The Venetian Betrayal [antikvár]

PROLOGUEV t ;Babylon,tjMay, 323 BCAlexander of Macedonia had decided yesterday to kill the man himself. Usually he delegated such tasks, but not today. His father had taught him many things that served him well, but one lesson above all he'd never forgotten.Executions were for the living.Six hundred of his finest guardsmen stood assembled. Fearless men who, in battle after battle, had surged head-on into opposing ranks or dutifully protected his vulnerable flank. Thanks to them the indestructible Macedonian phalanx had conquered Asia. But there'd be no fighting today. None of the men carried weapons or wore armor. Instead, though weary, they'd gathered in light dress, caps on their heads, eyes focused.Alexander, too, smdied the scene through unusually tired eyes.He was leader of Macedonia and Greece, Lord of Asia-, Ruler of Persia. Some called him king of the world. Others a god. One of his generals once said that he was the only philosopher ever seen in arms. But he was also human. And his beloved Hephaestion lay dead.f