Scientists have managed to determine who deliberately spread this rumor over 2000 years old.
The Egyptian city of Alexandria - the jewel in the emblematic crown of Alexander the Great - was not actually founded by the formidable conqueror shortly before his death in 332 BC, according to modern historical research. Instead, it was founded by a close ally and comrade of Alexander, who deliberately spread the rumor by carrying the body of the late king through the streets of the city. Historian and expert on Alexander the Great Tim Howe tells about this in a new study. The great commander built dozens of cities during his famous military campaign, as a result of which he conquered lands stretching from Athens to India. Alexandria was destined to become the capital of Alexander's empire, but he died suddenly in 331 BC, at the age of only 25.
According to Professor Howe, one of Alexander's closest military generals is in fact the real founder of the city. Ptolemy I, who became the ruler of Egypt after the death of Alexander, spread rumors that his deceased king, a close friend, laid the first stones of Alexandria. Professor Howe studied ancient Egyptian literature and excavated in Alexandria before coming to his conclusion. To enlist the support of his Greco-Macedonian soldiers, he circulated what Professor Howe calls "ancient fake news" to give his city a strong bond with Alexander and his legacy.
“Ptolemy and his successors worked hard to make the city of Alexander even bigger, both in myth and in reality,” explains Professor Howe. Archaeological evidence and ancient texts show that the planning and construction of Alexandria took place at least 13 years after Alexander's death. “To do this, he was ready to provide communication with Alexander at any cost,” said Professor Howe. This included the surreptitious theft of Alexander's embalmed body soon in 323 BC. and his transportation to Alexandria for demonstration. “Ptolemy stole Alexander's body, put it on display and established a connection with the legendary figure of that time,” says the historian. Ptolemy was the only successor of Alexander, able to tell about the life of the commander on behalf of a direct witness, which he used to his advantage.“By attributing a prehistory to Alexandria as glorious as it was imaginary, Ptolemy created mythology for his new capital,” adds Howe.
However, despite such a seemingly vile cunning, Ptolemy was remembered for the Egyptian people as a wise ruler. His dynasty, which ended already on Cleopatra with the arrival of Rome, returned prosperity to Egypt and preserved the cultural values and traditions of a civilization, unfortunately, which was destined to die out in the future due to the Muslim invasion.
Vasily Zhozhev
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