A
number of the more fantastic foundation
myths are found in the Alexander Romance,
and were picked up by mediæval Arab
historians. The 14th century Arab historian
Ibn Khaldun ridiculed one where sea-monsters
prevent the foundation, but are thwarted
when Alexander descends in a glass box,
and armed with exact knowledge of their
appearance, erects metal effigies on the
beach which succeed in frightening the
monsters away. Alexandria was intended
to supersede Naucratis as a Greek centre
in Egypt, and to be the link between Greece
and the rich Nile Valley. If such a city
was to be on the Egyptian coast, there
was only one possible site, behind the
screen of the Pharos island and removed
from the silt thrown out by Nile mouths.
An Egyptian townlet, Rhacotis, already
stood on the shore and was a resort of
fishermen and pirates.
|
|
