goddess is beautiful and imperturbable. Callia and Callius led them to the majestic Parthenon, the frieze of which adorns the image of the birth of Athens, as a product of Zeus and eight columns greeted visitors with unshakable power and beauty. The servants were left outside, and four went into the temple, and Callia showed visitors a statue of the hero Iphicrat, whose image was installed in a temple lit by bronze lamps, the statue of the goddess herself, made of gold and ivory, is beautiful and amazing, the goddess is sculptured in a helmet, long chiton to toe, with a spear in his hand. Here Alexander brought a bloodless sacrifice to the goddess, and from the back side they examined the copper statue of Apollo, and the frieze of the temple, depicting the Attica dispute between Athena and Poseidon. Alexander began to behave strangely next to the altar of Athens and the stone of Dionysus, he stroked the stone for a long time, whispered something, and Notarh heard only: “The second time I was here, how everything changed …", the Cretan did not understand what the prince was talking about, because he had not visited the Acropolis before.
Callius led the Macedonians to the Erechtheion, the temple-palace, the temple-riddle, Nearh anticipated the sight of the rarity of Athens.
“Look,” the priestess caught the attention, “This is the altar of Zeus the Most High,” she pointed out with her hand, and the prince laid flowers on the altar,
“The Erechteion is like a palace in Pella,” Nearh said Neisarch in a whisper,
The entrance to the temple was decorated with sculpted images of the maidens, supporting the heads of the pediment of this beautiful building.
– So here are also hidden things in the basement, – the prince answered in a whisper,
– And this, she solemnly pointed out, pictures of the exploits of the priests, the Kings of the Butadids, descendants of Kekrop. All the main priests and priestesses of Athens of our kind. Next come the secret place of Athena, and the secret place of Poseidon. Only priests can see them, but you are both dedicated, you smoke Nearh, and you are Alexander of the royal family, as we are.
And she led them to the inside of the Erechteion sanctuary, where the mysterious mist covered the secret hall of Athena, where the procession began during scyrophorion, making the Athena Pallas’ fee, they went through the twilight, illuminated only by oil lamps, and finally reached the cloister of Athens-Pallas, illuminated by the uneasy Alexander and Nearh watched this miracle incessantly with the lamp of the greatest Kallimachus, made of gold, until Callia led them out, pointing to the closed salt water well in the temple that led to Persephone monastery and the place, the hatchway to the secret basement, where the crypt is hidden from everyone, where, according to legend, lives Erichtonius the Serpent, the father of the Athenians and a kind of priests Butadids. Nearby was the palace of Poseidon. Nearh looked and recalled, shown by Elicia, and everything came together – the sacred source leading to the habitations of Elishia, the Serpent-Kronos lair, and something else…
“Listen, madam, is there a sacred tree on the Acropolis?” Asked the priestess to smoke.
– You by chance, did not the great Epiminid teach, smoke? – asked Kallia in a half whisper and her eyes widened, and a fright shadow appeared on her face, – The consecrated olive of Athena grows next to the Athenian altar. And remember the oaths that you gave, but the Lady will not forgive.They also looked at the sanctuary of Zeus Polyei, and the priests led them from the Acropolis, going back to the Propylaea, they turned left, to visit Eleusinian, a sanctuary connected with the cult of Persephone and Eleusis, once a year, they bring a mysterious cargo to Eleussion. Kallia led them to the temple, and showed a statue of Artemis Levkofrina (white-browed), Nearh could not take his eyes off her, the image of this figure reminded him of something already seen.
– They went, Nearh, and then the goddess will steal you as a Phaeton, – Alexander laughed. “She would have liked you,” and Callia flashed her eyes at him.
“If you are marked, you are hers,” she said in a whisper, so she only heard her smoking, and he remembered the mark on her shoulder, and she wouldn’t take it anyway.
“Thank you, madam,” Nearh worshiped her, and his legs became wadded, and thought that perhaps he would be lucky.
“Thank you, Kallia, and you, Kall,” Alexander said confidently and proudly. “Receive a gift from me for a good memory,” and he took the fine silver bowls from the servants and handed them over to the Butadids.
“May the blessings of the gods be with you,” said mother and father to friends and said goodbye, the Macedonians went to the house of Demad, and the Butadids climbed the Acropolis. The three Macedonians, on their way to the house of Demad, discussed what they saw, and everyone agreed that the Athenian Acropolis is something extraordinary and unforgettable. It was already dusk, and the archon invited them to dinner, it was also an ordinary, but hearty meal, bread, fish, wine. Friends ate, and got ready for bed, and it was just that the Eters came with Ptolemy at the head.
– How did you find the Athenian Acropolis, Nearh? Interesting? – asked his bodyguard of the prince.
– Many terrific, especially the fire of Kallimachus, who is unbecoming, replied smoking,
– Like this? Whole year burns and does not go out? Interesting. Well, we can’t think about anything after Tais’s dances, went and found some girlfriends.
“Okay, I sleep, Ptolemy,” Nearhar said, yawning, and went to his room, but could not fall asleep at once, recalled the words of Callia, but fortunately, the fatigue took its toll.
The sun rose again above the beautiful Athens, and the rays fell on houses and streets, and the statue of Athia Promachos again shone from the light of Helios. All stood up and ate, and gathered in the gymnasium, as the servant came with a letter from Thais for Alexander.
The prince broke the wax on the papyrus scroll, and read the writing.
– What is it, Alexander? – Hephaestion asked impatiently.
– Fine Tais invites me to his place, – the young man replied with a constant smile, – I will go, of course, you can not refuse a beautiful girl,
“Take security with you,” asked Ptolemy,
“This is unworthy, not to trust such a lovely girl, no, my caring Ptolemy,” he said scornfully. – I’ll go alone.
And, putting on a spacious cloak on the chiton and Macedonian felt hat, fastening the dagger to the belt, went to visit, accompanied by servant Thais.
The eters were waiting impatiently for the prince day and night, and Alexander came only in the morning.
“Oh, finally, Alexander,” cried Hephaestion. – You are back!
“Yes, Thais is unique, beautiful, like a rose,” said the prince dreamily, “She invites you all to the evening, there will be philosophers and poets and artists. I gave her money for all this, do not worry. Friends washed and cleaned the whole morning, and Demad smiled all the time, looking at them.
“Young, young.. Of course, she is not Phryne or Aspasia, but society is going to be interesting,” the archon chuckled. “Go, it will be unforgettable.
All went out washed, combed, dressed in all the best accompanied by squires. Alexander himself led the retinue, and his page carried a bundle and a bag of gifts to hetero, the road did not take much time, the
