Alexander: The Making Of A God - Alexander And Hephaestion Sword Training Scene [Netflix]

(Season 1 Episode 1 “The Boy King”) - We're then given our first introduction to the would-be figure. We first hear of Alexander's exploits c. 336 BC (according to Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones), a year into Alexander's voluntary exile in Illyria. At this point, we're also introduced to Hephaestion (Alexander's close friend and purported lover), and Ptolemy, another of the would-be King's closest allies.

He'd left his father's kingdom (Macedon) after an encounter with General Attalus. As Dr. Salima Ikram explains, Attalus accused him of not being a bastard and of being unfit to sit on the throne. Alexander was furious, but Philip, instead of defending him, basically tried to kill his own son, prompting Alexander to leave Macedon behind.

Dr Carolyn Willekes tells us that his exile ended when Philip invited Alexander back to Macedonia for the wedding of his sister to a neighboring warlord, a practice Philip carried out regularly, to strengthen Macedon's borders. At Aegae Palace in Macedonia, Alexander is greeted by his mother, Olympias.

Olympias was one of Philip's seven wives. Although she was held in high regard for giving birth to Alexander, but lost some of her power when Philip married his new wife, Eurydice.