ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the ways Alexander's story were used to promote martial masculinity and military virtues in Classical and medieval societies. At the beginning of the chapter, there is an overview of how martial virtues and military masculinity have been part of the “hegemonic masculinity” within Greco-Roman and medieval societies. The first subchapter explores the image of the Persian campaign as a masculine war of aggression. It focuses particularly on the inspirational battle speeches appearing in the source material. The second subchapter deals with the hand-to-hand fighting, duels, physical excellence and honour. It is suggested that their depiction of Alexander's willingness to fight in forefront and single combats is intended to support his image as the “greatest” and “most valiant” fighter of all time and allow him to demonstrate his masculinity. The third subchapter examines the critique of recklessness and imperialism, which can be distinguished in the works of some Roman intellectuals and early Christians. The fourth subchapter concentrates on the texts where Alexander is portrayed as a masculine beast-slayer. In the beast-slayer stories, Alexander exerts control over himself and over the monsters he kills.
