The Obsession Corner

So I did a (brief) review of the Nolan film already on this site--inasmuch as I had things to say about it specifically.

This video is different, despite the "teaser" image. In it, I talk about a range of matters involving taking the ancient world into ours, in fictional form. Including the difference between mythic retellings and historical fiction (they are not the same).

There are better people who really specialize in Homer, to review the film. So I focused instead on my own personal experience as a writer, as much as a historian.

So if you're interested in commentary on Dancing with the Lion, there's a fair bit in here. (Some of which is not new, if you've been following me a while.) But also some broader issues.

You said that it felt good when readers get it, and from my point of view is similarly so important when authors and experts have such a warm dialogue with us, acknowledging our points of view and being so available and engaging. ❤️ this made my whole day (well, ok, maybe year!)

That is the (current) tentative title. I totally reserve the right to change my mind. LOL But I think it gets at what this monograph has become.

On my last day of putative summer "freedom," I finished the draft of the Curtius chapter. It's still a bit of a mess and needs a heavy edit, but it's done. That's 2 new chapters (Diodorus being the other), c. 80 pages of entirely new research. Despite that, this thing is only around 1/3 done, counting the praefatio, which will need rewritten at the end (predictably). It's morphed into a monster, and brevity was never my strong suit. That said, the approach I'm taking is proving unexpectedly fruitful, at least imo. I'm excited.

But if you've wondered where I've been hiding, that's where. As much as possible, I've set aside weekdays for work. When doing this sort of thing, I need a mental through-line. It's not good to write a little here, stop for weeks, then come back and do a little more. I forget the argument I was making.

So I might finally finish this book I've been threatening for literally decades (two of them). That said, I'm glad I waited. This will be much superior to anything I could have done as a young scholar. (Well, I hope so anyway.) If you have a copy of my old dissertation, throw it away. This will completely trump it. Basic argument stands. (Hephaistion was more important than previously thought and he did a lot of logistics.) But I have all sorts of new things to share.

When the Karanos article "Cyclops and Wolverine" comes out (either late this year or early next), y'all will get a little taste of what I'm up to. Taking this apart source by source is SO so useful. And yeah, asks are open again.

Plutarch, then Arrian are up next. Plus assorted mentions in other authors. Only after all that will I make any attempt to comment on historical "realities." (In scare quotes on purpose.)

How do you feel about Alexander the Great and Hephaestion (sorry if I spelled that wrong, I'm not wearing my glasses and I can't tell of the e first or the a first looks right) relationship portrayal? Do you think they were lovers, or just friends? Do you agree with modern day interpretations?

And, more poetically, were they the real life versions of Achilles and Patroclus?

Love your blog! Always smile when I see your reposts.

Hi anon, oh my gosh thank you for the lovely question! And I'm so glad you enjoy my blog hehe 🥹🫶🏻

Personally, I think this discussion is pretty much the same as the Achilles-Patroclus one. For both cases, I believe that no modern terms are accurate enough to portray the kind of relationship these two pairs have, mostly because that kind of connection (in the way it's been described) is...sort of rare today?

In Greek you have the word philia, which many generally translate as 'friendship' or 'affection', but in this case I think it represents the exact type of dynamic between them as in two souls in one being, where they need to coexist, where one cannot be without the other. It's no wonder that in some sources Hephaestion is described as philalexandros ("he who loves Alexander", in a general sense, with the same root of the word philia - and even then you could translate the expression as both "friend of Alexander" and "lover of Alexander" and you'd technically be correct either way! That's how ambiguous it is lmao). There's also the source that has the two of them share the same identity, with Alexander saying (referring to Hephaestion): "You're not wrong [about calling Hephaestion by his own name]: for he, too, is Alexander."

As for modern portrayals, I really like how their dynamic is dealt with in the movie Alexander (which gives them so so many great parallels with Achilles and Patroclus) and Mary Renault's Alexander trilogy - their relationship is subtle, not always referred to with direct or explicit terms, yet very much tangible, raw and real.

Also yes, I would like to "poetically" believe that they're the real life version of Achilles and Patroclus, as I think the exact same things I've just said apply to the mythological pair as well.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ and half/5

An interesting and engaging read, particularly remarkable for the author's expertise in depicting the military aspects of Alexander's campaigns (imaginary and not), drawing on what appears to be a solid knowledge of the historical and cultural contexts.

The alternate-history element is what attracted me most. I feel a certain nostalgia for the freedom and boldness with which stories were explored in the 1980s and '90s, mixing genres and venturing into new territory. There are elements of pure fantasy, but also others with a sense of potential realism.

The book is well written, and the characters-Alexander above all-are sketched with just a few strokes, yet very effectively. The relationship between the Macedonian king and his lover and best friend, Hephaistion, is particularly well portrayed: mutual, supportive, and utterly adorable.

Andy Stewart: Hephaistion was “sinister”

Robin Lane Fox:  “… six years on horseback, with no saddle, would have made Hephaistion’s backside so hard and leathery…”

Peter Green:  “Tall, handsome, spoilt, spiteful, overbearing and fundamentally stupid…”

Paul Cartledge: Hephaistion and Bucephalus were “both dumb brutes.”

history meme | [2/7] relationships: alexander the great & hephaestion

Alexander the Great’s relationship with his army general Hephaestion was extraordinarily close; Hephaestion was described by Curtius as “by far the dearest of all the king’s friends.” They were both tutored by the philosopher Aristotle as boys, and it is believed that this is when they forged their friendship.

The morning after the battle of Issus, Alexander and Hephaestion visited the captured Persian royal family. According to Diodorus, ‘The king took with him the most valued of his Friends, Hephaestion, and came to the women. They both were dressed alike, but Hephaestion was taller and more handsome. Sisyngambris took him for the king and did him obeisance. As the others present made signs to her and pointed to Alexander with their hands she was embarrassed by her mistake, but made a new start and did obeisance to Alexander. He, however, cut in and said, “You were not mistaken, Mother; this man too is Alexander.”’

Their relationship is often compared to that of Achilles and Patroclus. At the beginning of Alexander’s campaign in Asia he led a contingent of his troops to Troy, where he and Hephaestion visited the tombs of Achilles and Patroclus. As described by Arrian, “Alexander encircled the tomb of Achilles with a garland; and it is said that Hephaestion decorated that of Patroclus in the same way." This event is usually seen as evidence for Alexander and Hephaestion’s romantic relationship as Achilles and Patroclus are often said to be lovers.

Hephaestion fell ill not long after entering the city of Ecbatana. Arrian says that Alexander had to be summoned from the games to Hephaestion, however when he arrived Hephaestion had already died. Plutarch tells that Alexander’s grief was “uncontrollable” and had to be forcibly dragged away from the corpse by his companions. One report says that he had the doctor executed for his lack of care.

Also, as the wonderful shop5 points out, Alexander’s connection with Achilles did come into play here and is actually explicitly referenced in the ancient sources. Arrian even says, “that Alexander cut his hair over the corpse I do not find improbable, especially given his emulation of Achilles” (Arrian 7.14.4).

That is directly quoting the Iliad, when Achilles lost his dear Patroclus.

Alexander had the palace fires extinguished that was tradition when a king dies. He was trying to say that he too did die with Hephaistion.

WE ARE SO GOING TO DESTROY YOUR TEACHER. (I made this a real post because I wrote a lot). And your English is fantastic, don’t apologize! 

Well, in the battle itself Hephaistion isn’t mentioned. It can be assumed that he fought with the Companion Cavalry on the right under the command of Alexander, but it is not specified. Issus/Issos happens pretty early on in the campaign, so Hephaistion hadn’t proven his military leadership yet (but later on he definitely would).

So BEFORE the battle Hephaistion is mentioned in a story told by Lucian in A Slip of the Tongue in Greeting. Keep in mind that people greeted each other with “Joy to you!” and said goodbye with “health to you!” Joy is used as a hello, health is used as a farewell. Uh, I don’t know if you want to include this in your presentation, since it’s a little inappropriate. But I’m going to include it here for everyone.

Here is the Loeb English translation (Loeb translations are very good and reputable):

Just before the Battle of Issus, as Eumenes of Cardia says in his letter to Antipater, Hephaistion came early into Alexander’s tent. He blundered or was confused (as I was) or was driven to it by some god when he gave my greeting: “Health to you, king,” he [Hephaistion] said, it is already time to set the battle-line.” The others present were upset by the strange address, and Hephaistion almost died for shame. But Alexander said, “I accept the omen. It has now promised us a safe return from the battle.” (Lucian 8)

The ancient Greek text in case anyone is interested:

Ὅτε Ἀλέξανδρος τὴν ἐν Ἰσσῷ μάχην ἀγωνιεῖσθαι ἔμελλεν, ὡς Εὐμένης ὁ Καρδιανὸς ἐν τῇ πρὸς Ἀντίπατρον ἐπιστολῇ λέγει, ἕωθεν εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ ὁ Ἡφαιστίων, εἴτ᾿ ἐπιλαθόμενος εἴτε ταραχθεὶς ὥσπερ ἐγὼ εἴτε καὶ θεοῦ τινος τοῦτο καταναγκάσαντος, ταὐτὸν ἐμοὶ ἔφη, Ὑγίαινε, βασιλεῦ, καιρὸς ἤδη παρατάττεσθαι. ταραχθέντων δὲ τῶν παρόντων πρὸς τὸ παράδοξον τῆς προσαγορεύσεως καὶ τοῦ Ἡφαιστίωνος ὀλίγου δεῖν ὑπ᾿ αἰδοῦς ἐκθανόντος, Ἀλέξανδρος, Δέχομαι, εἶπε, τὴν κλῃδόνα. τὸ γὰρ σώους ἐπανήξειν ἀπὸ τῆς μάχης ἤδη μοι ὑπέσχηται.” (Lucian 8)

Alexander was really the champion bullshit expert of all time. I have a lot of respect for that. And yeah, just interpret that entire episode however you like… I find it interesting that Hephaistion would “die of shame” for just using the wrong salutation. It’s not like he got caught staying in Alexander’s tent or anything. Ahem. I had to include it, but it probably isn’t relevant to your presentation.

But what happens AFTER the battle is very relevant:

This is when the famous “He, too, is Alexander” episode happened. It is related in Arrian, Diodorus, and Curtius. Diodorus likes this story so much that he tells it twice! Oh, Diodorus…

How it went down (you can refer to Arrian 2.12.3-7 for this): 

The Persian King Darius flees battle and leaves his entire family behind at Alexander’s mercy.

Darius’ family is inconsolable, they know what usually happens to captive women in war. It’s not good. But this is Alexander we’re talking about, so nothing bad happens to them at all.

Alexander is told about Darius’ family and their fear and sends Leonnatos to reassure them first. 

Then Alexander goes to try and console them himself and takes only Hephaistion with him into the tent.

Hephaistion is hotter and taller than Alexander. They are dressed the same.

So Sisygambis (Darius’ mother) prostrates herself before Hephaistion, since he’s so sexy and tall he MUST be the king.

It is pointed out by an attendant that Hephaistion is not Alexander.

Sisygambis is HORRIFIED. She thinks that now the Macedonians will be even crueler to her and her family.

Alexander says, “Don’t worry, mother, for he too is Alexander.”

All the ancient biographers go “AWWW.” And Renaissance painters LOVED this scene so if you google Alexander and Hephaistion Issos/Issus you will find lots of paintings.

Darius’ family is treated the same as before. Good job, Alexander.

Arrian says, “I commend Alexander for the compassion he showed the women and for the trust and respect he showed for his friend” (2.12.8).

Here are some things that you can use to refute the “Hephaistion didn’t do anything/ was just a detail” bullshit. That pisses me off greatly, too. Here are a few bullet points that are listed in mostly chronological order and that disprove that bullshit WITH CITATIONS:

Hephaistion was consistently trusted with diplomacy. He even appoints kings in Alexander’s stead, such as with the king of Sidon (Curtius 4.1.18).

Hephaistion has to take the entire (shitty disbanded) fleet from Tyre to Gaza to transport the siege artillery. Macedonians are notoriously horrible at naval warfare, yet Hephaistion did this perfectly. And Alexander literally could not siege Gaza until Hephaistion brought the fleet safely to Gaza (Arrian 2.27; Curtius 4.5.10).

Unlike Philotas and Nikanor (Parmenion’s sons), who were promoted through nepotism, Hephaistion was promoted because of merit. Hephaistion had to wait until at least Gaugamela and Philotas’ death to finally get a good promotion. That doesn’t seem like favoritism.

He was trusted with sensitive matters, such as transporting noble women who were being forced to dance and being treated as prisoners until Alexander freed them (Curtius 6.2.6-7).

Was one of the Somatophylakes (Somatophulakes) aka Alexander’s elite bodyguard of 7 men (Peucestas became the 8th after Mallia). 

Hephaistion led the torture of Philotas with Krateros. Hephaistion was a bit brutal (and we of course still love him), but this shows that he could be trusted with extra-legal matters of great importance (Curtius 6.11.10-11; Plutarch 49.11-12).

Hephaistion co-commanded the Companion Cavalry after Philotas’ death. The Companion Cavalry was the  “most famous and formidable of all his [Alexander’s] mounted troops” (Arrian 3.27).

Hephaistion commanded the Companion Cavalry after Kleitos’ death and until Hephaistion’s own death (Arrian 7.15).

Hephaistion carried out many successful military missions by himself. Led a fifth of the army by himself in Sogdiana. The mission was to “reduce with force” and “capture” resisting peoples (Arrian 4.16).

Hephaistion sieged a city by himself in 30 days flat (Arrian 4.23).

Hephaistion BRIDGED THE FUCKING INDUS (Arrian 4.30.9 and 5.3.5).

Kicked ass with his cavalry at the battle of the Hydaspes (Arrian 5.12.1).

Hephaistion is literally put in charge of MOST OF THE ARMY. Multiple times. Leads third of army with elephants along Hydaspes (Arrian 6.2.2). Commands third of army ahead of Alexander in order to capture resisting peoples (Arrian 6.5.6). Was in charge of all of the land forces while Alexander was busy almost dying at the Mallian citadel (Arrian 6.13.1). Hephaistion leads “largest part of the army” to Persia from Caramania (Arrian 6.28.7). Led “most of the infantry to the Persian Gulf” (Arrian 7.7.1).

Named Chiliarch (timing of this is uncertain) aka Alexander’s official second in command. If it wasn’t obvious enough that Hephaistion was Alexander’s 2nd, Hephaistion married Drypetis who was the sister to Alexander’s wife Stateira. Hephaistion and Alexander were the only generals to marry Darius’ daughters (Arrian 7.4.5).

And was worshipped as a fucking divine hero. (Arrian 7.23.6 and also supported by archaeological evidence such as the Pella Votive)

From the question, I assume the asker has already read those linked below, but just in case not....

"10 Things Alexandros & Hephaistion have in common and 7 Things they don’t."

"Ten Things about Alexandros as a Child"

"What the Boys Find Annoying about Each Other"

"Five Things Hephaistion Likes That Baffles Alexandros"

I realized I never did the equivalent of number 2 for Hephaistion, so....

TEN THINGS ABOUT HEPHAISTION AS A CHILD

* Hephaistion is actually Amyntor and Berenike’s fifth child. Berenike had a son between Agathon and Hephaistion who lived only a day—a “blue baby.” She fell into deep depression after, which worried Amyntor, afraid she might commit suicide. It’s not something the family talked about later, but Hephaistion heard about it from his older siblings and it colored his concern for his mother.

* When Hephaistion was born, both his parents and older siblings were quite solicitous of him. He was rarely left alone, his smallest peep attended to. Because all his siblings in addition to his parents took turns caring for him, he was closer to his older brothers than most children with such a gap in age.

* Also because of this attention, he said little before he was four years old. He knew how to talk, and sometimes talked to himself, but all his siblings were adept at understanding his gestures and expressions, and even anticipating his wants. This is the genesis of “shut-mouthed Hephaistion.” He still gets just a bit perturbed (even though he knows it irrational) when Alexandros or others can’t read his mind.

* Hephaistion spent hours outside simply exploring nature. His brothers enjoyed sport with the other Europos town boys, but Hephaistion preferred time to himself, watching the horses, or birds, or catching tadpoles in buckets, which he’d then observe change into toads. He kept pails full of minnows, too, and once, a small catfish. He feels an affinity for water creatures. (This is one reason he didn’t know Seleukos well before coming to Pella, even though they were from the same town. He played mostly by himself.)

* Wanting to observe birds close-up, he made a bird-catcher with a crate, one edge propped on a forked stick, string tied to it, bread crumbs leading underneath. He’d then patiently wait for a hungry bird to fall for the trap, jerking the string to drop the crate and capture it. Hurrying over, he’d observe what he couldn’t see from a distance, before releasing it again. His father expressed surprise the birds fell for it, his siblings that he could sit still for so long. Yet sitting still and observing was never Hephaistion’s problem.

* Hephaistion learned about masturbation after catching his brother, Demetrios, at it in the barn. He was well familiar with sex by then, like any farm boy, and he’d observed the stallions slap their penises against their bellies for pleasure, as his father explained. But at only nine, he didn’t quite understand the incentive. Finding Demetrios doing it, he’d stood quietly watching until his brother finished and caught him—then yelled at him for being a sneak. Hephaistion hadn’t understood until later why Demetrios might have resented being watched.

* Unlike many Greeks, Hephaistion is fond of cats. He loves dogs for how attentive they are, and how he can train them. And he adores horses. But he likes cats for their quiet nature. Growing up, he befriended several barn cats who’d follow him around when he was down there, and one little calico female often trailed him back to the house, even sleeping in his room between his feet. She had a few litters under his bed, which his parents made him remove to the barn once their eyes were open. She disappeared one autumn and Hephaistion never learned what happened to her, probably dinner for a fox or hungry hawk.

* The fondness for quiet also lies behind his love of fishing. It was something his father taught all his children, even Alis, although Hephaistion and Agathon had taken it up with the most enthusiasm. One of Hephaistion’s favorite things was to be allowed to trail Agathon and his friend Ptolemaios to one of the pasture ponds or the Axios River to fish. He’d sit beside them and listen to them talk about war, girls, and court life in the Pages, then later, the Hypaspists.

* Hephaistion’s hatred for his maternal cousins began young when he’d come upon the elder two taunting an injured squirrel—injured by them. Enraged, he’d run at them although only seven, screaming and fists flying. They’d subdued him easily, then made him watch while they finished killing the squirrel. It was a quiet trauma Hephaistion never told anyone except Agathon, ashamed to have been so ineffectual. After that, Agathon began teaching him how to defend himself, but Hephaistion didn’t really care that much about martial skills—one reason he arrived so inept at Pella. He’d rather be off working the horses, or climbing a tree to bird watch, or fishing. Such activities interested him more.

* Hephaistion is very fond of music and has dabbled with various instruments. His father hired a lyre instructor for all his sons, as playing a few songs on the lyre was expected of well-born boys, but Hephaistion always showed more affinity for the double aulos—a reed instrument associated more with lower classes. Hephaistion didn’t care; he just liked the sound. It was with reluctance that Amyntor finally broke down and hired a teacher for Hephaistion’s unusual instrument preference.

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Do you think Alexander and Roxana developed any affection or attraction after their initially political marriage? Of course, it's impossible to tell for certain and we can only speculate because much is unknown.

Also, do you think Alexander was drawn to women, at all? His major emotional attachments were directed at men—Hephaistion—and he had no romantic entanglements with women as Roxana, Barsine and Stateira were political, yet he still had children which is necessary for politics but you can't reproduce with someone you're not attracted to.

Thank you. ♦️🐈‍⬛

Affection and Desire in Conquest-minded Societies

First, and replying to the last comment first (you can't reproduce with someone you're not attracted to) … Sure you can. Happened all the time in history. Close your eyes and think of some body else. And not just queer men who had to perform with women. History has plenty of political marriages where we know the two disliked each other, but they still produced a bevvy of kids.

Was Alexander attracted to women? He appears to have been. Or at least, there are plenty of stories of him being attracted to both women and boys/(men). I’ve always assumed he was comfortably bisexual. These stories are mostly found outside the Alexander histories, in sources such as Athenaeus’s Supper Party, or in Plutarch’s Moralia, even though in the Life, Plutarch presents Alexander as “saving it” for love and marriage [for completely non-Christian reasons folks]. This just proves Plutarch tweaked his material to suit his own ends for each individual Life or essay.

Anyway, attraction and affection aren’t necessarily the same, especially in the ancient world. One side of conquest culture is also rape culture. Rape is an expression of power; it may or may not include sexual attraction to the person being raped. In fact, it’s the “power over” that creates the sexual gas, rather than (the attractiveness of) the individual being overpowered. Both now and then. In a society that assumes rape (as long as it’s not your women), boys are socialized young to separate affection and even attraction from sexual arousal.

Now, given what we know of Alexander, it does not appear that he was, personally, inclined to rape. But it certainly happened in his army, and he only occasionally tried to stop it, and then only when it involved freeborn (and elite) women. It was as much part-and-parcel of war as taking loot or making slaves. And he belonged/was raised in that larger society. Also, the language of sexual attraction even outside war is decidedly … harsh. If you read love magic spells, especially those made for men to use (whether the object is female or male), they emphasize power over, not affection for. Eros (desire) was regarded as an illness (of sorts). Even the god doesn’t warm the little cockles of your heart; he shoots you with an arrow. Love/desire is typically presented as painful, even torture, etc. Would-be lovers beg their beloveds to have pity on them for their desire.

This is part of why Greeks separated out philia (love/friendship) and considered it the higher love. One genuinely cared about the well-being of the person for whom one felt philia. That sort of care for the object of one’s desire was not necessarily part of eros.

Gusy. That’s why it’s so important that Hephaistion is PHILalexandros.

Anyway, and back to the question, I see no reason Alexander couldn’t come to care about his wives—especially Barsine. But the problem, particularly in the case of Roxana, was a language barrier. He couldn’t understand her. She couldn’t understand him. Thus, they couldn’t get to know each other without an interpreter. In addition, and even if she picked up Greek relatively quickly, she was often in the baggage train…where Alexander wasn’t. So they simply wouldn’t have seen each other much. Same would’ve been true for Statiera the younger, although by the time he got around to marrying her, she’d have had some years of Greek and they probably did converse. But he also wasn’t hauling her around with him. They were married in Susa. And while the women may very well have followed him at least to Opus outside Babylon, or gone on into Babylon, it’s hard to know if they went as far north as Ekbatana. (So no, Drypetis may not have been there when Hephaistion died.) Same with Roxana. At least both wives were in Babylon when Alexander died, as Roxana had Statiera killed immediately. (Barsine was not there; she was in Pergamon.)

haha, I have this one that I didn't really like much, but since you asked uwu

I have many ideas I'd like to draw, hopefully when I have more time!✨ I love them my ancient boys😩💔