Dancing with the Lion

Two boys, one heroic bond, and the molding of Greece’s greatest son. Before he became known as Alexander the Great, he was Alexandros, the teenage son of the king of Makedon. Rather than living a life of luxury, as prince he has to be better and learn faster than his peers, tackling problems without any help. One such problem involves his increasingly complicated feelings for his new companion, Hephaistion. When Alexandros and Hephaistion go to study under the philosopher Aristoteles, their evolving relationship becomes even harder to navigate. Strength, competition, and status define one’s fate in their world—a world that seems to have little room for the tenderness growing between them. Alexandros is expected to command, not to crave the warmth of friendship with an equal. In a kingdom where his shrewd mother and sister are deemed inferior for their sex, and his love for Hephaistion could be seen as submission to an older boy, Alexandros longs to be a human being when everyone but Hephaistion just wants him to be a king.

The story of Alexander before he became “the Great.” Finished with schooling under Aristoteles, Alexandros is appointed regent of Makedon while his father is away on campaign. This new authority is what he was born for, yet it alters his relationships with both his mother and Hephaistion. And when his soldiers start to call him “The Little King,” his father is less than delighted, especially as he proves himself as a military commander. Rising tensions between Makedon and the city-states of southern Greece sound the drums of war while personal hostilities separate king and crown prince even as they march to meet the Greeks in combat. Yet after the south is pacified, friction remains between Alexandros and the king. These hostilities explode at the festivity celebrating his father’s seventh marriage, forcing Alexandros into exile with his mother and Hephaistion by his side. To gain the throne, he may have to battle a gut-wrenching foe: his own father. If so, who will win: the old, seasoned lion or the talented young cub?

The story of Alexander before he became “the Great.” Finished with schooling under Aristoteles, Alexandros is appointed regent of Makedon while his father is away on campaign. This new authority is what he was born for, yet it alters his relationships with both his mother and Hephaistion. And when his soldiers start to call him “The Little King,” his father is less than delighted, especially as he proves himself as a military commander. Rising tensions between Makedon and the city-states of southern Greece sound the drums of war while personal hostilities separate king and crown prince even as they march to meet the Greeks in combat. Yet after the south is pacified, friction remains between Alexandros and the king. These hostilities explode at the festivity celebrating his father’s seventh marriage, forcing Alexandros into exile with his mother and Hephaistion by his side. To gain the throne, he may have to battle a gut-wrenching foe: his own father. If so, who will win: the old, seasoned lion or the talented young cub?

Two boys, one heroic bond, and the molding of Greece’s greatest son. Before he became known as Alexander the Great, he was Alexandros, the teenage son of the king of Makedon. Rather than living a life of luxury, as prince he has to be better and learn faster than his peers, tackling problems without any help. One such problem involves his increasingly complicated feelings for his new companion, Hephaistion. When Alexandros and Hephaistion go to study under the philosopher Aristoteles, their evolving relationship becomes even harder to navigate. Strength, competition, and status define one’s fate in their world—a world that seems to have little room for the tenderness growing between them. Alexandros is expected to command, not to crave the warmth of friendship with an equal. In a kingdom where his shrewd mother and sister are deemed inferior for their sex, and his love for Hephaistion could be seen as submission to an older boy, Alexandros longs to be a human being when everyone but Hephaistion just wantshim to be a king.