Therefore, without further elaboration on the subject, I shall be content in expressing my gratitude<hr>
for your kindness and goodness. But these virtues are as known as your bravery. Like I have already stated, you are master and victor of all men, but one could also<hr>
say, you're a benefactor to all. It seems as though the gods have entrusted you with all the wonders they typically endow on mortals, appointing you as the<hr>
distributor of their blessings and giving you the task of improving the world. Barely have you conquered a kingdom than you return it, turning your enemies into subjects and friends. You had barely defeated them when you become their protector. I am proof of this assertion. To disregard my testimony would be a crime, for I shall never forget, Alexander, the favors you have bestowed upon me. Indeed, I will always remember that dreadful day when my daughters and I became your captives. Fear of enslavement<hr>
filled our minds with such morbid images that death seemed like the most blessing<hr>
that could come our way. We had lost the war and the throne, we thought we had already lost<hr>
Darius, and what was most unbearable was the thought of dying by our own hand to avoid the insolence of victors. But I did not yet know Alexander. I thought to myself: I am the mother of the greatest of his enemies, as Darius is the most powerful of all who have resisted him. I feared you then as much as I love you now. This unjustified fear did not last<hr>
long, your presence swiftly dispelled it. I recall that the first time I had the honor of seeing you, you forgave a mistake. Unintroduced, and too distressed to reason accurately, I mistook General Hephaestion for you. But, without taking offense, you reassured me, stating that I was not mistaken, for Hephaestion, too, was Alexander. This sign of indulgence towards me and friendship towards your favorite began to give me a more genuine opinion of you. It rekindled in my soul the hope that fear had taken away. Even today, you clearly show that Hephaestion is as important as you to yourself.<hr>
        You plan to marry my elder daughter, while the other will be united with Hephaestion, the second<hr>
Alexander. Since you made this decision, you've done so much for me. Even as my captor, you treated me as a queen, addressing me as “Mother”. You were constantly there, comforting me in my moments of distress. I saw your sorrow at your own victories, I noticed your grief at the loss of Darius. You took care of his funeral arrangements and his tomb. You risked your life avenging his death, punishing the traitor Bessus who murdered him. You also rewarded those who remained loyal to Darius. Even today, you restore him to the throne by placing his and my own blood on it through Stateira.<hr>
<hr>
<hr>
<hr>
<hr>
                                                        31<hr>