re extended from the Mediterranean to the Indus, and in the northeast
far up toward central Asia.

Alexander's conquests were significant because they represented the
victory of Greek ideas and culture as well as of arms. In each country
conquered he usually succeeded in Hellenizing the native peoples. Greek
cities, settled by his veterans and the horde of migratory Greeks that
followed in his wake, were founded at strategic points throughout the vast
empire. As recent excavations have shown, Greek art and ideas continued
even after the death of Alexander to sweep eastward across Asia, until
they profoundly influenced the culture and ideas in such distant nations
as China and Japan.

III. The Jews in Egypt and Alexandria. The crown of Alexander's
constructive work was the building of Alexandria in Egypt. Selecting a
narrow strip of coast, protected on the south by the low-lying lake
Mareotis and on the north by the Mediterranean, he built there a
magnificent Greek city. On the south it was connected by canal with the
Canopic arm of the Nile. Alexander thus diverted to this new metropolis
the rich trade of the Red Sea and the Nile. A mile distant was the
island of Pharos, which was connected with the mainland by a great moll.
On either side, protected from the storms, were the eastern and western
harbors, large enough to accommodate the merchant-men and navies of the
ancient world. On the west was the native Egyptian quarter. In the
centre, opposite the island of Pharos, was the Greek and official quarter.
In the northeastern part of the city was the Jewish quarter. Here the Jews
lived together under the rule of their law; they were also represented in
the civic council by their own leaders. When Ptolemy, the son of Lagus,
became governor of Egypt and, after the death of Alexander, subjected
Palestine, he carried back to Alexandria many Jewish captives, and
attracted others by the special privileges which he granted them. In them
he recognized valuable allies in developing the commercial resources of
Alexandria and in maintaining his rule over the native Egyptians. Here in
time the Jews became wealthy and powerful and developed a unique
civilization. From the beginning of the Greek period the number of the
Jews in Egypt equalled, if it did not surpass, that of the Jews in
Palestine. While they maintained close connection with the Jews in
Palestine and remained true to their Scriptures, they were profoundly
influenced by