#cleitus

[jeannereames]

If Alexander were furious, would he really kill Hephaestion? and, what would happen after killing him

I honestly don't think he'd be able to, unless he were literally blind with rage or hallucinating. He killed Kleitos, although close to him, because Kleitos pushed him over the edge and both were drunk. It seems there had already been words between them and I imagine Kleitos had been quarreling with him for a while.

Many murders are committed by family members or someone else very close to the victim. I honestly don't think the murder of Kleitos was calculated (although a few have suggested as much). I think it truly was a crime of passion, and Alexander felt genuine remorse.

Yet he doesn't seem to have quarreled with Hephaistion the same way. I just don't see him killing Hephaistion with his own hand, ever. There was that threat in India, but as will become evident when my article on it comes out (probably next year?), I don't think that event happened, or not as Plutarch relates it. And even if it did and there was such a threat, when it came down to following through? No. Especially not in cold blood. As noted, the only way I think it could have happened would be a complete accident as a result of hallucinating or something.

And if he had killed him by his own hand, he'd have immediately tried to kill himself, just as he did when he killed Kleitos. He was stopped, and no doubt he would be in the case of Hephaistion, but then he'd just do it passively by drinking himself to death or something.

[eithre]

What's your name, darling? —Alexander (2004)

[marysmirages]

Alexander before the Battle of Gaugamela (2017)

[illustratus]

The Battle of the Granicus by Charles Le Brun - depicts Alexander the Great at the centre of the cavalry battle.

Spithridates, the Persian satrap of Ionia and Lydia, was about to attack Alexander from behind with his sword, but his sword arm was cut off by Cleitus the Black.

[er-cryptid]

[eosphoroz]

I'm not saying this movie is a meme. But this movie is a meme.

[eithre]

While alive, I prefer dancing. —Alexander (2004) [Theatrical Release]

[jeannereames]

Hello, Dr. Reames! I have the same question about both real Hephaistion and Hephaistion from DWTL. Do you think he feared Alexander? Actually feared that Alexander could execute him or at least that it wasn't impossible? Especially after Cleitus' death.

Short answer: Yes. At least the historical man. After Kleitos's murder, he would have to have questioned.

My Hephaistion doesn’t fear Alexander would execute him while sober, but after Kleitos, he does wonder if Alexander in a rage could kill him. And, seeing Alexander’s reaction to Kleitos’s murder, fears what Alexander might do to himself in his grief, as a result.

Yet the historical man may have enjoyed less certainty of his place than mine. We just don't know. After Kleitos died, I suspect fear was widespread—but perhaps also a sense that “it couldn’t happen to me.” If we can trust the accounts of the incident Kleitos was spoiling for a fight and deliberately provoked Alexander in a way I don’t really see Hephaistion doing. It may have acted as cautionary tale of how far one could--and couldn't--tweak the bear.