Alexander the Great
Myth, Genesis and Sexuality
Distributed for Liverpool University Press
Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) has become a figure emblematic of his age—as well as one continually reassessed in our own time by generations of scholars, historians, and critics. This is the first volume devoted specifically to the study of Alexander’s sexuality and its representation and Ogden’s accessible presentation of the myths and critical narratives behind this heroic figure makes it a perfect volume for any student of ancient history. Along the way, the author draws us in to captivating issues as diverse as Alexander’s relationship with his wife Barsine; the mythology behind accounts of his siring by a thunderbolt or giant snake; the recurring representation of Alexander’s mother Olympias as a witch; and the various commentaries on Alexander’s homosexual engagement with his companion Hephaestion.
The Anglo-Hellenic League: The Runciman Award
Short Listed
Abbreviations
Preface
Introduction
1. Son of the Thunderbolt: Alexander’s birth myths and their dates
The birth myths
The lion-seal
The thunderbolt
The serpent sire and its tradition
The serpent side and the debate over Alexander’s paternity
The serpent sire and Ammon
2. Son of the Serpent: The original identity of Alexander’s serpent sire
Alexander’s world of serpents
Patterns in the Alexander serpent-lore
The original identity of the serpent sire
The visualisation of the seduction of Olympias
3. Son of the Ram: Alexander as heir to the Macedonian foundation myths
Typologies
Macedon
Caranus
Perdiccas
Midas
Archelaus
The interaction of Alexander’s myths with the foundation myths
4. Son of the Eagle: The heirs to Alexander’s birth myths
The opportunities offered by Alexander’s myths
Ptolemy Soter
Seleucus Nicator: the foundations of Antioch and Seleuceia
Seleucus Nicator: descent and typologies
Seleucus Nicator: Apollo as sire
Antigonus Monophthalmus and Demetrius Poliorcetes
Other Hellenistic dynasties and the Roman Empire
Conclusions
5. Son of the Witch: Traditions of polygamy in the Macedonian court
The polygamous structure of the Macedonian court
Olympias and Philinna: a war of witches?
Alexander’s family: polygamy and productivity
6. Alexander’s wives: Fact and tradition
Roxane
Stateira
Parysatis
Barsine
7. Alexander’s dalliances: Fact and tradition
Courtesans
Sons and mothers: Encounters with local queens
8. Alexander’s Men: Fact and tradition
The enigma of Hephaestion
Bagoas the eunuch
Hector
9. Alexander the Gynnis
The gynnis tale
What was a gynnis?
Alexander as a gynnis
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
You may purchase this title at these fine bookstores. Outside the USA, see our international sales information.
