The Alexander Movie

  • Thread starter Thread starter dmm2000
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dmm2000

Guest
Can anyone provide me with some clarification with regard to the new Alexander movie, by Oliver Stone.

What is the basis of his claims on the same-sex relationship that Alexander had with his general?

Peace
 
His basis on the whole same-sex deal is that Alexander encouragred his men to have homosexual relations w/ one another. This was done for “morale” purposes. Homosexual relations were encouraged at times in antiquaty (? spelling ?) within the army.
 
Basis? Oliver Stone needs a *basis * for anything?

Since when? 😃
 
40.png
wabrams:
His basis on the whole same-sex deal is that Alexander encouragred his men to have homosexual relations w/ one another. This was done for “morale” purposes. Homosexual relations were encouraged at times in antiquaty (? spelling ?) within the army.
Click to expand...
And where do you get this from?

I think much of this “scholarship” goes to putting the views of todays society and its morals (or lack there of) on ancient societies.

For example there was a show on pbs a couple of weeks ago. The discussion was on whether Neandertals where human or animal.

One of the researchers said that he had to think of them as equal to us becuase he thinks everyone is equal.
 
40.png
ByzCath:
And where do you get this from?

I think much of this “scholarship” goes to putting the views of todays society and its morals (or lack there of) on ancient societies.
Click to expand...
Oh, I don’t know. Probably just about every book I’ve ever read about ancient Roman and Greek army’s.
 
wabrams,

Can you please tell me what books you are referring to, as this caught me totally by surprise.

Peace
 
Alexander the Great and His Times by Agnes Savill

The Campaigns of Alexander by Arrian, Flavius Arrianus, Aubrey De Selincourt (Translator)

These are two good starting points. Honestly, any book in the history section of Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million about ancient Rome or Greece will pretty much make a mention of it in some shape or form. An earlier poster made the comment about how we try to impose our liberal views on ancient times, well this goes both ways. We also try to impose our morality on ancient times as well.
 
Thank you for the information. From your statement on morality of ancient times, are you indicating a belief in moral relativism?

Peace
 
scholars long before the 21st century knew that homosexuality was rampant in classical Greece. It isn’t something that modern historians are “imposing” on the culture. It’s a fact - homosexuality was the norm among the upper class men of ancient Greece. You can read primary sources for evidence - such as Plato’s “Symposium.” Be prepared for a nauseating read, though.
 
40.png
Minerva:
scholars long before the 21st century knew that homosexuality was rampant in classical Greece. It isn’t something that modern historians are “imposing” on the culture. It’s a fact - homosexuality was the norm among the upper class men of ancient Greece. You can read primary sources for evidence - such as Plato’s “Symposium.” Be prepared for a nauseating read, though.
Click to expand...
But, we have to keep in mind that “homosexuality” as we know it was NOT accepted in ancient/classical Greece. The relationships were man-boy, in the context of power, control, and “initiation” into the public life of politics. And, of course in the army it was also power, etc., especially victor over loser. These men were married and had families, but engaged in sexual relations with other men in the context of politics and war. There were actually laws against what we would today call a homosexual “relationship”.
 
dmm2000,

I don’t know if relativism is the right word for it, but think about it this way: most Europeans are less modest about sexuality than Americans, right? Well in ancient Greece and Rome they were less modest to a certain degree than modern Europeans. Sexuality was more open and there weren’t as many things that were taboo as in our modern society. That’s probably not the best explanation, but I’m still waiting for my coffee to kick in, so the brain isn’t quite going yet! lol.
 
I would caution against lumping ancient Greece and Rome together in the same breath. In Republican Rome, IMS, active homosexual activity between legionnaires was a stoning offense. In addition, I believe it was illegal for a time, although upper classes often ignored the prohibition.
 
40.png
wabrams:
I probably should have clerified and said early Romans.
Click to expand...
Hey, no problem. Clearly morals were relaxed during the Empire, especially with “great” role models like Caligula (“married” his sister) and Nero.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top