Son of Diotimos, though some [say] of Kallisthenes; of Olynthos;[1]; pupil and nephew of Aristotle, who arranged for him to be in the entourage of Alexander [the Great] of Macedon.[2] Alexander put [him] in an iron cage and killed him at the same time as Nearchos the tragedian,[3] because he was one of those advising Alexander not to seek to be called master by [the] Athenians. But some say that he was killed, at the same time as Nearchos, for plotting against Alexander.[4] [He was] naturally impulsive, and [was said] to be motivated by great passion.
And a story is told that Kallisthenes ruined his life because of an eruption and pullulation of fleas. Witness this iambic line: "and flea-ridden, like the former Kallisthenes".[5] [He was] speaking of medical expertise, [about] how badly he was neglected.