A recent Netflix documentary series, Alexander: The Making of a God, has sparked controversy on social media after depicting Alexander the Great kissing another man. The six-part series chronicles the life and career of Alexander, from his father’s assassination to the formation of his own empire. In the opening episode, Alexander is shown kissing his close friend, confidant, and bodyguard Hephaestion.
Some viewers have taken to social media to express their complaints about the scene, with one Twitter user stating that “Within the first 8 minutes, they turned him gay.” However, many have pointed out that Alexander’s sexuality has long been a topic of speculation, with the Roman historian Athenaeus describing him as “quite excessively keen on boys” and theorizing that he had a long-term sexual relationship with Hephaestion.
Alexander the Great is widely regarded as one of the most successful military commanders of all time, having created one of the largest empires in human history by the age of 30. He married three times, but it is his sexuality that has captured public interest throughout history. While some argue that the depiction of Alexander kissing another man is historically inaccurate or inappropriate, others assert that it is an important representation of his life and identity.
Responses on social media have been mixed, with some users defending Alexander’s bisexuality and others criticizing the portrayal as an attempt to “end wokeness”. Regardless of one’s opinion on the scene, it is clear that Alexander the Great continues to be a subject of fascination and debate, centuries after his death
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