Callisthenes
He later opposed Alexander’s adoption of Persian culture and was arrested after being implicated in a plot on the king's life; he died in prison.
Aristotle had been tasked by Philip II of Macedon to tutor the young Alexander in Mytilene.
First, being that he had already established a relationship with Alexander during their time as students of Aristotle and as a historian and antiquarian might have appreciated a chance at traveling.
Much of the work is dedicated to praising Alexander and upholding his authority as the king and his army penetrated further into Asia.
[1][6] Callisthenes had an affinity for the natural sciences and is known to have written several scientific works, including astronomical diaries and his own theories for the source of the Nile River.
After this conflict Alexander was distraught and brought on his trusted friends, one of which being Callisthenes to provide counsel to the king after he killed Cleitus.
During a banquet held shortly before Alexander’s expedition left for India, Callisthenes gave a speech arguing against the adoption of proskynesis.
After Callisthenes fall from grace, he became increasingly politically isolated from the remaining members of Alexander’s court.
Crucifixion is the method suggested by Ptolemy, but Chares of Mytilene and Aristobulus of Cassandreia both claim that Callisthenes died of natural causes while in prison.
He also references the acts of mourning and grief enacted by those who were close to Callisthenes and advises the bereaved on how to cope with the loss.
The book was intended as propaganda and glorified Alexander the Great’s military achievements and claims to divinity as the son of Zeus.
It applauded Alexander as a standard for Greek masculinity; and condemned the Persians as weak and effeminate.
His other works include; the list of winners from the Pythian games that he co-authored with Aristotle, writings on astronomy including a description of the Great Comet of 371 BC, a work covering the first Sacred war of 600 BCE titled On the Sacred War, a tribute Hermias to Atarneaus and Assos who were killed by Persians, a book on witty sayings, a Diakosmos Battle Order which covers ships in Homers Iliad, and a Periplus covering the Black Sea.
The Latin translation for the text is usually attributed to Julius Valerius Alexander Polemius (early 4th century).
The work has also been said to be authored by several other people beyond Callisthenes, including; Aesopus, Aristotle, Antisthenes, Onesicritus, and Arrian.
[17] Valerius's translation was completely superseded by that of Leo, archpriest of Naples in the 10th century, the so-called Historia de Preliis.
