I recently read a book about Alexander the Great entitled, Alexander the Great and His Time by Agnes Savill. In the latter chapters of the book it mentions that Alexander may not have been the homosexual which it seems our modern ideals claim him to be.
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Chapter XIII discusses Alexander the Great's consideration for women, in that he treated them with the utmost respect, even ordering his own soldiers to be killed for raping captives. In Persia, men would often comment on his self-discipline when it came to relations with women. From his upbringing under Aristotle taught him to have self-control, greatness of soul, and intellect as his ultimate aim. Savill goes onto explain how many modern writers detract from the character of Alexander by alleging that he was homosexual, therefore not wanting to involve himself with women.
Alexander was offered the most beautiful women in the world and yet he did not take that advantage. Alexander did have, however, for himself Roxane, of whom he took as his wife. It is disputed of his intentions, whether they were political, genuine, or perhaps both. Barsine, Alexander's woman previous to Roxane and obtained after the Battle of Issus, was most likely had for the same reasons as Roxane. Barsine had a history of sorts with Alexander starting from their early years. In Greece women may have been seen as having an inferior importance in society and/or stature but in Macedon it was very much different. Women were seen as equals. This leads me to believe that Alexander wouldn't have had the same Greek thoughts towards women as many would assume.
Philoxenes told the King, Alexander, that two beautiful boys had been offered to him. This made Alexander frenetic. He shouted, "What evil has he seen in me that he should purchase for me such shameful creatures?" An addition to that statement is disputed but it continues, "Tell the dealer to take his wares to hell." Either Alexander did not take these boys because he was not homosexual or he, in his overwhelmingly sound character, refused the boys out of respect for himself and others.
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It seems to be a commonly accepted supposition that the Greek culture was always friendly to homosexuality. That is a false assumption. In the early days of Greece homosexuality was tolerated in certain regions but criticized and punished in others. Greeks did not cherish homosexuality. The cherished beauty. It is not an incorrect presumption that Greek men would have been attracted to another man for his charm and beauty but that does not mean a relationship between the two was homosexual. Certainly, in Sparta and in other more primitive cultures homosexuality and pederasty were thought of as respectful. However, when Sparta lost its once glorious authority the practices were deemed as dishonorable.
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Was Alexander the Great, the most brilliant tactician, god of Egypt, King of Persia, and ruler of countless tribes, a homosexual? This may never be finally decided but from what I have read, and I am in no way an expert, I find it unlikely. His culture and upbringing does not lead to our modern assumption of his homosexuality and neither does his steadfast character. The man was never and never will be matched as a man. He will forever be Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Ungay
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Originally Posted by Corporal_Hicks
, the guy whose soldiers told people to lock their wives away, nonsense, nah, maybe alexander had a close relationship with hephastion but that was it, there was nothing homosexual about it
