Mind the Spear, Cleitus

In 328, following intense debate in regards to the tactics and hotheadedness of Alexander the Great, Cleitus the Black, a Macedonian General responsible for saving Alexander's life several years back, was murdered by Alexander in a drunken brawl. This led to dissent amongst the generals and troops in Alexander's campaigns against the Persian Empire. This dissent, coupled with the low morale of a long war, led to mutinies and requests to return to Marcedon. As punishment, Alexander marched his forces through a desert, suffering from attrition and leading to the death of Hephaestion. This series of events arguably resulted in the death of Alexander the Great at the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in 323 BC, likely from assassination by disgruntled generals. What if Alexander hadn't killed Cleitus? What if he had lived to return to Macedon and continue his plans?

Mind the Spear, Cleitus is an alternative history that focuses on the results of Cleitus the Black not being murdered by Alexander the Great. The point of divergence takes place mere minutes before Cleitus' murder in the ravaged city of Maracanda. In our universe, Cleitus the Black argues with Alexander in regards to Alexander's boasting. Alexander, highly intoxicated at the time, threw apple at Cleitus the Black before the general is ushered out by guards. When Cleitus returned to continue arguing with Alexander, the young king threw a javelin at Cleitus, killing his friend and general. This created much dissent amongst his generals, becoming one of many grievances about Alexander.

In this universe, however, Cleitus does not return to his argument with Alexander. He decides to take a walk through the streets of Maracanda to clear his mind. Alexander passes out later that night, too drunk to remember the argument with Cleitus the Black. Without a massive black spot on his record in the eyes of his generals, Alexander's transgressions are able to be overlooked for just a little while longer. This Point of Divergence does not particularly affect Alexander or his empire for about five years. Cleitus is sent to a post in Persia and disappears from the pages of history. The effect on Alexander, though, is game-changing. The generals are less disgruntled with Alexander and, while returning home, marches with Craterus and does not suffer from attrition and the death of Hephaestion. Alexander is not assassinated by his generals in the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar II and returns to Pella to plan the invasion of the Arabian Peninsula and, eventually, the invasion of the Italian Peninsula.

Mind the Spear, Cleitus, observes world history following Alexander's survival in the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, his invasion of the Arabian Peninsula, his invasions of the Italian Peninsula, and the successor kingdoms that were formed after Alexander's new death date of 311 BC. It observes the effects Macedon has on the evolution of the Arabian Peninsula and the development of Rome.