Masculine, Courageous Gay Army

[Curiosities]

http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/best_of/history_sex_love/traditions_and_customs/index.shtml

Love was more closely linked to sex in a sacred band of homosexual thieves, who fought alongside their lovers. They were defeated in 338 BC by Alexander the Great and his father, Philip of Macedon. Philip wept over their dead bodies, having been overcome by the bravery they displayed, willingly rushing towards danger in an attempt to protect their lovers. A monument was constructed in honour of their courage, representing the love between the men. These men were recognised for their masculinity, unlike the perceived stereotype of gay men today.

Thought it was something cool and interesting to share

Hope one day gay men gain back the equality they had.

 

[tidimus]

I wasn't aware of this. How cool. Some links I found:

http://www.culturekitchen.com/mole333/blog/monument_to_gays_in_the_military

Better picture of the monument: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3325924.jpg (didn't want to hotlink it so they won't remove it)

 

[Curiosities]

why isn't there a movie about this

That'd be cool, but I'm more curious/upset about how this isn't taught in history books.

I wasn't aware of this. How cool. Some links I found:

http://www.culturekitchen.com/mole333/blog/monument_to_gays_in_the_military

Better picture of the monument: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3325924.jpg (didn't want to hotlink it so they won't remove it)

Thanks for the contribution!

 

[TickTockMan]

Thanks for posting. I am going to use it in my points of interest paper.

 

[ibill1]

Thanks for sharing. This is indeed remarkable.

 

[bokan800]

why isn't there a movie about this

300



1234567890

 

[SoulSearcher]

I have studied this, but I think it is erroneous to project the modern concept of classifications, hetero, homo, bi, to ancient cultures or even other cultures today. Most ancient cultures only thought of themselves as sexual, not homo or hetero, these are very recent Western concepts.

 

[TickTockMan]

They weren't just defeated, they were all killed.

Interesting enough I found this.

Although Plutarch claims that all three hundred of the Band's warriors died that day, excavation of the burial site at the Lion Monument in 1890 turned up only 254 skeletons, arranged in seven rows.

Official notice at Lion Monument at Chaeronea.

 

[Curiosities]

I still don't get why stuff like this don't appear in history text books, I certainly never learned about this.

 

[TickTockMan]

I still don't get why stuff like this don't appear in history text books, I certainly never learned about this.

They don't want to admit one of the best armies in the world was made up of queers, much less the reason they were so good; they were partnered and would die protecting one another.

 

[TickTockMan]

Maybe Alexander or Phillip took those six as lovers? lol

46 and it must be good to be king.

 

[TickTockMan]

Eeekk! My head is hurting so much that I can't do simple math. Time to log out, me thinks. lol

Yeah, being a king must be good. Especially back then.

I have never wanted to be king more in my life than I do now.



What amazes me is, being a history nerd, I never knew about them. Thats just sad.

 

[TickTockMan]

Whoo. 46. That's a lot of dicks.

I know. Isn't grand?

 

[TickTockMan]

It's phantastic

We could all play the ring toss and other fun games.

 

[CM0431]

There's one book I know of about the Sacred Band it's called "The Rise and Fall of the Sacred Band of Thebes"

 

[TickTockMan]

There's one book I know of about the Sacred Band it's called "The Rise and Fall of the Sacred Band of Thebes"

I was really happy for a second. Then I found out its just a novel.



There doesn't seem to be any books just about them. Bits are inclued though in books on others.

 

[CM0431]

I was really happy for a second. Then I found out its just a novel.



There doesn't seem to be any books just about them. Bits are inclued though in books on others.

Gorgidas was a Theban military leader of the Sacred Band of Thebes. Try doing some googling and you may find a bio on him.

 

[Royal Heart]

This really makes me smile. Thank you.

 

[Zingerific]

I still don't get why stuff like this don't appear in history text books, I certainly never learned about this.

Well, because nothing interesting appears in history textbooks. Textbook authors, at least in the US, try to be as bland and vanilla as possible, so as to not offend conservatives on school boards, who are, after all, the buyers of textbooks. There are all kinds of tidbits you'll never learn if you rely on textbooks.

Of course, all that assumes that history of ancient Greece is taught in the first place.

I first learned about the Sacred Band years ago when first studying Plato; the idea is floated in The Symposium, and apparently the Thebens tried it out.

 

[TickTockMan]

Gorgidas was a Theban military leader of the Sacred Band of Thebes. Try doing some googling and you may find a bio on him.

I will do that. Thank you.