Publisher's Synopsis
Who were Alexander the Great's companions? Five talented and highly renowned historians who took part in Alexander's vast Asian campaign. Although fragmentary, these sources are essential in order to understand who this young Macedonian king really was. Onesicritus of Astypalaia, one of Alexander's companions, was a philosopher disciple of Diogenes the Cynic's school. An excellent sailor, he piloted the royal ship and was the chief pilot of the nautical expedition commanded by Nearchus. Ptolemy was one of Alexander's childhood friends. He was the same age as the latter and, as a member of the royal household, he was raised with him. His role became increasingly important throughout the expedition. Callisthenes hailed from Olynthus, which was destroyed in 347 BC by Philip, Aristotle's nephew and Alexander's official historiographer. Aristobulus followed Alexander and is cited in Arrian's work. All of these authors' writings have disappeared and were passed on to us by other historians many centuries later.
