Love's Political Ambitions

Love in Rehabilitation Series : V

He was in love. That's the impression I had when I saw the bust of him. Large eyes that appeared very calm and cheerfully thoughtful on a face that was strong and handsome. I couldn't help the feeling that I knew this man from some place. He was one of the last Pharaohs of Egypt in 246 BC.

 

Ptolemy III descended from the Greeks that followed Alexander on his conquest around the world. The Ptolemic family were great friends of the legendary bard Homer and no doubt they had brought much of the stories of their adventures to him from their journeys.

 

In return it gave them an opportunity to endear themselves on the growing interests in Hellenic culture that extolled the beauty and virtue of man that is self evident. It raised all manner of cavalier attitudes however much of these has come to be harnessed and brought into real purpose in the world's societies.

 

Ptolemy III had married a bride from Libya and from all accounts enjoyed a joyful and creative playfulness in his relationship with her. It was a powerful combination of qualities between the Hellenic and the Seleucid. It rocked the land and in a testament to the promises of the world produced proof of what love can accomplish in the world's affairs. It is reminiscent of the way King David of Judah went to extraordinary lengths to seal his relationship with Bathsheba.

 

The Pharaoh is significant in our affairs for an important reason.  He forms today the prototype basis for the way man came to view perfection. The likes of Apollo, Zeus, Hercules, Krishna appear to have been fashioned by bards after the exemplary life he lived and that drew on many to emulate his personality. His wife spawned adoration for the female form with the likes of Sophia, Mary, Athena, Venus and the mother Goddesses.

 

In the times following the phenomenon we find that love revealed itself for the panacea it was in political administration and without support for its validity, the personality of Ptolemy III is diminished today to an Adonais in our experiences. We sometimes treat love as a child.

 

The teacher from Galilee may have viewed the diminishing nature of love's promises and brought to the people at that time alternatives. His own life served as example. Love it appears does make the world go round.