Synopsis "Two Suns in the Sky (in English)"
So much has been written about Alexander the Great and the events of his time that it seems audacious to write still more, yet here are contradictions and connections which have not been adequately explored. This is a fiction work which seeks to fill in gaps, resolve contradictions, and call attention to previously ignored connections in the historical record. It is intended to explore possibilities, interpret, and suggest, not to rewrite nonfiction history. The first-person narrator is Artavazdha (Artabazos to the Greeks). It seems to me that, if we are going to speak about Persians, we should use Persian forms of their names as far as possible, Anglicize when necessary, but avoid Greek forms as much as possible. The novel takes him through up-bringing, military training, and becoming close friends with Artashata, although he first appears in the historical record as a major player in the suppression of the Satrapal Revolt. He became Satrap of the important Sea Land, started his own revolt, and went into exile in Macedon. Whether he met Alexander at that time and what their relationship was are tantalizing historical questions. That Alexander had a son by Artavazdha's daughter is historically accurate. Eventually Artavazdha was pardoned and returned to Persia to give an account of Macedonian preparations for war on Persia. Then, he dropped out of the historical record for a time. Meanwhile, Artashata rose in prominence largely because of a duel of champions with a Caducian (Kurdish) warrior. The duel won the Caducians life-long loyalty to Artashata and the Persian Empire and acquired him the nickname of "War-Minded". After Umasu or Artaxerxes III wiped out almost all or the royal clan, Artashata ascended the throne as Daryavaush (Darius III). This man is condemned as a coward and incompetent. I don' think so! He must have been unprepared for court protocol, and there must have been many who tried to manipulate and use him. And propaganda and smear tactics are not modern inventions. The role of the Royal Guards has been hinted at elsewhere, but there is no trace of it in the historical record. The personal relationship between Artavazdha and Artashata is unknown, but Artavazdha remained loyal to his King until the bitter end. Alexander's flip-flop in his attitude to his opponent is well documented.It has been said that history is written by the winners. If this work sets some people to thinking about how tainted the historical record may be for political purposes and where the truth lies, it will have achieved its purpose.
