The ancient world, from the earliest times to 800 AD . avenIhe vast passive mass ofthe East. One great measure, forthis end, was the found-ing of chains of cities, tobind the conquests to-gether and to become thehomes of Hellenic influ-ence. Alexander himselfbuilt seventy of thesetowns (usually called fromhis name, like the Alex-andria in Egypt). Theirwalls sprang up under thepick and spade of the sol-diery along the lines ofmarch. One great city, weare told, walls and houses,was completed in twentydays. Sometimes these places were mere garrison towns on dis-tant frontiers, but oftener they be
The ancient world, from the earliest times to 800 AD . avenIhe vast passive mass ofthe East. One great measure, forthis end, was the found-ing of chains of cities, tobind the conquests to-gether and to become thehomes of Hellenic influ-ence. Alexander himselfbuilt seventy of thesetowns (usually called fromhis name, like the Alex-andria in Egypt). Theirwalls sprang up under thepick and spade of the sol-diery along the lines ofmarch. One great city, weare told, walls and houses,was completed in twentydays. Sometimes these places were mere garrison towns on dis-tant frontiers, but oftener they became mighty emporiums at theintersection of great lines of trade. There was an Alexandriaon the Jaxartes, on the Indus, on the Euphrates, as well as onthe Nile. The sites were chosen wisely, and many of these citiesremain great capitals to this day, like Herat and Kandahar.^ 282. Greek Colonies in the Orient. — This building of Greekcities was continued by Alexanders successors. Once more,and on a vaster scale than ever before, the Greek genius for. Alexander as in the Capitoline Museum. 1 Iskandar, or Kandahar, is an Oriental form of the Greek name Alexander. 270 THE HELLENISTIC AGE [§282 colonization found vent. Each new city had a Greek this consisted only of worn-out veterans, left behind asa garrison ; but enterprising youth, emigrating from old Hellas,continued to reinforce the Greek element. The native villagepeople roundabout were gathered in to make the bulk of theinhabitants; and these also soon took on Greek scattered, ignorant rustics, they became artisans andmerchants, devotedly attached to Greek rule and zealousdisciples of Greek culture. The cities were all built on a large and comfortable were well paved. They had ample provision for light-ing by night, and a good water supply. They had policearrangements, and good thoroughfares. Even in that despoticEast, they received extensive privileges and enjoyed a la
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