Ancient philosophy. Some thoughts about Aristotle and Alexander of Macedon /part 4/

The relationship between Aristotle and Alexander had serious disagreements, including those relating to Alexander's policy in the East. The point is that Aristotle, without looking at the breadth of his philosophical views, remained Greek for the rest of his life, not recognizing the barbarians of present people, and deeply honoring the Greek customs. As for Alexander, in all his respect for everything Greek he could never recognize barbarians lacking human dignity. On the contrary, he even considered his historic mission to unite the Greeks and the Barbarians into one.

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All these questions about national-political differences of Aristotle and Alexander were complicated, and that Alexander did so to speak of Greco-barbaric unity in his life. Little is even the fact that Alexander once ordered to train over 30,000 barbarian boys of Greek literacy and mastery of Macedonian weapons. Alexander, as it is known, was a man too hot, and in the last years of his life suspicious. When his companion, Klip, objected to the customs introduced in the court, typical of the Eastern despots, the king was so angry that he had killed Clip in a copy space. Most of all, Alexander suffered most of this. He wailing all night for the act, and no one could comfort him. Then they brought to him the pupil of Anakarx, the Deaconess, and the kinsman of Aristotle Kalissen. Aristotle sent Kalisfen to Alexander's camp in the capacity of his secretary, and should be presumed for noble purposes.

Calissen was a native of the city of Olinfa, a former Aphinic colony. Olinf three times in 349 BC. he wanted help from the Afinians against Philip. But they were too weak. In order to predispose Olivin to his advantage, Philippe even gave him the neighboring Potidea. But then Olinf continued to resist and was taken by Philip in 348 BC. The city was destroyed to the ground. Then Calisfen was about 12 years old. He was not only a relative but also a great fan of Aristotle. It is well known that Aristotle taught Kalisfen of history, his love for Fukididu was introduced, and made him a very educated historian and rhetoric at all. Kalisfen was Aristotle's secretary for a while and helped him to compose historical works.

Aristotle and Calissen parted only in 335 BC, when Aristotle returned to Afina for good. Kalisfen stayed with Alexander. It is known that they were colleagues from their training at Aristotle. But even after Aristotle's departure to Aphina, Calissen did not end his relationship with him, sending to his teacher various scientific materials, especially zoological. Aristotle, on his part, through Kalisfen, hoped to keep in touch with Alexander.

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part 3