Hephaestion And Alexander's Relationship

Alexander meets Hephaestion who six years later becomes his loyal best friend. Hephaestion promises to be forever loyal to Alexander and will always be by his side in times of war. Alexander and Hephaestion embody a strong love for eachother and have sexual relations. Olympias is not happy with the fact that Alexander is not heterosexual at this point. Also, she is jealous that Alexander’s love is put into someone else. Olympias tries to enforce heterosexual ideals onto Alexander but Alexander is conflicted because she will be upset either way. Alexander has yet another obstacle to overcome. Olympias says, “Soon your father will be making you a marriage. It is time you showed him it is a husband he has to offer, and not a wife” (p. 244). Alexander

gets upset and warns her to never say that again. In attempt to control Alexander, a woman is sent to Alexander’s room in hopes to make Alexander fall in love with her. Alexander gives the woman a note for his mom saying that Alexander chooses for himself and cannot be controlled. Regarding the marriage that is set up by King Philip, Hephaestion fully supports Alexander’s need to go behind his father’s back and win the ruler’s daughter himself. Hephaestion says, “You know I’m with you, whatever comes of it. Whatever you do” (p. 327).
Towards the end of the book, Alexander finally realizes that King Philip is not his father.

In order to “earn his inheritance” (p. 343), Alexander plans to take over Asia. At this point, his friends are exiled and are not to be found. It is said that Alexandros would be the next in line if King Philip dies in battle. Arrabios denies Alexander’s worth when Alexandros sticks up for Alexander. Defending his mother, Alexander plans to kill Attalos in the battle of Asia. Alexander says, “She’s a wronged woman, it’s natural she should want revenge; though of course that’s what has set the King on getting her out of the kingdom before he leaves, and its done me harm enough” (p. 348). King Philip forces Kleopatra, Alexander’s sister, to marry their uncle, King Alexandros of Epirus. Olympias and King Philip divorce. During the wedding, King Philip is pronounced “Twelve Olympians, and divine Philip” (p. 357). Cries from the crowd say, “May the King live!” (p. 360). King Philip decides to enter the stadium without bodyguards. Philip says, “My people are guard enough. Let all these foreigners see it” (p. 361). The guard, Pausanias stabs King Philip in the stadium. Renault says, “He had been eight years in the Guard, and for five of them commanded it” (page 363). Pausanias then is killed by the other guardsmen. Finally, Alexander ascends the throne and Olympias is a proud

mother.