Alexander: The Making of a God follows the beginnings of Alexander the Great and his power struggle with Darius III of Persia. The docuseries is now streaming on Netflix.
Warning: This article contains heavy spoilers
Plot summary
The documentary tells the story of the ferocious rivalry between Alexander the Great and Darius, king of kings—two bitter enemies, worlds apart, two sides of the same coin.
In 334 BC, Alexander, a 20-year-old prince, has gone into exile in a place called Illyria. In this place, he tries to find out what his role is in this world.
Alexander is often accompanied by his close companions, Hephaestion and Ptolemy. Alexander’s exile ends when he receives a royal summon from his father, Philip.
Alexander returns to the Macedonian capital at Aegae to attend a royal wedding. There is great tension at the reception.
Alexander’s mother, Olympias, who once held supreme status over all the women in the court, is no longer wanted, as Philip has found a young bride who may give him an heir, resulting in Alexander being pushed away as a successor.
Alexander himself left the court a year ago because his father had tried to kill him. When Philip’s bodyguard kills Philip, Olympias instructs Alexander to take charge.
Alexander puts the blame on their enemies, the Persians, and promises his people that the Persians will pay the price for it.
Alexander becomes the young boy king who has to prove himself. He will be facing Darius III, king of the kings of Persia.
Olympias prepares Alexander for leading his people by telling him that he is the son of Zeus.
However, the likes of General Attalus doubt if Alexander has what it takes. Darius takes this opportunity to offer Attalus a deal, putting him in a dilemma.
Though Attalus rejects the offer, Alexander, as a consummate politician, decides to get rid of Attalus, considering how he can turn his loyal army against Alexander.
Alexander makes an example out of Attalus. After putting down all the rebellions, Alexander and his army march out of Macedonia to begin their invasion of the Persian Empire.
Alexander’s unconventional battle strategies, which highlight his bravery, and his beliefs help him win battles against the larger armies of Persia. He proves that he has what it takes to be a king.
While showing the noble side of him, Alexander doesn’t hesitate to show his brutal side either by killing the Greeks who are fighting for Persia.
Slowly, Alexander takes over the Persian territories, forcing Darius to join the battlefield. Darius still thinks that he can take out the boy king easily.
However, on the battlefield, Alexander forces Darius to retreat. While Darius escapes, he leaves behind his wife, Stateira, and daughter, Barsine, who are captured by Alexander’s army.
Losing his own family puts Darius in a difficult position. Now his people doubt him. At this point, Darius was ready to offer gifts to Alexander and to call the war quits.
Alexander won’t rest until he conquers Persia. However, instead of pursuing Darius, Alexander goes to Egypt so that he can have the supplies needed.
During his time in Egypt, Alexander becomes a living god, worshipped by the Egyptians. However, Alexander’s people start doubting whether Alexander is losing his Macedonian self by becoming a foreigner.
Amidst all of this, Stateira dies with her child during childbirth. Stateira’s death hurts Darius’ legitimacy to the throne.
Darius was never a direct heir. Stateira was a Persian royal woman of high status who married Darius. Now, those who were loyal to Darius start moving away from him.
Ending explained:
Darius escapes yet again
Alexander’s associates persuade Governor Mazaeus, who was promised Barsine’s hand for marriage, to switch sides.
Eventually, the efforts work, and Governor Mazaeus becomes doubtful of Darius, who had made another effort to strike peace between him and Alexander.
Alexander rejects Darius’ offer, leading to a showdown in Gaugamela. Alexander once again fails to kill Darius, who flees from the battlefield.
Though Alexander can take the throne of Darius for himself, he won’t sit on it until he kills Darius himself.
In the meantime, Governor Mazaeus surrenders to Alexander and reunites with Barsine
Darius’ death
Darius plans to open a long guerilla warfare campaign against Alexander. However, at a time like this, one of his loyal associates, Bessus, turns on Darius.
Bessus murders Darius to take everything for himself. Bessus does this for personal greed, personal power, and dissatisfaction with Darius.
Alexander is disappointed to find out about Darius’ fate. Alexander, who has grown as a person, doesn’t think a king like Darius should die this way.
The future of Alexander
Alexander can’t let a king murderer go. Hence, Bessus is put to death. Alexander uses Darius’ death as propaganda to show people that he is a legitimate, respectful heir.
In six short years, Alexander goes from a Macedonian prince to becoming the king of the four quarters of the world.
Alexander claims that, in his death, Darius pointed him to continue conquering in the east. Alexander is now on the mission of creating an empire that eclipses all others. What’s next is Alexander battling himself.
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