17. An Incident on the Hill
CHAPTER 17
AN INCIDENT ON THE HILL
M eanwhile...
Although they could have taken a carriage to the base of Philopappos Hill, Will and Barbara had asked their driver to drop them at Rovertou Galli Street, near where it met with Apostolou Pavlou Street. They planned to walk the rest of the way to where a path led up the hill to the Prison of Socrates.
“Why here?” David asked, noting they were very close to where he and his cousins had been the day before, prior to their climb up to the Acropolis.
“We’re going to follow in the footsteps of St. Paul the Apostle,” Will replied. “Or at least walk up to the street he used when he was here to institute Christianity into Athens,” he clarified. He offered Barbara his arm and they set out down the well-traveled road.
While there wasn’t much in the way of vegetation to their right, there were a number of holm oak and cypress trees marking the base of the hill they were to climb.
“According to Donald’s guidebook, we can see more than just the Prison of Socrates whilst we’re on this hill,” Will said. Tom and David had opted to walk abreast of Will so they could better hear him. “There is a monument to Prince Philopappos at the top.”
“And he was...?” Barbara prompted.
“Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos,” David recited, reading from Pausanias’ book. “A prince from the Kingdom of Commagene—he was a Syrian, according to Pausanias. This hill used to be called Muses Hill back then.” When he noticed his mother’s arched brow, he added, “Oh, uh. Well, he died in 116 AD, and his sister, who was said to be grief-stricken, had the tomb built up on top.”
“Can we go there first?” Barbara asked.
Will shrugged as they turned off onto the path leading up the hill. “If you’re up for a climb, I am.”
David glanced behind them, obviously in search of Marcus, Antonio, and Jane.
“They may already be at the caves,” Tom said, elbowing David.
“Or they got a late start,” David countered. Unlike most aristocrats, their family was used to rising early in the day.
The path up to the monument proved an easy, twenty-minute climb, the slight incline barely leaving Barbara breathless when they emerged from between some trees to where what was left of the two-story, semi-circular marble monument stood on a base. “Oh, this is quite grand,” she said in awe. Her gaze went from the monument to the view of the Acropolis, and she audibly gasped. “Oh, Will,” she whispered. She hurried to where some large stone blocks ran along the crest of the hill and looked out over the city.
He chuckled softly as he stood with her, admiring the Temple of Athena Nike, the Frankish Tower, and the Parthenon. From this angle, they couldn’t make out the other structures on the Acropolis, but the waters of the Saronic Gulf were visible. Tapping one of the ruined stone blocks, he said, “This was part of theDiateichisma.”
Barbara glanced up at him. “A wall?” she guessed.
He nodded. “The Athenians built it in the fifth century BC when they feared the Macedonians were about to strike.”
“What did Donald write about this monument?” David asked.
Having taken his cousin’s guideline book from his uncle, Tom thumbed to the page featuring an elaborate drawing of the monument. “The lower level frieze depicts Philopappos as a consul. He’s riding a chariot led by lictors.”
“What’s a lictor?” David asked.
“A Roman bodyguard,” Will called out, grinning at his son.
Tom snorted before he continued reading. “The upper level includes statuary. Antiochus the Fourth—he was the grandfather—Philopappos is in the center, and...” He glanced up. “Apparently there was a statue of Seleucus I Nicator, the founder of the Seleucid Empire.”
“Which was there when the Ancona humanist Cyriakos of Pizzicolli saw it in 1436,” David said, reading from his brother’s accounts. “He did several illustrations that showed it was intact at the time of his visit.”
“Let me guess. It was partially destroyed during the war between the Venetians and the Turks,” Will said as he joined the young men to admire what was left of the mausoleum.
“The Ottomans used part of it to build the minaret on their mosque atop the Acropolis,” David confirmed. He shook his head. “I hate war.”
Barbara wrapped an arm around the back of his shoulders and leaned over to kiss him on the side of his head. “From your lips to Parliament’s ears,” she whispered.
He allowed a sigh and nodded his agreement. “It will be some time before I’m there,” he replied. “Mayhap fifty years or more.”
Will chuckled. “I rather doubt I’ll live that long, although my father certainly might.
William Slater, Marquess of Devonville, was nearly eighty years old but still had his wits about him. Cherise, his much younger wife, was no doubt responsible for keeping him alive so long.
“Come, let’s head to the caves,” Will suggested. The four set off on the path to the north, and in only a few minutes, huge openings in the rock face appeared on their right.
Openings occupied by Marcus Henley and Antonio and Jane Fitzsimmons.
“So good to see you three again so soon,” David said, rushing up to take Jane’s hands to his lips.
Although he noted Marcus bristling at the sight of him, David enthusiastically shook hands with him and Antonio as the rest of the party stepped up to join them.
“Lord and Lady Bellingham, may I have the honor of introducing Miss Jane, her brother, Antonio Fitzsimmons, heir to the Reardon viscountcy, and our cousin, Marcus Henley?”
Will kissed the back of Jane’s hand while her brother and Marcus did the same with Barbara.
“It’s so good to meet you all,” she gushed. “When my nephew mentioned having discovered you all atop the Acropolis, I had hoped we would meet.”
“Thank you, my lady,” Jane said. “Might I say it’s a comfort to find so many others here from England?”
“Indeed. Are you...?” Barbara waved to the cave. “Already leaving?” From her expression, it was evident she would be disappointed at having missed her chance at spending time with the woman who might one day be her daughter-in-law.
“We’ve only just arrived,” Marcus said. “We were admiring the view of the Acropolis from here and were about to go in. Would like to join us?” He glanced at Tom. “It appears you have the authoritative text on the matter.”
“My cousin’s guidebook,” Tom affirmed, hefting the leather bound tome. “And we brought along Pausanias’ book as well. For… well, the more historical aspects.”
“What are we to find in here?” Antonio asked. He carried a lantern in one hand while a basket dangled from one of Marcus’ hands.
Tom already had the pages of the guidebook opened to the description of the Prison of Socrates. “A complex of chambers and passageways, a cistern in the back, and murals on the walls,” he read. “Carved into the rock in the fifth century BC.”
They all moved to stand a few feet into the first cave, allowing their eyes to adjust as Antonio turned up the flame on the lantern and held it out to illuminate the murals.
“Was Socrates truly imprisoned here?” Jane asked.
“Possibly,” Marcus replied.
“But why?” she asked. “I thought he was... respected by the Greeks.”
“He was by most, but his teachings began to rankle those in charge,” Antonio explained.
“What did they charge him with?” Barbara asked, her brows puckering as she studied the murals.
“Corrupting the youth of Athens and undermining the city’s religion,” Will replied. “He claimed he was only trying to help people understand the meaning of life and to encourage them to pursue the truth.”
“He was found guilty, brought here, and ultimately sentenced to death by drinking hemlock,” Tom explained, moving into the adjacent chamber. “So much for free speech and critical thinking.”
“Was there nothing he could do in his own defense?” Jane asked, her gaze following David as he disappeared into the next chamber. When Marcus followed him, she glanced at the others in the party before she, too moved to follow.
“He was given the opportunity to take back his claims, but he refused,” David replied, his voice echoing. “It’s a reminder that even in the face of persecution and oppression, it is important to stand up for what you believe in and to fight for what is right.” At the sound of a boot scuffing on the rock floor directly behind him, David turned to discover Marcus.
“What is it?” he asked in alarm. Despite the dim lighting, he could see Marcus was livid. He knew his cousin was about to do something untoward when the young man set the picnic basket he’d been carrying on the floor, the wine bottles inside clanking in protest.
“I’m standing up for what I believe in and for what is right,” Marcus whispered hoarsely. “As I should have done yesterday when you dishonored Miss Jane with your inappropriate display of public affection.” He balled up a hand into a fist and sent a punch in the direction of David’s nose.
Well aware of what was about to happen, David nimbly ducked, which sent Marcus staggering to regain his balance. Moving backwards several steps, David’s attention went to Jane. She had just come through the opening from the other cave and was standing behind Marcus, her eyes round and one gloved hand raised to her mouth.
“We should be practicing our pugilistic skills elsewhere, Cousin,” David said, grinning in an attempt to indicate the two cousins were merely engaged in horseplay. When Antonio appeared and moved to stand on the other side of his sister, the lantern showed the confusion on his face. “Certainly not in the presence of young ladies,” David added, lifting his chin to indicate they weren’t alone in the cavern.
His eyes still blazing with fury, Marcus glanced over his shoulder and quickly straightened. “You’re right, Penton. These caves tend to bring back memories of my youth on Sicily. A good location for horseplay.” He turned and offered his arm to Jane. “Might I escort you, Miss Jane?”
Obviously uncertain of what had taken place, she gingerly placed her hand on his arm, her gaze lingering on David until Marcus had her moving in the direction of the cistern at the back of the cave.
At the appearance of his parents, David audibly sighed. “What is it?” Barbara asked, her gaze flitting from him to Marcus and Jane before she seemed to understand.
“Mr. Fitzsimmons, I understand you plan to take your sister to Cape Sounion soon,” Will said, moving to stand next to Antonio.
The young man brightened, the tension from the moment before finally broken. “I am. Marcus said something about arranging a coach?—”
“Actually, I wondered if we might all go together?” Will interrupted. “My wife would certainly welcome a female with whom to travel,” he added. “We’d have to spend the night somewhere, of course—it’s too far to make the trip back and forth in one day,” he went on.
“I’ve been told it’s fifty miles away, my lord,” Antonio agreed.
“I can see to arranging a larger traveling coach,” Will offered. “I realize we would still require two coaches as well as accommodations near the cape for a party of... nine or ten?” he guessed.
Antonio swung the lantern around to illuminate more of the back of the cave. “Marcus, I do believe Lord Bellingham has the solution for our upcoming trip to Sounion.”
Marcus turned around, his manner far different from what it had been only a few minutes earlier. “Oh?”
“We can go as a group,” Antonio said.
“There is safety in numbers, and the butler at our house has assured me there are accommodations with food very near to the cape,” Will explained.
“Are you thinking of bringing everyone in your party?” Marcus asked, obviously struggling to keep his gaze from darting to David when he joined the group. David was pretending to read one of the pages of the guidebook by the light of Antonio’s lantern.
“Uh, yes, which is why I thought it only fair I make the arrangements since there are only three of you.”
“Four, actually. My sister will have my head if she’s not included in the party,” Marcus said.
“What of your brother? Isn’t Michael with you?” Will asked, his gaze darting about.
“He is actually up on the Acropolis today and will be every day for the foreseeable future. Father was able to secure a position for him with the group working on some excavations near the Propylaea,” Marcus explained. “He won’t be joining us for the trip.”
“So... there would be nine of us,” Will stated. “I believe we can make that work if you’re in agreement.”
“ I am,” Antonio stated.
Marcus shrugged. “That would be capital,” he agreed.
“Very good. I’ll send word when the arrangements are complete,” Will said.
“Oh, I do look forward to meeting your sister,” Barbara said to Marcus.
The young man seemed surprised at hearing her enthusiasm. “I’m sure she’s anxious to meet you as well,” he replied. He glanced around. “Well, I think it’s time we head up to the top and have our luncheon by the monument up there, don’t you agree, Antonio?”
Appearing uncertain for a moment, Antonio glanced over at his sister, and she nodded. “If we’re all finished here. David?”
“I think I’ve seen everything,” he replied.
“Oh, it’s positively beautiful up there,” Barbara said. “We’ve already been. The view is spectacular,” she added directing her comment to Jane. “Do enjoy your luncheon.” She glanced around. “Oh, I believe you left your basket over there, Mr. Henley,” she added, indicating the spot where Marcus had set it before he nearly punched David.
“Thank you, my lady. We’ll see you again the day after tomorrow.”
“Indeed. I look forward to it,” Barbara said.
Will pulled David closer to him. “What happened?” he whispered. “Did he challenge you for Miss Jane?”
David shook his head. “Even if he had, I would not have accepted,” he stated. “I know better.”
They watched as the three were about to exit the caves until Jane turned and addressed David. “Penton, aren’t you coming with us?” she asked. “We require your expertise on what we’re about to see,” she added.
Without so much as a glance in his parents’ direction, David said, “Of course, Miss Jane.” He closed the guidebook, tucked it under his arm, and hurried out of the cave. “Oh, and Mother, I’ll be taking my dinner in town,” he called out the moment before he disappeared.
Will and Barbara exchanged a nervous glance as Tom joined them to watch the party of four take their leave.
“I cannot help but think I’ve missed something,” he murmured.
“You’re in good company,” Will replied. “Shall we head back? I don’t know about you, but the mention of a luncheon has me feeling a bit peckish.”
“I can always eat,” Tom agreed.
Barbara tittered as she placed a hand on Will’s proffered arm.
The three headed out of the caves and made their way down the tree-lined path, determined to find a costermonger before continuing their tour of Athens.