The Secret of Secrets of Aristotle

Alexander, who is said to have had two horns. Aristotle composed this book in his old age and in the weakness of his bodily virtues, after he could no longer tolerate daily labors and the dangers of the roads, nor even exercise royal business, because Alexander had appointed him viceroy and master, whom he had chosen and loved much, because he was a man of sound counsel and great literature: of penetrable intellect, vigilant in legal studies, magnanimous and of graceful manners, contemplative in spiritual sciences, charitable, discreet, humble, a lover of justice, and a reporter of truth. And because of this, many philosophers reckoned him among the number of prophets who were not sent to the people, nor was the law given to them. It is also found in ancient codices of the Greeks that the exalted God destined His angel to him, saying [one should] name him an angel rather than a man. Indeed, he has many great prodigies, miracles, and strange works which it would be too long to recount in order. Hence, at his death, there were diverse opinions: one sect saying that he perished as is the custom of the earth, and a monument is placed for him; but another sect, which is called the Peripatetic, asserts that he ascended to the empyrean heaven in a column of fire. While he lived, Alexander consulted him through the observation of his sound counsel and the imitation of his precept. And therefore he subjugated cities; and triumphing, he acquired all kingdoms for himself, and he alone held the monarchy of the whole world. His fame went out into every land, and throughout all the climates of the world, all peoples and diverse nations submitted themselves to his precept and empire, the Persians and others; nor was there any people that dared to resist him in deed or in word. Furthermore, Aristotle proposed many moral epistles because of the affection of hearts and the final secret. For one of his epistles is this, which he directed to Alexander. When Alexander had subjugated the Persians and captured the magnates of that kingdom, he sent his epistle to Aristotle in this form: "Excellent doctor and rector of justice, I signify to your prudence that I have found in the land of the Persians certain ones having an abundance of reason, a penetrable intellect, studying to dominate over others and to acquire a kingdom; whence we have proposed to kill them all, whatever