In Renault's view, Alexander's love for Bagoas influenced his desire to unite the Greek and Persian peoples. Bagoas' narration provides both a Persian view of the conquest and an intimate look at the personality of the conqueror. The Persian Boy is a 1972 historical novel written by Mary Renault and narrated by Bagoas, a young Persian from an aristocratic family who is captured by his father's enemies, castrated, and sold as a slave to the king Darius III, who makes him his favorite.Įventually he becomes the lover and most faithful servant of Alexander the Great, who overthrew Darius and captured the Persian Empire. Bagoas' narration provides both a Persian view of t The Persian Boy (Alexander the Great #1), Mary Renault Eventually he becomes the lover and most faithful servant of Alexander the Great, who overthrew Darius and captured the Persian Empire. The Persian Boy (Alexander the Great #1), Mary Renault The Persian Boy is a 1972 historical novel written by Mary Renault and narrated by Bagoas, a young Persian from an aristocratic family who is captured by his father's enemies, castrated, and sold as a slave to the king Darius III, who makes him his favorite.