This was quite intriguing for me, especially because, I just started writing a story about the letters of Hephaistion to Aristotle. I believe there is not a single letter left? I wish we had some left, then we could see a glimpse of Hephaistiion's character.
I liked the idea of Hephaistion being younger than Alexander. Do you think the main reason why it is believed that Hephaistion is older is because of their connection to Achilles and Patrochlus?
Thanks. I didn't realise until I started doing this how long Aristotle spent in Macedon, so he must have got to know Alexander and Hephaestion very well, and his letters to Hephaestion could even relate to this period ie advice to a young man.
Another very interesting piece, thank you! I did enjoy seeing the 'Romance' taken seriously as a source; like you, I think it has a lot to tell us. I like the idea of Hephaistion as the more philosophically-minded of the two, and I agree with it. Paul Cartledge says that Alexander was no 'philosopher in arms', despite his interest, but when it comes to Hephaistion, I think that's a description that might fit. Fiona
Thanks for commenting. Anything that gives a fresh slant on Alexander (and Hephaestion) is always welcome to me and I'm sure there is a historical background to the Romance, but with a lot of surface gloss. I often get the impression with the books I've read on Alexander that the writers rely too much on what might be called the first-tier of scholarship (eg Heckel and Lane Fox among those I've used here) and don't really examine what the sources actually say but rely on scholarly interpretation. So if the principal scholars don't really mention the Romance, then neither do the other sources. Oh, I wish I were a proper scholar!
Robin Lane Fox does say that Alexander doesn't appear to have put any of Aristotle's philosophy into practice, but sadly I'm not a philosophy scholar either! But it would be nice to think that if Hephaestion did lack the temperament to be a first-rate soldier, then it might have been because he thought too much.
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I liked the idea of Hephaistion being younger than Alexander. Do you think the main reason why it is believed that Hephaistion is older is because of their connection to Achilles and Patrochlus?
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I like the idea of Hephaistion as the more philosophically-minded of the two, and I agree with it. Paul Cartledge says that Alexander was no 'philosopher in arms', despite his interest, but when it comes to Hephaistion, I think that's a description that might fit.
Fiona
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Robin Lane Fox does say that Alexander doesn't appear to have put any of Aristotle's philosophy into practice, but sadly I'm not a philosophy scholar either! But it would be nice to think that if Hephaestion did lack the temperament to be a first-rate soldier, then it might have been because he thought too much.
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