#AlexandertheGreat

[marysmirages]

Alexander and Hephaestion bathe their horses (2024)

[whencyclopedia]

Alexander the Great founded, reorganized, or re-established several towns and cities across his empire and gave most of them the name of Alexandria (more than thirty by some accounts). He also dedicated one to his horse - Bucephalus, after the elderly animal died in the Battle of the Hydaspes in 326 BCE.

[planet-gay-comic]

Alexander the Great and Hephaestion

A Legendary Love Amidst Fame and Conquests

In the history of antiquity, few figures are as famous as Alexander the Great, the undisputed conqueror who created one of the largest empires in history. Born in 356 BC, Alexander shaped the ancient world like few other rulers. Yet, alongside his military glory and political achievements, there was a central relationship in Alexander’s life that was closely tied to his identity and rise: his bond with his closest friend and lover, Hephaestion. Their connection was not only of strategic and military value but also a deep personal and emotional bond that lasted for decades.

The Formation of an Inseparable Friendship

Alexander and Hephaestion met in their youth while both were students of the philosopher Aristotle. They quickly developed a close friendship that, over time, formed into a deep emotional connection. While Alexander shone with his extraordinary military prowess and charisma, Hephaestion was known for his wisdom and unwavering loyalty.

Their relationship went beyond friendship and, according to common historical interpretations, also took on a romantic dimension. Historians point to many clues that suggest Alexander and Hephaestion shared a homoromantic relationship, similar to the idealized “bonds of love” between men in Greek culture. Such relationships were not unusual at the time, especially among soldiers and warriors who spent long campaigns together.

Hephaestion: Alexander’s Closest Confidant and General

Hephaestion played not only an important role in Alexander’s personal life but was also a high-ranking general in his army. He fought in many significant battles alongside Alexander, including the decisive battles of Gaugamela and Issus, which greatly expanded Alexander’s empire. As Alexander’s closest confidant, Hephaestion was entrusted with military and diplomatic tasks and enjoyed Alexander’s unwavering trust.

Their close collaboration on the battlefield and in political decisions highlighted their inseparable bond. Hephaestion was one of the few who stood beside Alexander in nearly all aspects of life – as a friend, lover, and general.

The Immortal Love: Hephaestion’s Death and Alexander’s Grief

When Hephaestion suddenly died in October 324 BC, Alexander was devastated. The loss of his closest companion was a deep emotional blow for the otherwise unshakable conqueror. Alexander held a monumental funeral for Hephaestion, bestowing divine honors upon him. He named cities in Hephaestion’s honor and even wanted him to be worshipped as a god after his death.

Alexander’s deep grief reveals how strong his emotional bond with Hephaestion was. It is reported that he could not find peace for months and never fully recovered from the pain of the loss until his own death a year later. Many historians believe that Alexander was never truly the same after Hephaestion’s death.

The Significance of Their Relationship in History

The relationship between Alexander the Great and Hephaestion is one of the best-documented examples of a close, possibly romantic, connection between two men in the ancient world. Although there are no explicit accounts of the nature of their relationship, many clues and Alexander’s reaction to Hephaestion’s death suggest that their bond was more than just an ordinary friendship.

In a time where power, fame, and conquest meant everything, Hephaestion provided Alexander with the emotional stability he needed to pursue his great ambitions. Their love – whether romantic, fraternal, or a mixture of both – stands as a symbol of the importance of loyalty, friendship, and affection amidst the constant struggle for power and glory.

The Complexity of Ancient Relationships

It is important to note that despite his close relationship with Hephaestion, Alexander also married women. He wed Roxana, a Bactrian princess, and Stateira, a daughter of the Persian King Darius III. These marriages often served political purposes and were part of his strategy to consolidate and expand his empire. The coexistence of these marriages with his relationship to Hephaestion highlights the complexity of ancient relationships and social expectations.

Legacy in Art and Literature

The relationship between Alexander and Hephaestion has inspired artists and writers over the centuries. In the Renaissance and modern times, their story has often been depicted in paintings, sculptures, and literary works. One of the most famous pieces is the painting "Alexander and Hephaestion" by Charles Le Brun from the 17th century. In modern literature, authors such as Mary Renault have explored the depth and complexity of their relationship in historical novels. These artistic interpretations help keep the legacy of their bond alive and underscore its enduring cultural significance.

Text supported by Claude 3.5 Sonnet Base images generated with DALL-E, overworked with SD-1.5/SDXL inpainting and composing.

[the-fact-site]

Alexander the Great was forced to halt his invasion of India because his army refused to cross the Ganga river to do battle with an army containing thousands of elephants. #FACT

[jeannereames]

New Covers are Here!

New covers! Need a Christmas or Hanukkah gift for the history-lover in your life? Or even just for yourself?

Get these stunning new covers with revised content.

Blurbed by none other than Kate Elliott.

PLEASE REPOST & BOOST!

[davidstanleytravel]

The ancient city of Pergamon in present-day Turkey was founded in the 3rd century BC by one of Alexander the Great's generals. In 133 BC control of the city passed to the Roman Republic.

[intriguingpeoplebyangelafloyd]

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

#alexanderthegreat

[arrazakihiro]

Doodle of Sculptures | Pencil Crosshatching

[scansfrommagazinesandbooks]

[uinterview]

A recent docuseries released on Netflix, Alexander: The Making of a God, has ignited controversy among conservatives due to its depiction of Alexander the Great as a gay man.

Full Story Here: https://uinterview.com/news/conservatives-challenge-netflixs-portrayal-of-alexander-the-great-as-a-gay-man-in-new-docuseries/

[shorkar]

Scientists make new claims in search of Alexander the Great's tomb!

A new possible location for the tomb of Alexander the Great. Preliminary research into a mysterious tomb in Syria has yielded historically important artefacts.

Alexander the Great was one of the most iconic figures. Who shaped the course of world history. Despite his many contributions to history, his life ended tragically at a young age! But there is a lot of confusion among expert historians, archeological treasure hunters and history buffs about Alexander. It was such a confusing thing that his tomb scientists finally found the tomb of Alexander the Great. Where this mighty warrior was buried and why it took so long to find it - these mysteries will be revealed in our video today! Know More...

[marysmirages]

Spirits of ancient battles. Memories of Alexander the Great (2023/2024)

Gouache version of the work from 2017: https://www.tumblr.com/marysmirages/686070565494259712/spirits-of-ancient-battles-memories-of-alexander?source=share

[whencyclopedia]

Meroë

Meroe was a wealthy metropolis of the ancient kingdom of Kush in what is today the Republic of Sudan. It was the later capital of the Kingdom of Kush (c. 1069 BCE to c. 350 CE) after the earlier capital of Napata was sacked c. 590 BCE. Prior to that date, Meroe had been an important administrative centre.

The city was located at the crossroads of major trade routes and flourished from c. 750 BCE to 350 CE. Meroe is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. As no one yet has been able to decipher the Meroitic script, very little can be said for certain on how Meroe grew to become the wondrous city written about by Herodotus circa 430 BCE, but it is known that the city was so famous for its wealth in ancient times that Cambyses II of the Persian Achaemenid Empire mounted an expedition to capture it. The expedition faltered long before reaching the city owing to the difficult and inhospitable terrain of the desert (and, according to some claims, may never have been mounted at all). Still, the persistence of the story of Cambyses' expedition suggests the great fame of Meroe as a wealthy metropolis.

The city was also known as the Island of Meroe as the waters flowing around it made it appear so. It is referenced in the biblical Book of Genesis (10:6) as Aethiopia, a name applied to the region south of Egypt in antiquity meaning "place of the burnt-faces". Although there is evidence of overgrazing and overuse of the land, which caused considerable problems, Meroe thrived until it was sacked by an Aksumite king c. 330 CE and declined steadily afterwards.

Egyptian Influence & King Ergamenes

While there was a settlement at Meroe as early as 890 BCE (the oldest tomb discovered there, that of 'Lord A', dates from that year), the city flourished at its height between c. 750 BCE and 350 CE. The Kingdom of Kush, founded with its capital at Napata, was ruled by Kushites (called "Nubians" by the Egyptians) who, early on, continued Egyptian practices and customs and, though they were depicted in art as distinctly Kushite, called themselves by Egyptian titles. The historian Marc Van De Mieroop writes:

Meroitic culture shows much Egyptian influence, always mixed with local ideas. Many temples housed cults to Egyptian gods like Amun (called Amani) and Isis, but indigenous deities received royal patronage as well. A very prominent Nubian god was the lion-deity Apedemak, a god of war whose popularity increased substantially in this period. Local gods were often associated with Egyptian ones: in Lower Nubia, Mandulis, for example, was considered to be Horus's son. Hybridity is also visible in the arts and in royal ideology. For example, kings of Meroe were represented in monumental images on temples in Egyptian fashion but with local elements, such as garments, crowns, and weapons. (338).

In time, however, these practices gave way to indigenous customs and the Egyptian hieroglyphs were replaced by a new system of writing known as Meroitic. The break from Egyptian culture is explained by the ancient historian Diodorus Siculus who writes that in the time before the reign of King Ergamenes (295-275 BCE), it had been the custom for the high priests of the Egyptian god Amun at Napata to decide who became king and to set the duration of the king's reign.

As the health of the king was tied to the fertility of the land, the priests had the power to determine if the sitting king was no longer fit to rule. If they deemed him unfit, they would send a message to the king, understood to be from the god Amun himself, advising him that the time of his rule on earth was completed and that he must die. The kings had always obeyed the divine orders and had taken their own lives for the supposed good of the people. However, Diodorus continues:

who had received instruction in Greek philosophy, was the first to disdain this command. With the determination worthy of a king he came with an armed force to the forbidden place where the golden temple of the Aithiopians was situated and slaughtered all the priests, abolished this tradition, and instituted practices at his own discretion.

The archaeologist George A. Reisner, who excavated the cities of Meroe and Napata, has famously questioned Diodorus' account calling it "very dubious" and claiming that the Ergamenes story was a national myth which Diodorus accepted as historical truth. Since there is no ancient evidence contradicting Diodorus, however, and since there was clearly a significant cultural break between Meroe and Egypt with Ergamenes' reign, most scholars today accept the account of Diodorus as either certain or something close to actual events.

Continue reading...

[planet-gay-comic]

Kings and Their Lovers

Male Kings and Their Homoromantic or Erotic Relationships from Antiquity to Modern Times History offers numerous examples of male rulers who had homoromantic or erotic relationships with other men. These connections were often complex and influenced by cultural, societal, and personal factors. Here are some remarkable examples:

Antiquity

Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) The Macedonian king and famous conqueror had a particularly close relationship with Hephaestion, his childhood friend and confidant. Plutarch described Hephaestion as "Alexander's lover." After Hephaestion's death, Alexander was inconsolable and ordered a nationwide mourning. The Persian eunuch Bagoas is also mentioned in ancient sources as Alexander's lover.

Emperor Hadrian (76–138 AD) The Roman emperor is known for his passionate relationship with the young Greek Antinous. When Antinous drowned in the Nile, Hadrian was devastated. He had his lover deified, founded the city of Antinoopolis, and erected statues of Antinous throughout the empire. These actions testify to Hadrian's deep affection and grief.

Middle Ages

Richard the Lionheart (1157–1199) Richard I of England had a close relationship with Philip II of France. Contemporary chroniclers described how the two kings "ate from the same table and drank from the same cup every night" and "slept in the same bed." Although the exact nature of their relationship remains disputed, such reports suggest a very intimate connection.

Edward II of England (1284–1327) Edward II had an intense relationship with Piers Gaveston, which chroniclers of the time described as excessively intimate. Later, he developed a similarly close relationship with Hugh Despenser the Younger. These connections led to political tensions and ultimately contributed to Edward's deposition.

Modern Times

James I of England (1566–1625) James, also known as James VI of Scotland, had several close relationships with men. Particularly notable was his connection with George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham. In letters, James called Villiers "my sweet child and wife" and "my dear Venus boy." This correspondence indicates a passionate and intimate relationship.

Louis XIV of France (1638–1715) Although the Sun King is primarily known for his female mistresses, there are indications of intimate relationships with men. The Duke of Saint-Simon reported in his memoirs of several homosexual affairs at court, including one between Louis and his brother Philippe, Duke of Orléans.

Frederick the Great of Prussia (1712–1786) Frederick had close relationships with several men, particularly Hans Hermann von Katte in his youth. Although Frederick married, the marriage remained childless and distant. Instead, he surrounded himself with a circle of close male friends and confidants.

Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845–1886) Known as the "Fairy Tale King," Ludwig II had close and presumably romantic relationships with several men. Particularly well-known are his connections to Richard Hornig, his stable master, and Paul von Thurn und Taxis. Ludwig's homosexuality was an open secret during his lifetime and contributed to the accusations that led to his dethronement.

Modern Era

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (1868–1918) Although later married, the last Russian Tsar had a close relationship as a young man with his cousin, Prince Nicholas of Greece. In letters, he described their "special friendship" and the "wonderful nights" they spent together.

These examples show that same-sex relationships among rulers were not uncommon. The nature and perception of such connections varied greatly depending on the cultural and historical context. While some relationships were lived relatively openly, others remained hidden due to societal norms and political implications or were only hinted at in documentation.

It is important to note that modern concepts of sexual orientation and identity cannot be directly applied to historical figures. Many of these rulers would not have identified themselves as homosexual or bisexual, as these terms did not exist in their time. Their relationships must be understood in the context of their respective culture and time.

Nevertheless, these historical examples offer important insights into the diversity of human relationships and show that same-sex love and affection existed even at the highest levels of power.

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Image generated with SD1.5. Overworked with inpainting (SD1.5/SDXL) and composing.

[bidotorg]

👑 Unveiling the Complexities of Alexander the Great's Life 👑

🌈 Today on his birthday, let's delve into the fascinating world of Alexander the Great, a legendary figure whose conquests reshaped history. Beyond his military prowess, there's a captivating aspect of his life that often sparks intrigue: his bisexuality. Let's explore this lesser-known facet: 🛡️ Born in 356 BCE, Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, was a military genius and one of history's most influential leaders. 💕

Alexander's bisexuality was an integral part of his identity. He had deep emotional and physical connections with both men and women. 🔥 One notable relationship in Alexander's life was with his companion and close friend, Hephaestion. Their bond was profound and enduring, often described as a romantic partnership. Hephaestion held immense influence in Alexander's life, accompanying him on his conquests and serving as a trusted advisor. 🌍

Alexander's inclusive attitude extended beyond his personal relationships. During his reign, he promoted cultural exchange and adopted customs from various conquered territories. This approach fostered tolerance and acceptance of diverse traditions, including different expressions of love and sexuality. 👑

Today, we honor the legacy of Alexander the Great, not just for his military achievements, but also for the way he defied societal norms and embraced the diversity of human connections. Let's celebrate the vibrant tapestry of identities that have shaped our world throughout history.

[jeannereames]

Instead of just writing out how to say it, now you can HEAR me say it, and explain the variations, including how his friends in Macedonia, growing up, would have pronounced his name (probably not the same way his father did).

Feel free to share.

And if anybody's curious as to the research behind my claim that his family was of Attic-Ionic extraction, see my article, "Becoming Macedonian," Karanos 3 (2020): 11-37, with attendant digital mapping project.