Selene of Alexandria (15 page)

"Magnificent, isn't it? It's the symbol of our city. It's nearly as tall as the Great Pyramid." Hypatia shaded her eyes from the sun glare as she looked up. "An amusing story tells that the king who commissioned the lighthouse wanted only his name on the monument. The architect craftily inscribed his own name in stone and covered it with plaster on which the imperial inscription appeared."

"Clever man." Orestes laughed. "Over the years, I assume the plaster peeled leaving the architect's name?"

"Of course! Would you like to see the inscription? We can climb to the top. The lighthouse affords a wonderful view."

They hitched the horses to a post and approached the massive monument. The bottom portion contained fifty rooms packed with harbor officials, tradesmen and the odd rough seaman. A senior administrator recognized Orestes and started in his direction. The Prefect waved him off. The man's face fell at the lost opportunity to meet with Egypt's governor.

"Administrators are an important part of your power in this city," Hypatia gently chided. "It would serve you well to get to know them and attend to their needs. Nothing happens without their cooperation,"

"I hoped to keep this a pleasurable jaunt." Orestes frowned. "I'll meet with the bureaucrats another day."

"Don't wait too long. Small slights build fast into large resentments." Hypatia took his arm as they ascended the leftmost of a broad set of helical staircases winding up the interior walls. They came out on a narrow balcony that ringed the section just below the huge mirror that signaled the ships by day. At night, a fire substituted for the brilliance of the sun. They exited, looking out to sea. Hypatia pointed over the door. The wall contained carving eroded by time and weather. Orestes read:

SOSTRATOS SON OF DEXIPHANES OF KNIDOS

ON BEHALF OF ALL MARINERS

TO THE SAVIOR GODS

Hypatia led Orestes to the rear of the tower, overlooking the buildings and industry that made up the bustling metropolis of Alexandria. Sunlight glinted off white marble and gold domes, color rioted in the streets, but no sound reached them on the freshening wind except the screech of sea birds.

"This is what I wanted to show you." She leaned against the railing, arms out flung. "Beautiful, isn't it? My students have traveled wide. They write to me of the wonders in other cities, or urge me to retire to their country estates, but I could never leave this. Alexandria is in my heart and bones. I wanted you to see it as I do, in all its glory. Keep this vision in your mind as you make decisions and take action. It is your home now."

"It's been a long time since I called any place home." Orestes looked over the teeming city. "In the army, home is where you retire, not where you are born or serve. I have a job to do here, a difficult one, in which I fervently hope you will assist me, but I have a feeling my bones weren't made to rest in this land."

"I've found it prudent to pay attention to inner voices." Hypatia nodded soberly. "Some say they are the voices of gods or demons, but I believe anyone trying to bring order to the chaos of his life does well to seek his satisfaction from within. Our inner spirits guide us truly; where mortal advisors distract us into thinking we can impose an abiding form on this changeable world."

They stood in companionable silence. Orestes initially rejected Hypatia's belief that it was impossible to imprint a permanent stamp on the world. Why were people put on the earth if not to shape it? Yet the cityscape gave him pause.

He faced two towering obelisks, memorials scavenged by Emperor Augustus from an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh. The striking columns guarded Cleopatra's monumental temple to the divine Caesar. The Caesarion, built on a low rise overlooking the harbor, was surrounded by a vast precinct of porticoes, libraries, chambers, groves and open courts. The temple was now the Great Church. The unknown pharaoh, Caesar, Augustus, Cleopatra – all turned to dust centuries ago and their monuments rededicated to Christ. And how long would Christianity last? The gods seemed to come and go with the ages.

Maybe Hypatia made sense. Orestes had learned early to seek satisfaction from within, rather than seek approval from a harsh father or distant god. He would build no monuments of stone; seek no physical legacy. He held himself accountable only for a task well done – a peaceful city, a steady flow of grain to the empire and, perhaps, the approbation of the woman at his side.

Hypatia stirred. "I'm afraid I have to call upon someone. Would you care to join me?"

"What's the nature of your appointment?"

"I met a most remarkable young woman, who wishes to study medicine. Her father is reluctant to agree. I am going to try to sway his thinking."

"Are women allowed to study at the Museum?" Orestes asked, before realizing to whom he spoke.

"They are few, and none in the last generation, but," she added dryly, "a handful of us did – and still do – study, as well as teach. There are three women physicians in the city that I know of. This girl lacks only a patroness."

They wended their way down to the waiting chariot. Orestes offered Hypatia his hand on the steep stairs. "Who is this lucky girl who has attracted your interest?"

"Selene, daughter of Calistus. Have you met her father? He's one of the more moderate voices on the city council."

Orestes snorted in surprise. "I met Calistus and his daughter at their home only a few days ago. His son Phillip is a great friend of mine. I would be more than happy to revisit the family."

He had thought there was something special about Selene. She had a confidence seldom seen in one of her youth or gender.

Selene moped about her tiny room, nursing a headache and trying to work up the energy to call Anicia for some cold cloths and willow bark tea. The child was nearly useless. If only … Selene's throat constricted as she fought down tears brought on by the reminder Rebecca was gone because of Selene's rashness. She flung herself on the bed and buried her face in the covers.

Anicia opened the door and timidly whispered, "Mistress Selene, your father wants to see you as soon as you can present yourself."

Selene sat up then clutched her head as pain shot from the base of her skull into her eyeballs. "Oh!" she moaned. "I don't think I can see my father this morning. An army of demons has taken up residence in my head. Please, Anicia, just cut it off and spare my father the trouble."

The servant girl squealed in horror and backed into a corner, a tray held stiffly in front of her as if in defense. "Mother has charms against demons. Please, Mistress, do not let them out!"

Selene rolled her eyes, which agitated the girl further. "I'm not possessed, you ninny, I just have a headache. What have you on the tray?"

Anicia tentatively stepped forward. "Here's something Mother prepared for you." She looked at Selene from the corners of her eyes as she placed the tray on a stand next to Selene's bed. "Mother has charms for headaches, too. She says they work miracles."

"The only miracle I want is Rebecca back," Selene muttered under her breath. She reached for a sweating pitcher and held it to her forehead. Its coolness penetrated and soothed her brain allowing her to pick at the melon and bread. The headache subsided to a dull throb between her eyes.

Anicia sniffed and backed toward the door. "Will that be all, Mistress?"

"No, that will not be all. Father wishes me to attend him. Find me some clothes."

Anicia sorted through a chest for a suitable day robe. She pulled a comfortable blue linen tunic with matching over-robe from the stack. "Will this suit?"

"Yes." A sour smile quirked Selene's lips. "At least it won't take us long to dress my hair." She ran her hands through her shorn locks. "There. All done. Help me with the robe and I'll see what tortures Father has in store for me. I have no idea what could be worse than being confined to the house. It's only the second morning and already I'm half crazy with boredom."

Anicia helped her dress. Selene looked in her mirror. She was pale and had dark smudges under her eyes. She decided not to apply cosmetics. Her haggard appearance might engender some crumb of sympathy.

Selene dismissed Anicia and went in search of her father. She found him in his workroom, reviewing accounts with his steward. He seemed deeply worried. Selene had never thought of her father as old, but he suddenly seemed aged; hair thin and generously salted with gray. Deeply etched lines ran from his beaky nose to his kind mouth, and his eyes held a rheumy cast.

Selene's chest filled with remorse for the heartache she had caused him. She rushed to his side.

"Father, I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you. Please forgive me."

He patted her bowed head. "I cannot stay angry with you, child. You bring me too much joy." He eyed the stack of papers and motioned the steward to leave. "Even your willfulness will serve you well in the coming times." Calistus flinched, caught his breath and gripped the arm of his chair.

"Father, are you unwell?" Selene noted with alarm the gray tone to his skin, and forgot her own physical discomforts.

Calistus indicated a pitcher and some goblets on a side table. He gasped, "Water."

Selene flew to the table, slopping water as she poured a generous glass and brought it to her father. He took several sips. The color returned gradually to his face. "I feel better now. Just a passing pain and shortness of breath. It goes quickly."

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes briefly. "Later, child. I asked you to meet me this morning because I received a message…"

Selene gasped, looking at her worn clothes and bare feet. Hypatia and Orestes! And she looked like something dogs had worried in the street. She tucked in a stray curl and wet her lips. There was nothing but to make the best of it. Her father's words cut through her chagrin.

"I'm sorry I doubted you. As I started to say, Hypatia sent me a message this morning asking if she could wait on me to discuss your education. I have no idea why Orestes is with her."

They both stood as the guests entered, escorted by Phillip. Selene noted her brother wore appropriate dress this morning.

Calistus approached, took Hypatia's hand and bowed. "Lady Philosopher. An honor to have you in my home." Hypatia murmured some polite phrases. Calistus turned to the Prefect. "Orestes, welcome again. To what do I owe this honor?"

Orestes clasped his outstretched forearm. "I had an appointment with Lady Hypatia this morning. She gave me a grand tour of the city from her chariot and asked if I minded a brief stop. I was delighted to find she intended to pay you and your lovely daughter a call." Orestes bowed in Selene's direction. She returned the bow, wishing desperately for a veil, or at least some sandals.

"Let me see to refreshments for our guests, Father." Selene started to slip out the door. Her father's hand on her arm stopped her.

"No, my dear. This discussion is about your future. You may as well stay and hear. The servants will take care of our refreshments."

"No need for such courtesies, Calistus. We intend to take up little of your time." Hypatia waved off the servants and seated herself on the bench Selene had vacated. Orestes took a chair in front of the worktable while Phillip leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. Calistus resumed his chair, Selene standing at his shoulder.

"Your daughter came to my public lecture day before yesterday without your knowledge." Calistus nodded at Hypatia's words. "She approached me afterward concerning her wish to continue her studies. I was impressed by the depth of her desire and the persistence with which she pursued her goals, and offered to help her find appropriate teachers. In this, I was sorely remiss. Of course, you are the one to make this decision for your daughter. I will abide by your instructions, but I feel Selene would benefit greatly through study." Hypatia folded her hands in her lap and regarded Calistus with a level stare.

He coughed, glanced briefly at Orestes, then took up the challenge. "Thank you, Lady Hypatia, for making this effort on my daughter's behalf, but, saving yourself, I know of no other woman or girl who has been educated beyond her household."

"It is rare among your class and becoming rarer, but not unheard of. In the generations just past a number of high placed and learned women were teachers and philosophers. My contemporary Plutarch, Master of the Athenian Academy, has trained his daughter in philosophy. She is achieving some celebrity in her own right."

"Selene is a very capable young woman, Father. Our tutors always held up her diligence as a model for my own behavior." Phillip chuckled ruefully. Calistus quickly smoothed a scowl.

Orestes chimed in. "Rome and Constantinople have their educated women, both those who patronize the philosophers and those who send their daughters to study. The Emperor's own sister, Pulcheria, is most learned. She is, I believe, even younger than Selene."

"Enough, enough!" Calistus raised his hands in surrender. "How can I resist the foremost Philosopher in our city and the Augustal Prefect? I'm surprised you didn't enlist the Patriarch in this crusade."

"Theophilus sent his regrets, but ill health kept him home," Hypatia said with a straight face. Calistus gave her a sharp glance, but she maintained her bland expression with only a hint of a smile at the corners of her lips.

Calistus leaned back in his chair and spread his hands on the table. "I suppose it would do no harm for Selene to study Philosophy, if she is sufficiently chaperoned."