As of: March 10, 2024, 3:11 p.m
By: Astrid Kistner
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Buck Braithwaite plays the Macedonian general Alexander the Great.
© Photo: Netflix
A kiss heats up tempers: Conservative Greek politicians see the Netflix documentary “Alexander the Great” as tarnishing the memory of the ancient war hero.
Wrongfully so, as we find after viewing the six-part series.
As is well known, faith moves mountains or at least shifts national borders.
Convinced that he was the son of Zeus, the father of the gods, Alexander the Great once conquered the Persian Empire, took over Egypt and penetrated into what is now India.
Netflix has memorialized the greatest general of antiquity in a six-part documentary.
Read here whether it's worth tuning in and why Greece's conservative politicians would prefer to ban the series about their national hero.
It's about a passionate kiss.
Traded between the Macedonian prince and his closest companion Hephaestion.
The international historians who have their say in the Netflix series agree: Alexander was (also) attracted to men and Hephaestion “perhaps his great love”.
Lifelong companions: Alexander (Buck Braithwaite, left) and his friend Hephaistion (William Stevens).
© Photo: Screenshot
In ancient times, same-sex relationships were normal
A statement that is causing discontent, especially among Greece's conservative politicians.
They accuse the streaming service of simply wanting to scandalize.
The excitement is hard to understand.
Same-sex relationships were so normal in ancient Greece that there wasn't even a word for homosexuality.
“You were just being sexual – no matter what gender you were,” explains Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones from Cardiff University in the film.
An opulent history lesson
But before you get the wrong idea: The series “Alexander the Great: How he became a god” is anything but homosexual soft porn.
Rather, Netflix offers an opulent history lesson that is presented in the best popcorn cinema style.
There is a lot of intrigue, murder and fighting going on.
Elaborate scenes with actor Buck Braithwaite in the lead role trace the bloody triumph of the Macedonian king, who was told by his mother that he was under divine protection.
Scientists and historians classify his career and describe Alexander as the “greatest military genius of all time”.
A radiant hero who could be as clever as he was tyrannical – confident in his own glory down to the very tips of his hair.
View of the spectacular archaeological site in Alexandria
The Greek archaeologist Calliope Papakosta has been following in his footsteps for 20 years.
In search of ancient Alexandria, which her hero once founded, she uncovered thousands of square meters in the center of the Egyptian city.
Layer after layer she made important discoveries.
The documentary series visits her excavation site and shows the remarkable Sisyphean work she committed herself to.
It is undoubtedly an attractive mix of fictional scenes and expert analysis from which Netflix composes an entertaining history lesson.
Much is historically proven, some is speculation.
For all those who are enthusiastic about Alexander and his fearless triumph, this series is undoubtedly worth seeing.