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THE FOUNDATION OF ALEXANDRIA.

AN ANCIENT JOURNEY THROUGH THE DESERT THE TEMPLE OF JUPITER AMMON.

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FTER the conquest of Tyre, Alexander the Great marched into Egypt, where he met with little or no opposition to his arms. "Pleased with his easy victory, Alexander sacrificed at Memphis to the Egyptian gods, and celebrated in that city gymnastic and musical games, which were adorned by Grecian artists, accompanying him for that purpose. Having placed sufficient garrisons both in Memphis and Pelusium, he embarked with the remainder of his forces, and sailed down the Nile to Canopus.

traced the plan of his intended capital, described the circuit of its walls, and assigned the ground for its squares, market-places, and temples. Such was the sagacity of his choice, that within the space of twenty years Alexandria rose to distinguished eminence among the cities of Egypt and the East, and continued, through all subsequent ages. of antiquity, the principal bond of union, the seat of correspondence and commerce among the civilised nations of the earth."

Such was the foundation of that city whose ramparts in our own day crumbled to nothing before the destructive fire of the British guns, and which occupies such a place in the history of the Egyptian war.

Whilst in Egypt, Alexander determined to visit the temple and oracle of Jupiter Ammon. This remarkable shrine was situated in a cultivated spot of five miles in diameter, distant about fifty leagues from the sea, and rising with the most attractive beauty amidst the sandy deserts of Lybia.

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THE BUILDING OF ALEXANDRIA.

At this place Alexander found abundant occupation for his policy, in a country where there was no opportunity for exercising his valour. Continually occupied with the thoughts, not only of extending, but of improving, his conquests, the first glance of his discerning eye perceived what the boasted wisdom of Egypt had never been able to discover. The inspection of the Mediterranean coast, of the Red Sea, of the Lake Marootis, and of the various branches of the Nile, suggested the design of founding a city, which should derive, from nature only, more permanent advantages than the favour of the greatest princes can bestow. Fired with this idea, he not only fixed the situation, but

Alexander first proceeded two hundred miles westward along the coast of Prætonius, "through a desolate country, but not destitute of water. He then boldly penetrated towards the south, into the midland territory, despising the danger of traversing an ocean of sand, unmarked by trees, mountains, or any other

object that might direct his course, or vary this gloomy scene of uniform sterility. The superstition of the ancients believed him to have been conducted by ravens or serpents; which, without supposing a miracle, may, agreeably to the natural instinct of animals, have sometimes bent their course, through the desert, towards a well-watered and fertile spot, covered with palms and olives. The fountain, which was the source of this fertility, formed not the least curiosity of the place. It was exceedingly cool at mid-day, and warm at midnight; and, in the intervening time, regularly, every day, underwent all the intermediate degrees of temperature. The adjacent territory produced a fossil salt, which was often dug out in large oblong pieces, clear as crystal. The priests of Ammon enclosed it in boxes of palmtree, and bestowed it in presents on kings and other illustrious personages;

such salt being regarded as purer than that procured from sea-water, and therefore preferred for the purpose of sacrifice, by persons curious in their worship.

Alexander admired the nature of the place, consulted the oracle concerning the success of his expedition, and received, as was universally reported, a very favourable answer. Having thus effected his purpose at the temple of Ammon, he returned to Memphis, in order finally to settle the affairs of Egypt. The inhabitants of that country were reinstated in the enjoyment of their ancient religion and laws. Two Egyptians were appointed to administer the civil government; but the principal garrisons, Alexander prudently intrusted to the command of his most confidential friends; a policy alike recommended by the strength and importance of the country, and by the restless temper of its inhabitants."

BUST OF MINERVA, FROM ANCIENT ALEXANDRIA.

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ARIUS, though beaten in two great battles, yet determined to make one other great effort for his empire. He collected a vast multitude and marched into Assyria, where Alexander also proceeded. "Darius had pitched his tents on the level banks of the Bumadus, near the obscure village of Gaugamela; but the famous battle, which finally decided the empire of the

derived its name from Arbela, a in the same province, sixty miles

distant from the former, better known, and of easier pronunciation.

Alexander, on approaching, was informed that the forces of the enemy exceeded a million in number. He received this information without testifying the smallest surprise. Having commanded a halt, he encamped four days, to give his men rest and refreshment. His camp being fortified by a good entrenchment, he left in it the sick and infirm, together with all the baggage; and, on the evening of the fourth day, prepared to march against the enemy, with the effective part of his army, which was said to consist of forty thousand

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ensued, in which both parties were reinforced, and the Barbarians finally repelled. The armed chariots then issued. forth with impetuous violence; but their appearance only was formidable, for the precautions taken by Alexander rendered their assault harmless. Darius next moved his main body, but with so little order, that the horse, mixed with the infantry, advanced, and left left a vacuity in the line, which his generals wanted time or vigilance to supply. Alexander seized the decisive moment, and penetrated into the void with a wedge of squadrons. He was followed by the nearest sections of the phalanx, who rushed forward with loud shouts, as if they had already pursued the enemy. In this part of the field the victory was not long doubtful; after a feeble resistance the Barbarians gave way, and the pusillanimous Darius was foremost in the flight.

The battle, however, was not yet decided. The more remote divisions of the phalanx, upon receiving intelligence that the left wing, commanded by Par

menio, was in danger, had not immediately followed Alexander. A vacant space was thus left in the Macedonian line, through which some squadrons of Persian and Indian horse penetrated with celerity, and advanced to the hostile camp.

The danger of the left wing recalled Alexander from the pursuit of Darius. In advancing against the enemy's right, he was met by the Parthian, Indian, and Persian horse, who maintained a sharp conflict. Sixty of the Companions fell; Hephæstion, Conus, and Menidas, were wounded. Having at length dissipated this cloud of cavalry, Alexander prepared to attack the foot in that wing. But the business was already effected, chiefly by the Thessalian horse; and nothing remained to be done but to pursue the fugitives, and to render the victory as decisive as possible."

This victory finally delivered up the East to Alexander. Darius was soon afterwards murdered by his treacherous attendants, and no serious. foe disturbed the Greek possession of Asia.

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