Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
At his death, Hephaistion was second man in Alexander's empire (chilliarch)--a far cry from just Alexander's sounding board and/or love interest, as he too often appears in pop history renditions. They don't seem to know what to do with him, other than create romantic rivalries. Yet Hephaistion's REAL rivals weren't Alexander's wives, mistresses, or the eunuch Bagoas. They were *other Marshals*, and Krateros in particular. After c.329/28 BCE, he became Alexander's chief logistic (and diplomatic) officer. Let's take a look.
Sources mentioned: Arrian, Curtius Rufus, Diodoros, Plutarch
Article referenced: J. Reames, "The Cult of Hephaistion," in RESPONSES TO OLIVER STONE'S "ALEXANDER." Paul Cartledge and Fiona Greenland, eds. Univ. of Wisconsin Press, 2010, 183-216.
researchgate.net/publication/291861079_The_cult_of_Hephaestion
At his death, Hephaistion was second man in Alexander's empire (chilliarch)--a far cry from just Alexander's sounding board and/or love interest, as he too often appears in pop history renditions. They don't seem to know what to do with him, other than create romantic rivalries. Yet Hephaistion's REAL rivals weren't Alexander's wives, mistresses, or the eunuch Bagoas. They were *other Marshals*, and Krateros in particular. After c.329/28 BCE, he became Alexander's chief logistic (and diplomatic) officer. Let's take a look.
Sources mentioned: Arrian, Curtius Rufus, Diodoros, Plutarch
Article referenced: J. Reames, "The Cult of Hephaistion," in RESPONSES TO OLIVER STONE'S "ALEXANDER." Paul Cartledge and Fiona Greenland, eds. Univ. of Wisconsin Press, 2010, 183-216.
researchgate.net/publication/291861079_The_cult_of_Hephaestion
