Section 21: The Letters Between Alexander and Queen Qaydafeh

When Alexander heard the report brought back, he ordered the scribe to come before him. Then they wrote a letter on silk, from Alexander the lion-slayer, conqueror of cities. It was addressed to the shrewd Qaydafeh, whose name stood high among the great. First, praise to the Lord of love, who lights the moon and turns the sky. The generous Lord of justice and truth, who grants abundance to those who deserve it. We did not come at you harshly for war; instead we lean toward friendship with you. When this letter reaches you, your clouded judgment will grow bright. You will send tribute and tax at our command, knowing you have no power to stand against us. Be wise and look ahead; show your strength and your pure faith. But if you try to resist in any way, you will see nothing but the turning of fate against you. If you measure yourself by Darius and Porus, you need no distant teacher to learn the lesson. When the ink of the heading had dried in the wind, they sealed it over with musk. A swift camel set out on the road, sent by the command of that famous king. When Qaydafeh read his letter, she was left amazed at his words. In reply, she first spread her praise for the just God who spread out the earth. He made you victorious over Porus of India, over Darius, and over the famed lords of Sind. You set me on the same level as men like these, and place a turquoise crown upon my head. My own glory and greatness are greater than that, and so is my army and my royal treasure. As if I would bend to the command of emperors, or tremble and cower at their threats. My army numbers in the thousands upon thousands, and at the head of each stands a king. If I summoned my vassals from every side, there would be no room left on this land to stand. Each chieftain would bring a treasure before me, coming from this region with an army. Why do you let your tongue run on so wildly? Because of Darius, you have become a master of boasting. She set a golden seal upon that letter and sped a swift camel off like the wind.