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After a year of arguing, Christmas is a time to make up - what shall we put in Alexander's stocking this year ?- a mini-atlas of the world - coloured in red for where he's been and green for the rest ?
- a chinese fortune cookie ?
- a special herb cordial from Antipater and the boys back home ?
- a souvenir of Pella from Olympias saying 'wish you were here' ?

How about - a year's course in anger management from the friends of Kleitos, some deodorant from Demades (of the posthumous kind), and the head of a satrap on a plate (but not Franklin Mint).

In Alexander's stocking I'd place an anthology of contempory world poetry, a bottle of Cabernet Port Wine, incense, several red-ink pens, and a copy of Arrian's and Curtius' texts recounting his exploits so *he himself* can make revisions. Yes, I believe that would make the young, warrior-king and bibliophile quite happy.

How about his own personal journal so he could record things himself and not have to rely on others to tell the stories.

Precisely and most accurately stated, Ruthaki! Ah, if only he could have written his own account during his expeditions, for he did not trust his scribes. Perhaps he did, in fact, write his own story, and with him, all is lost.