The Alexander connection
Sir: Cannot you persuade Taki to give us what must be one of history's best untold stories, the secret of his descent from Alexander the Great?
Did poor little Alexander IV, murdered at 13, manage a precocious affair in his prison fortress? Of course there was the alleged son of Barsine, who survived till 17, and whose opportunities are unknown, since he was produced like a rabbit from a hat years after Alexander's death; 'brought up', said his sponsors, 'quietly in Pergamon' — to the derision of his contemporaries, who reflected that Alexander in his lifetime had named cities after his horse and dog, and having called an eldest son Herakles — of all things! — was unlikely to have him brought up quietly anywhere. No, He must have something new to offer us. Was the beautiful eunuch Bagoas a woman in disguise, like Viola in Twelfth Night?
Perish the thought that Taki derives his blood from one of the elegant courtesans with whom Olympias plied her reluctant son; according to Plutarch, they got nowhere. On the other hand I have heard that descent from Alexander is, or was till lately, very prevalent among the chieftains of Afghanistan, and is probably at this moment inspiring some aristocratic rebels. I am sure that Taki's family archives would be as fascinating as theirs.
Mary Renault
3 Atholl Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
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