Themistocles Odyssey

SCREENPLAY SYNOPSIS

Ancient times, in Greece and far away Persia, Athenian General Themistocles has been ostracized by the citizens of his city and resides in the city of Argos in Peloponnese a sworn enemy of Sparta. Argos remain neutral away from the influence of Athens and enemy Sparta. Themistocles plan is to fight against the dominance of Sparta.

Themistocles activities in Peloponnese agitated the Spartans and they dispatched envoys to Athens demanding the withdraw and arrest of Themistocles. The initial weak and unsubstantiated Spartan evidence makes the Athenians request touchable evidence against his arrest.

The Spartans orchestrate a plot against Themistocles as an avaricious character toward the Persians and succeed to convince the Athenians for his arrest and trial.

Themistocles, anticipating such a move escape secretly to the island of Corcyra (Corfu). The leaders of the island accept his plea for shelter due to his previous good deeds to the islanders. Meanwhile, a Spartan-Athenian delegation was looking for the escape route. The Spartans send an armed delegation to demand his arrest. Themistocles convince the islanders to provide support for his escape. Themistocles sails to Chaonia (Epirus) and travels to the interior of Epirus requesting protection from King Admetus of Molossia. King Admetus refused to arrest Themistocles and the Spartans send a prominent armed delegation with a declaration of war. Themistocles departs for Macedonia. After an adventurous Aegean sailing journey, he arrives in Ephesus (Asia Minor).

The Persian King years ago issued a degree for the arrest of Themistocles. Now the Hellenes and the Persians look for his arrest. Themistocles secure a passage to Susa to meet with the king. The royal family demands the punishment Themistocles for the death of thousands of Persians at the naval battle of Salamis. The brilliant diplomatic abilities of Themistocles convince the young Persian King to appoint him governor in Magnesia, Asia Minor.

The Persian King commands Themistocles to be involved against the Athenian naval forces. Themistocles decided that his best course was to put a fitting end to his life, and drank poison and so died in Magnesia, Asia Minor.

CHARACTERS

THEMISTOCLES: The hero, Athenian general and politician, powerful, visionary and controversial with supreme diplomatic and manipulating abilities. His genius economic and political decisions transformed Athens into a trading empire. Age 55/60.

ATHENIAN GENERALS: Secondary Characters, Cimon 40, Aristides 60, leading generals opposing Themistocles.

THE NOBLE OF ATHENS: Calliades, Cleinias, Leocrates, Menon, Megacles 60’s, Ephialtes 30’s, Pericles 20’s, prominent Athenian citizens. Aeschylus & Cratinus the poets,60’s. Secondary characters.

AREOPAGUS OF ATHENS: Various elderly administrative counsels questioning Themistocles activities, 50/60’s. Secondary characters.

THE SPARTANS: The Gerousia (elder council) investigating Themistocles activities. Secondary characters 4 to 5 persons.

GENERALS OF ARGOS: Elderly oligarchs. Secondary characters 4 to 5 persons.

GENERALS OF CORCYRA: Elderly administrators. Secondary characters 3 to 4 persons.
THE KING OF MOLOSSIA: Late 40’s, the Queen in her 20’s.

THE NOBLES OF ASIA MINOR: Three persons, 40’s.

KING OF PERSIA: Artaxerxes, 20 years old

CHRONOLOGICAL PERIOD: 471 BC to 459 BC

ABOUT THE STORY: The author constructs the writings of Herodotus, Thucydides and Plutarch to a new conversational and chronological historic fictional scenario with real historical characters in real historical times.

The following excerpt is from the screenplay

THEMISTOCLES IN THE ROYAL PALACE OF SUSA

INT. DAYTIME

SETTING: KING ARTAXERXES, ROYAL PALACE (GREAT PALACE HALL)

AT RISE: Lysitheides and Themistocles in Susa, Themistocles before Persian acting regent & King’s high guard Artabanos.

Cast of characters:

THEMISTOCLES Athenian general, (fugitive)

ARTABANOS Persian, King Artaxerxes high advisor

LYSITHEIDES Royal road guide, confidant of Themistocles

ROYAL GUARDS

(Lysitheides advising Themistocles before meeting Persian acting regent Artabanos.)

LYSITHEIDES

Soon you will enter the royal gates to meet acting Artabanos, the great moment has arrived for you Themistocles, for petitioning your audience before King Artaxerxes and his advisors.

THEMISTOCLES

Thank to you Lysitheides, you realized my entire journey, and now a meeting with regent Artabanos, we have to find out if the king is already in Susa?

LYSITHEIDES

My previous visits to Susa have established respectable and strong relationships. The king arrives here during the winter months, now we are at the end of October and near the winter season. The assassination of King Xerxes forced Artaxerxes to be in Susa because the treasury is in Susa, he has to resolve many pending royal issues and it will be absolutely necessary for him to be in Susa.

THEMISTOCLES

Your thoughts are well-constructed and the reasoning appropriate, my only dilemma is the barrier of language.

LYSITHEIDES

Royal protocol circumstances don’t allow me be next to you, Themistocles, there are many well-trained translators in the royal palace. Your actions should be discreet and cautious.

THEMISTOCLES

Your support is precious and priceless, Lysitheides, I never forget my true friends.

LYSITHEIDES

My services are equally beneficial to you and to the king.

THEMISTOCLES

My main mission is to present myself as soon as possible directly to the king.

LYSITHEIDES

So far, you surpass many obstacles, now you must overcome one more, the personal guardian of the king’s, guardian Artabanos. Some courtiers say that Artabanos has more powers now than before and that he is acting as a regent.

THEMISTOCLES

What do you know about Artabanos?

LYSITHEIDES

Artabanos is a native of Hyrcania, a region southeast of the Caspian Sea, the region is a satrapy of the king. Hyrcania cavalry units fought in the armies of King Xerxes during his expedition to Hellas their commander was Megapanos who now is the governor of Babylon and a close friend to Artabanos. Now Artabanos acts as the administrator and chief commander of the royal palace and he has great influence upon King Artaxerxes.

THEMISTOCLES

The instigation by Artabanos against Artaxerxes’ brother may foster other reasons unknown to us.

LYSITHEIDES

Another important person at King Xerxes’ court at that time was a eunuch called Aspamitres. Both of them now advise King Artaxerxes. The throne of King Xerxes was not very stable and he had many silent enemies at his court. The Babylonians regarded the murder of King Xerxes as a punishment by their god Marduk whose temple had been destroyed by King Xerxes. Another influential figure you may encounter is Magabyzos, who married the sister of King Artaxerxes.

THEMISTOCLES

Family rivalry and personal ambitions are well- known among rulers. The present turmoil in the royal palace may help my situation convincing King Artaxerxes to lean in my favor. Now Artabanos has great powers in his hands and is the only obstacle to my audience with the king. I am thankful for your support and your wise advice, Lysitheides.

LYSITHEIDES

I trust your sagacious persuasion Themistocles. What makes you believe that King Artaxerxes will be fair to you?

THEMISTOCLES

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I express a truth based on common sense. Previous personal experiences have transformed adversity into friendship, It is to my advantage that I meet with a new, young, and inexperienced ruler. An Athenian would say that “An eagle’s old age is worth a sparrow’s youth”. I may convince King Artaxerxes that it is to his benefit to secure my life, that it is render my punishment. Now in front of Artabanos I will reason important matters I know about the Hellenes, and I will keep my anonymity.

(Persian guards order the foreigner (Themistocles) to appear before regent Artabanos)

ARTABANOS

You were referred to me foreigner that you have important news to tell me. Before any discussion, identify yourself and how you came to be here in Susa.

THEMISTOCLES

I traveled on the royal road with a permit to meet with the great king of Persia. I wish to have an audience with the great king about matters of the greatest importance and concern to him.

ARTABANOS

I am the regent of Persia and you can give me all the information pertaining our empire’s affairs. How did you obtain your permission to visit Susa?

THEMISTOCLES

At that time my travel permit was issued upon King Xerxes authority and for my security and protection the royal authorization was issued unnamed.

ARTABANOS

Stranger, reveal your identity, your name, and your birthplace?

THEMISTOCLES

I am a Hellene. I know you are a native of Hyrcania and your people were settled by great King Darius in the Hellenic-named Lydian. Your native people participated bravely with King Xerxes in the expedition against the Hellenes. I know that you are a wise general with great foresight and would understand the value of the information I possess.

ARTABANOS

What is your name, Hellene?

THEMISTOCLES

My name is so important that it can only be announced in front of the king.

ARTABANOS

What information do you possess Hellene?

THEMISTOCLES

The information I have is so valuable that it can only be revealed to the great king. I am a very important Hellene bearing critical and urgent information for great King Artaxerxes.

ARTABANOS

Has King Artaxerxes been informed about your visit to Susa?

THEMISTOCLES

The Great King Artaxerxes knows and is expecting me, regent Artabanos.

ARTABANOS

Foreigner, the laws and customs of men differ among peoples. What is honorable for us may not be men honorable for you. People of various origins uphold and observe their own laws. I was told the Hellenes admired above all liberty and equality. Among our many excellent laws, the most excellent is to honor our great king, we worship him as the image of the great god who preserves everything. If you consent to our laws and fall down before the great king and worship him, you may see him and speak to him, but if your mind is otherwise, you must use a messenger to intercede for you. It is not the Persian custom for the king to give audience to anyone that does not fall down before him.

THEMISTOCLES

I have come, regent Artabanos, to increase the power and the glory of the king. I will submit myself to your laws, and please the great King Artaxerxes. You will also benefit from my audience to the great king. Let me therefore present myself to him.

ARTABANOS

Who must we tell him that you are? Your words signify that you are not an ordinary person.

THEMISTOCLES

I speak the truth for the glory of the great king.

ARTABANOS

Seven days from now you will be in front of our great King Artaxerxes.

THEMISTOCLES

Your judgment of my worth is true and honorable, regent Artabanos.

ARTABANOS

Now you can withdraw Hellene.

(END OF THE SCENE)

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Find out more

About General Themistocles

Themistocles was a powerful visionary and controversial character.

His genius economic and political decisions transformed Athens to a trading empire. His supreme diplomatic and manipulating abilities made his friends his enemies and his enemies his friends. History glorified Themistocles as the savior of Hellas at the naval battle of Salamis and as a brave general in the battle of Marathon. He did everything to improve his city state of Athens as a commander, politician, and Archon. His thirst for wealth was his only vice, and made his enemies in Athens ostracize him, while his enemies in Sparta orchestrated a plot as an avaricious character towards the Medes. Themistocles' fall was from a glorious general and leader to a fugitive wanted by all Hellenes. His ostracism and journey through Hellas and Asia Minor is the concept of this book.

Author's Preface

My zealousness for Hellenic history, and my Athenian origins contributed for having countless opportunities to visit and explore magnificent ancient sites and splendid monuments around Greece. Captivated by my personal heritage, the exploration of ancient Hellenic history was inevitable. The political and artistic genius of the ancient Hellenes and their mythology, Olympian Gods and the myriad ancient battles is like an enigma to solve, understand and pursue. The plethora of famous historic names, complex chronological events, artistry and literature attracted ancient to contemporary historians. Often, limited or constradictive writing by ancient historians made even the modern historians ambiguous and skeptical on certain issues. As an outsider nonprofessional writer, I faced with the dilemma of keeping track of historic affairs and evens related to the political leader and Athenian general Themistocles and connecting his actions in chronological order. Possessing the ability to understand some ancient writing I developed great admiration for ancient historians who narrated accurately battle scenes and analyzed incontrovertibly political affairs. Hellenic ancient historians feel that history is a story of the present about the past and that history fades with time. Historic objectivity in ancient Hellenic times was an impossible task, but some historians surpass themselves. Some ancient historians involuntarily or willingly manipulated history. Modern archaeological revelations help us to penetrate, correct or confirm ancient historical writings and interpret ancient history more accurately today. Chronology is the backbone of ancient history. It is the most important unifying factor for the sequence of events. My writing is based on chronological order to analyze and organize events around Themistocles ostracism.......................

DEMETRE SDOUGAS

QUOTES ABOUT THEMISTOCLES

"My boy, you will be nothing insignificant, but definitely

something great, either for good or evil."

Mnesiphilus, about 500 BC - Philosopher & Mentor.

_________________________

"The man most instrumental in achieving the salvation of Hellas"

Plutarch 46-120 AD - Historian.

________________________

"You dare compare yourself to Themistocles who found our city half empty and left it full to overflowing, who one day gave us Piraeus for dinner, and added fresh fish to all our plates"

Aristophanes 424 BC (The knights) - Comic playwrighter.

_________________________

"Our government, as soon as practicable, should provide a naval force......... I need not note to you, who are well known to have ever been an advocate for the wooden

walls of Themistocles"

Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1 November 1822

__________________________

"We remember Themistocles because he rose in the face of danger to prevent death or eclipse for his state"

Winston Churchill (1874-1965) - Statesman & Politician.