Skip to content Site Title Home Blog About Contact Homosexuality as represented in Greek Antiquity: were Achilles and Alexander mourning their friends or lovers? Achilles tending Patroclus wounded by an arrow, Attic red-figure kylix, c. 500 BC (Altes Museum, Berlin. Prelude In no way am I claiming that there are sources from the period that prove that there was sexual relationship between these people. However, this article does argue that given the culture present in these periods you could infer a homosexual relationship. During these periods’ homosexuality was not a deviation from the norm and on occasion happened during a heterosexual relationship [Hammond, 1980]. Introduction When researching either Achilles or Alexander, one would usually struggle to find any sources that do not discuss their ‘friends’, Patroclus and Hephaestion, respectively. To anyone who reads about these relationships it becomes very clear that they were very close friends, or even closer than friends. With this coming to the forefront when they mourn these loved ones. This blog aims to argue that the relationships between these people might not have been strictly platonic and may have been romantic in nature. Achilles and Patroclus When introducing people to the idea of Homosexuality in Ancient Greece, the primary example would be Achilles. This is due to the deep relationship between him and Patroclus, his first cousin once removed. When reading the Iliad, it becomes painfully obvious the relationship between the two goes far beyond friendship which is only more apparent when news reaches Achilles about the death of Patroclus. Such grief he felt lead to him wishing for his ashes to be mixed with Patroclus upon death. This also draws a deep rage out of Achilles who confronted Hector and slew him, later dragging him on the back of his chariot. It may be due to inference that later historians have come to believe these two were lovers or this may have come from Plato. In Plato’s Symposium he suggests a romantic and sexual relationship between the two of them [Plato. Symposium]. This may show how during this period of ancient Greece, or at least Athens, homosexuality was common. Differences could have appeared between the archaic and classical periods about homosexuality but based on what Plato says this might have been as common as it was in the classical period. Alexander and Hephaestion Many comparisons can be drawn between Achilles and Alexander, who very much so used such imagery intentionally as a form of propaganda and cement his demigod image. This could suggest that the way in which Alexander is represented with Hephaestion might jus be another way or Alexander to illustrate himself alongside other great heroes. It’s clear to see that by the time the Persian wars alexander and Hephaestion have easily grown as close as Achilles and Patroclus, this then can predict the reaction of Alexander after the death of Hephaestion. He had on multiple occasions mentioned Hephaestion as his most distinguished field marshal and discussed how close they had become. When attending games in Ecbatana, Hephaestion was suddenly stuck with an illness, with Alexander himself sitting with him until he recovered. However, Hephaestion would die about a week later. Alexander would then through a highly expensive funeral in his honor, with him leading the cart for part of the journey to Babylon. he also through games in his honor with more than 3,000 contestants dwarfing anything prior. He would spend 10,000 talents on this funeral and tomb [Plutarch 72.4]. This only goes to show the love that Alexander deeply felt for Hephaestion, love that can only be comparable with that of family member or even lover. Conclusion In conclusion, despite lacking any Ancient sources portraying sexual relations between these ancient heroes, I believe that the relationships between these people in question may have gone beyond the platonic. I reached this conclusion through inference from the ways in which Alexander and Achilles mourn the passing of their loved ones. The way in which these powerful leaders were left in states of what could be comparable to depression drives the point home about how much love they had for the fallen. Then how Alexander especially constructed a tomb for Hephaestion after his passing could only be seen as a pure act of love and grievance. Also, the rage of Achilles, who slew Hector and dragged his lifeless corpse on the back of his chariot, would seemingly appear due to the lose of a loved one. Actions like this to me suggests they had more than just a platonic love but there may be a deep romantic love. Bibliography Modern sources Chugg, Andrew Michael (2006) Alexander’s Lovers. Lightning Source UK Ltd. Hammond, N. G. L. (1980) Alexander the Great: King, Commander and Statesman. Bristol Press Heckel, Waldemar (2006) Who’s Who in the Age of Alexander the Great. MA, USA: Blackwell. Martin, Thomas R. (2012). Alexander the Great : the story of an ancient life. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Michelakis, Pantelis (2007). Achilles in Greek Tragedy. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press Murphy, L. (2019) United in Grief: Achilles, Alexander and Hadrian. Kings College London, London. Sergent, Bernard (1986). Homosexuality in Greek Myth. Beacon Press, Boston. Vorhis, Justin Grant. (2017) The Best of the Macedonians:Alexander as Achilles in Arrian, Curtius, and Plutarch. University of California, Los Angeles. Ancient Sources Homer. Iliad (1924) Murray, A. T. (trans.) Harvard University Press, Cambridge. Plato. Symposium (1909) R. G. Bury. (trans.) Cambridge. W. Heffer and Sons. Plutarch. Moralia. (1936) Babbitt, Frank Cole. (trans.) Cambridge, MA. Harvard University Press. Share this: TwitterFacebook Posted byjacobsummers180114226th Oct 2020Posted inUncategorized Post navigation Previous PostPrevious post: Introduce Yourself (Example Post) Leave a Reply Enter your comment here... Site Title, Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Create your website at WordPress.com Get started Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy :)