Did Alexander really have a love affair with Bagoas? I mean books have been written and accounts have been made that there was a Bagoas but whether he had close relations with Alexander is unclear to me.

If that aimless person answers this with a snide comment I seriously will get aggrivated as there seems to be no other person who makes such comments on everyones questions. Inconciderate of other peoples rights and views is what thats called.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2004

Answers

A friend of mine passed on this link, since I was mentioned in it. Thanks to both Sikander and Wolfie for their kind words. :) For those who'd like to know who I am, probably easiest just to post a link to my CV. :) http://home.earthlink.net/~mathetria/cv.html

I am, in fact, an Alexander historian, or really, a specialist in Argead Macedonia. I studied at Penn State under E.N. Borza, and yes, as Wolfie noted, Elizabeth Carney was also on my committee. I am not a senior scholar in the field, by any means; I don't want to give that impression, but my expertise does range a bit further than just Hephaistion. Dissertations frequently have to focus on a fairly narrow topic in the area of one's expertise. My real interest is Macedonian social history and religion, as well as the exercise of power -- formal and informal -- at the Macedonian court. I'm currently working on research for a monograph (book) on that topic, using the careers of Hephaistion and Krateros as my entry points. The dissertation is a part of the research for that monograph, with other parts of the dissertation published as academic articles (like the sections on ATG's mourning and the relationship between the two men -- necessary background, but it doesn't belong in the larger monograph).

When this book will be done? Well, I'm working on that ... LOL!

Once again, thanks for the kind words. Another discussion of ATG and Hephaistion can be found on my website about Hephaistion: http://home.earthlink.net/~mathetria/hephaistion.html

It's not an 'academic' site, per se. It's popular history for the interested reader, but it is based on my research. (Material on the site is copyrighted, so please don't quote large chunks of it elsewhere without permission. :) Thanks.)

Dr. Jeanne Reames-Zimmerman 287-K ASH, Dept. of History University of Nebraska, Omaha

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2004

"Sikander's" of 03-18-04 fairly effectively dispenses with "Oleg's" assertion of 03-18-04. Alexander's marriages at the very least had political dimensions in part, and it is not difficult (In light of the lack of offspring from these.) to extrapolate their full dimension for political purposes. That Alexander was exceedingly fond of Hephaiston (Similar to Hadrian's fondness for Antinoos.) is amply demonstrated by the number of dedicationary memorials. Since today's public personae who "keep boys" do not see fit to minutely document their exploits with same, why would one take the position that a lack of specific documentation disproves any amorous connection Hellenistic public personae and their "kept boys"? Best to avoid blanket assertions like "Oleg's" and do research per "Sikander" (though the latter's arrogation of a corrupted name for Alexander leaves one to ponder whether his declarations are psychophantic or simply enamored).

... Marc.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2004

Are you all teachers or something? Historians answering questions in their spare time?

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2004

It should also be noted that it isn't just in the Macedonian society that what we categorize as homosexuality was prevalent. Before the Hellenistic era, the perception of human perfection was the male form. While legally same sex relations were illegal, in truth, they were common and not hidden. Following Alexander, considered the Hellenistic era (post-Hellenism or classical period), the ideal perfection of the human form turned to the feminine. This more than likely was inspired or at least encouraged by many of the goddesses cults, primarily Isis, that spread quickly throughout the Mediterranean.

I agree with the suggestion of reading your sources. Also check out Athenaeus. Though really he didn't put forth anything that isn't found in the other main Alexander sources, unlike the Vulgate biographers, Athenaeus does not "judge" Bagoas as evil incarnate. The blurb on Alexander's penchant for boys (sic) is in Book 13, if I remember correctly. I don't have my notes at hand, so I can't remember for certain. It might be 10 or 11. Check out Perseus.org for many of the sources in both Greek and English translation.

As for Dr. Zimmerman, her thesis on Hephaestion is extremely well- done. While I wouldn't call her an Alexander historian per se (she focused mainly on Hephaestion and the sexuality acceptances of classical worlds), she did a fantastic thesis, well thought out and executed. If it got past the likes of Elizabeth Carney and Eugene Borza, it's definitely worth the read. You can order through any interlibrary loan service.

Wolfie

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2004

Cheers. That was the sort of answer I was looking for...

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2004

Greetings,

We know only that Bagoas (not the older one at the Persian court)was mentioned in connection to Alexander as hisfavourite, and in a famous scene where in publicly kisses him. We cannot say whether ALexander preferred women, as we know only that his marriages were strategic military alliances- marriage to Roxanne enabled Alexander tomove beyond the wearing hill tribe battles of Sogdiana/Bactria and marriage to Statiera (there is also another Persian princess named in some of the histories he is also said to have married)solidified his claim to the Persian throne; Drypetis, Statiera's sister, was married to Hephaistion. A mistress, Barsine, is claimed to have had a son, Heracles, but this is also viewed as a potentially fictional account.

It is likely that ALexander and Hephaistion were lovers, as the funeral monumnet/pyre/mourning suggests. Sexuality was less rigid and less troubling to the Makedonian court than it appears to be to people today. Philip, too, had affairs with males.

The best thing to do is read the sources (Arrian, Curtius, Diodorus, Plutarch, Justin) and realizing that mostof these writers were writing long after Alexander was dead, make up your own mind, since that is what even historians and scholars have had to do today- no one- and I mean no-one- can know for certain. Alexander kept his private life private, and after he died, most honoured that.

There is an article on sexuality in Alexander's time at www.pothos.org by Dr. Zimmermann, an Alexander historian.

Regards, Sikander

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2004

Just wondering thats all. Jesus, I didnt put in any implication that he was gay I know he wasnt by far I was just wondering whether Bagoas exsisted thats all. There is so much about Alexander and his life that it is impossible to know every fact there is. It is like knowing every single person in the first world war. Is there anything you dont know about Alexander?

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2004

Alexander did not have male lovers, Bagoas or any other. He preferred women by far. Just take it for granted and be happy.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2004

You have been doing your research! Are you a histoian or something?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2004

Applicable citations from the 11th Edition Encyclopedia Britannica:

A eunuch, Bagoas, was a favourite of Alexander the Great (Dicaearchus iii Athen. xiii. 6o3b; Plut. Al. 67; Aelian, Var. Hist. 3.23; Curt. vi. 5. 23; x. I. 25 if.).

These would cover everything recorded about Bagoas and Alexander. Read them. Judge for yourself. I wouldn't count any of these sources as unimpeachable.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2004

Yeah but according to your message board labelled 'A voice crying in the wilderness' you have dedicated your life to answering questions on the message board so answer mine if you can!!!

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2004

Ah! But that is not your right.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2004

Thats ok but you havent answered my question. :(

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2004

In consideration of your request, I promise not to make a snide comment in answer to your question, Kiz. That's your right.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2004