It seems that Netflix’s historical series haven’t had the impact they wished for. First, they presented us with a black Cleopatra in their series Queen Cleopatra, sparking a debate on whether the iconic pharaoh was indeed black or more importantly, why forcing modern views of race on history.
Now, many think they’ve done something similar with the legendary emperor and conqueror Alexander the Great in their new docuseries Alexander: The Making of a God, where historians debate whether the Macedonian ruler was gay or not. However, despite what many conservatives have raged about, it’s not really the same since this debate has existed since Alexander’s time.
First Things First; Who Was Alexander the Great?
In case you missed the polemic movie with Collin Farrell and Angelina Jolie (yes, where she plays his mother although they’re almost the same age), Alexander the Great was a Macedonian king and military conqueror who lived from 356 to 323 BCE. He was born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia, and was tutored by none other than the philosopher Aristotle.
Alexander ascended to the throne at the age of 20 after his father, King Philip II, was assassinated. He is best known for his military campaigns, which expanded the Macedonian Empire to one of the largest empires of the ancient world. His conquests stretched from Greece to Egypt and into present-day Pakistan and India.
His military strategies were innovative and highly successful, earning him a reputation as one of the greatest military commanders in history. Despite his untimely death at the age of 32, his empire had a lasting impact on the cultures and societies of the regions he conquered, spreading Greek culture and ideas throughout much of the known world. But was he gay?
Was Alexander the Great Gay?
While it’s true that rather than focusing mostly on his military deeds, the Netflix docuseries delves deeply into the rumors surrounding Alexander the Great’s sexuality, this has always been a subject of interest regarding his life. The docuseries particularly focuses on Alexander’s close bond with his childhood friend and military leader Hephaestion, always claiming that the fact of his true orientation remains a historical enigma.
Despite living millennia ago, Alexander’s life is surprisingly well-documented compared to other figures of his time. Yet, his sexuality continues to spark heated debate among historians, with some firmly believing he was exclusively homosexual and others advocating for a bisexual identity. Notice, he’s rarely considered full straight…
Complicating the matter further, concrete historical evidence to definitively categorize Alexander’s sexuality remains unreachable. However, ancient writings do mention his male companions, fueling the ongoing debate. First-century Roman historian Quintus Curtius Rufus documented Alexander’s mother’s anxieties about his apparent disinterest in women. “He scorned sensual pleasures to such an extent that his mother was anxious lest he be unable to beget offspring.”
Greek historian Plutarch, one of the greatest ancient historians, mentions his pre-marital encounter with Barsine, though rumors of an illegitimate child add a layer of ambiguity. Throughout history, scholars have interpreted Alexander’s alleged disinterest in women as either exemplary self-control or evidence of homosexuality.
Unfortunately, the true answer likely lies somewhere in the complexities of a distant era. While he did have relationships with other men, definitive proof of a solely homosexual identity remains absent. As we know, same-sex intercourse was a common practice in Ancient Greece; but beyond that, the idea of sexual preference was not the same as it is for us now.
Ultimately, Alexander’s sexuality remains a captivating historical puzzle, forever open to interpretation and debate. The lack of concrete evidence ensures that the enigma surrounding his personal life will continue to intrigue and inspire discussions for generations to come.
