Bucephalus

Bucephalus, translated as "Oxhead", the warhorse of Alexander the Great, mentioned throughout history, literature, and even mentioned in the 1979 film "The Black Stallion", has deservedly earned the title of "Wondrous".  13 year old Alexander watched from a short distance the horse exhaust the grooms, for the steed was stressed.  In my novel, just before he mounts the untamed horse, Alexander says to his concerned father, King Philip, "...I will manage [Bucephalus], and prove to all who witness here I am greater than Bellerophon himself, and I mounted on the stallion will sweep through air swift as a gale of wind!” And so begins the strong bond between youth and horse, riding across the known world until Bucephalus died in the year 326BCE in the location what is now Jhelum, Pakistan, once upon a time called 'Bucephala'.

 

Aug 2 338 BCE Battle in Chaeronea

The summer heat rose on the low Cephisus River valley near the village of Chaeronea.  "By means of the Parapotamii Pass we advanced the seven miles, finally encountering the allied forces of Athens and traitorous Thebes. I imagined their horror when they caught sight of us prowling from across the plain, shining in our red and gold armor, the sixteen-ray suns upon crimson standards blowing in the breeze. 'Behold,' I said to Hephaestion, 'Zeus Thunder-Bearer spreads his hand upon the Macedonians and strengthens our dynamism.  It is as Iliada again here in Chaeronea, that is, for the Thebans and Athenians and all of the City-States.'" (Excerpt from In The Theater of the World).  It was Prince Alexander's second victory in battle BEFORE he became king.  His first victory was in Thrace, quelling a revolt of the Maedi tribe.  The Battle of Chaeronea was the prince's second victory, having eliminated the Theban threat on the battle field, the invincible Sacred Band of Thebes.  Marble statues of lions to this day stand in the immediate location.