11 Jun Alkibiades on the A13

On my way to Rotterdam, just before the A13 exit, it finally happened: “This was Timandra, wife of Alkibiades, with this I did what had to be done.” After thirty-one hours of listening, I closed Ilja Pfeijffer’s book with a quick tap on my phone app.

Filthy black soup
The book resonates deeply within me, even on the way back. What a hero, this Alkibiades, what a remarkable woman, this Timandra, and what an adventure. The beauty of historical novels is that they bring you closer to the real past than a historical account. Of course, not everything is true, because that’s what a novel is, but we did breathe in the scent of the past. I wandered the streets of Athens, attended public assemblies in the Agora, and listened in the shade of a tree to Socrates’ questions. I sailed on warships on a wooden bench beside the hero, devoured filthy black soup in Sparta and underwent rigorous military training, and was at the court in Persia, where wealth and luxury silenced all comparisons.

Athens was a democracy in its very early, rudimentary form. Sparta was a group of villages that lacked city walls and therefore dedicated themselves to training the best warriors imaginable, with strict hierarchies. You sense that life in those days was a constant matter of protecting yourself or waging war. Cities had spheres of influence. These satellite cities could switch sides. At sea, different rules prevailed.

Freedom
The book clearly illustrates the weaknesses and strengths of this young democracy in Athens. The weakness, just as now, is the lack of decisiveness. Everything must be coordinated collectively, which takes a long time and is cumbersome when danger threatens. Moreover, the people can easily react passionately to an event and take a direction that serves only temporary interests, losing sight of long-term goals.

The great advantage of democracy, which cannot be expressed in money or in good terms, is the freedom it guarantees.

The book’s thrilling aspect lies in the fact that these contradictions are present even in the person of Alkibiades. In terms of origins and character, he’s more of a leader, a hero, someone who longs to be in charge. At the same time, in his heart, he defends the democracy of Athens, which had also caused him so much misfortune.

Freedom within
What about freedom within ourselves? To what extent can we truly be free within, or do our opinions and actions stem primarily from our upbringing and cultural environment? For inner freedom, you need to push your own boundaries and look beyond your cultural boundaries.

Freedom means letting go of your old assumptions, habits, and reflexes. This aspect is practiced through meditation and the related exercises offered by ‘De Innerlijke Metamorfose’. Freedom isn’t so much about doing what you want, but rather about letting go of old beliefs and limitations you carry with you, creating space for new impulses.

*This post has been automatically translated from Dutch