Rhexenor
- "Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy—only lucky."
- ―Rhexenor, c. 424 BCE
Rhexenor the Hand (died c. 424 BCE) was an Athenian strategos who lived during the 5th century BCE. A member of the Delian League branch of the Cult of Kosmos, he served under Kleon, the Sage of the Delian League and the leader of Athens during the Peloponnesian War.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Even before Kleon rose to power in Athens, Rhexenor served as his enforcer, helping Kleon become a noteworthy politician and eventually the leader of Athens. Whether the problem that needed solving was a shift in a vote or an insistent rival, Rhexenor was there as Kleon's right-hand man, serving Kosmos' will.[1]
Once Kleon rose as Athens' new leader, Rhexenor followed close behind, ensuring that the blade was there, always visible just enough to remind Athenians how to best behave. If someone stepped off the line, Rhexenor soon brought them back to the fold, using poison and smoke and a hidden knife when needed.[1]
Following Perikles' death during the Plague of Athens in 429 BCE, Rhexenor rose to the rank of Commander and was stationed at the Weapon Storage.[1]
Despite Rhexenor's best efforts, there were still those who resisted Kleon's rule. Eventually, Kleon demanded that Rhexenor deal with the playwright Aristophanes once and for all, or else Kleon would come for Rhexenor's head. To do this, Kleon suggested that Rhexenor target Aristophanes' favorite actor, Thespis, and his 'Muse', the hetaera Aikaterine.[2]
Rhexenor ended up threatening Aikaterine's life if she approached Thespis, and ordered a group of his men, led by Andras, to take Thespis to the Tavern and get him drunk while one of them, Bulis, looked for Thespis' copy of Aristophanes' latest play. Without Aikaterine and his copy, Thespis could not participate in the play, and Aristophanes would suffer a blow, Rhexenor reasoned.[2]
When Aristophanes tasked the Spartan misthios Kassandra to find Thespis and make sure he participated in the play, Kassandra learned that Rhexenor was a member of the Cult of Kosmos, which she had sworn to destroy. She subsequently found him at the Weapon Storage and assassinated him.[2]
Personality and traits[edit | edit source]
Rhexenor preferred stealth to strength, using smoke bombs and poison when forced into open battle.[2]
He was also, according to Aikaterine, fond of large, flamboyant helmets in order to compensate for the lack of other assets. This taste also set him apart from his men, the bright red double crests clear among the blues and whites preferred by the Athenian Army.[2]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- While the blade Rhexenor carries and wields is a Butcher's Blade, the blade Kassandra offers Aikaterine as proof of his demise is a Bandit Sword.
- The quest reward for "An Actor's Life for Me" is Strategos' Sword. It is likely this is meant to be a usable version of Rhexenor's sword, adding the model of the Curved Sword to the gallery of his sword.
- Rhexenor's only spoken words are "Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky." Historically, these words have been attributed to Solon (c. 638 – c. 558 BCE).
Appearances[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – A-Musing Tale