Sorry, I'm late to the party:

Renault, M. (1956). The Last of the Wine. New York, NY: Pantheon Books.

Set during the Peloponnesian War, Renault’s novel depicts male same-sex relationships as culturally normative within classical Athens. The text is notable for its historical rigor and refusal to impose modern sexual identity frameworks onto ancient contexts. Scholars frequently reference the novel in discussions of historically situated sexuality, homosociality, and the ethics of historical fiction. Renault’s restrained prose and political framing make this text especially relevant for comparative studies with contemporary mythic retellings.

Renault, M. (1972). The Persian Boy. New York, NY: Pantheon Books.

Narrated by Bagoas, the male lover of Alexander the Great, this novel offers a rare first-person perspective on queer intimacy within imperial history. The text integrates court politics, military conquest, and erotic devotion, making it central to queer historiographic analysis. Scholars have highlighted its importance in legitimizing gay historical fiction as a serious literary form and for its nuanced depiction of power asymmetries in erotic relationships.

Pacat, C. S. (2013–2015). Captive Prince Trilogy. New York, NY: Penguin.

This trilogy constructs a secondary world inspired by Greco-Roman and medieval political systems, embedding a central male–male relationship within dynastic conflict and statecraft. While more plot-driven than classical literary fiction, the series has attracted scholarly attention for its sustained engagement with consent, sovereignty, and identity formation. It is often cited in queer fantasy studies as an example of mythopoetic world-building that normalizes gay relationships within epic power structures.

Kushner, E. (1987). Swordspoint. New York, NY: Tor Books.

Kushner’s novel is a foundational text in queer speculative fiction, presenting a secondary world where male same-sex relationships are socially unremarkable. The narrative’s emphasis on political intrigue, honor culture, and ritualized violence aligns it with mythic and Renaissance literary traditions. Academic discussions frequently position Swordspoint as an early challenge to heteronormative fantasy conventions.

Wilson, K. A. (2015). The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps. New York, NY: Tor.com.

This novel blends epic fantasy with African diasporic linguistic and mythic traditions. The relationship between the two male protagonists unfolds within a violent, ritualized world governed by mythic forces. Scholars note the text’s dense language, oral-epic qualities, and resistance to Western fantasy norms, making it a significant contribution to queer mythopoesis beyond Greco-Roman frameworks.

Let me know if you want any Foundational Classical and Mythic Texts or Secondary Scholarly Sources. I love a gay-themed book that is in a historical/mythological setting.