The Persian Boy (1970)

A good novel about a Persian slave boy who is picked up by, and adventures with, Alexander the Great. I was happy to recognize several incidents and characters within - it's very well researched.

I'm not one usually to tolerate love stories and romances and intrigues, but this seemed more palatable. Give it a shot if you like either history or romance, and don't mind homosexuality. If you are none of these, pass it over. ( )

Historical novel narrated by Bagoas, a young Persian aristocrat who is captured castrated, and sold as a slave to King Darius III. He becomes Darius’ favorite and after Darius’ death becomes the lover and servant of Alexander the Great. ( )

Mary Renault continues the story of Alexander the Great (the first book was Fire From Heaven) in The Persian Boy. When we catch up with Alexander it has been six years. He is now 26 years old. His prowess as a conqueror cannot be questioned, as it was covered in Fire From Heaven, so Renault chooses to explore Alexander's sensual side as he forges a relationship with slave-boy Bagoas. As a eunuch Bagoas is used to being a plaything for royalty. His beauty is beyond compare and when Alexander is presented with Bagoas as a peace offering he cannot refuse. Despite once serving Alexander's Persian enemy Bagoas decides to be loyal to Alexander and make Alexander love him. What follows is the classic struggle of Persian versus Macedonian cultures as Bagoas assumes the narrative. ( )

A beautiful slave boy Bagoas is originally from a well to do family in ancient Persia and witnesses his father's brutal murder, along with his mother's subsequent suicide. As he is only 10 years old, he doesn't know what happened to his sisters as he was gathered up by the Captain of the assassins, to be sold into slavery. His life becomes hell for the next 5 years as the man that purchases him rents him out to uncouth clients. Eventually he end up as a sexual plaything to Darius, king of Persia. Things are better for awhile, but then Alexander the Great comes into the story when Darius is assassinated by his own men, and Bagoas is used as a pawn by one of the assassins as a gift to Alexander in order to obtain his own pardon. Bagoas falls deeply in love with Alexander who is protrayed as kind and fair to those in his care. After some patience and conniving, Bagoas finally gets close to Alexander and they become lovers. Bagoas is many things, young, dramatic, impatient, wise beyond his years because of the life he was thrown into, but ultimately lovable. I re-read this book every couple of years at least. ( )

When his family in Persia is wiped out by a political opponent, 10 year old Bagoas is castrated and sold into slavery as a eunuch. As his master becomes poorer he starts renting out Bagoas as a prostitute. Bagoas is eventually taken on as one of the Great King's eunuchs until Darius is murdered after a second defeat by Alexander the Great. Bagoas is given as a gift to Alexander, falls in love with him, and follows Alexander and his army as they try to bring the furthest flung reaches of the Persian empire under control.

High adventure and romance as we see Alexander the Great through a Persian's eyes. Bagoas was a real person, though we know very little about him, and the description of Alexander's career sticks to the facts as they have come down to us.

Some favourite quotes:

"I stood pressed to a tree. It looked a long way across the clearing. I remembered Susa. I was not like the others; I was loot."

"The living chick in the shell has known no other world. Through the wall comes a whiteness but he does not know it is light. Yet he taps at the white wall, not knowing why. Lightning strikes his heart; the shell breaks open.

I thought, There goes my lord, whom I was born to follow. I have found a King." ( )