The Fragments of Onesikritos on India - An Appraisal

Alexandros (Alexander)' had been a disciple of the great master of knowledge, and among the officers who accompanied him some were distinguished for their literary and scientific talent. They employed their pens in recording Alexandros' warlike achievements and writing about the countries and people into which he had carried his army. Among the more eminent were Nearchos, the admiral of Alexandros' fleet; Ptolemaios (Ptolemy), the son of Lagus, who later became king of Egypt; Aristoboulos of Pontidaea, the' technical expert; Chares of Mytilene, the courtier; Kallisthenes, Aristoteles ' (Aristotle) kinsman; Diognetos, Amyntas and Baeton, the measurers of Alexandros' marches; Polykleitos of Larissa and several others. Of these, four men, i.e., Onesikritos, Nearchos, Aristoboulos and Ptolemaios are well known for their works on India.