The Persian Boy, the captivating centerpiece of Mary Renault's trilogy on Alexander the Great, intricately explores the last chapters of Alexander's life through the eyes of Bagoas, a Persian youth of noble lineage and striking beauty. While its companions, Fire from Heaven and Funeral Games, delve into Alexander's earlier years and his demise, respectively, The Persian Boy stands on its own, offering a unique narrative lens. Bagoas's journey, from the traumatic events of his early life to becoming an indispensable part of Alexander's world, forms the crux of this intense historical saga.

Early Life and Capture

Born into nobility, Bagoas's life takes a dramatic turn when his father is accused of treason against Persia. The resulting execution, brutally designed to shame, leaves a haunting impression on Bagoas. At just ten years old, he is captured, transformed into a eunuch, and thrust into slavery, a path that leads him to a jeweler who sees him as a means to satisfy the desires of influential acquaintances. Bagoas's existence shifts again at twelve when he is purchased by a mysterious benefactor, grooming him for the court of the Great King Darius.

Life at the Persian Court

Within Darius’s court, Bagoas quickly rises as a favored figure, adept at the delicate art of courtly influence. He learns the precarious nature of such favor, which can vanish with age or missteps. The tides turn once more as Darius falls to Alexander's forces, betrayed by his own nobles. Bagoas, now in the hands of Nabarzanes, is presented to Alexander as a gesture of goodwill.

Devotion to Alexander

Navigating a world defined by power and survival, Bagoas finds himself truly captivated by Alexander. Despite his previous experiences, he feels a genuine affection for the conqueror that surpasses mere duty. Initially tempted by jealousy towards Hephaistion, Alexander's beloved companion, Bagoas quickly realizes the futility and danger of such emotions. His devotion becomes unwavering, and he follows Alexander through even the harshest of campaigns, from the barren deserts to the challenging terrains of India.

Trials and Tribulations

The relentless march of Alexander's army is fraught with exhaustion and dissent, breeding power struggles and mutinies. As they approach the edge of the known world, the Indian Ocean, Alexander reluctantly agrees to return. In Babylon, still grieving Hephaistion's death, Alexander disregards ominous warnings and enters the city. Bagoas, by now an influential courtier, oversees the execution of his father's betrayer, asserting his power and influence.

End of an Era

In Babylon, as Alexander plans his empire’s future, he succumbs to a fatal fever, a common peril in the city's swampy surroundings. Bagoas, engulfed in grief, remains at his side as the remaining generals squabble over leadership, neglecting the proper rites and the urgency of embalming. These "funeral games" foreshadow the chaos to follow. As the novel closes, Bagoas resumes his familiar vigil in a corner, witnessing the embalmers perform their work on Alexander's body, remarkably preserved against the odds.