Christopher Cosmos explores Alexander the Great’s rise in New Novel ‘Young Conquerors’
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
Greek American writer Christopher Cosmos has released his latest work titled ‘Young Conquerors’, a story that chronicles Alexander the Great through the lens of his closest companion and friend, Hephaestion.
Cosmos’ novel, which was published on 10 September, follows the pair from their early years together and explores Alexander the Great’s journey from an undersized, middle-child of a northern Greek kingdom to the legendary conqueror he came to be.
“The novel begins when Hephaestion and Alexandros first meet and follows them until the moment they leave Greece and set out for Asia, on the quest and path to chase the horizon, and that will eventually lead to them conquering the world,” the author told Neos Kosmos.
Cosmos explained that much literature and focus has been put on Alexandros’ conquests and premature death, but that he has always found other parts of his story more fascinating.
“What was interesting to me is the story of Alexandros’ life in Greece, and the events, emotions, and people who shaped and formed him into someone who could set forth and do all that he does,” he said.
Christopher Cosmos explained that he has always been fascinated with Greek stories and history and has looked to incorporate it in his writing, as evidenced by his novels “Once We Were Here” – set during WWII – and now “Young Conquerors”.
“I decided to tell the story of the greatest and most fascinating Greek who ever lived, and endeavour to show just what made him who he was, as well as the lasting influence he’s had on all of us, and even the modern world,” the writer told Neos Kosmos.
Cosmos admitted that trying to get into the mindset of such a “unique, gifted, and larger than life” figure like Alexandros seemed a daunting task, which is what spurred him to write the novel from Hephaestion’s perspective.
“The natural solution, to me, was to tell his story from the perspective of the one who loved and knew him best,” he said.
“That way, Hephaestion can experience all these same emotions witnessing Alexandros’ story as we do while reading it, and that becomes our window into this great and enigmatic character.”
The writer spoke on the benefits of historical fiction as a means of exploring stories in greater depth, particular in relation to its original context.
“We so often think of history as a static and decided upon thing, but it is not. It is so often filled with the prejudices and characteristics of the time in which it is written or told.,” he said.
“Those are the things I endeavour to peel back and remove until hopefully, at the end, all that’s left is truth, or as much truth as I can possibly find.”
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