laihrman98 - Tumblr blog

[laihrman98]

Greatest Gay Lovers: Alexander the Great x Hephaestion

Alexander III of Macedon son of King Philip II, would grow up to be the worlds greatest military commander.

By the age of age of 18, he brought down the greatest empire the world has ever seen. Conquered most of the known world by the age of 33. While never losing a battle.

As a child Alexander had a passion for philosophy. He attended lectures at Mieza, tutor by Aristotle. While there he would meet Hephaestion. Who would later become the 2nd most powerful man in Alexander’s empire. As well as Alexander’s life long lover and confidant.

Their tutor Aristotle described the friendship as “one soul abiding in two bodies”.

Alexander would describe his relationship with Hephaestion, to that of Achilles and Patroclus. Who are said to be lovers by Plato and Aeschylus.

Robin Lane Fox, wrote: “Already the two were intimate, Patroclus and Achilles even to those around them; the comparison would remain to the end of their days and is proof of their life as lovers…”

In 324 BC, Hephaestion contracted typhoid. Hearing the news Alexander rushed to be at his side but by the time he arrived, Hephaestion passed away.

Plutarch says ”…Alexander’s grief was uncontrollable, he flung himself on the body of his friend and lay there nearly all day long in tears, and refused to be parted from him until he was dragged away by force by his companions.“

Arrian states ”…for two whole days after Hephaestion’s death Alexander tasted no food and paid no attention in any way to bodily needs, but lay on his bed now crying lamentably, now in the silence of grief.“

Alexander cut his hair short in mourning, this last a poignant reminder of Achilles’ last gift to Patroclus on his funeral pyre: Arrian states ”… he laid the lock of hair in the hands of his beloved companion, and the whole company was moved to tears.“

Long after Alexander own death one philosopher wrote, Alexander was only defeated once and that was by Hephaestion’s thighs.

[laihrman98]

- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

[laihrman98]

The Song of Achilles: What to Read Next

Did you enjoy The Song of Achilles? Were you sad when it was over? Well, so was I. So now I have book recommendations to ease the pain and heartbreak,* split into fun and helpful categories because the list got kinda** of of hand.

*maybe not heartbreak. sorry.

**really

Predecessors (as in, Madeline Miller probably read some of these)

The Iliad - Well, this choice seems obvious. If you want to know more about Achilles’ badass (silly) deeds, look no further. And if you want a list of every ship that went to Troy, also look no further. For readability, I recommend Robert Graves’ translation; for poetic beauty, Richmond Lattimore’s.

Iphigenia in Tauris - Technically this is a play by Euripides, but I read the lovely retelling of it by Goethe. Were you horrified by the sacrifice of a 12 year old girl to get the winds to blow again? Me too. This is the happy(ish) alternative story, featuring dudebros 5eva Orestes and Pylades.

Keep reading

[laihrman98]

Adam Anderson via instastory (25/09/17)

[laihrman98]

[laihrman98]

it’s fine, kill me with those eyes why don’t you // beautiful seb

[laihrman98]

get you a man that looks at you the way that Chris Evans looks at Sebastian Stan

[laihrman98]

He’d do it for me.

[laihrman98]

I know you smiled too

[laihrman98]

[laihrman98]

[laihrman98]

You know, he remembered you. Your pal, your buddy, your Bucky.

[laihrman98]

[laihrman98]

LET ME LIVE

[laihrman98]

BUCKY BARNES EXISTING APPRECIATION POST

So. Much. Appreciation.

[laihrman98]

Which Bucky am I talking to?

[laihrman98]