(no subject)

[fajrdrako]

An interesting link to an essay about Alexander the Great's sexual orientation and other matters - it seems pretty sensible:

Alexander's Sexuality

I love it that the movie has suddenly made a pile of info about Alexander more accessible, and that he's actually being talked about. History is being discussed. I love it.

Comments

[mieza.livejournal.com]

Heh. That's mine. A more updated version, although more specifically about Hephaistion, is here (http://myweb.unomaha.edu/~jreameszimmerman/Hephaistion/lover.html).

In any case, I'm glad you found it reasonable. :-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well it is reasonable, and more, especially compared to a lot of the nonsense being thrown around out there. And good reading besides. Now I'm in search of a good bibliography, and wishing that half the city hadn't just checked out the Alexander books in the public library.

Thanks for the other link! I look forward to reading it.

[mieza.livejournal.com]

If you're bio hunting, let me suggest two, one of which may not be checked out because it's not obvious. ;>

First, there's A.B. Bosworth's Conquest and Empire, from 1988. Still one of the best, most even-handed treatments on ATG out there, neither overly apologetic, nor overly hostile. (His later work, Alexander and the East is a different matter, but still an important book.)

Second, and the one you may be able to find, try John Keegan's The Mask of Command. First chapter is on Alexander and although he's not a Macedoniast and gets some details wrong (there were no 'barons' in ancient Macedonia; no formal structure of nobility like that existed), it's still a very good -- imo -- treatment of Alexander's goals and personality, such as we can know, as well as his strengths as a commander.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Your comments are very much appreciated. I look forward to this.

[chazzbanner.livejournal.com]

Courtesans and Fishcakes - that was my personal Book of the Year when it came out in paperback. Superb.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation! I've ordered it. Meanwhile I'm reading Greek Homosexuality.

These days I'm torn between Romans and Greeks, wandering back and forth between them - it's such fun.

[mieza.livejournal.com]

Courtesans and Fishcakes is just a splendid example of careful research using a wide variety of available sources instead of just sticking to a few. There are a few cases where I'm not sure I agree with his conclusions, but it's nitpicking. It's probably the best book out there on Athenian social history and I use it regularly. :-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's now on its way to me as fast as amazon.ca can send it.