HKB
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Often appears with: cities and their founding · alexander the great · xerxes canal tradition · the rise and fall of greatness · strymonic gulf cities · roman foundations and discipline · monarchy and royal succession · macedonia-thrace boundary · geography and the description of places · foundation of alexandria · exploration and discovery · dinocrates
Usually: detachment (3) · wonder (2) · argument (1) · description (1) · narrative (1) · sudden reversal of fortune (1) · the fall of the great (1) · curiosity (1)
“Therefore, while thinking that your design is commendable, I consider the site as not commendable; but I would have you stay with me, because I mean to make use of your services.” Vitruvius Pollio, The Ten Books on Architecture · insight
The introduction recounts Dinocrates’ bold presentation to Alexander the Great, Alexander’s praise and correction of his proposed city-site on Mount Athos, and the eventual founding of Alexandria in Egypt.
INTRODUCTION 1. Dinocrates, an architect who was full of confidence in his own ideas and skill, set out from Macedonia, in the reign of Alexander, to go to the army, being eager to win the approbation of the king. He took with him from his country letters from relatives and friends to the principal military men and officers of the court, in order to gain access to them more readily. Being politely received by them, …
Strabo continues northward along the Thracian coasts and gulfs, detailing Mount Athos’ height and alleged canal, nearby cities and harbours, and concluding with Strymonic sites and boundaries between Macedonia and Thrace.
19. Anciently diviners practised the art of music. EPIT. 20. After Dium follow the mouths of the Haliacmon; then Pydna, Methone, Alorus, and the rivers Erigon and Ludias. The Ludias flows from Triclari, through the Oresti and the Pellæan country (Pelagonia): leaving the city on the left it falls into the Axius. The Ludias is navigable up the stream to Pella 120 stadia. Methone is situated in the middle, about 40 sta…
The passage compares Alexander the Great’s proposed city on Mount Athos to his founding of Alexandria, then contrasts Roman origins in freedom and discipline with how Rome’s laws prevented corruption for centuries.
then, that it is a prudent choice to found your city in a fertile region when the effects of that fertility are duly balanced by the restraint of the laws. When Alexander the Great thought to add to his renown by founding a city, Dinocrates the architect came and showed him how he might build it on Mount Athos, which not only offered a strong position, but could be handled that the city built there might present a s…