Conservatives Challenge Netflix’s Portrayal of Alexander The Great As A Gay Man In New Docuseries

A recent docuseries released on Netflix, Alexander: The Making of a God, has ignited controversy among conservatives due to its depiction of Alexander the Great as a gay man.

The inclusion of a passionate kiss between Alexander, portrayed by Buck Braithwaite, and his close companion Hephaestion in the opening episode has drawn the ire of the prominent right-wing “End Wokeness” X account, well-known for its opposition to progressive ideologies. The account took offense to Netflix’s portrayal with the statement, “Netflix’s new documentary about Alexander the Great turned him gay within the first 8 minutes.”

Despite the conservative indignation and the subsequent backlash from its followers, historians have long acknowledged Alexander’s sexuality as more complex than a heterosexual orientation. The belief that Alexander was bisexual has been widely accepted among scholars and transcends ideological boundaries.

The portrayal of Alexander’s bisexuality is not a novel concept in popular media. The 2004 film Alexander, which starred Colin Farrell, also depicted the legendary conqueror as bisexual. This longstanding recognition of Alexander’s sexual orientation challenges the notion that his depiction as a gay man in the docuseries is a radical departure from historical understanding.

Interestingly, the “End Wokeness” X account even fact-checked the comments made by its own followers. It was noted under the initial post that ancient historians and scholars widely accepted Alexander’s bisexuality and believed he had intimate relationships with both men and women. However, the account persistently doubled down on its outrage and proclaimed, “It’s still unproven speculation and should definitely not be emphasized within the first 8 minutes.”

Released on January 31, the six-part docudrama on Netflix delves into Alexander’s transformation from an exiled young man to his relentless pursuit of defeating the mighty Persian Emperor Darius, which culminated in his conquest of the known world in under six years. The series brings this extraordinary journey to life through interviews with historians and captivating reenactments, with a significant emphasis on Alexander’s sexual orientation.

Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones of Cardiff University in Wales, featured in the first episode, highlights that same-sex relationships were prevalent throughout the Greek world and Dr. Salima Ikram from the American University of Cairo added that Hephaestion was not merely Alexander’s cherished companion but perhaps his “greatest love.”

The docuseries serves as a platform that explores various historical narratives and offers different perspectives on the enigmatic figure of Alexander the Great and his complex personal life.