It is a tale rich in historical insight and detail, especially in Bagoas' view of Alexander's growing sympathy with his Persian subjects, a markedly different view from that of the victorious Macedonians, jealous of their status as master race. The adventures of Alexander's last seven years, some stirring, some tragic, are thus told by Bagoas, an expert courtier and courtesan, sophisticated far beyond his years, boyish only in his devotion. Bagoas' famous beauty has been much exploited, but his affection has been needed by no one.

Alexander is a man with little experience of sensuality, but a profound need of affection. After his death, Bagoas, adrift and destitute, is rescued by a rebel satrap suing for pardon, brought as a peace-offering to Alexander, and taken into his household. Then, at the battle of Gaugamela, the empire crumbles about its ill-fated, ineffectual ruler. For the beautiful slave-boy Bagoas, bought plaything of Darius the Persian King, the invader's brilliant victories are at first mere palace rumor.

In The Persian Boy, we meet him six years later and follow him to his death in a superbly moving narrative told by his young lover and companion, Bagoas, a real historical person, who may well have influenced history. 'In Fire from Heaven, Mary Renault followed the career of the young Alexander the Great, up to his accession when he was twenty. Fiction, Iran - History - To 640 - Fiction, Greece - History - Macedonian Expansion, 359-323 B.C - Fiction, Alexander the Great 356-323 B.C Fiction, Eunuchs Fiction, Generals Fiction, Greece History Macedonian expansion, 359-323 B.C Fiction, Kings and rulers Fiction Publisher New York, Pantheon Books Collection inlibrary printdisabled internetarchivebooks Digitizing sponsor The Arcadia Fund Contributor Internet Archive Language EnglishĪ narrative of the life of Alexander the Great from the age of twenty-six until his death seven years later Fiction, Iran - History - To 640 - Fiction, Greece, Iran, Greece - History - 0-323 - Fiction, Greece - Kings, queens, rulers, etc. Fiction, Kings and rulers - Fiction, Generals - Fiction, Eunuchs - Fiction, Eunuchs, Generals, Kings and rulers, Historischer Roman, Generals - Fiction, Biographical fiction, Alexander the Great 356-323 B.C - Fiction, Greece - History - Macedonian Expansion, 359-323 B.C. Makedonien, König v356-v323, Alexander the Great 356-323 B.C. Fiction, Alexander, the Great, 356 B.C.-323 B.C, Alexander III.

Publication date 1972 Topics Alexander, the Great, 356 B.C.-323 B.C.

The Persian Boy by Mary Renault