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jeannereames · 2 days

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Did Christianity change the perception of Alexander in a meaningful way?

Perhaps a bit surprisingly, the rise of Christianity didn’t really alter perceptions of Alexander that much, largely for two reasons.

First, imperial authors (both Greek and Latin) had already shaped those perceptions according to popular philosophic virtues—using Alexander as either an exempla of Bad Behavior or of Proper Restraint (or both, depending on the writer).

Second, in an attempt to gain acceptance, or at least tolerance, for Christianity among the larger Roman imperial public, some early Christian theologians began presenting Christianity as a form of philosophy (Justin Martyr and Origen are good examples, as well as Augustine later). Some non-Christian philosophers fought back directly (Celsus and Plotinus, most notably), and some Christian authors actively resisted this “philosophizing” of Christianity (Tertullian). Yet several philosophic ideas (and ideals) seeped into early Christian thought in ways that might have surprised Jesus.

Probably the most influential were Neoplatonism (thank you, Origen), and Stoicism. Notions of self-control, ataraxia (equilibrium), and asceticism folded into Christianity as early as Paul, but certainly by Justin Martyr (early/middle first century CE) and Origen (early second century CE). These then became part of Christian discourse. Christian Gnosticism, after all, is just a particular flavor of gnostic thought found throughout the Mediterranean and ancient near east. Gnosticism owes to Neoplatonism mixing with an influx of Persian and Hindu notions that had floated west even before Alexander but certainly accelerated after. (One could even debate to what degree Plato himself was influenced by eastern ideas; after all, philosophy was born in Asia Minor with Thales & Friends, then bypassed mainland Greece for a bit to land in Sicily and south Italy. Athens was a johnny-come-lately to the party.)

In any case, “Alexander” had already been firmly situated in philosophic and rhetorical discourse in ways that were easily adopted and adapted by Church theologians. He remained a negative example of anger and worldly ambition, and a positive one of (military) leadership and physical (especially sexual) restraint.

One might point to the elimination of Alexander’s bisexual interests as Christianizing, but that’s too simple. We already find Roman literature headed that way. Romans had mixed receptions of “Greek love,” even when expressed “properly” between older men and younger boys/male slaves. It’s Roman Curtius who gives us the very negative impact of the eunuch Bagoas as part of the larger depiction of Alexander corrupted by Eastern (Asian) influence. It’s also Curtius, however, who gives us clues to other (freeborn) boys who may have been Alexander’s beloveds, but always presented in coded language as “favorites.” There’s more to say about that, but it depicts pretty well, imo, the Roman mixed mind on the matter. Also, Plutarch’s presentation of Alexander’s indignation when offered pretty boys is, even now, used by those who want to deny Alexander’s interest in males. While we can quibble over exactly what Plutarch meant Alexander to object to (it’s important to contextualize where this anecdote appears), it’s certainly not the open praise of beautiful boys found in, say, the poetry of Solon.

None of that is Christian.

Also—and conversely—we find several Renaissance-and-later paintings that depict Hephaistion and Alexander, some homoeroticized, such as the tapestry made from LeBrun’s sketch of Alexander taking leave of Hephaistion (by kissing him). Yes, kissing was a normal hello and goodbye, but the overtones are, imo, intentional.

It’s really not until the latter 1800s that Hephaistion starts to disappear from ATG discourse as heightened homophobic fears require him to be excised from Alexander’s narrative to protect the conqueror from THOSE allegations. Yes, that’s related to Christianity, but I’d argue it’s more about rising homophobia in Europe, even if Christianity is used as the excuse—just as slavery pre-existed Christianity, but Christianity was later employed to justify its continuation.

So, perhaps surprisingly, no, Christianity didn’t significantly alter popular consciousness of Alexander.

I’m not a specialist on the Alexander Romance, but it’s here you’d find more obvious Christianizing, and Islamizing, as well. Look up the work of Richard Stoneman on the Romance. Also checkout Ken Moore’s Brill's Companion to the Reception of Alexander the Great.

#asks #Christianity and Alexander the Great #Alexander the Great #Early Christianity #philosophy in early Christianity #Alexander in Roman philosophy and rhetoric #Alexander Romance #Christian repression of Alexander's bisexuality #ancient Macedonia #ancient Greece #Greek homoeroticism #Greek homosexuality #Roman discomfort with “Greek Love”#Classics #Early Church History

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srednod · 2 years

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Yannis Tsarouchis, Sailor reading, 1981.

#art #art history #modernismo #queer art #tsarouchis #yannis tsarouchis #greek art #male #men #homme #sailor #reading #gay art #gay #homosexual

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riotcat103 · 2 months

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Odysseus: If your love story was a movie, what would it be? Patroclus: Probably a tragicomedy Achilles: what? why? Patroclus: Because it's got the drama of the war and comedy of your stubbornness. Achilles: And the tragic of your terrible jokes. Patroclus: They're gold to someone... Just not you. Achilles: Wait no-

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yourdailyqueer · 2 months

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Sufjan Stevens

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Gay

DOB: 1 July 1975

Ethnicity: White - Lithuanian, Greek

Nationality: American

Occupation: Singer, songwriter, musician

#Sufjan Stevens #homosexuality #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbt people #male #gay #1975 #white #greek #Lithuanian #singer #songwriter #musician #popular #popular post

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fanfic-gremlin-ft-trauma · 5 months

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this made me laugh out loud because,,, homosexual tendencies is a funny way of saying he wished for his ashes to be buried with his best buddies so that they could never be separated

#text #tsoa #tsoa patrochilles #patrochilles #greek mythology #sofia speaks about herself #shitpost #sorry this is just.. so funny to me #‘despite his homosexual tendencies’ like they could’ve worded it any other way? 😭#I mean that’s one way to put it pulls out my list of times Achilles was gay #anyway this is dumb but like?? lmao

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sarielsnowings · 2 years

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🏺Wine and Gold☀️

(Old art from 2020 I still really love). (I was being very indulgent).

#Just wanted to draw Apollo and Dionysus being gay #they enable each other in the worse ways #But also share a deep understanding of their respective natures #not so different after all #SarielSnowingsArt #Apollo #Dionysus #Greek mythology #illustration #gay #gay gay homosexual gay #lgbtq #queer artist #trans artist

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0lympian-c0uncil · 11 months

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I really wanted to do this man

#look at the homosexuals #ares x apollo #artemis x athena #aphrodite x persephone #artemis #athena #aphrodite #persephone #ares #apollo #greek gods #greek mythology #incorrect greek gods #incorrect greek mythology #incorrect greek god quotes #incorrect greek quotes

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empanadazul · 10 months

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IT HAS ARRIVED, THE DAY OF THE RELEASE OF THE PERCY JACKSON SHOW HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AND ON HIS BIRTHDAY. WE GOT A NEW TRAILEEER

ANNABETH STABING THINGS, GROVER SMILING, PERCY NOT KNOWING WHAT IS GOING ON, THANK YOU RICK RIORDAN YOU BEAUTIFUL TROLL

I AM GOING BACK INTO MY PERCY JACKSON ERA AND YOU WILL ALL GO DOWN WITH ME

BLUE COOKIES FOR ALL OF YOU AND GO GRAB YOUR PENS

#pjo #percy jackson #i just think it's neat #this adhd disaster is the reason l started loving being weird greek mythology and homosexuality #Tumblr blorbo at its finest #i love him your honor

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gotstabbedbyapen · 11 months

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The year is 1767. Apollo and Hyacinthus are going on a date at Salzburg University Gymnasium and seeing Mozart's opera “Apollo et Hyacinthus”.

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Apollo: There's this musician kid I've been looking after for a while, he had a lot of potential. He just made this opera about you and me, so I'm taking you to you see it on our date! Hyacinthus: Oh gosh, really??? I can't wait to see the play!

(mid-way through the play)

Hyacinthus: *pulling Apollo out* Love, calm down. It's just a play! Apollo: *screaming* MOZART, I TRUSTED YOU AND THIS IS HOW YOU FUCKING REPAY ME?!!

#apollo #hyacinthus #apollo x hyacinthus #hyacinthus x apollo #incorrect greek mythology #incorrect greek mythology quote #incorrect greek gods #mozart #Apollo et Hyacinthus opera #i've looked into this play and damn the straight-washing is hideous #i understand the current era aren't gay-friendly but geez you gotta do this to one of the gayest couple in mythology?#i know it wasn't Mozart who twisted the story into this #there's this Rufinus Widl guy who remove the homosexualness #this is why the opera is only performed once in Mozart's lifetime #don't want the god of music and plague to curse you and your family

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mote-historie · 4 months

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George Barbier, Les Amours pastorales de Daphnis et Chloé, 1918.

The subject of Daphnis and Chloe is distinguished from other Greek novels by its bucolic setting and the constant irony which governs the course of the action.

It is above all their sentimental education which is described throughout the adventures of the novel. The two protagonists live in the countryside, near the city of Mytilene on the islandof Lesbos. Daphnis is a young goatherd, a child found by shepherds (in a laurel grove, hence his name which comes from the ancient Greek δάφνη (daphnè), laurel). Chloé, for her part, is a shepherdess, also a foundling. They grow up in a pastoral setting and fall in love with each other, but multiple twists and turns prevent them from satisfying their love. However, the outcome is a comedy: the two children are recognized by their respective parents, who are rich people from Mytilene, lifelong friends, and who are going to marry them. (x)

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jeannereames · 8 months

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@bestnoncannonship, here you go!

Calling all the queer Classicists. :-)

BookTok Part I, going over some of the important books (and a few articles) about homoeroticism in ancient Greece. This covers material pre-2000. It's not everything, but several important works, including some that had an impact on my own academic work ("An Atypical Affair?: Alexander the Great, Hephaistion Amyntoros and the Nature of Their Relationship," et al.), as well as on Dancing with the Lion.

Enjoy! Part II will come, but probably not for a little bit. I'm covered up in grading/et al. Same goes for the asks.

But I will answer!

#classics #greek homoeroticism #ancient Greece #Ancient Macedonia #Greek homosexuality #asks #dancing with the lion #queer classics #academic booktok #booktok

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whereserpentswalk · 2 months

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There's no actual proof there was hetrosexuality in ancient Greece, as much a lot of cishet teens online like to say there was. Yes they had a strange ritual known as marriage where older men would sexually exploit young girls, but that doesn't mean they had modern views about hetrosexual love being accepted.

Yes, I know a lot of people ship Orpheus and Eurydice nowadays, but that doesn't mean the ancient Greeks saw them that way. They were very close, and we know he cared about her enough to venture into the underworld. But we don't have any explict sex scenes between them in any source, so it could have been a friendship.

Stop trying to impose your modern values onto the ancients.

This isn't my actual opinion I'm making fun of how people talk about queer history.

#196 #my thougts #ancient greek #ancient history #ancient greece #greek mythology #orpheus #Euridice #orpheus and eurydice #eurydice #queer theory #queer history #queer #homosexuality #lgbt #queer community #satire #history

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riotcat103 · 4 months

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Achilles: I have to ok?! I need to restore my honor! Patroclus: I'm sorry can your "honor" make you orgasm? Achilles:..no? Patroclus: exactly so it's either me or-