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Day 30 - Your favorite book
May. 30th, 2013 11:13 am30. Your favorite book
The Persian Boy by Mary Renault
I found this book when it came out in paperback. It was the story of Alexander the Great and his Persian slave boy, Bagoas, as told by Bagoas himself. The narrative begins when the boy is taken from his home as a boy by Darius and how he is made into a eunuch. It would appear that he is a favorite of the King with his beauty and his dancing.
When Alexander ousts Darius, Bagoas becomes his and the young boy comes to love his master and serve as his lover and slave until Alexander’s death at 33.
Ms. Renault’s account of Alexander was lyrical and sweet though laced with the ugly realities of life in ancient Greece, the life of a career soldier and the life of a slave.
I am not sure I agree with some of her assumptions but this is probably one of the most beautiful stories written about Alexander and Bagoas. I tend to think the real love of his life was Hephaistion, who was a peer and a friend as well as his lover.
The Persian Boy by Mary Renault
I found this book when it came out in paperback. It was the story of Alexander the Great and his Persian slave boy, Bagoas, as told by Bagoas himself. The narrative begins when the boy is taken from his home as a boy by Darius and how he is made into a eunuch. It would appear that he is a favorite of the King with his beauty and his dancing.
When Alexander ousts Darius, Bagoas becomes his and the young boy comes to love his master and serve as his lover and slave until Alexander’s death at 33.
Ms. Renault’s account of Alexander was lyrical and sweet though laced with the ugly realities of life in ancient Greece, the life of a career soldier and the life of a slave.
I am not sure I agree with some of her assumptions but this is probably one of the most beautiful stories written about Alexander and Bagoas. I tend to think the real love of his life was Hephaistion, who was a peer and a friend as well as his lover.