Ahuramazda protect this country from a (hostile) army, from famine, from the Lie!' - Darius the Great

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-Babylon 465 BC-

Babylon, 'the Jewel of Cities' renowned for its ancient past and rich history was alight in festivities.

With its broad avenues, its palaces, temples, and gardens, its public squares and marketplaces, and its houses packed tightly together in meandering streets, was unrivaled in the ancient world for its size and splendor.

It was antiquity's only metropolis, teeming with life.

Currently, each of these narrow streets was packed to the brim with citizens all wanting to look at the procession on the main avenue.

Known as Babylons great Processional Way, decorated with 120 molded glazed-brick lions, the avenue ran along the eastern side of the Southern Palace.

Usually used as a parading ground for Babylonian gods and deities during the new year, right now there was a very different sight to see.

Rank upon rank of neatly organized Persian phalanxes marched down the Processional Way, all of the soldiers neatly outfitted and especially disciplined. Loftily flowing in the breeze were countless banners displaying the Imperial Falcon, the Shabaz. Marching with great fanfare through the massive Ishtar Gate, many of the cheering onlookers tossed soldiers flowers and bracelets to celebrate their victory.

At the forefront of the military parade was Artaxerxes, astride his new mare and followed by various close aides and advisors. Still done in his battered and chipped armor, he proudly wore the Achaemenid falcon across his iron-scaled breast piece.

Artaxerxes waved at the cheering populace as he maintained a calm and neutral expression on his face.

Riding through the vibrant metropolis, Artaxerxes thought back on the events of the past few weeks.

After defeating the Liar King, Artaxerxes quickly advanced his armies into the heart of Bactria. The capital city of Zariaspa surrendered bloodlessly, unwilling to sacrifice any more of its men in a pointless battle.

Occupying the capital city, it wasn't long before Artaxerxes received word of the surrender of Chorasmia, Aeria, and Gandara.

As each of these satrapies satraps was already dead in the various battles fought throughout the war, Artaxerxes had no qualms about accepting their surrenders.

Now, after months of war, Artaxerxes knew his empire needed a breather and that with the absence of four satraps there was a massive power vacuum in the empire.

To address all these issues at once, Artaxerxes made a summons for his court in Babylon, to not only address policy but also to administer rewards to his various loyal allies during the rebellion.

Artaxerxes was taken out of his thoughts when he heard the blaring sound of bronze horns ripping through the cheers of celebration.

"My King, we've arrived at the Southern Palace."

Turning to the voice, Artaxerxes was greeted by the sight of his clan's chief steward, Parnakka.

Parnakka had faithfully served his father, Xerxes, and remained faithful to the Achaemenid clan even during its times of distress.

Looking ahead of him, Artaxerxes saw the grand sight of the Southern Palace. Built by the ancient kings of Babylon, the royal abode was truly a sight for sore eyes.

The facades of the Southern Palace were richly ornamented with lapis-colored bricks, glazed so highly that they shone like mirrors in the sunshine. And everywhere, everywhere, were the images of prowling lions, trotting bulls, and striding dragons -- a mythical menagerie symbolizing Achaemenid royal power.

And at the north-east corner of the great Southern Palace, there were the renowned Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, built by Nebuchadnezzar for his Median queen, Amytis, to remind her of the mountains of her Iranian homeland.

Separating from his army, who would march back out of the city and make camp, Artaxerxes entered his royal apartments weary from his travels.

Dismounting from his horse and walking through the halls of the outer palace, Artaxerxes entered the main hall where - similar to an apadana - a Takht was placed high on a terrace and there was ample room for people on the hall floor to address their king.

Currently, the Southern Palaces hall was filled to the brim with various nobles, Achamenenids, and courtiers of various ranks.

The moment the King of Kings entered the hall, followed by his procession of close advisors, the hall quickly fell silent.

Without delay, everyone in the hall prostrated themselves and paid respect to their victorious King.

Staring at the people in the hall, Artaxerxes paused for a moment at the entrance, taking a moment to realize that now he was the most powerful man in the empire.

'I am no longer just Artaxerxes, I am now King, King of all Kings.'

With this thought, Artaxerxes no longer hesitated and walked through the main aisle of the hall. It wasn't before long that he reached the steps of his throne. Walking up them, step by step, he felt an added weight on his shoulders from the responsibilities of being king.

Slightly out of breath, though physically not at all tired, Artaxerxes finally reached the top of the throne. A golden char with a low backrest and a wide seating area, what Artaxerxes could only assume was for the King to lounge sideways, the Imperial throne was lavishly decorated with various motifs of mystical creatures and beautiful reliefs.

Though what took Artaxerxes' attention were the words in cuneiform script carved into the base of the throne;

'Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future, too.'

Deciding to take the quote that reminded him of a fortune cookie to heart, Artaxerxes sat down on the imperial Takht, signaling for the kneeling courtiers and officials in the room to stand.

Right off the bat, many nobles and officials broke out in applause. Some even shouted congratulations on the king's reconquest of the empire's eastern provinces.

Irritated and weary from his long months on horseback, Artaxerxes slammed his fist on the thrones armchair, quickly silencing the rabble.

'Where was all this support when the rebellion broke out? Where was it when my father was murdered?' Artaxerxes thought in a rage.

Quickly calming himself, Artaxerxes signaled for his steward, Parnakka, and spoke, "List what will be addressed."

"Yes, my King" Parnakka affirmed with a courtesy.

Reading off a clay tablet in his arms, Parnakka read aloud, "King Artaxerxes, King of Kings, King of the Four Quarters, proclaims today's order of business to be; First, distribute rewards to those who served valiantly during the rebellion, and secondly, to address the various new policy that is to be implemented into the empire immediately."

"For his brilliant display of bringing a speedy and efficient victory over the Granadan rebels to the King of Kings, Lord Megabyzus, an Achaemenid, shall receive the satrapy of Syria and govern as its satrap."

"For his masterful use of ingenuity and tactical brilliance over the Chorasmian rebels, Inarus, son of Psamtik, shall receive the satrapy of Armenia and govern as its satrap."

"Rewarded for his key role in intelligence and by extension victory on various fronts of the war, Ur of Pars is to receive a raise of 10 talents of silver, 1,000 measures of grain, 300 cattle, and the towns of Aphrodisias, Xanthos, and Behram."

(A/N: 1 talent: 75 pounds)

"Themistocles of Greece, for his valorous service and bravery on the battlefield, is to receive 10 talents of silver, 1,000 measures of grain, 350 cattle, and the towns of Miletus, Patara, Pergamon, and Hattusa."

Parnakka continued to list of more names, including various commanding officers during the battle against the Liar King on the plain of the Aerian highlands and men from the various other battles that occurred during the war. Ministers and scribes who also performed meritoriously were rewarded handsomely.

With this start to the official business, emotions were high and men were either elated at being rewarded so lavishly, or crushed for not jumping at the chance to perform and fight for their King during the rebellion.