Greek Minister Criticizes Netflix’s Portrayal of Alexander the Great as Gay

A drama documentary on Netflix about Alexander the Great titled “Alexander: The Making of a God” has sparked controversy for its alleged historical inaccuracies and portrayal of Alexander the Great’s personal life, specifically his relationship with Hephaestion. Greece’s Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, criticized the show for its “low content” and inaccuracies, highlighting the debate surrounding the nature of Alexander and Hephaestion’s relationship. The portrayal has been criticized for suggesting a romantic angle, a narrative that critics argue stems from Oliver Stone’s 2004 film “Alexander” and misrepresents historical facts.

The discussion has reached the Greek parliament, where Mendoni emphasized the lack of historical evidence to suggest the relationship between Alexander and Hephaestion was anything beyond deep friendship. She also touched upon the broad and multifaceted concept of love in antiquity, cautioning against interpreting ancient practices and individuals through modern perspectives.

Despite the controversy, the Greek government has no intention of taking legal action against the documentary’s producers, respecting the constitutional protection of artistic freedom. Mendoni underscored that art and personal interpretation are subject to individual judgment and not government regulation or legal action.

This debate mirrors a similar issue where the Egyptian antiquities ministry objected to Netflix’s casting choice for Cleopatra in another drama-documentary, reflecting ongoing discussions about historical representation in media.