Alexander the Great was a renowned conqueror who accomplished much during his lifetime. He overthrew the Persian Empire and laid the foundation for the Hellenistic kingdoms. However, many stories about him have been exaggerated over time. In fact, during his lifetime, people told fantastical tales about him, which later evolved into legends with Alexander as the hero. Nonetheless, some historical accounts of Alexander's life are not exaggerated, such as his success in establishing cities. Some of the cities he founded still exist today.
Alexander's biographer Plutarch of Chaeronea states that Alexander the Great founded no less than seventy towns, but this is exaggerated. Alexander founded some twenty towns (poleis). Plutarch must have included all the permanent military garrisons (katoikiai), and the temporary military settlements (phrouria). Other towns were repopulated or just renamed.
Alexandria ad Aegyptum
- The fortress in Alexandria, Egypt.
Alexandria ad Aegyptum was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC as his new capital, but he died before his plans could be realized. Ptolemy I Soter continued the plans, making Alexandria the capital of the Ptolemaic kingdom. It became a thriving cultural and economic center, with a population of over half a million by the 3rd century BCE. The city's extensive library attracted curious minds from all disciplines.
Alexandria ad Issum
- Iskenderun, Turkey.
Alexander the Great founded Alexandria ad Issum in 333 BCE after winning the Battle of Issus against the Persian King Darius III. The city, also known as Alexandretta, Iskenderun, and Little Alexandria, no longer exists, but it was likely situated near modern-day Iskenderun on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey.
Alexandria Eschate
- Khujand, Tajikistan.
Alexandria Eschate was founded by Alexander the Great after conquering regions previously part of Persia. It was significant due to its central Asian location and was Alexander's northernmost city in Central Asia. Before Alexander's arrival, many Greeks and Persians were living there in exile, providing him with a good starting population. Although the city doesn't exist anymore, its remains can be found in the citadel in Khojand, Tajikistan.
Alexandria Ariana
- Citadel of Herat, Afghanistan.
Alexandria Ariana, founded by Alexander the Great, was established after the fall of Alexandria Eschate during his invasion of Persia and Central Asia. Historians estimate that the city was located in modern-day Herat, Afghanistan, and would have been of great strategic and economic significance.
Alexandria in the Caucasus
- Mountains of the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Alexander the Great founded Alexandria in the Caucasus in 329 BCE during his conquests. The city was located at the base of the Hindu Kush mountains and was a significant communication point. Alexander populated the city with 7,000 Macedonians, 3,000 mercenaries, and people from other cultures. He also ordered the construction of forts to strengthen his control over the city.
Alexandria Arachosia
- Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Alexandria Arachosia, also called Alexandropolis, was founded by Alexander the Great in modern-day Afghanistan. It was a strategic move as it was located in the middle of the Silk Road. The city is still standing today and is known as Kandahar. Its remains can be found in the Old Kandahar citadel.
Legacy of Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great founded over 20 cities during his conquests, which marked the beginning of the Hellenistic era, spreading Greek culture worldwide. Some of his cities still exist today, like Kandahar and Herat. The Hellenistic period produced beautiful art and architecture thanks to Alexander's conquests.
List of cities founded by Alexander the Great
- Alexandrupolis: founded in 340 by the crown prince. This was a Greek city, built among the Maedians, a tribe on the banks of the Strymon. It must have been somewhere in the neighborhood of modern Sandanski in Bulgaria.
- Alexandria in Troas: a town near Troy, founded in the Spring of 334. It may have been founded by one of Alexander's successors.
- Alexandria by the Latmus: a town in Caria, maybe founded as a garrison or military settlement in the winter of 333. Probably, it was founded by one of the successors of Alexander, who named it to the former king.
- Alexandria near Issus: Probably a permanent garrison where veterans of the battle of Issus could begin a new life, together with local inhabitants. Modern Iskenderun in Turkey.
- Tyre: repopulated with Greek emigrants and natives in 332/331, together with a permanent Macedonian garrison.
- Gaza: repopulated with European emigrants and natives in 331, together with a permanent Macedonian garrison.
- Alexandria: the site was chosen in January 330; the city was founded on 7 April. This was an entirely Graeco-Macedonian city, although there was also a native quarter and a Jewish quarter. The Jews and natives were second-class citizens (text).
- Alexandria in Aria: perhaps, the Arian capital Artacoana was repopulated with natives and Macedonian veterans in September 330. It was probably meant as a permanent garrison. Alternatively, this was a completely new town. Modern Herât in Afghanistan.
- Prophthasia in Drangiana: the Drangian capital Phrada was just renamed in October 330; "Prophthasia" means "Anticipation". Modern Farâh in Afghanistan.
- Alexandria in Arachosia: the Arachosian capital Kapisa was repopulated with natives and Macedonian veterans in the winter of 330/329. It was a permanent garrison. Modern Kandahâr in Afghanistan, which still bears Alexander's name (derived from Iskandariya, the Arabic and Persian rendering of "Alexander").
- Alexandria in the Caucasus: the Gandarian capital Kapiša-kaniš was repopulated with 4,000 natives and 3,000 Greek and Macedonian veterans in March 329. It was a permanent garrison or a Greek city, although many settlers felt that it was a punitive colony. Modern Chârikâr near Kabul in Afghanistan.
- Alexandria Eschatê: founded in the Summer of 329 as a permanent garrison on the Jaxartes (Syrdar'ya). Settled with Macedonian and Greek veterans and native serfs. Modern Khodzent in Tajikistan.
- Alexandria on the Oxus: re-foundation of a Persian city, settled with Greek and Iranian veterans and native serfs. Probably modern Ai Khanum in Afghanistan. Probably founded in the Spring of 328.
- Six cities north of the Oxus. Populated with native prisoners of war who served as serfs for the Macedonian soldiers. Meant as permanent garrisons, together forming a kind of wall against the northern tribes, the Sacae. One of these cities may be identical to modern Termez in Uzbekistan.
- Alexandria in Margiana: re-foundation of a Persian city in the oasis of Mary in modern Turkmenistan. Settled with Macedonian, Greek, and Iranian veterans and native serfs.
- Arigaeum: the Aspasian capital was repopulated with natives and Macedonian veterans in the Spring of 326. It was a permanent garrison. Modern Nawagai in Pakistan. In the neighborhood were several temporary military settlements: Bazira, Ora, and Massaga.
- Nicaea and Bucephala: twin foundation of permanent garrisons on opposite banks of the Hydaspes (Jhelum), founded in May 326 on the battlefield. Settled with Greek, Macedonian, and Iranian veterans and natives. Modern Jhelum in Pakistan? The towns had large dockyards, which suggests that they were meant as a center of commerce.
- Alexandria on the Hyphasis: founded in July 326 on the eastern border of Alexander's empire. Settled with veterans of unknown origin.
- Alexandria on the Indus: founded in February 325 on the confluence of the Indus and the Acesines (Chenab), probably on the site of an older, Persian settlement. Settled with Thracian veterans and natives. Uch in Pakistan. It had large dockyards, which suggests that it was meant as a center of commerce.
- Another town on the Indus: founded in the Spring of 325 among the Indian Sogdians. Probably a temporary military station north of Rohri.
- Patala ("naval base") or Xylinepolis ("wooden city"): a temporary military settlement, founded in July 325 at the place of an earlier, Indian town. Vacated after September 325. Modern Bahmanabad, 75 kilometers north-east of Hyderabad.
- Rhambacia: a town among the Oreitians that was fortified by Hephaestion and Leonnatus in the Autumn of 325. If it was meant as a permanent garrison, it was soon vacated. Modern Bela in Pakistan.
- Alexandria in Carmania: if this city was founded by Alexander (and not by Seleucus), it must have been a permanent garrison founded in January 324. Perhaps modern Golâshkerd in Iran.
- Alexandria in Susiana: not far from the mouth of the Tigris. Probably settled with Macedonian, Greek, and Iranian veterans and natives. Later known as Spasinou Charax. In the neighborhood of Al Qurnah in Iraq.
- References
- "Sacred Astronomy", George Baltoyannis - ed. Esoptron 2008
- "Alexander's City Foundations". Livius.org.
- Isidoros of Charax, Parthian Stations, §1.2
- Wikipedia .org
- WorldAtlas .com