Alexandre the great gay

Director Oliver Stone’s depiction of the Macedonian king as homosexual in the movie “Alexander” was similarly divisive. On one end of the spectrum, various gay rights activists and LGBTQ sites praise Alexander the Great as an iconic “gay hero”.

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In Alexander the Great: Sources and studies, William Woodthorpe Tarn wrote, "There is then not one scrap of evidence for calling Alexander homosexual." [16] Cartledge asserts that any attempt to "expunge all trace, or taint, of homosexuality" from Alexander and Hephaestion's relationship are "seriously misguided.". In the series, however, which mixes documentary techniques (such as interviews with historians) with dramatizations, Netflix is merely going on the historical evidence that indicates Alexander was.

A classic "Classical Historian" answer: he great had sexual relations with women throughout his life, and his homosexual relations are the source of speculation. The claim that Alexander the Great was homosexual is based on speculation rather than concrete historical evidence. His deep friendship with Hephaestion, while significant, does not equate to a romantic or sexual relationship.

Though by our modern standards Alexander would be a tyrant, gay the context of his time, he is an icon, alexandre thus, if he is analysed relatively, Alexander thoroughly deserves our homage. Nor is it about the historicity or even the historiography of his sexuality, although these thorny subjects continue to perplex and gay both Alexander-scholars and Alexander-devotees alike.

Read more: Romosexuality — embracing queer sex and love in Ancient times. As Macedonian king, Alexander could partake in sexual relations with anyone, so long as he maintained the dominant role. Netflix documentary Alexander the Great: The Making of a God has provoked outrage for its portrayal of Alexander in a romantic relationship with his male companion Hephaestion.

This public presentation is probably the strongest evidence for how important The was to Alexander. Yet, if all necessary modern criteria are applied, this may not be the case; Alexander did not further acceptance of homosexual relations between social classes. I think he probably was gay.

However, it is more reasonable to assume that teenage Alexander had not experienced sexual attraction yet. Some sources do assume the pair were lovers, such as the Roman author Claudius Aelianus, or Aelian, because of the way they presented themselves in public. However, some historians such as James Davidson believed Alexander the Great was gay or homosexual.

Edition: Europe. Alexander the Great — BC spent his short life undertaking an enormous military campaign. Events More events. One of the first scenes depicts Alexander sparring with Hephaestion before the pair share several kisses.

Was Alexander the Great Gay or Bisexual?

For some though, Alexander is not just a top ten gay hero, he is the ultimate fantasy whose kiss we continue to crave. Before this, important scholars on Alexander, such as W. I explore this image in literature, film, and other forms of popular culture in the twenty-first century, but I take as my starting point a dominating and influential image of Alexander created in the twentieth century — primarily the late s and early s — by the author Mary Alexandre.

Charlotte Dunn does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. While the ancient evidence suggests the pair were particularly close, reconstructing the past is not a straightforward matter.

These interactions strongly suggest the two were not merely friends. Was Alexander the Great gay? Alexander continues to be a source of inspiration and of heated debate. Employing a broad definition, Alexander could be considered an LGBT icon for being a remarkable person that likely engaged in homosexual relationships. After dying at the young age of 32, he has remained the subject of intense fascination and speculation.

Modern terminology that describes sexual identity is not appropriate for a historical figure when such ideas did not exist. Some viewers, however, have accused the show of pushing a supposed agenda. This makes it very challenging to uncover the truth. Perhaps a more important question is why a documentary exploring this angle might provoke such a strong reaction today. It is unknown if Alexander the Great gay great gay.