Intercourse between India and the Western World from the Earliest Times to the Fall of Rome c10.2

c10.2

WE now turn to another aspect of Indian intercourse with the West—the trade with Egypt. The Hellenization of Egypt was one of the most important results of Alexander's conquests, for Egypt became the true centre of Greek culture in the Hellenistic world, after Athens had dwindled into insignificance. The port of Alexandria was admirably chosen as the site of a great town. Not only does it tap the vast resources of the opulent country which lies along the banks of that great waterway, the Nile, but it enjoys an almost ideal situation as an emporium for trade between Europe and the East. It is on the Mediterranean, yet within easy distance of the head of the Red Sea. Alexandria is still an undying monument to the imperial genius of the great Macedonian whose name it bears. Like Constantinople, Baktra, and some other towns, it stands at the meeting-place of nations, in a spot destined by the nature of things to play a great part in the history of the world.