HORRIBLE HISTORIES - Alexander The Great

[@knotofnine]

Whether or not it's strictly accurate, I love the way Ben is playing Alexander - not shouty like the roman crazy emperors, just a very quiet sort of confident narcissistic madness.

[@nejdalej]

​@@tuwheratiaihaka2744 They're complimenting how Ben is playing the character. Calm down, hen.

[@buddyltd]

And also very slightly gay. As a gay myself, a historian and an enthusiast for gays throughout history, I definitely appreciate it.

[@dba8211]

I'm pretty sure this is strictly accurate

[@juliangoodman9000]

Very accurate, if you look at his behaviours as he goes through Persia, they’re a lot of narcissistic events and he kills a few people who were loyal to him.

[@nothanks8368]

​@@juliangoodman9000 i think the quiet part is the part he is unsure about

[@LunaLiddell]

I love how Mat's talking to Ben like he's a little spoiled kid. "And you named that one Alexandria too, didn't you?"

[@cassandrafowler5642]

Where is he, where is he, oh there he is🤣

[@ThomasTheGayEngine]

The fact that the sniff was improvised- Oh my god the sniff was improvised

[@idiotsassemble5698]

Wait was it?? How do u know??

[@ThomasTheGayEngine]

@@idiotsassemble5698 i think he said it on an interview, i cant quite remember but after watching this i remember hin saying somewhere it was improvised with everyone laughing

[@idiotsassemble5698]

@@ThomasTheGayEngine omg that's amazing 🤣🤣🤣

[@emmyjo720]

It is something that Ben would do

[@josie2794]

@@ThomasTheGayEngine if you remembered which interview that was it would be amazing.

[@asmodayose]

Ben actually added the sniffing bit himself. It was not in the script. Which was a fabulous move on Ben`s part because it alludes to the blurring of sexual boundaries during that time.

[@Jolie991]

Well, most historians do agree that Alexander and his closest adviser, Hephaestion, were romantically involved. It was actually kind of adorable.

[@gurrflapoo]

" it's Turkish!" "Is it Turkish for Alexandria?..." "YES!" Lol what legends!

[@carlbirtles4518]

That city was featured in The Last Crusade.

[@yvrucsniatpac]

Don't Mat and Ben just have great chemistry together? Brilliant skit with Alexander the Great and Hephaestion. Love the sniff. They're my new favourite slash couple!

[@paulhricik225]

I thought his name was "Skinny Mandria"

[@thimalidassanayake]

​@@paulhricik225😂

[@franinconverse]

One of the best sketches ever done on the show. Just perfect.

[@rusheena]

The sarcasm gets me every time! "Let's not forget Alexandria"

[@minalucy1992]

Slightly hot when Ben whispers 'Alexandria' in Matt's ear.

[@lilstinker245]

I- also I like your adipose pfp 👀

[@anniebaker6763]

This is exactly like Merlin and Arthur from “Merlin”

[@oliviasailing8330]

stfu it literally is

[@whofcknknowsanymore1451]

Ahaha exactly

[@airzorne]

General: Is it Turkish? Alexander: No, it's Persian. What the hell is Turkish?

[@N4MiK4Ze2]

when he said turkish i was like "wait, what?" lol

[@aaronstately]

Love it when he smells his advisor.. Kids wouldn't work that out...but parent with any historical knowledge would click straight away...very clever bit of fun with Alexander.

[@IntellectualParadox]

I love how this program caters to people of all ages with all different levels of knowledge of history, like when he smells his advisor, probably a reference to the theories that Alexander was gay... or maybe he is just smelling the scent of defeat :P

[@daroth7127]

probably more like Bisexual, he had a wife and son after all

[@lucyhartwell2134]

@@daroth7127 Back then, being gay doesn't necessarily stop you from having a wife and children. Alexander desperately needed an heir for his kingdom, and a marriage pact would bring him alliances. Obviously we can't know Alexander's sexuality, but it's worth remembering that marriage does not equal love or sexual orientation in ancient times.

[@daroth7127]

@@lucyhartwell2134 idk bro fucking a girl and impregnating her is pretty straight

[@hollybramhall1351]

@@daroth7127 but you don’t know if he did it out of attraction or necessity (how are you gonna get a legitimate heir without fucking and impregnating a woman?) which is why we can’t know for sure. besides, gay is used as an umbrella term now anyway

[@daroth7127]

@@hollybramhall1351 Aye, he could've done it out of pressure for an heir, and the idea of straight, gay etc. were not as cemented as they are now. But as you say, we can speculate but we will sadly never know for sure

[@annelin4215]

Alexander: I'm naming this city 'Alexandria' (sniffs hair) Alexander: Actually no.Perhaps you're right.

[@izzycheuk4572]

something changed his mind...

[@dudeonlygamingandotherstuf7791]

@@izzycheuk4572 Maybe it was the hair...

[@limbobilbo8743]

Mat and Ben are always the best duo in sketches followed closely by mat and jim

[@aliciawarren3900]

this is my favorite skit from the whole series, its the one that sticks in my head

[@awhecknaw123]

His whispering voice and ego for some reason make him so freakin attractive!!!!!

[@boogywoogy638]

The way he explains that he’s a supreme leader and stares him out is bloody hilarious

[@Alonetogether13]

I like to think that Mat is playing Hephaestion right there XD

[@RexoryByzaboo]

hehe, maybe

[@nameslesss]

@@RexoryByzaboo this comment was a decade ago my dude

[@mait9341]

@@nameslesss so....

[@Beriorn]

Skinny man: Is it Turkish for Alexandria? Alexander the Great: *without missing a beat* Yes.

[@MismeretMonk]

I thought he was gonna say: "I will call it Bucephalia!" "Why?" "After my great HORSE!" "Are you sure?" "Hmm... no no this is better: Alexandria Bucephalous!"

[@ReluctantWarrior]

Granted, it gets quite sobering once you learn why he named it after Bucephalus.

[@11Pfannkuchen11]

I'd like to live in skinnymandria XD

[@leifbirgerolsen9167]

@@incognitodon5779 now i can tank covid for making me watch this

[@cgt3704]

Skinnymandria is boring. I want to visit Iskenderiye

[@xxxminimoonxxx3756]

This cracks me up lol

[@VioletAyame47]

Their chemistry in this sketch is so great, especially at the end!

[@danalar]

The level of slash on this skit is unbelievable. Fangirls be fangirling right now.

[@MistyFog573]

8 year old me did NOT realise the tension between these two.

[@staceyjizzaine]

Great acting from these two....as usual. I wish I could see behind the scenes I reckon they make a lot of stuff up to try and make each other laugh

[@Ager1987]

Alexander was the greatest charisma man has ever lived

[@LakedemonP]

He named another city after but he didn't use his name.He used his horses name and called that city Voukefala.He was not only a great leader.He loved animals too:)

[@ReluctantWarrior]

Wasn't it called Alexandria Bucephalous (maybe Voukefala is abother name for it?) Named in honour of the stallion after he had succumbed to wounds sustained in the Battle of Hydaspes.

[@Gavin17259]

"Is it turkish for Alexandria?".............yes" love that bit.

[@JamieRyou]

Yes, a very extraordinary man and I find it rather interesting to know what kind of feelings he had towards Hephaestion and how that affected their relationship, as well for how they worked together and what influence Hephaestion had.

[@JamieRyou]

@jadaswarklar Actually there are some evidence for that he was bisexual. For example he kissed Bagoas in public, and he recived a letter from Diogenes that said that he was "... ruled by Hephaistion's thighs". And Hephaistion said that he had been in Alexander's tent the whole night at one occasion. And the way Alexander responded to Hephaistion's death seem to be that they had a relationship that was beyond friendship.

[@furbybuddy]

I love that they left the bit of Ben going wtf after the improv sniff

[@dragontypeliv]

LOL its funny when he goes "you could call it Skinnymandria" haha

[@AyebeeMk2]

"when you have conquered the whole worl before you're 26...." brilliant sketch.

[@____Ai____]

I so love ben's voice in this sketch :D

[@kjkitkat1128]

Why did he sniff Matt?Lol... This was hilarious as always! And now I will forever whisper to my friends "Alexandria"

[@nickyb5851]

Alexander was said to be one way sexually involved with his closest advisor

[@amycox5733]

Alexander likely had a romantic relationship with one of his advisors, Hephestion. Hephestion was likely one of very few people who would have felt secure enough in their position with Alexander to stand up to him like this, even if he knew there was a chance he would be shot down. So it stands to reason that this was a conversation between Hephestion and Alexander, and that sniff (which was completely improvised) was the actor’s way of referencing their dynamic.

[@AGJ117]

1:16 Matt is probably staring at the people laughing behind the camera.

[@verkaforever]

You're right. By the way, his male companion was called Hephaestion- I have studied Alexander's life at University.

[@nitricelephant]

My name's Alexandria. He should really whisper it in my ear. That'd be great.

[@ToddlovesCopper]

"after our great and noble leader...where is he? where is he? There he is!" lolzz

[@lprocks555]

He may have been a great military commander, but he was an unimaginative sort when it came to naming things. Also, Baybond. I ship it.

[@hitkidsnotvapes6823]

God, there is not a single thought going on in that mans brain for this sketch

[@blueturtle3623]

Which man?

[@heyitzpanda2915]

Haha I just made a “welcome to SkinnyMandria” sing for my room

[@voidparx]

You just inspired me to do the same thing lmao

[@izzycheuk4572]

"It has been suggested by some modern scholars that as well as being close friends Alexander and Hephaestion were also lovers" -wikipedia now i cant tell if ben did that on purpose or because the two characters mightve liked each other

[@AAtlantic20]

i think i should call it HM... alexandria...or skinimandria i think skinimandria is better :D

[@Svezhaja_struja]

can't help rewatching this from to time)) Mat and Ben are awesome. Also adore their duet in the court where Peter III put a rat (or a mouse with delusions of grandeur) to trial))))

[@randomist92]

And this is why they won a comedy award for best sketch show :D epic

[@cassandrafowler5642]

Had this scene stuck in my head at 5 in the morning. Guess whose watching horrible histories in the morning.

[@madwoman213]

Love him - and luckily he's in pretty much every sketch.

[@shaddowkitty0193]

This has to be hands down one of my all time favourite skits from the whole series, I swear it gets me every time 😂

[@idiotsassemble5698]

1:19 okay but they're literally bullying Mat here 🤣

[@TheLyricsBabe]

I love Ben's voice in this its so nice and soothing =)

[@TheSchemer1]

"A great millitary ruler also listens to his advisers, it is abit confusing" Lol

[@naturetasha]

I'd live in skinnymandria if Mathew Baynton stayed there :D

[@nooneofinterest234]

Don't know about you guys but I remember getting some ASMR the first time I watched this.

[@tealc0126]

"Is it Turkish for Alexandria?" XD I love it

[@cyee7]

MY GOD their voices

[@gentlebrit]

luv the way he tweeks his button at 1:16 haha

[@JamieRyou]

What about Diogenes? In a letter written to Alexander when he was a grown man, Diogenes accuses Alexander of being "... ruled by Hephaestion's thighs."

[@verkaforever]

This sketch is SO funny! Can't decide which bit I like best.

[@staceyjizzaine]

pwahaha!!! Skinnymandria and the powersniff afterwards I nearly died!! XD

[@TheREALByskie]

i was told by my teacher to watch this for class how great is that

[@g0thikam0rsu]

this was so hot for no reason

[@misscrazytalk]

Ben and Matt are my favorites from the show this is just hilarious!!!!!!XD

[@manheap12]

When Ben sniffed Mat... It was amazing.

[@forgerofyourdreams]

@arcticushion98 Because Hephaestion (Mathew Baynton's character) and Alexander were said to have been lovers.

[@Casparrowrox]

The Baybond of this omg ~-3

[@voidparx]

Just no

[@ProfStraightEdge]

Ben looks so different in this one. It's cute. ^^

[@theprodigy1600]

Yeah,that's what I said they LOVED each other. You're right.

[@29Therainbow]

My 2 favourite guys in the same place I must be in heaven :)........

[@nejdalej]

The comments section: omggg Ben and Mat have such great chemistry, this so hints at the romantic relationship Alexander the Great had with his advisor, omgggg

[@paigestubbs9718]

1:20 Replay button for Skinnymandria

[@alfieingrouille1528]

Why is no one talking about skinnymandria that's the best part😂

[@Endgame707]

Hey did you know Alexander the Great thought it should be illegal for women to Fart

[@harmagician1]

This is fun. Thanks for posting. Was that Hephaestion with him? I thought he might suggest naming a city Hephaestiondria.

[@SantoRedentor]

Alexander thought he was from the lineage of Achilles, that he was godlike... he was VERY show-off and shelfish... but... let's be honest, he was so damn good that he could be all that and more :)

[@Sophieslazy]

There he is =D this video is one of my favorite from the show =p

[@normietwiceremoved]

At the time of Alexander the Great, there was only one city named Alexandria, which was the city he founded in Egypt in 331 BC. The other cities that were later founded and named after Alexander, including the various Alexandrias in modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, were established in the centuries following his death in 323 BC, during the Hellenistic period. So, during Alexander's lifetime, there was only one Alexandria, and the other cities with that name were founded after his death.

[@ChaoticBluebird]

Alexander the Great is rather camp. XD I love these sketches.

[@XFudgeXJunkieX]

Thumbs up if you totally slash Willbond & Baynton as Alexander & Hephaestion!

[@Alizastack]

my excuse for everything now: 'IT'S TURKISH!'

[@smalltent]

OMG the slashiness of this is unreal! Mind you who wouldn't want to sniff Mat's hair given the chance....

[@misszotee]

i love the fact that even though this is a kids show they still show that alexander was gay , i guess thats why it has such a wide audience , because it has jokes like that that children wouldn't necessarily get

[@ReluctantWarrior]

Bisexual rather, although he would not have identified as such since there was no concept of sexual orientation then.

[@margaritalove]

I FORGOT TO SAY THAT I LOVE THIS SHOW IT IS VERY PLAYFUL AND INTERESTING WAY TO EDUCATE NOT ONLY CHILDREN BUT EVERYONE...ALTHOUGH THIS IS ALSO A GOOD WAY FOR THE BIG MEDIA TO SPREAD A PROPAGANDA, THROUGH HISTORY...SO PEOPLE SHOULD BE CAREFULL CONSUMING ANYTHYNG ON TV NO MATTER HOW ENTERTAINING OR CREATIVE THE PROGRAM IS...ONE AGAING, THIS HORRIBLE HISTORIES SHOW IS A VERY GOOD WAY TO GET PEOPLE'S ATTENTION

[@spazzy69]

1:33 makes me feel funny inside...

[@SuperGingerBickies]

@ellybrandt4 Yes, indeedy! I also love it when he goes 'mm-mm' and 'ah-ha' when Mat points out the different Alexandrias on the map. *melts like butter on hot toast*

[@NkotbJoeyJordanFan]

"perhaps when you find your own city, you can name it after yourself..... you can call it skinnymandria" LMAO!

[@jennybrook6393]

This is my favourite video!!! :D

[@KatzePiano]

Skinny Mandria! haha - I love Mathew Baynton. :D

[@AlexD02721]

Where is he? Where is he? Where is he? There he is.

[@wombataldebaran9686]

Seems like he is wearing the Captains Hat of Naming Rights.

[@crashoveryu]

"Let's not forget Alexandria" LOOOOOOL!

[@sakurapoptart]

We watched this in my world history class...

[@thestonedabbot9551]

you could call it, hm s k i n n y m a n d r i a *sniff*

[@paulinethegreat1]

Alexander founded I heard over _72 cities named after himself. "Skinnimandria" awesome! Here's something Alexander might have said after founding his 72nd Alexandria: "What have I done with my life? Is there something wrong with my city-building taste in names" Yes "Alexander the Great", yes there is. LOL!

[@RexoryByzaboo]

OK, if I conquer the world I will name every city "Rexoria".

[@extrememark13]

haha perfect video.those videos are both,really funny and educational.well done!!

[@emeraldkoala2]

Something about this sketch does things to me. One of the sketches I've always remembered from this show, though for some... different reasons than the others.

[@l.s.s.8-8-16]

This is the skit that made me discover HH and it holds a special place in my heart ❤️❤️😅😂

[@gigglyduck]

This is soooooooooooo awesome! i love Horrible Histories! :) It rules!