by Jean-Jacques COURTEY, Doctor in Economic Geography, Ph. D
___________________________
In this important act, we'll see why and how Vanya had to leave Themiscyra at the age of five for a mysterious destination to the extreme-Occident, Gaul.
Act III : From Themiscyra to Gaul
Scene I : The surprises of Spring Festival
Phoebe is meeting again Spadines. Spadines is asking questions about "Vanya the hero".
Phoebe :
Hello, stranger ! How are you since last year ?
Spadines :
I'm quite fit, my beloved Amazon.
Spadines is holding her body in his firm hands, and kisses her. She is smiling.
Phoebe :
Haven't you got something to tell me "Spad" ?
Spadines :
What ? What should I tell you ?
Phoebe :
For instance, you could admit you are not a Gagarian participating the Spring Festival.
Spadines :
I'm a Scythe like them.
Phoebe :
Well, you are more than that. Aren't you King, Spadines ?
Spadines :
Oh, I see. You know who is really your lover now.
Phoebe :
Yes ! And you could have told me !
Spadines :
I don't know who gave you this information. But yes, I am the King of the free Scythes. And I'm here on peace, as usually, to meet my preferred mate.
Phoebe :
Thanks for the compliment. Queen Thalestris was right, you prefer merging with us than fighting us.
Spadines :
Come in my arms, Phoebe! If I had bad intentions about Amazons, there is a long time I would have seized the opportunity to attack you during the Spring Festival, don't you think ?
Phoebe :
I guess you are telling the truth this time. But what are you expecting of me exactly.
Spadines :
I need an heir, a male heir. And I want him from you beautiful Phoebe. Thalestris was the Queen of King Alexander, and you will be mine.
Phoebe :
Even, I was your Queen, I'll still have to obey my Queen, who is Thalestris.
Spadines :
I know that. And I don't ask you to be disloyal to her.
By the way, who is looking after "Vanya the hero", the son she got from Alexander the Great ?
Phoebe :
Why this question ? It has nothing to do with you.
Spadines :
Hmm, I see I am bothering you. Let's end talking, Phoebe, and let's make love. We are both here for that, aren't we ?
Phoebe :
Of course ! So stop talking, and make me the baby you want Spad !
Spadines takes immediately action in order to please Phoebe, and after exhaustion of their bodies, they both go to sleep in each other arms.
Scene II : Phoebe's warning about Vanya to Thalestris
Phoebe is entering the room of the Queen in the next morning. She wants to talk to her.
Phoebe :
Good morning, my Queen ! Have you slept well ?
Thalestris, smiling :
It should be me asking you the question, Phoebe. Did Spadines let you have some rest after your passionate night ?
Phoebe, with little eyes :
In fact, I didn't sleep much. He woke me up three times during the night.
He is very energetic you know. But finally, he fell completely asleep for all the morning.
Thalestris, wandering :
Did you come to tell me about his physical performances, or do you want to tell me something else ?
Phoebe :
Well, it's about Vanya.
Thalestris :
Vanya has nothing to do with the Spring Festival. He is far too young.
He is just five now.
Phoebe :
No, I don't mean that.
Thalestris :
I don't understand.
Phoebe :
Spadines just asked me who is looking after "Vanya the hero", and I felt strange about his question. So I just wanted to warn you about Spadines.
Thalestris :
You think he could try to capture or subdue him, in order to pressurize me as the Queen of Amazons. Don't you ?
Phoebe :
Yes, because it's the first time he is talking about him. He never did before. Above that, I told Spadines that I know he is not a Gagarian, but the King of free Scythes.
Thalestris :
I see. So there is a potential threat about my son now.
Phoebe :
I am not sure. But I feel, you have to be careful.
He is not my son, but I love him as much as you my Queen. And I wouln't like anything bad to happen to him.
Thalestris :
Isn't strange ? I forbade the crippling of young boys at five, which should protect my son, and allow him to stay with us the Amazons.
But because of a sneeky Scythe, I am obliged to think Vanya better be sent in some secure place far from me and his beloved sister, Anya.
Phoebe :
The God Ares may have made you a sign through Spadines, my Queen.
And I would understand you consider it carefully.
Thalestris :
The problem is that I cannot send him to his father, Alexander. My spies informed me that his second wife, Roxana, whom I didn't understand if she is Iranian or Afghan, is extremely jealous. She may just kill our son.
Phoebe :
Why don't you ask the advice of a man about what to do, my Queen ?
Thalestris :
Which man are you talking about ?
Phoebe :
Well, the one you consider a bit as your father, Magog the Goth, your Chamberlain, my Queen.
Thalestris :
That's right. He may know what to do, and where I should send Vanya to be safely protected from Spadines.
Well, ask him to come to see me now, Phoebe. And call also Andromache who is looking after my twins.
Phoebe is leaving the Queen's room. She goes to Magog's room to tell the Queen wants to see him for something urgent. And she also gets Andromache for the Queen.
Scene III : A mission for Magog and Andromache
Magog is entering the Queen's room. And Andromache is also arriving.
Magog :
Good morning, my Queen.
Andromache :
Good morning, Queen Thalestris.
Thalestris :
Good morning to you both.
You may wander why I wanted to see you both ?
Magog and Andromache, together :
Yes !
Thalestris :
It's about my son, Vanya. Phoebe just reported me that King Spadines seems a bit too interested in him. And as he is five now, I think I have to make a decision about his future.
Magog :
You mean, Vanya wouldn't stay amongst us in spite of the fact you abolished last year boys'crippling at five ?
Thalestris :
Unhappily, no !
Andromache :
His sister, Anya, will cry a lot if he has to leave us all. They are so attached to each other.
Thalestris :
I am also terribly sad having to take a so hard decision. But the security of my son, the heir of Alexander the Great, is in game.
Magog :
So you want to send him back to his father ?
Thalestris :
I would like to, if he wasn't married anew with Roxana. I've heard by my spies she can be extremely agressive and violent.
Magog :
So what shall we do ?
Thalestris :
That's exactly the question I wanted to ask you my faithful Magog, or you even Andromache.
Magog :
I think it's better to send Vanya to the Extreme-Occident, as far as we can. So we will protect him both from Spadines, and also from Roxana.
Andromache :
Have you thought about sending him to Roma ?
Thalestris :
No, further than Roma. Gaul I think.
Magog :
When I was still a free Goth, I remember I saved a Roman patrician in Pannonia, in Buda. What was his name ? Hmmm! Ah, that's it, I remember : he was called Centurion Lucius Curtius. I saved him from the Huns : they wanted to make a sauce with him, they would have called "Lucullus" !
Thalestris :
How did you save him, Magog ?
Magog :
Oh, I just put them in the cauldron with paprika, instead of him !
Thalestris :
So, you made a "hunnic" sauce in that case !
They are all laughing.
Andromache :
That's strange. I've heard this name of Curtius. When you sent me in Roma as a spy servant, just before the birth of your twins, Queen Thalestris, I used to serve a beautiful patrician, called Marcus Curtius.
Magog :
Oh, that's the name of Lucius' son. He told me when he gave me this lapis-lazuli ring set in sterling silver for the little finger, if I needed one day his help. So, you mean Lucius is dead, Andromache ?
Andromache :
I think so, because Marcus was the new paterfamilias when I was at his service for a short while. He has got a wood exploitation in Gaul Transalpina.
Thalestris :
Really ! That's quite right for my little Vanya then !
Magog :
Perhaps, whe should visit Marcus Curtius, my Queen ?!
Thalestris :
Yes, you and Andromache, take my son to him. And see what he can do for you in the memory of his father, whom you save the life in Pannonia.
When travelling, you will be officially his uncle, and Andromache will be your servant.
Magog :
At your orders, my Queen. I'll prepare our horses, and plenty water and food for the long travel.
Thalestris :
Take also this purse full of gold coins for all your expenses, faithful Magog. Andromache will stay forever with my son, wherever he is.
And when your mission to Gaul will be completed, come back to me !
I'll need your comforting presence at my sides in Themiscyra, strong and wise Magog, to face Spadines ambitions !
Magog :
At your orders, my Queen ! We'll also make good use about the purse.
Andromache :
I'll get ready also for this long journey Queen Thalestris. I am going to look for Vanya, and let your children say good bye to each other.
I'll try to explain Anya, this is necessary for Vanya's security and survival.
Scene IV : Passing by the borders of daddy's kingdom in Thrace
The most dangerous part of the travel is to pass by the Kingdom of Macedonia, governed by General Antipater (397-319 BC), the Regent in the absence of Alexander the Great. Antipater is under the influence of Aristotle the philosopher (384 - 322 BC).
Nothing must leek about the existence of Vanya, the son of Alexander.
So the little group is travelling in Thrace at night, but along the borders of Macedonia. And the problem is sometimes, they are on the wrong side.
Soldier Acanthos :
Who goes there ?
Magog :
We are just travelers crossing Thrace.
Soldier Acanthos :
You are not in Thrace here, but in Macedonia.
And it doesn't really matter as Alexander conquered also Thrace.
Andromache, trying to use female seduction to subdue the soldier :
You are a tall soldier. What's your name officer ?
Soldier Acanthos :
My name is Acanthos. But I am not officer.
Andromache :
You will certainly be one day.
Soldier Acanthos :
I doubt it. Alexander is not back from Orient, and General Antipater, our Regent dislike me. I've been sent here just to be killed by some angry Thraces.
Magog :
You mean your life isn't easy, don't you ?
Soldier Acanthos, lifting his javelline :
Forget about my life, and tell me what you are doing here ! And who is this boy ?
The soldier is catching the boy. And Magog gets angry.
Magog :
Don't touch him ?
The Soldier Acanthos :
Why ? Is he a prince ?
Andromache :
What would you do, if he was ?
The soldier Acanthos :
I'll arrest him to conduct him to my officer, who would then report General Antipater.
Andromache :
Really ! So you can be a nuisance !
She takes swiftly her bow and blow an arrow on the top of his left shoulder. The soldier is falling down.
Magog :
Did you kill him ?
Andromache :
No, with the dose of soporific on my arrow, he will just sleep at least three days.
That will be enough to leave this place in security.
Another soldier is arriving :
Acanthos, it's me Bromellios, where are you ?
Magog who jumped from his horse, quickly knocks out Bromellios. And with another soporific arrow of Andromache, he grazes the right hand of the soldier.
Magog to Andromache :
He will sleep also three days !
Andromache :
Hmmm, four days I think, because you are stronger than me !
Vanya is taking the soporific arrow from Magog's hand, and grazes the right hand of the first soldier, Acanthos.
Vanya :
I gave him one more day sleep ! Like that everything will be all right !
Magog and Andromache are amazed at Vanya's ingeniosity.
And the happy trio is quickly leaving into a galop the hazardous place, laughing joyously.
Scene V : Hosts of Marcus Curtius in Roma
Andromache, Magog and Vanya are approaching the street where is the villa of Marcus Curtius. But suddenly, Andromache recognizes him in the crowd.
Andromache :
Ave Marcus Curtius !
Marcus Curtius :
Oh ! Andromache, is it you ? Last time, I saw you, you told me your mother was dying somewhere in Cappadocia.
Andromache :
I also told you I am an Amazon in fact, but you didn't believe me.
Marcus Curtius :
Who are those people travelling with you ?
Andromache :
Here is Magog, my master. And Vanya, his nephew.
Marcus Curtius :
You said Magog ?
Andromache :
Yes, why ?
Marcus Curtius :
Well, my father told me about a Goth warrior who saved his life in Pannonia from Huns. He avoided him to finish in sauce if I understood well. And his savior who cooked instead several Huns was carrying this funny name.
Magog :
Yes, that's me. And here is the lapis-lazuli ring your father gave me if I needed his help.
Marcus Curtius :
My father is dead, as Andromache must already know. But as his heir, I'll honour his promise. Let's enter my villa first, my friends.
All of them enter the luxurious villa of Marcus Curtius in Roma.
And Marcus Curtius is ordering some refreshments for his hosts.
Marcus Curtius :
So you said you need my help, dear Magog. Didn't you ?
Magog :
I am officially the chamberlain of Thalestris, Queen of Amazons in Themiscyra, Cappadocia.
Marcus Curtius :
Wow, so Andromache wasn't saying bullshits about the fact she is an Amazon warrior in that case.
Andromache :
I never said bullshits to you. But I understand it was hard to believe.
And the reason why we are here is still more unbelievable.
Marcus Curtius :
Really ! That's amazing !
Magog showing Vanya :
In fact, Vanya is not my nephew. He is a prince, and not an ordinary one. He actually is the son of Queen Thalestris and King Alexander the Great !
Marcus Curtius :
The son of Alexander the Great ! His heir ! Wow ! That's a great honour for me to receive you in my humble villa.
Magog :
Queen Thalestris is asking you through me if you could send his son in Gaul ? Andromache told me you have a wood exploitation in Gaul Transalpina.
Marcus Curtius :
I've got effectively a good one on the way to Lugdunum (Lyons), near a groot called Balma Cornillon.
Some "Gaulois" are working for me, beside my Roman servants.
Andromache :
I'll stay with Vanya for the rest of my life in your exploitation, if you agree.
Because Magog will need to go back to Themiscyra where Queen Thalestris is waiting for him, after the completion of our travel to Gaul.
Marcus Curtius :
Well, I need a governess for my house attached to the exploitation overthere, so you can be, Andromache.
And for the prince Vanya, it's better to change his name. He will carry mine. Let me think. Hmmm... That's it, he wil be called Janus Curtius.
Magog :
Why Janus ?
Marcus Curtius :
Janus is a double faced God in our religion. So it will be quite convenient to recall his hidden origin. We could even decide for the secret dynasty of Alexander the Great and Thalestris, all his entitled male heirs will be called Janus.
Magog :
In that case, I transmit also Vanya,.... Hmm ...I wanted to say Janus Curtius, my lapis-lazuli ring in sterling silver, to be the symbol of his right to rule one day, whatever it will be him or a far descendant in Gaul.
Marcus Curtius :
So mote it be !
Of course, all of us are swearing now to keep the secret till the times come.
And they drink Roman wine in the honour of God Mars (Ares for the hosts), to take the oath.
Magog :
When will we be able to go to your place in Gaul Transalpina ?
Marcus Curtius :
Well, all of you need to take a little rest for two days, I think.
So we could set our departure, by three days at dawn. And we will normally arrive overthere in three days more.
Magog :
Thank you very much for everything, Marcus Curtius. And have a good night !
Everybody is also saying good night, and going to sleep.
Scene VI : The arrival in Gaul, in Balma Cornillon, with Marcus Curtius help
Balma Cornillon is called nowadays La Baume-Cornillane (Drôme, France), and is situated 18 km from Valence (Valentia in Latin).
At dark.
Marcus Curtius :
That's it ! I can see the groot. We are arriving in my place.
It's called Balma Cornillon by the inhabitants of the little hamlet.
Magog :
What is in the Groot ?
Marcus Curtius :
According to an old legend, this groot is a secret passage to the center of the Earth.
Andromache :
That's thrilling !
Marcus Curtius :
You can say so. I've chosen especially this place because of the mysterious groot.
Vanya :
Why ?
Marcus Curtius :
You see, my boy, this place is very special and magic. I've heard an astonishing story about its tremendous importance for the solidity of our Earth. Telluric forces join together here from all the continents. And if one day they were parting, an immense swallow hole would open and could engulf everything.
Vanya :
Wow ! Wow !
Andromache :
That's strange and a bit worrying also.
Andromache is taking kindly the hand of Vanya/Janus.
Marcus Curtius :
Don't worry, as long as there is a Curtius to live here, nothing like that will happen. You have to know that a renown ancestor of mine, carrying the same name as me, Marcus Curtius also, save Roma a bit more than one century ago from such a catastrophic swallow hole in the Roman Forum.
Magog :
I'm exhausted. Do you think someone of your house can prepare a hot meal for us.
Marcus Curtius :
Oh yes, certainly.
Marcus Curtius is approaching someone guarding the place at night.
Marcus Curtius :
Titus, wake up my cousin Flavinia and tell her to prepare a hot soup, and some meat and cheese for all of us !
And after, she will show my guests their rooms to have a good sleep.
Marcus Curtius is watching at Andromache kissing the forehead of Vanya/Janus.
Marcus Curtius to Magog :
Isn't she cute for a warrior Amazon, kissing this lovely boy ?!
Magog :
Oh, she is very devoted to him. He is a prince. And I guess she is starting to consider herself as a second Mom for him.
Marcus Curtius, watching at Vanya/Janus, and addressing him :
That's good for the newborn Janus Curtius. And you are from now my nephew. Will you remember your new name, little prince ? Janus Curtius. Can you repeat ?
Vanya/Janus :
My name now is Janus Curtius, uncle Marcus !
Marcus Curtius :
Excellent, you are very fast to learn !
Magog :
Very good Vanya ! Yes, you are now Janus Curtius, nephew of Marcus Curtius ! I'll tell Thalestris also : she absolutely must be aware of that after my return to Themiscyra.
Third epilog : Happy life of Vanya/Janus in Gaul Transalpina with affective attachment to lovely Sylvia
Magog has gone back to Queen Thalestris in Themiscyra.
Everyday, Vanya/Janus can see how to work the wood with men.
Andromache is keeping a motherly eye on him. He even took the habit to call her Mom. She doesn't mind, because she knows Queen Thalestris send her to Gaul with him for that.
Flavinia, a far cousin of Marcus Curtius has got a little girl around his age, and they like playing together. She is called Sylvia, and has got marvellous brown eyes and silky dark hair.
Sylvia :
Come Janus, I want to show you something.
Janus :
What ?
Sylvia :
In this tree, there are two squarrels. And they eat nuts.
Look, look, they are doing it !
Janus :
That's right. I can see it.
Sylvia :
The one with a white mark on the head is a male : it's daddy.
And the one with curly eyebrows is the female : it's mummy.
Janus :
Yes, they are cute. Have you got a mark also as a girl ?
Sylvia :
I don't think so. And you, Janus, show me your hands !
Janus, giving her his hands :
Do you see something special ?
Sylvia, holding gently his right hand :
Yes, here on your index. There are remarkable signs !
Janus :
It's just the joint of my finger, Sylvia.
Sylvia :
Yes, but I can see a drawing above, like a Moon crescent attached to a mirror.
Janus :
You have lynx eyes, Sylvia. In fact, it's true there is the drawing you describe. I always had it, since my birth.
Sylvia :
I saw it because I always pay a lot of attention to you, Janus.
Janus :
Why that ?
Sylvia, kissing his cheeks and moving like a little doll :
Because, I am like the female squarrel you can see in the tree.
Janus :
And me the male one ?
Sylvia :
Yes, exactly. Have you noticed there are two tiny squarrels behind them ?
Janus :
I can't see. Ah, yes ! That's true. They are a family.
Sylvia :
In the future, me also, I'd like to have a family with my preferred squarrel.
Janus :
Having a family is great. In a way, you are a bit my family, Sylvia.
Sylvia is becoming red, and she seizes his left hand :
I am happy when we are together Janus. We just miss the nuts to be like those lovely squarrels.
Janus :
See, the male is scratching delicately the female neck.
Sylvia :
You can scratch mine if you want.
Janus is smiling at her, and instead of scratching her, he gives her a kiss on her reddish cheeks :
I prefer kissing your lovely cheeks.
Over suddenly, Andromache is interrupting their squarrels' observation.
Andromache :
Janus, Sylvia, come to the house ! The meal is ready.
She approaches them, and takes their little hands to bring them back home.
(to be followed)
Friday, May 31, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
GDP = C+ I+ G + X * n°2 : the unexpected interpretation of a paradox !
by Jean-Jacques COURTEY, Doctor in Economic Geography, Ph. D
___________________________
This is a following of a previous article (of February 18th, 2012) where we introduced the meaning of GDP for every country in the world, since this tool was created in the USA in 1934.
GDP was created by Simon Kuznets (1901 - 1985), an American economist from Russian origin, to be an easy equation for President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 - 1945) to conduct and follow his "New Deal" policy : it integrated great works under the control of the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority).
It was then conceived as an anti-Depression economic instrument.
The advantage of this mathematical tool is still to have an easy-to-follow view of the national economy, either its progress or its fall !
May be that's why it was proposed before the financial crisis of 2008, to abandon it for something extremely subjective : the smoke screen of "Social Well-Being" (1998-2008) ?!
Far from Nova Lingua which can only create odd and paradoxical situations, GDP has got a future, whatever people like it or not. Nova Lingua or extreme double speech is translated in French by "Nov'Langue", and it is the source of common Confusion. It is used everyday when marrying opposed symbols as carps and rabbits, like "Republican Monarchy" about the election of a non-dynast monarch of the Republic for five years, or "Atheist Religion" for a political cult dedicated to "Goddess Reason" (from 1794), instead of Catholic Church.
Coming back to GDP, it is very important to stress that it is globally and mainly an account of expenditures.
The only revenues may come from X (the possible surpluses of the trade balance), which is neither the case of America, nor the one of France.
So it's a macro-economic instrument which is not at all adaptated for a grocery, or say for an economy trying catastrophically to imitate a big grocery.
Let's recall C means Consumption, I is for Investment, and G for Government expenditures considered at large, to be precise and helpful.
In our previous article, we thus made a comparison between the American structure of GDP, and the one of France which is a bit odd on an international point of view.
One year ago, G represented 18% of the total in the USA, and 56.7% in France.
Now, we must be at 21% for America, and 57% for France in spite of catchwords for the voters.
Almost everybody is criticizing the French figure, as if it was bad. The unsaid target seems to be a G reduction of 10 to 11% by 2017, which would be both irrealistic and harmful for our country's historicity.
In fact, 57% is not so bad or even not bad at all, if you consider it in a wide historical perspective.
At the time of Louis XIV (1638-1715) for instance, the figure was most likely around 66 % for the great Kingdom of France.
On the contrary, America is trying very logically to elevate G, in order to sustain and ...provoke growth.
It can only make progress on that point. And its margin of action would appear quite huge when compared to France, if the Republicans were not blocking the budget of president Obama (born in 1961).
At the time of Louis XIV, it was France to be the First Economic Power in the world, even if present people intend to ignore it. And the King even had a huge territorial possession in North America, with "Great Louisiana" (around 1/3 of the present area of the USA), without counting Canada.
Of course, it's not easy to make an historical comparison. But let's try one minute at least.
If you take a transversal and historical perspective, things can appear under a very different light.
With the present policy France intends to follow hesitatingly, to please you don't know who finally in Europe or elsewhere, there is a risk of sudden and dreadful collapse.
If France was breaking its natural trend inherited from the time of Louis XIV, id est high state expenditures, GDP could over suddenly shrink. There wouldn't be just an ordinary recession, but a contraction. And this contraction might be almost impossible to overcome this very time !
By 2017, the country might range around the 7th economic rank, instead of the 5th presently, and the 9th or more around 2022, knowing an overwhelming poverty of low class but also middle class people. To them would be integrated young poor people without hope including educated ones, and most old ones also, in a then ecliptical country.
If Louis XIV was here today, he would certainly be shocked by the evolution of his Kingdom.
Louis XIV's model was Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), beside Marcus Curtius, the Great Roman hero. And that's why with his skill, he was able to make France a giant.
Among other things, the King created the first system of "social security" in Europe for workers in public works from 1666, with the engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet, baron of Bonrepos (litteraly "Good Rest", 1609-1680). It was so successful that the King created a similar system for war invalids, who were pensioned and taken care of from the date of the Invalides creation (edict of 1670) : this way, France protected those social categories and their families.
But who noticed that nowadays in a non-Christian time, when France is engulfing so easily into an absurd and self-destructive social Darwinism ? Some creative managers have even been able to enforce a "Christian Darwinism". But as it can only shock God, nobody really paid attention to the enormous contradiction. Its environment is made of a very remarkable productive "shrinking" and a very weakening reexportation system from cheaper and less developped countries : no wander why the trade balance (X) is in the red for years !
Coming back to the King, astonishingly, he was also able to use "Veblen effect" about "the added value" of goods and services... before the economist Thorstein Bunde Veblen (1857 - 1929) discovered it. And the remaining success of the French industry of luxury, or public works notably, is coming from the King's firm orientations and leadership... through centuries.
Today, almost everybody strangely seem to follow a minimalist economic philosophy of downsizing, which looks so strange.
It can certainly be reached, but at the expense of France and its whole population, whatever French or of foreign origin. As a matter of fact the King was always talking of "his peoples", and not his people.
The lessons of that great time have been forgotten, as France has become a medium power.
The same applies to "the art of negociation", after the title of a famous breviary written by François de Caillères for the King Louis XIV. It is more used paradoxically by Anglo-Saxons in Brussels than by French negociators. And one of the numerous French problems presently, could be not being able to distinguish real talents beside "Yes-men or women", and consequently to lose them.
Another modern tendency is to get rid of too clever, too cultured, or too charismatic people, with hidden and unelegant tactics of "banana skin", rewarding "remora squales" on the contrary. No wander why nothing much is radiant. Who would dare tackling with GDP's growth after that ?
The only problem is France (or "the Republic" if you prefer revolutionary rhetorics) desperately needs clever, cultured and charismating people, to be able to survive the announced dreadful XXIst century.
Keeping GDP's equation in mind, when a minister is making huge savings in his department, he is then reducing G. And doing the same thing to social expenditures, which are also included in G, is mechanically synonym of a reduction of the French GDP. And it means clearly : no growth, or even bye bye growth ! Spending less means paradoxically contraction in term of GDP. So people shouldn't applaud at it without thinking !
The "Debt crisis" might be a mere illusion from the right beginning.
If following Slate, the report Carmen Reinhart-Kenneth Rogoff ("Growth in a time of debt") made by those two economists of Harvard University for the IMF in 2010 could be erroneous. Some criticisms emerged just recently in the USA about a misuse of Excel software in the calculations (period 1946-2009), and an oversight of several countries, about the correlation between a Debt exceeding 90% of GDP and growth rate.
The average potential growth rate wouldn't be - 0.1 %, but + 2.2 % most likely !
As France and America are above those fateful 90% of Debts, we would point that it's easy to observe what is happening : the first one is oriented for 2013 towards - 0.1% but the second paradoxically to + 2.2% in the same time, according to their totally opposite economic philosophy and position.
It means that the principles of Lord Keynes (1883 -1946) about pump priming are still valid.
Just watch also at what the Empire of Japan can presently do with a Debt of more than 236%, in a certain measure of course. But it would remain possible as long as no war is threatening to burst out with its neighbours, not only because of the Diaoyu /Senkaku islands' dispute with China, but also due to the dark shadows of Imperialist Japan's crual, agressive, and unfair past in the area with North Korea and China. As Japan is clumsily and unwisely taking up with its old militarist devils, it could unexpectedly pave the way to a devastating lost war.
Anyhow, something appears very strange about the present economic situation.
Almost every day, we citizens are "bombed" with catastrophic informations and figures about our country, more and more weak and poor "officially".
But where is exactly the truth behind this smoke screen ?
If France is now so empoverished, how come the French Savings could reach the astonishing amount of 11 trillion Euros at the end of last year ? As a matter of fact, it represents at the very least a bit more than the added GDPs of China and Japan, and a bit less than the USA's GDP !
Are we not told in fact more Rhetorics than Economics ?
The French trend to an easy "punching ball" policy can add to useless worry internally, scare away potential investors, and end up to be finally self-destructive.
Rhetorics in the conception of Aristotle (384 - 322 BC) was the art to be always right, whatever the reality might be.
And it's on that very point Aristotle and Alexander the Great parted.
Alexander started to consider his master of philosophy too confusing and without substance, among other faults, when Aristotle admitted having demonstrated to him as true something totally wrong.
And this terrific King made real his dream we call now "Occident" without him - and even against his misconceptions -, as an effective and glorious demonstration of personal intelligence, strength and mastery through millenii !
___________________________
This is a following of a previous article (of February 18th, 2012) where we introduced the meaning of GDP for every country in the world, since this tool was created in the USA in 1934.
GDP was created by Simon Kuznets (1901 - 1985), an American economist from Russian origin, to be an easy equation for President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 - 1945) to conduct and follow his "New Deal" policy : it integrated great works under the control of the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority).
It was then conceived as an anti-Depression economic instrument.
The advantage of this mathematical tool is still to have an easy-to-follow view of the national economy, either its progress or its fall !
May be that's why it was proposed before the financial crisis of 2008, to abandon it for something extremely subjective : the smoke screen of "Social Well-Being" (1998-2008) ?!
Far from Nova Lingua which can only create odd and paradoxical situations, GDP has got a future, whatever people like it or not. Nova Lingua or extreme double speech is translated in French by "Nov'Langue", and it is the source of common Confusion. It is used everyday when marrying opposed symbols as carps and rabbits, like "Republican Monarchy" about the election of a non-dynast monarch of the Republic for five years, or "Atheist Religion" for a political cult dedicated to "Goddess Reason" (from 1794), instead of Catholic Church.
Coming back to GDP, it is very important to stress that it is globally and mainly an account of expenditures.
The only revenues may come from X (the possible surpluses of the trade balance), which is neither the case of America, nor the one of France.
So it's a macro-economic instrument which is not at all adaptated for a grocery, or say for an economy trying catastrophically to imitate a big grocery.
Let's recall C means Consumption, I is for Investment, and G for Government expenditures considered at large, to be precise and helpful.
In our previous article, we thus made a comparison between the American structure of GDP, and the one of France which is a bit odd on an international point of view.
One year ago, G represented 18% of the total in the USA, and 56.7% in France.
Now, we must be at 21% for America, and 57% for France in spite of catchwords for the voters.
Almost everybody is criticizing the French figure, as if it was bad. The unsaid target seems to be a G reduction of 10 to 11% by 2017, which would be both irrealistic and harmful for our country's historicity.
In fact, 57% is not so bad or even not bad at all, if you consider it in a wide historical perspective.
At the time of Louis XIV (1638-1715) for instance, the figure was most likely around 66 % for the great Kingdom of France.
On the contrary, America is trying very logically to elevate G, in order to sustain and ...provoke growth.
It can only make progress on that point. And its margin of action would appear quite huge when compared to France, if the Republicans were not blocking the budget of president Obama (born in 1961).
At the time of Louis XIV, it was France to be the First Economic Power in the world, even if present people intend to ignore it. And the King even had a huge territorial possession in North America, with "Great Louisiana" (around 1/3 of the present area of the USA), without counting Canada.
Of course, it's not easy to make an historical comparison. But let's try one minute at least.
If you take a transversal and historical perspective, things can appear under a very different light.
With the present policy France intends to follow hesitatingly, to please you don't know who finally in Europe or elsewhere, there is a risk of sudden and dreadful collapse.
If France was breaking its natural trend inherited from the time of Louis XIV, id est high state expenditures, GDP could over suddenly shrink. There wouldn't be just an ordinary recession, but a contraction. And this contraction might be almost impossible to overcome this very time !
By 2017, the country might range around the 7th economic rank, instead of the 5th presently, and the 9th or more around 2022, knowing an overwhelming poverty of low class but also middle class people. To them would be integrated young poor people without hope including educated ones, and most old ones also, in a then ecliptical country.
If Louis XIV was here today, he would certainly be shocked by the evolution of his Kingdom.
Louis XIV's model was Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), beside Marcus Curtius, the Great Roman hero. And that's why with his skill, he was able to make France a giant.
Among other things, the King created the first system of "social security" in Europe for workers in public works from 1666, with the engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet, baron of Bonrepos (litteraly "Good Rest", 1609-1680). It was so successful that the King created a similar system for war invalids, who were pensioned and taken care of from the date of the Invalides creation (edict of 1670) : this way, France protected those social categories and their families.
But who noticed that nowadays in a non-Christian time, when France is engulfing so easily into an absurd and self-destructive social Darwinism ? Some creative managers have even been able to enforce a "Christian Darwinism". But as it can only shock God, nobody really paid attention to the enormous contradiction. Its environment is made of a very remarkable productive "shrinking" and a very weakening reexportation system from cheaper and less developped countries : no wander why the trade balance (X) is in the red for years !
Coming back to the King, astonishingly, he was also able to use "Veblen effect" about "the added value" of goods and services... before the economist Thorstein Bunde Veblen (1857 - 1929) discovered it. And the remaining success of the French industry of luxury, or public works notably, is coming from the King's firm orientations and leadership... through centuries.
Today, almost everybody strangely seem to follow a minimalist economic philosophy of downsizing, which looks so strange.
It can certainly be reached, but at the expense of France and its whole population, whatever French or of foreign origin. As a matter of fact the King was always talking of "his peoples", and not his people.
The lessons of that great time have been forgotten, as France has become a medium power.
The same applies to "the art of negociation", after the title of a famous breviary written by François de Caillères for the King Louis XIV. It is more used paradoxically by Anglo-Saxons in Brussels than by French negociators. And one of the numerous French problems presently, could be not being able to distinguish real talents beside "Yes-men or women", and consequently to lose them.
Another modern tendency is to get rid of too clever, too cultured, or too charismatic people, with hidden and unelegant tactics of "banana skin", rewarding "remora squales" on the contrary. No wander why nothing much is radiant. Who would dare tackling with GDP's growth after that ?
The only problem is France (or "the Republic" if you prefer revolutionary rhetorics) desperately needs clever, cultured and charismating people, to be able to survive the announced dreadful XXIst century.
Keeping GDP's equation in mind, when a minister is making huge savings in his department, he is then reducing G. And doing the same thing to social expenditures, which are also included in G, is mechanically synonym of a reduction of the French GDP. And it means clearly : no growth, or even bye bye growth ! Spending less means paradoxically contraction in term of GDP. So people shouldn't applaud at it without thinking !
The "Debt crisis" might be a mere illusion from the right beginning.
If following Slate, the report Carmen Reinhart-Kenneth Rogoff ("Growth in a time of debt") made by those two economists of Harvard University for the IMF in 2010 could be erroneous. Some criticisms emerged just recently in the USA about a misuse of Excel software in the calculations (period 1946-2009), and an oversight of several countries, about the correlation between a Debt exceeding 90% of GDP and growth rate.
The average potential growth rate wouldn't be - 0.1 %, but + 2.2 % most likely !
As France and America are above those fateful 90% of Debts, we would point that it's easy to observe what is happening : the first one is oriented for 2013 towards - 0.1% but the second paradoxically to + 2.2% in the same time, according to their totally opposite economic philosophy and position.
It means that the principles of Lord Keynes (1883 -1946) about pump priming are still valid.
Just watch also at what the Empire of Japan can presently do with a Debt of more than 236%, in a certain measure of course. But it would remain possible as long as no war is threatening to burst out with its neighbours, not only because of the Diaoyu /Senkaku islands' dispute with China, but also due to the dark shadows of Imperialist Japan's crual, agressive, and unfair past in the area with North Korea and China. As Japan is clumsily and unwisely taking up with its old militarist devils, it could unexpectedly pave the way to a devastating lost war.
Anyhow, something appears very strange about the present economic situation.
Almost every day, we citizens are "bombed" with catastrophic informations and figures about our country, more and more weak and poor "officially".
But where is exactly the truth behind this smoke screen ?
If France is now so empoverished, how come the French Savings could reach the astonishing amount of 11 trillion Euros at the end of last year ? As a matter of fact, it represents at the very least a bit more than the added GDPs of China and Japan, and a bit less than the USA's GDP !
Are we not told in fact more Rhetorics than Economics ?
The French trend to an easy "punching ball" policy can add to useless worry internally, scare away potential investors, and end up to be finally self-destructive.
Rhetorics in the conception of Aristotle (384 - 322 BC) was the art to be always right, whatever the reality might be.
And it's on that very point Aristotle and Alexander the Great parted.
Alexander started to consider his master of philosophy too confusing and without substance, among other faults, when Aristotle admitted having demonstrated to him as true something totally wrong.
And this terrific King made real his dream we call now "Occident" without him - and even against his misconceptions -, as an effective and glorious demonstration of personal intelligence, strength and mastery through millenii !
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The secret legacy of Zadracarta II : an Eurasian epic and descendance !
by Jean-Jacques COURTEY, Doctor in Economic Geography, Ph. D
__________________________
This is a following of our great saga, as a scenario for cinema or television.
For the heroïc times to be reborn, and to the lives which are not mere legends !
Act II : Life in Themiscyra
Scene I : The coming back of Thalestris in Themiscyra (Cappadocia)
Thalestris and her two lieutenant (e) s are entering their capital at dawn, returning from Zadracarta. They are exchanging words and impressions nicely.
Myrto :
You seem to be happy of the good time you had with Alexander, great Queen !
Thalestris :
Yes, you can say so. It's really a pity our law forbid me to bring permanently my husband in my capital. Our rules may have been justified in the past, but nowadays they make us so backward in this changing world.
Phoebe :
You mean that we should change and adapt to the new world your husband is creating, right now ?
Thalestris :
I think so. And it has to come from ourselves as he wouln't conquer us.
Myrto :
How can you be so sure he wouldn't try.
Thalestris :
He doesn't need to even envision it. He conquered me your Queen already. And above that I told him my Amazons and me will always support him and our descendance to come.
Phoebe :
Really ! So we are his allies forever now, if I understand well.
Thalestris :
You do ! Alexander is the greatest King of universe. And he always win battles, even the most impossible ones. And he certainly won the battle of my heart !
Myrto :
You are in love, my Queen, aren't you ?
Thalestris :
Oh yes ! And it's a so great feeling.
Phoebe :
Me, I could have fallen in love of one of his body-guard from Thessalian origin, Lysimachus.
But the problem is Lysimachus has probably forgotten about me.
Thalestris :
Do you mean he is unstable with women ?
Phoebe :
Not exactly ! Just two days before I captured Alexander's horse for your successful scene entrance my Queen, he was sent as a ranger to Persia by King Alexander. With his men, he had to observe and evaluate the remaining troops of King Darius.
Thalestris :
So what ?
Phoebe :
Well, after he received the order of Alexander, he came back to his tent and he didn't recognize me.
I felt strange because we had a so passionate night together. Of course, I was a servant for him, but he asked me who I was ?
Thalestris :
You mean he was suspecting you of something ?
Phoebe :
Not at all ! When I called him "my great cat", he suddenly remembered me and our terrific night.
He then confessed to me about the great battle of Issos : since the great schock he received at the head, he has got blanks sometimes.
Myrto :
That's a bit annoying.
Phoebe :
Yes. And he added Alexander was sending him beside the Persian lines with a Thessalian detachment of cavalry to help him recovering. As a matter of fact, when he is riding horse, the shakes are putting his head right !
Thalestris :
I am not surprised. Alexander is always trying to help his surrounders. He is the most astonishing King and great conqueror I have ever met in my life. He told me about his idea to establish a universal brotherhood and a bridge between opposed civilizations.
Thalestris is suddenly yawning.
Myrto to Thalestris :
That's great to be his sisters !
But I think at the moment my great Queen needs a rest.
Phoebe, leaving also :
Yes, that's terrific to have such a great brother ! Have a good night my Queen ! I am sure your beloved husband will visit you in your dreams !
Scene II : In the temple of the Moon
Thalestis in entering at night the Temple of the Moon. She is received by Antandre, the great priestress, beside the tall statue of Artemis.
Antandre :
What is the purpose of your visit, Queen Thalestris ?
Thalestris :
I came to thank our Goddess for her help. I was successful in meeting Alexander the Great, and whe shared the same couch for thirteen days and nights. Thus we got married at the same time.
Antandre :
Do you think you are pregnant, my Queen ?
Thalestris :
Oh, yes ! And I want to thank Goddess Artemis for that.
Antandre :
I see. That's a great news. Let me draw the Moon stones to tell you about the future.
And she does.
Thalestris :
What can you see, great priestress ?
Antandre :
Hmmm ! I think there will be a great surprise about this baby !
May be the daughter you want will not come alone, apparently !?
Thalestris :
Do you mean I'll receive a special visit at the time of her birth ?
Antandre :
Yes, clearly ! But the visit will come from the birth itself.
There could be a baby boy coming at the same time in fact !
Thalestris :
You mean twins in that case ! That would be nice. One for me, and one for Alexander. Let's celebrate this with an holy dance !
Antandre, clapping the hands :
Orithia, Polymora and Xanthe, come ! Appear and dance for our great Queen and her future twins !
The three beautiful maidens initiate a lovely but strange circular dance , by moving delicately the arms and the body. And at the same time they start to sing a mesmerizing melody in the honor of Goddess Artemis.
Thalestris to Antandre :
Will my children be healthy and beautiful ?
Antandre :
Oh yes, certainly, my Queen ! But you will have to choose well their names to ward off evil.
Thalestris :
Which kind of names ?
Antandre :
A name connected to God for the boy, and an attribute of yourself for the girl.
Thalestris :
I see. You mean my son's name should recall Alexander's divine origin, and my daughter's name just how I was when I was small.
Antandre :
That's exactly the idea, Queen Thalestris.
Thalestris is glancing at her, as she wants to ask something which is puzzling her from her return.
Antandre :
Yes, what do you want to ask me, my Queen ? Is it about the link between the Gods and Alexander ?
Thalestris :
You are very good at guessing my thoughts. It's about Gods' scent.
When Alexander held me tight, I could smell very clearly and deeply an odour of violet coming from his skin. Do the Gods have a nice smell of violet also, like Alexander ?
The great priestress :
Oh, yes ! Holly beings always have a magnificent scent !
Thalestris :
In that case, the great priest of Heliopolis in Egypt was totally right about Alexander : he really is a descendant of Zeus, the supreme God of Olympe. And I am so proud to have been the first woman to marry him, before anybody else ! Our son will be his male first heir !
Scene III : The birth of twins
We are at the end of summer, and Thalestris is going to give birth.
She suffers, and Antiope, an old Amazon who is midwife, is looking after her. She is helped by Penthesilea a younger Amazon.
Antiope to Thalestris on her couch :
Take this beverage my Queen ! It will stop your pain, and help at the same time the baby to come.
Thalestis, blowing on the hot drinking :
Ffff! Ffff! Ffff ! Hmm, the taste is not bad.
Antiope :
It will provoke quickly the delivery. Can you feel the baby coming out now ?
Thalestris :
Oh yes, it's coming ! Actually, the great priestress Antandre predicted me there will be two babies, Antiope !
Antiope :
Really ! Well it could be the reason why your tummy is so big, even on the sides. They needed plenty room. Let's see the princesses coming out to life then !
Thalestris :
Not the princesses, Antiope ! The prince and the princess, if Antandre was right !
Antiope :
You seem to be wishing such an unusual birth, dear Queen of Amazons !
You must love very much King Alexander, your husband ? Musn't you ?
Thalestris :
Of course !
Thalestris is pushing, and a boy is getting out first.
Antiope is pulling him with skill, cutting his umbilical cord and giving him to her aid, the young Penthesilea. She puts him down delicately in a cradle.
Antiope :
You are right, the first one is a beautiful boy !
The baby boy is crying and the three women are happy to hear that.
Antiope :
Push again, my Queen ! The second one has to get out quickly also !
Push ! Push ! Take a breathe ! Take a breathe ! Yes, like that !...
And now push at once ! That's it, very good !
The second baby is suddenly getting out of her womb. And the Queen feels at last released. Antiope does the same carry-on and gives again the baby to Penthesilea.
Penthesilea takes the little baby-girl by the the feet, and with air penetrating suddenly her lungs, she is also crying. She deposits the baby-girl beside her brother in the same cradle. And they cry joyfully together.
Everybody is so happy.
Antiope and Penthesilea are taking the babies to give them to Thalestris who wants to see and hold them against her heart.
Antiope to Thalestris :
How do you want to call them, my Queen ?
I guess you already prepared their names as you knew it will be a boy and a girl.
Thalestris :
I want to follow the good advice of Antandre.
I'll call my little boy "Vanya", in memory of Alexander, my beloved husband. And my little girl "Anya", as she recalls me myself.
Antiope :
So you chose Slav names, which are used in your kingdom above the Black Sea.
Thalestris :
Yes, "little God" or Vanya for my boy, and "little tornado" or Anya, for my daughter !
Antiope and Penthesilea are smiling at the Queen.
Antiope :
They are very good choices, my Queen !
Penthesilea :
Yes ! And both of them seem to like their name. Anya ! Anya ! Vanya !Vanya !
Loook, look ! They stopped crying !
See that, they are smiling at you my Queen !
Thalestris :
Go to the balcony, Antiope, and announce to everybody everything went well. And tell the names of my babies !
Antiope is walking to the balcony, and is announcing the crowd assembled :
Our great Queen gave happily birth to beautiful twins ! Yes, twins !
The girl is called Anya ! And the boy is called Vanya !
The crowd is answering joyfully :
Long life to our Queen, Thalestris ! And long life to Anya and Vanya !
Hooray ! Hooray ! Hooray !
Scene IV : The beginning of bimestrial Spring festival with Gagarians
Phoebe and Spadines, Ella and Autolycus, Antioche and Deileon, and also other couples were forming in the dark, at night.
And this carry-on, called the Spring Festival, lasted for two months.
Phoebe :
My name is Phoebe. What's yours, strong beard guy ?
Spadines :
My name is Spadines. But you can call me "Spad" if you prefer !
Phoebe :
All right, Spad. We don't see anything in this dark night. Can you help me taking off my dress ?
Spadines :
It's true those bushes are sheltering us well, but I can't see well either.
Oh that's it. It must be your right arm here. Ah, this is your right leg.
Phoebe :
You can look after my right arm and leg, but pull out my dress first.
Spadines :
All right, Madam the Amazon ! Here it is. I took all out at the same time.
Phoebe :
Come nearer to me my "great cat". I'll make you deliciously mew.
While Spadines was mewing with hot Phoebe, they could hear another couple having some trouble. And it made them laughing.
Autolycus :
What is this bush made of, cactus ?
Ella :
No, there is no cactus here. Oh sorry, it's my sword. I'll take it off.
Autolycus :
Ah, that's better. Let me see your face. Wow, you are beautiful, really beautiful !
Ella :
By the way, how are you called ?
Autolycus :
I am Autolycus. I am the one to make Phrygian caps for your troops.
Ella :
Me, I'm Ella. Oh, you are wearing also a Phrygian cap.
Autolycus :
Yes, as you know, we are allowed to wear it during those two months of Spring, for the mating with you, the Amazons.
Ella :
I know about the rules of the Love Season. But stop talking, and look after my body. Be my man, now !
Autolycus :
Hmmpf ! You are very quick my Amazon. Your desires are orders.
Not so far from them, was lying a third couple, Antioche and Deileon.
Antioche :
You told me your name is Deileon. It sounds a bit funny.
Deileon :
And you, what's your name, cheeky Amazon ?
Antioche :
I'm called Antioche. But I am not cheeky, my "big lion".
Deileon :
Well, the "big lion" is going to put you naked. Right ?
Antioche :
Instead of talking, do it now.
Deileon obeys and she is totally naked.
Deileon :
It's a bit a pity I cant' see much because of the weak Moon. But if you are the girl I saw eating dear for lunch and who made me a wink, I'm quite happy.
Antioche :
It's me my "big lion". So you can enjoy yourself !
Show me now how much you are happy to have me with you !
Deileon :
I'll make you pregnant, my cheeky Amazon ! He, He !
Antioche :
I am here exactly for that Deileon. This Spring Festival has been established following a compact between your finally submitted tribe and our Queen Otrere, a very long time ago.
Deileon :
I know. We the Gagarians, are not anymore free Scythes. We are serving you since that immemorial time.
Antioche :
Don't be too serious my "big lion". And think about me waiting for your assaults. You are allowed tonight. Make me a baby !
Deileon :
Great ! My cheeky "lioness". I'll make you one or even two !
Scene V : Thalestris and God Ares will
Four years passed already.
One day Magog the Goth, Thalestris' chamberlain, and Andromache, a young Amazon in charge, are bringing back Vanya and his sister Anya to Thalestris : there was an extraordinary event which took place in the Akmonian "holly wood", near the river Terme (Thermodon).
Thalestris is in presence of Phoebe and Myrto.
Magog the Goth to Queen Thalestris :
We are back safely my Queen, with Anya and Vanya.
Thalestris :
Why do you say safely, and why is there such a joy in my capital ? The public clamor we can hear from here, is calling my little Vanya a hero ! What happened in the Akmonian "holly wood" of God Ares ?
Magog :
Well, Andromache and me let your children alone for just a short time, playing together on the grass in the wood.
We were looking for the mushrooms you like so much. And suddenly we heard Anya crying. So we ran and saw an unbelievable thing.
Andromache :
Yes, really incredible !
Thalestris :
What ? I want to know what happened ?
Magog :
Vanya was defending his twin sister against a threatening big snake, ready to bite her.
He caught its body firmly and smashed its head with a big stone.
Thalestris, Myrto and Phoebe together :
Wow ! Wow ! Wow !
Magog :
Yes, wow ! Vanya is a hero and everybody in Themiscyra consider him this way now. That's the reason of the joyful clamor in his honor. Everybody thinks he is as great as his father, Alexander, and you my Queen. And Anya is sticking to him more than ever.
Anya is effectively holding tight the hand of her beloved brother.
Phoebe :
At only four, that's marvelous !
Myrto :
Yes, incredibly great ! What a terrific son you have got, my Queen !
Thalestris, a bit red :
Come here, my lovely hero ! Come in mom's arms !
And she cuddles him.
Magog is stepping back with grace.
Phoebe :
Do you think, this is a sign of something new, a kind of message for you from the God Ares ?
Thalestris :
I think so. It probably means something has to change in the way Amazons are seeing boys and men.
Myrto :
You mean that we should treat them with more consideration and respect, after this supernatural event, my Queen ?
Thalestris watching at Magog :
Magog is the one who looked after me when I was small. He taught me weaponry and fighting. I consider him a bit like a father. And he knows I always considered brave men. Didn't I, faithful Magog ?
Magog :
Of course, my dear Queen. That's why I'll totally agree with you if you were abolishing this old custom to cripple young boys at five, and enslaved men also.
Thalestris :
This old rule came from the fear Gagarians created at the time of Queen Otrere, when they could fight fully. And since we are at peace with them, there is this compact she made with the Gagarian submitted tribe, by establishing the Spring Festival amongst other rules.
Phoebe :
But you know, men are strong by nature. During the Spring Festival, I met one who was terribly strong for a Gagarian. We drank last time a lot of rye "little water" together, and were joyous lovers.
Myrto, smiling and teasing :
I've noticed he is coming back to you every year, Phoebe, since four years.
May be, your strong lover wasn't a Gagarian, but a free Scythe of the tribe of Spadines, disguising as a Gagarian ?
Thalestris, smiling also at Phoebe :
Or King Spadines himself holding you tight, my devoted friend ! He is cheeky enough to have done that !
Phoebe, becoming reddish :
You mean that I am sleeping during the whole period of the Love Season with the King of free Scythes, since four years ?
Thalestris :
Yes Phoebe. But don't worry, I wouldn't blame you.
I know how great can be the love with a strong man through my husband, Alexander the Great, who wasn't a Gagarian either !
It just taught me that Spadines seems to prefer mergering with us, rather than fighting us.
Myrto to Thalestris, watching at the same time Magog :
Don't you think it's time for you to announce a change to the crowd outside, at the favour of the heroic act of Vanya, Queen Thalestris ?
Thalestris :
You are right, and as I can see everybody here will agree with my decision of Queen, I am going to address my Amazons from the balcony !
Thalestris was at the balcony of the throne's room.
And silence was suddenly made.
The Queen was going to make an important proclamation :
People of Themiscyra, you know my son, Vanya, has saved my daughter, Anya, from a crual death. This deserves a reward for him who will be called "hero Vanya" from now on.
But you know very well, Vanya is a boy actually and he will become a strong man.
So I decided as your Queen, and as the descendant of God Ares who talked to all of us through this extraodinary event, to abolish from now the crippling of young boys at five, and enslaved men equalilly, in Themiscyra and all my kingdom !
The people :
Long life to Thalestris our Queen, Long life to Vanya, the little hero !
Magog behind the Queen was clapping the hands with Myrto. And Phoebe was showing to Vanya and Anya, how to do it.
Second Epilog : The rebellion of Antianiracl and her banishing to "Old Albania" (presently Azerbaïdjan)
Antianiracl, a mature Amazon, knew about the new rule of Thalestris concerning young boys of five.
But she wanted to deliberately ignore it in front of everybody on the market place at midday.
Antianiracl :
Come here young Gagarian ! You are now five and you know the old rule.
The young Gagarian, all trembling :
No, no ! I don't want you to damage my body. Pity ! Pity !
Antianiracl, pulling him violently by the hair, and shouting :
I said you to come, young slave. So you obey !
The young Gagarian, still trembling :
I swear to be always obedient. Please don't cripple me ?
Suddenly Queen Thalestris appears followed by Magog. She has been called in emergeny by her faithful Myrto and Phoebe, who are also at her sides.
Queen Thalestris :
Stop that immediately, Antianiracl ! It's an order !
Antianiracl :
I've no order to receive from the wife of Alexander the Great !
Thalestris, angry :
How do you dare talking like that to the Queen of Amazons, to your Queen, crazy Antianiracl !
Magog was behind the Queen with a javeline, and Myrto and Phoebe got their swords out to protect Thalestris amongst the crowd, just in case.
Antianiracl tried to assault the Queen, with the iron mass she was going to use against one of the boy knees. But Thalestris avoided it and violently slammed her face. Antianiracl was lying in the dust at her feet.
All the Amazons saw the attempt murder against the Queen, and knew Antianiracl was going to suffer for that.
There was a big silence.
Thalestris to Antianiracl :
You are not anymore an Amazon, Antianiracl. I banish you from Themiscyra and my kingdom !
Magog, will transport and abandon you at the border of "old Albania".
Magog, with a firm voice :
At your orders, my Queen !
Thalestris to Antianiracl :
You wanted to cripple this young Gagarian after having killed me, didn't you ?
Well, Phoebe, take this mass and hit Antianiracl's right knee and left shoulder !
Phoebe obeyed immediately the Queen, and Antianiracl fainted under the heavy assaults.
Queen Thalestris to Myrto, her first lieutenant(e), shouting to be heard by everybody:
In the name of God Ares, my ancestor, I enforce the new interdiction of crippling young boys at five, or even men at our service in my kingdom. Let it be known in Cyme, Myrine, Ephesus and Smyrna ! And I want also everybody to be aware of my decree further North, above the Black Sea, as far as Lykastia, Khadesia and my villages along the Don river !
(to be followed)
__________________________
This is a following of our great saga, as a scenario for cinema or television.
For the heroïc times to be reborn, and to the lives which are not mere legends !
Act II : Life in Themiscyra
Scene I : The coming back of Thalestris in Themiscyra (Cappadocia)
Thalestris and her two lieutenant (e) s are entering their capital at dawn, returning from Zadracarta. They are exchanging words and impressions nicely.
Myrto :
You seem to be happy of the good time you had with Alexander, great Queen !
Thalestris :
Yes, you can say so. It's really a pity our law forbid me to bring permanently my husband in my capital. Our rules may have been justified in the past, but nowadays they make us so backward in this changing world.
Phoebe :
You mean that we should change and adapt to the new world your husband is creating, right now ?
Thalestris :
I think so. And it has to come from ourselves as he wouln't conquer us.
Myrto :
How can you be so sure he wouldn't try.
Thalestris :
He doesn't need to even envision it. He conquered me your Queen already. And above that I told him my Amazons and me will always support him and our descendance to come.
Phoebe :
Really ! So we are his allies forever now, if I understand well.
Thalestris :
You do ! Alexander is the greatest King of universe. And he always win battles, even the most impossible ones. And he certainly won the battle of my heart !
Myrto :
You are in love, my Queen, aren't you ?
Thalestris :
Oh yes ! And it's a so great feeling.
Phoebe :
Me, I could have fallen in love of one of his body-guard from Thessalian origin, Lysimachus.
But the problem is Lysimachus has probably forgotten about me.
Thalestris :
Do you mean he is unstable with women ?
Phoebe :
Not exactly ! Just two days before I captured Alexander's horse for your successful scene entrance my Queen, he was sent as a ranger to Persia by King Alexander. With his men, he had to observe and evaluate the remaining troops of King Darius.
Thalestris :
So what ?
Phoebe :
Well, after he received the order of Alexander, he came back to his tent and he didn't recognize me.
I felt strange because we had a so passionate night together. Of course, I was a servant for him, but he asked me who I was ?
Thalestris :
You mean he was suspecting you of something ?
Phoebe :
Not at all ! When I called him "my great cat", he suddenly remembered me and our terrific night.
He then confessed to me about the great battle of Issos : since the great schock he received at the head, he has got blanks sometimes.
Myrto :
That's a bit annoying.
Phoebe :
Yes. And he added Alexander was sending him beside the Persian lines with a Thessalian detachment of cavalry to help him recovering. As a matter of fact, when he is riding horse, the shakes are putting his head right !
Thalestris :
I am not surprised. Alexander is always trying to help his surrounders. He is the most astonishing King and great conqueror I have ever met in my life. He told me about his idea to establish a universal brotherhood and a bridge between opposed civilizations.
Thalestris is suddenly yawning.
Myrto to Thalestris :
That's great to be his sisters !
But I think at the moment my great Queen needs a rest.
Phoebe, leaving also :
Yes, that's terrific to have such a great brother ! Have a good night my Queen ! I am sure your beloved husband will visit you in your dreams !
Scene II : In the temple of the Moon
Thalestis in entering at night the Temple of the Moon. She is received by Antandre, the great priestress, beside the tall statue of Artemis.
Antandre :
What is the purpose of your visit, Queen Thalestris ?
Thalestris :
I came to thank our Goddess for her help. I was successful in meeting Alexander the Great, and whe shared the same couch for thirteen days and nights. Thus we got married at the same time.
Antandre :
Do you think you are pregnant, my Queen ?
Thalestris :
Oh, yes ! And I want to thank Goddess Artemis for that.
Antandre :
I see. That's a great news. Let me draw the Moon stones to tell you about the future.
And she does.
Thalestris :
What can you see, great priestress ?
Antandre :
Hmmm ! I think there will be a great surprise about this baby !
May be the daughter you want will not come alone, apparently !?
Thalestris :
Do you mean I'll receive a special visit at the time of her birth ?
Antandre :
Yes, clearly ! But the visit will come from the birth itself.
There could be a baby boy coming at the same time in fact !
Thalestris :
You mean twins in that case ! That would be nice. One for me, and one for Alexander. Let's celebrate this with an holy dance !
Antandre, clapping the hands :
Orithia, Polymora and Xanthe, come ! Appear and dance for our great Queen and her future twins !
The three beautiful maidens initiate a lovely but strange circular dance , by moving delicately the arms and the body. And at the same time they start to sing a mesmerizing melody in the honor of Goddess Artemis.
Thalestris to Antandre :
Will my children be healthy and beautiful ?
Antandre :
Oh yes, certainly, my Queen ! But you will have to choose well their names to ward off evil.
Thalestris :
Which kind of names ?
Antandre :
A name connected to God for the boy, and an attribute of yourself for the girl.
Thalestris :
I see. You mean my son's name should recall Alexander's divine origin, and my daughter's name just how I was when I was small.
Antandre :
That's exactly the idea, Queen Thalestris.
Thalestris is glancing at her, as she wants to ask something which is puzzling her from her return.
Antandre :
Yes, what do you want to ask me, my Queen ? Is it about the link between the Gods and Alexander ?
Thalestris :
You are very good at guessing my thoughts. It's about Gods' scent.
When Alexander held me tight, I could smell very clearly and deeply an odour of violet coming from his skin. Do the Gods have a nice smell of violet also, like Alexander ?
The great priestress :
Oh, yes ! Holly beings always have a magnificent scent !
Thalestris :
In that case, the great priest of Heliopolis in Egypt was totally right about Alexander : he really is a descendant of Zeus, the supreme God of Olympe. And I am so proud to have been the first woman to marry him, before anybody else ! Our son will be his male first heir !
Scene III : The birth of twins
We are at the end of summer, and Thalestris is going to give birth.
She suffers, and Antiope, an old Amazon who is midwife, is looking after her. She is helped by Penthesilea a younger Amazon.
Antiope to Thalestris on her couch :
Take this beverage my Queen ! It will stop your pain, and help at the same time the baby to come.
Thalestis, blowing on the hot drinking :
Ffff! Ffff! Ffff ! Hmm, the taste is not bad.
Antiope :
It will provoke quickly the delivery. Can you feel the baby coming out now ?
Thalestris :
Oh yes, it's coming ! Actually, the great priestress Antandre predicted me there will be two babies, Antiope !
Antiope :
Really ! Well it could be the reason why your tummy is so big, even on the sides. They needed plenty room. Let's see the princesses coming out to life then !
Thalestris :
Not the princesses, Antiope ! The prince and the princess, if Antandre was right !
Antiope :
You seem to be wishing such an unusual birth, dear Queen of Amazons !
You must love very much King Alexander, your husband ? Musn't you ?
Thalestris :
Of course !
Thalestris is pushing, and a boy is getting out first.
Antiope is pulling him with skill, cutting his umbilical cord and giving him to her aid, the young Penthesilea. She puts him down delicately in a cradle.
Antiope :
You are right, the first one is a beautiful boy !
The baby boy is crying and the three women are happy to hear that.
Antiope :
Push again, my Queen ! The second one has to get out quickly also !
Push ! Push ! Take a breathe ! Take a breathe ! Yes, like that !...
And now push at once ! That's it, very good !
The second baby is suddenly getting out of her womb. And the Queen feels at last released. Antiope does the same carry-on and gives again the baby to Penthesilea.
Penthesilea takes the little baby-girl by the the feet, and with air penetrating suddenly her lungs, she is also crying. She deposits the baby-girl beside her brother in the same cradle. And they cry joyfully together.
Everybody is so happy.
Antiope and Penthesilea are taking the babies to give them to Thalestris who wants to see and hold them against her heart.
Antiope to Thalestris :
How do you want to call them, my Queen ?
I guess you already prepared their names as you knew it will be a boy and a girl.
Thalestris :
I want to follow the good advice of Antandre.
I'll call my little boy "Vanya", in memory of Alexander, my beloved husband. And my little girl "Anya", as she recalls me myself.
Antiope :
So you chose Slav names, which are used in your kingdom above the Black Sea.
Thalestris :
Yes, "little God" or Vanya for my boy, and "little tornado" or Anya, for my daughter !
Antiope and Penthesilea are smiling at the Queen.
Antiope :
They are very good choices, my Queen !
Penthesilea :
Yes ! And both of them seem to like their name. Anya ! Anya ! Vanya !Vanya !
Loook, look ! They stopped crying !
See that, they are smiling at you my Queen !
Thalestris :
Go to the balcony, Antiope, and announce to everybody everything went well. And tell the names of my babies !
Antiope is walking to the balcony, and is announcing the crowd assembled :
Our great Queen gave happily birth to beautiful twins ! Yes, twins !
The girl is called Anya ! And the boy is called Vanya !
The crowd is answering joyfully :
Long life to our Queen, Thalestris ! And long life to Anya and Vanya !
Hooray ! Hooray ! Hooray !
Scene IV : The beginning of bimestrial Spring festival with Gagarians
Phoebe and Spadines, Ella and Autolycus, Antioche and Deileon, and also other couples were forming in the dark, at night.
And this carry-on, called the Spring Festival, lasted for two months.
Phoebe :
My name is Phoebe. What's yours, strong beard guy ?
Spadines :
My name is Spadines. But you can call me "Spad" if you prefer !
Phoebe :
All right, Spad. We don't see anything in this dark night. Can you help me taking off my dress ?
Spadines :
It's true those bushes are sheltering us well, but I can't see well either.
Oh that's it. It must be your right arm here. Ah, this is your right leg.
Phoebe :
You can look after my right arm and leg, but pull out my dress first.
Spadines :
All right, Madam the Amazon ! Here it is. I took all out at the same time.
Phoebe :
Come nearer to me my "great cat". I'll make you deliciously mew.
While Spadines was mewing with hot Phoebe, they could hear another couple having some trouble. And it made them laughing.
Autolycus :
What is this bush made of, cactus ?
Ella :
No, there is no cactus here. Oh sorry, it's my sword. I'll take it off.
Autolycus :
Ah, that's better. Let me see your face. Wow, you are beautiful, really beautiful !
Ella :
By the way, how are you called ?
Autolycus :
I am Autolycus. I am the one to make Phrygian caps for your troops.
Ella :
Me, I'm Ella. Oh, you are wearing also a Phrygian cap.
Autolycus :
Yes, as you know, we are allowed to wear it during those two months of Spring, for the mating with you, the Amazons.
Ella :
I know about the rules of the Love Season. But stop talking, and look after my body. Be my man, now !
Autolycus :
Hmmpf ! You are very quick my Amazon. Your desires are orders.
Not so far from them, was lying a third couple, Antioche and Deileon.
Antioche :
You told me your name is Deileon. It sounds a bit funny.
Deileon :
And you, what's your name, cheeky Amazon ?
Antioche :
I'm called Antioche. But I am not cheeky, my "big lion".
Deileon :
Well, the "big lion" is going to put you naked. Right ?
Antioche :
Instead of talking, do it now.
Deileon obeys and she is totally naked.
Deileon :
It's a bit a pity I cant' see much because of the weak Moon. But if you are the girl I saw eating dear for lunch and who made me a wink, I'm quite happy.
Antioche :
It's me my "big lion". So you can enjoy yourself !
Show me now how much you are happy to have me with you !
Deileon :
I'll make you pregnant, my cheeky Amazon ! He, He !
Antioche :
I am here exactly for that Deileon. This Spring Festival has been established following a compact between your finally submitted tribe and our Queen Otrere, a very long time ago.
Deileon :
I know. We the Gagarians, are not anymore free Scythes. We are serving you since that immemorial time.
Antioche :
Don't be too serious my "big lion". And think about me waiting for your assaults. You are allowed tonight. Make me a baby !
Deileon :
Great ! My cheeky "lioness". I'll make you one or even two !
Scene V : Thalestris and God Ares will
Four years passed already.
One day Magog the Goth, Thalestris' chamberlain, and Andromache, a young Amazon in charge, are bringing back Vanya and his sister Anya to Thalestris : there was an extraordinary event which took place in the Akmonian "holly wood", near the river Terme (Thermodon).
Thalestris is in presence of Phoebe and Myrto.
Magog the Goth to Queen Thalestris :
We are back safely my Queen, with Anya and Vanya.
Thalestris :
Why do you say safely, and why is there such a joy in my capital ? The public clamor we can hear from here, is calling my little Vanya a hero ! What happened in the Akmonian "holly wood" of God Ares ?
Magog :
Well, Andromache and me let your children alone for just a short time, playing together on the grass in the wood.
We were looking for the mushrooms you like so much. And suddenly we heard Anya crying. So we ran and saw an unbelievable thing.
Andromache :
Yes, really incredible !
Thalestris :
What ? I want to know what happened ?
Magog :
Vanya was defending his twin sister against a threatening big snake, ready to bite her.
He caught its body firmly and smashed its head with a big stone.
Thalestris, Myrto and Phoebe together :
Wow ! Wow ! Wow !
Magog :
Yes, wow ! Vanya is a hero and everybody in Themiscyra consider him this way now. That's the reason of the joyful clamor in his honor. Everybody thinks he is as great as his father, Alexander, and you my Queen. And Anya is sticking to him more than ever.
Anya is effectively holding tight the hand of her beloved brother.
Phoebe :
At only four, that's marvelous !
Myrto :
Yes, incredibly great ! What a terrific son you have got, my Queen !
Thalestris, a bit red :
Come here, my lovely hero ! Come in mom's arms !
And she cuddles him.
Magog is stepping back with grace.
Phoebe :
Do you think, this is a sign of something new, a kind of message for you from the God Ares ?
Thalestris :
I think so. It probably means something has to change in the way Amazons are seeing boys and men.
Myrto :
You mean that we should treat them with more consideration and respect, after this supernatural event, my Queen ?
Thalestris watching at Magog :
Magog is the one who looked after me when I was small. He taught me weaponry and fighting. I consider him a bit like a father. And he knows I always considered brave men. Didn't I, faithful Magog ?
Magog :
Of course, my dear Queen. That's why I'll totally agree with you if you were abolishing this old custom to cripple young boys at five, and enslaved men also.
Thalestris :
This old rule came from the fear Gagarians created at the time of Queen Otrere, when they could fight fully. And since we are at peace with them, there is this compact she made with the Gagarian submitted tribe, by establishing the Spring Festival amongst other rules.
Phoebe :
But you know, men are strong by nature. During the Spring Festival, I met one who was terribly strong for a Gagarian. We drank last time a lot of rye "little water" together, and were joyous lovers.
Myrto, smiling and teasing :
I've noticed he is coming back to you every year, Phoebe, since four years.
May be, your strong lover wasn't a Gagarian, but a free Scythe of the tribe of Spadines, disguising as a Gagarian ?
Thalestris, smiling also at Phoebe :
Or King Spadines himself holding you tight, my devoted friend ! He is cheeky enough to have done that !
Phoebe, becoming reddish :
You mean that I am sleeping during the whole period of the Love Season with the King of free Scythes, since four years ?
Thalestris :
Yes Phoebe. But don't worry, I wouldn't blame you.
I know how great can be the love with a strong man through my husband, Alexander the Great, who wasn't a Gagarian either !
It just taught me that Spadines seems to prefer mergering with us, rather than fighting us.
Myrto to Thalestris, watching at the same time Magog :
Don't you think it's time for you to announce a change to the crowd outside, at the favour of the heroic act of Vanya, Queen Thalestris ?
Thalestris :
You are right, and as I can see everybody here will agree with my decision of Queen, I am going to address my Amazons from the balcony !
Thalestris was at the balcony of the throne's room.
And silence was suddenly made.
The Queen was going to make an important proclamation :
People of Themiscyra, you know my son, Vanya, has saved my daughter, Anya, from a crual death. This deserves a reward for him who will be called "hero Vanya" from now on.
But you know very well, Vanya is a boy actually and he will become a strong man.
So I decided as your Queen, and as the descendant of God Ares who talked to all of us through this extraodinary event, to abolish from now the crippling of young boys at five, and enslaved men equalilly, in Themiscyra and all my kingdom !
The people :
Long life to Thalestris our Queen, Long life to Vanya, the little hero !
Magog behind the Queen was clapping the hands with Myrto. And Phoebe was showing to Vanya and Anya, how to do it.
Second Epilog : The rebellion of Antianiracl and her banishing to "Old Albania" (presently Azerbaïdjan)
Antianiracl, a mature Amazon, knew about the new rule of Thalestris concerning young boys of five.
But she wanted to deliberately ignore it in front of everybody on the market place at midday.
Antianiracl :
Come here young Gagarian ! You are now five and you know the old rule.
The young Gagarian, all trembling :
No, no ! I don't want you to damage my body. Pity ! Pity !
Antianiracl, pulling him violently by the hair, and shouting :
I said you to come, young slave. So you obey !
The young Gagarian, still trembling :
I swear to be always obedient. Please don't cripple me ?
Suddenly Queen Thalestris appears followed by Magog. She has been called in emergeny by her faithful Myrto and Phoebe, who are also at her sides.
Queen Thalestris :
Stop that immediately, Antianiracl ! It's an order !
Antianiracl :
I've no order to receive from the wife of Alexander the Great !
Thalestris, angry :
How do you dare talking like that to the Queen of Amazons, to your Queen, crazy Antianiracl !
Magog was behind the Queen with a javeline, and Myrto and Phoebe got their swords out to protect Thalestris amongst the crowd, just in case.
Antianiracl tried to assault the Queen, with the iron mass she was going to use against one of the boy knees. But Thalestris avoided it and violently slammed her face. Antianiracl was lying in the dust at her feet.
All the Amazons saw the attempt murder against the Queen, and knew Antianiracl was going to suffer for that.
There was a big silence.
Thalestris to Antianiracl :
You are not anymore an Amazon, Antianiracl. I banish you from Themiscyra and my kingdom !
Magog, will transport and abandon you at the border of "old Albania".
Magog, with a firm voice :
At your orders, my Queen !
Thalestris to Antianiracl :
You wanted to cripple this young Gagarian after having killed me, didn't you ?
Well, Phoebe, take this mass and hit Antianiracl's right knee and left shoulder !
Phoebe obeyed immediately the Queen, and Antianiracl fainted under the heavy assaults.
Queen Thalestris to Myrto, her first lieutenant(e), shouting to be heard by everybody:
In the name of God Ares, my ancestor, I enforce the new interdiction of crippling young boys at five, or even men at our service in my kingdom. Let it be known in Cyme, Myrine, Ephesus and Smyrna ! And I want also everybody to be aware of my decree further North, above the Black Sea, as far as Lykastia, Khadesia and my villages along the Don river !
(to be followed)
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