Help!

[ruthaki]

In the last part of my novel I have Polyperchon fondly calling Alexander's son (little Alexander) "my little Captain". I realize that "Captain" is not likely a military term in the Macedonian army. Any suggestions of what term (of endearment) that I could use instead? Would "Basilaki" be OK? (little King) Thanks in advance. (Oh these picky little dilemmas when you're writing historical fiction but trying to get it right!)

[Sandra]

what concerns the title Captain- maybe You can have previous answer to my post (officers and generals) helpful. "Basilikous".... imho it could been as Polysperchon is considering he as the king already...

[ruthaki]

Yes, at this point he is the titular king along with Arridaious although he is only 5 years old and has just arrived in Pella after spending the first five years of his live traveling around from Babylon to Egypt to Troy/Ilium and then across to Macedonia.

[Thalestris]

Hi Ruth,How's 'little lion' for an endearing name, as Alexander is the 'big' lion. At this moment I do not know the Greek name for 'little lion'.Good luck on your novel!Cheers,
Thalestris

[ruthaki]

That's a good idea, though the Persian Court Advisor (who has been like a father-figure to the child) calls him "My little Ashabal" which is "my little lion".

[THE LIGHT 7000]

Hi,
..Just short and precise:
CAPTAIN in Makedonian is Militarry term- rank for CAPTAIN i.e. KAPETAN/CAPITAN=CAPETAN=CAPTAIN. It was in the past as well today, and this rank is lower than MAJOR i.e. MAYOR in Macedonian.GENERAL is military term in Macedonian and means GENERAL= GENERAL, is higher than MAYOR=MAJOR!There is/ should be distinction from word COMANDANT = COMMANDER, and that means person who is giving COMMANDS= COMANDUVA/KOMANDUVA= COMANDER, eg. Commander of ship..., and the highest COMMANDER is KING. ie. KRAL in Makedonian, (today- The President is chief COMANDER/COMANDATNT as wel chief STRATEG, i.e. he is the one who is planning things, planning the STRATEGY with the help of others ...). In Makedonian = STRATEG= the person who is making strategy, i.e. STRATEGIJA/STRATEGIYA- STRATEGY, the procedure and goal/aim of the purpose for planning, could be millitarry or in some other field. The Light 7000PS LION- BIG LION=LAV in Makedonian
SMALL LION=LAVCHE in Makedonian

[THE LIGHT 7000]

PS- word LION=MY LITTLE LION i.e. LITTlE ASHABA... There is old word, also in use today in Makedonia for LION, means ARSLAN, ...
The LIght 7000

[ruthaki]

Thanks for the interesting suggestions!

[marcus]

And 'Aslan' is Turkish for lion, too......which of course CS Lewis nicked as the name for his Christ-figure in the Narnia chronicles... who was a lion.Oh, the joy of linguistics, eh?Marcus

[Link]

In the last part of my novel I have Polyperchon fondly calling Alexander's son (little Alexander) "my little Captain". I realize that "Captain" is not likely a military term in the Macedonian army. Any suggestions of what term (of endearment) that I could use instead? Would "Basilaki" be OK? (little King) Thanks in advance. (Oh these picky little dilemmas when you're writing historical fiction but trying to get it right!)
Does anyone know what might have become of Lanike? I know she had served most of her life in the palace and was highly esteemed. Her brother was Black Kleitos who was unfortunately killed by Alexander in that drunken brawl in Marakanda. But I wonder if there was any further references to her? Just checking details as she has a cameo role in my novel. Thanks in advance.
I'm looking for more info about the events held at funeral games, length of time they were held etc. I know I had some printouts but can't find them and the google search so far shows me mainly Renault's book by that name. Anyone know of any websites where I can get this info? I've also been checking details of chariot racing. Have quite a bit but if any of you have any special anecdotes or info to add I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance.Ruth you are not in breach of forum rule:Blatant requests for pre-written assignments by lazy students
But you are leaning towards far too many blatent requests about detailed information etc. for a fictional novel by a lazy soon-to-be author )Would you like the PO'ODOS forum members to be the authors of your facts and details, while you take care of all the fiction? )Like all of us you have to find it, read, then you make it up for yourself )Also if you need so much special help here then your post here was perfect, it is titled Help! and if you hadn't posted another Ruth question above then this, the "Help! Ruth" post would have hung around much longer all for your benefit. That way more of the posts below would have hung around much longer for everyone to enjoy )There comes a time when some obviously simple things (you may not have even have been aware of this) just have to be pointed out to the few for the benefit of the many here on this forum )

[yiannis]

A good translation for "baby king" would be "Basiliscus" (sounds good too:-) but it may also have a depreciatory meaning.

[Link]

Here are a few examples of commanders, officers and even a Persian trierarch title from Arrian's Indica. take your pick of titles and races. I like Komander because it is a bit like Alexander.XVIII. For Alexander, when his fleet was made ready on the banks of the
Hydaspes, collected together all the Phoenicians and all the Cyprians and
Egyptians who had followed the northern expedition. From these he manned his
ships, picking out as crews and rowers for them any who were skilled in
seafaring. There were also a good many islanders in the army, who understood
these things, and Ionians and Hellespontines. As commanders of triremes were appointed, from the Macedonians, Hephaestion son
of Amyntor, and .................., Timanthes son of Pantiades; all these were
of Pella. From Amphipolis these were appointed officers: Nearchus son of
Androtimus, who wrote the account of the voyage; and Laomedon son of Larichus,
and Androsthenes son of Callistratus; and from Orestis. Craterus son of
Alexander, and Perdiccas son of Orontes. Of Eordaea, Ptolemaeus son of.......
...............; Mylleas son of Zoilus, of Beroea; all these being Macedonians.

Of Greeks, Medius son of Oxynthemis, of Larisa; Eumenes son of Hieronymus, from
Cardia;...................and Nithaphon son of Pnytagoras, of Salamis. Alexander appointed also a Persian trierarch, Bagoas son of Pharnuces; but of
Alexander's own ship the helmsman was Onesicritus of Astypalaea; and the accountant
of the whole fleet was Euagoras son of Eucleon, of Corinth. As admiral was appointed Nearchus, son of Androtimus, Cretan by race, and he lived.
in Amphipolis on the Strymon. And when Alexander had made all these dispositions, he sacrificed to the gods, both
the gods of his race and all of whom the prophets had warned him, and to Poseidon
and Amphitrite and the Nereids and to Ocean himself and to the river Hydaspes, whence
he started, and to the Acesines, into which the Hydaspes runs, and to the Indus, into
which both run;.....

[Link]

Hello Dr. Vasco,thank you mnogu for the enlightenment and that old translation of arslan as lion. I knew the word from somewhere and you just helped me to make a reconnection with it. ti blagodaram

[the light 7000]

Hi,
... Yes... it is more relaxed constructive dialogue.
I am wondering why to "much dust" around every of my entry... Well, not to bother, I think people are more friendly these days... ...I was expecting that one could start arguing until "blackout", but letGÇÖs end it here, so to clarify even more, and not to mix things re: some words, I would say only this, in this context. If one want to write about one other from different culture, he must be aware of same, that is why we are building brotherhood of man, equity ..! Let put it this way: if there is a problem in Iraq, police must know about culture and traditions of Iraqis to be able to gain control... Eg., if shaking head up & down is yes for us, maybe in India is no, so not knowing that, only spark of some trivial problem could erupt in riots with enormous consequences. In this case, if a person want to write about Makedonians, he/she must to know basic way of living, traditions etc. In this case, precisely about lion and king, small king etc., person have to know that Makedonians, even today when they are talking to little kids, they are using great words just to make kids proud and to encourage them to feel like HEROE'S i.e. HEROI/GEROI in Makedonian. Most important issue is, (this is reply to Marcus, and thanks for that, that is the way should be, to clarify things and not to take what belongs to othersGǪ!), - one have to know some ancient i.e. native people's words to came close to what spouse to be truth. In Makedonian, even not present in academic/modern language, we are using to say ABE/ABRE or BE, and it is referring to person who is very close and personal to us, with respect and love, compassion towards him and vice versa, so like he is father/brother to us. Eg., ABE MARCUS, or ABE VASKO...how are you,.., or when somebody is saying something, and is using same word in the end of the sentence, it is just to pin point something, eg. VASKO BE... In the case with word ARSLAN/ASLAN/LAV=LION, yes,sombody could find it in Turkish as well in Arabic like eg., given by Ruthaki. So in this case is more than obvious, that word ASLAN-BE is referring to lion, more than obvious spoken to kid just to make him hero, to empower him. I could imagine like grandfather is saying to nephew:....ASLAN-BE/ASHLAN-BE. With time words are changing original pronunciation, but root of the word is there....To clarify above, I will mention only this. Hunza people from Himalayas, has King- MIR, in Makedonian mean

[the light 7000]

cont.
To clarify above, I will mention only this. Hunza people from Himalayas, has King- MIR, in Makedonian means PEACE. The King is ruling Hunza Kingdom but he is not alone, His Highness have COUNCIL OF ELDERS, from all around the Kingdom, and they are some sort of Senate, SENAT-SEDNANT- person who is seating. The members of this Council of Elders have names, they are calling them ERBAPI. In Makedonian, even today (one can find it in Turkish etc., but they are saying that they are Makedonians from ATG...), this word is in use and has meaning that someone is very intelligent, capable of achieving what he envision etc. So if one is saying eg.: Vasko is ERBAP man, that means that the person is quite good in achieving what was his goal, make the dream came true! So , yes, I hope that these info. were of some use to some of you, with no intention what so ever to enter an illogical non-constructive and non-respectful dialogue... We/You should/ are, paving path for dialogue and friendship, with respect and - no hate and evil, like my friend Stavros use to say, GǪWith respect- The Light 7000