a question about GHOST IN THE HUNT

A reader writes concerning the character of Cassander Nilas, magus of the Umbarian Order, in GHOST IN THE HUNT.

I like the name Cassander, did you make it up? 

Actually, I took the name from a historical figure – Cassander of the Antipatrid Dynasty, who was the King of Macdeon from 305 BC to 297 BC. Cassander and his father Antipater were among Alexander the Great’s chief lieutenants, and after Alexander died in 323 BC, Cassander assisted his father in battling the other lieutenants (known as the “Diadochi”, from the Greek word for “successors”) for control of Alexander’s empire.

The Diadochi were a hard bunch, but even among them, Cassander was known for his ruthlessness. Cassander rebelled against his father’s control to seize Macedon for himself, and later had Alexander’s mother, wife, legitimate son, and illegitimate son murdered to secure his hold on power. When I started plotting out GHOST IN THE HUNT, I wanted a Greek/Roman name for the Umbarian magus Caina would meet, and Cassander was the perfect fit.

Likely the fictional Cassander Nilas will prove just as ruthless as his historical namesake. 🙂

-JM