A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

3o6 The Hellenistic Age
Sema, an enclosure which contained the tombs of the
kings and that of Alexander (the Great). . . . Ptolemy
carried away the body of Alexander, and deposited it at
Alexandria in the place where it now Hes; not indeed in
the same coffin, for the present one is of alabaster, whereas
Other buildings.
lb. lo.
The form of
the earth.
Straboi. i.
20.
Ptolemy had deposited it in one of gold. . . .
In short, the city of Alexandria abounds in public and
sacred buildings. The most beautiful of the former is the
Gymnasium with porticos exceeding a stadium in extent.
In the middle of it are a court of justice and groves.
Here
also is a Paneium, an artificial mound of the shape of a
fir-cone, resembling a pile of rock, to the top of which
there is an ascent by a spiral path. From the summit
may be seen the whole city lying all around and beneath it.
IV.
Science
Geometry and astronomy, as we before remarked, seem
absolutely indispensable in this science (geography).
This
in fact is evident, that without some such assistance, it
would be impossible to be accurately acquainted with the
configuration of the earth; its zones, dimensions, and the
like information.
As the size of the earth has been demonstrated by other
wTiters, we shall here take for granted and receive as accurate
what they have advanced. We shall also assume
that the earth is spheroidal, that its surface is likewise
spheroidal, and above all, that bodies have a tendency
towards its centre, which latter point is clear to the perception
of the most average understanding. However, we
may show summarily that the earth is spheroidal, from
the consideration that all things however distant tend to
its centre, and that every body is attracted toward its
centre of gravity; this is more distinctly proved from ob-