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Alexander the Great is having a moment right now. The 4th-century Greek king is in the news thanks to the newNetflixdocudrama on his life, though not everyone is a fan of the show.Alexander: The Making of a Godhas facedcontroversyandaccusations of fabricating or altering elements of the leader’s life. There’s also conservative outcry over the depiction of a romantic relationship between Alexander and longtime friend Haphaestion, even though that may be based in fact. While the series may not be the most factually accurate, other viewers have praised its dramatic elements and storytelling.
Most people have some baseline knowledge of Alexander the Great. He was a brilliant military general who ruled over Ancient Greece sometime in the “BC” era. He was also reportedly the only one who undid the Gordian Knot, the most intricately tied knot in history. But how much of that is based in fact? Beyond his military genius, who was Alexander, and what should we know about him? How much doesthe Netflix docudramaget right, and how much is embellished for dramatic effect? Let’s look at what you need to know.
Alexander the Great’s Early Life
Alexander was born sometime in 356 BC in the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon to King Phillip II and his fourth wife, Olympias. Several legends surrounding Alexander’s early life exist, but it’s difficult for historians to verify which are based in fact. Some of these involve Alexander’s destiny for superhuman greatness, with his “real” father being the Greek god Zeus. At 10 years old, Alexander reportedly was able to tame a skittish horse that no one else could break. His father, Phillip II, recognized his prowess and declared he’d bea great leadersomeday. From the ages of 13 to 16, the iconic philosopher Aristotle acted as Alexander’s private tutor, where he was educated in the works of Greek writers and thinkers.
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Alexander had his first taste of power at the age of just 16. Phillip was off fighting a war in Byzantium, leaving Alexander in charge of Macedon. While Phillip was gone, the Maedi people staged an attack on Macedon, though Alexander was able to fend off the invaders. Alexander was later sent out to subdue another revolt in the kingdom due to his success, thus beginning his military prowess.
Alexander the Great as the King of Macedon
When Alexander was 20, Phillip was assassinated by his bodyguard captain. The kingdom’s military leaders quickly proclaimed Alexander asthe new kingof Macedon. He consolidated power by executing rivals as well as those behind his father’s murder. Phillip’s death pushed many surrounding states into rebellion, though Alexander was able to quash these as well.
At the time of his death, Phillip had been preparing to conquer Persia. In 334 BC, two years into his reign, Alexander finished what his father started by invading the Persian kingdom. The army, led by King Darius, tried to hold back Alexander’s army. They were no match, and Alexander prevailed. Darius fled, leaving his wife, daughters, and mother behind. Alexander, now king of that area in Asia, ensured that Darius' family was taken care of.
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From there, he moved on to conquer Egypt and the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. He founded the town of Alexandria and waged war campaigns in Babylon and Syria. In Babylon, his old friend King Darius sent his army to attempt to stop Alexander once more, though Alexander defeated the army. Darius, a man of consistency, again fled the battlefield.
With Darius subdued again, Alexander moved into larger Central Asia to establish himself as the unstoppable Great King. One of Alexander’s armies was commanded by Hephaestion, the king’s longtime companion and rumored lover. The Ancient Greeks were no prudes, and same-sex relationships were thought to be accepted just as much as opposite-sex ones, and played an important role in society at the very least. The king’s final major push was to conquer India between 327 and 325 BC. He split his army in two and stormed areas thought to be impenetrable. India fell, and Alexander’s empire spanned almost everything from modern-day Egypt to India.
In June of 323 BC, Alexander died at the age of 32. There is no consensus as to his exact cause of death, though wild theories persist. Some claim he died naturally of malaria or a related fever. Others claim he was poisoned by rivals. Scholars will likely never know the exact reason or how much longer his global domination would last had he lived into old age.
Separating Fact From Fiction
Alexander: The Making of a Godhas been hit with accusations that it’s less than truthful about the Great King’s life and works, mainly that it centers his personal life over his military campaigns. The show did take care to ensure the life events they chose to feature were accurate. The University of Nebraska’s Jeanne Reames, Ph.D., served asa historical consultantfor the series. Even with an expert on board, many fans felt that the battles, in particular, fell victim to Hollywood storytelling tropes. Some historical dramas ensure accuracy, while others focus on telling a dramatic story.Alexander: The Making of a Godfalls into the latter category.
Some key battles, such as Persia, were rushed through per fans. This implied that it was easy for Alexander to win when, in reality, he faced significant hurdles. He was also far more brutal in his fighting strategy than the show would have you believe. Battles were skimmed through to leave more room for the dramatic side of Alexander’s personal life. Key life events were omitted entirely, such as Alexander’s horse taming at age 10 and his instruction under Aristotle. The show puts little focus on Alexander’s childhood and glosses over his mysterious death entirely. The primary source of ire among conservative viewers wasthat “woke” relationshipwith Hephaestion, even though that’s ironically based in fact.
Alexander: The Making of a Godpresents an image of a flawed leader with personal struggles who can easily ascend to the top of the world. If you want an entertaining drama with a gripping story, this show is likely for you. However, history buffs wanting to learn something new about the Great King might not find it here.Alexander: The Making of a Godis available to stream on Netflix.
