Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

CALLISTHENES. 497court :Callisthenes, who told Alexander that not his descentfrom Zeus, but what he himself should write in history wouldmake him famous or the reverse ;and Anaxarchus of Abdera,who was of quite anotlier mould, a man of the world, practicedin flattery, and wont to eulogize to over-satiety. It washe who, after the murder of Clitus, told the king in the wayof comfort that the son of Zeus could do no wronff. Thephilosopher Callisthenes was bold enough to take this matterof prostration up. He was the pupil and nephew of Aristotle,at whose request indeed he had accompanied Alexander,as witness of his deeds, and their future historian. There wasalways a large number of artists, historians, philosophers andactors among other professional men in the suite of Alexander,who delighted to have those about him who could recordand illustrate his deeds, and sincerely enjoyed their society.Callisthenes on thisoccasion, though invited by Hephaestionto join the rest in performing the act of worship, refused,and gave publicly the reasons of his refusal. Nothing wassaid or done at the time.This act was imprudent, no doubt,but full of moral courage. Callisthenes became a markedman.About this same time there was a plot among the pages, ledby Hermolaus, son of Sopolis, whom the king had punished formisbehavior with stripes and dismounting, probably awarethat Hermolaus was imbued with too much of the extremeMacedonian spirit. Hermolaus and Sostratos, son of Amyntas,plotted to murder Alexander the next time the turn cameto them to watch at his bedside. Four others joined theconspiracy.But on that night, as it happened, Alexander satlate at supper, induced thereto, it is said, by the advice of afemale soothsayer who followed the camp, and the plot fellthrough. Before the next opportunity arrived, the plot wasdivulged.The guilty pages were seized, and implicated Callis-