Ⅳ．How Aristotle's Philosophy Influences The Con struction of Alexandria

Two requirements, education and authority, of the fulfillment of eudaimonia in a polis are exemplified in the construction of Alexandria.Alexander provided education to his citizens, and he also deliberately shaped himself as a divine figure who had superior authority among his citizens.

Firstly, education consists of museums and libraries. Historical evidence suggests that Aristotle influences the construction of the Great Library and Museum. Again, the testimony of Strabo suggests that Aristotle taught the king of Egypt the method to organize the library, which means that the library was modeled on Aristotle's private library and theory of knowledge. Moreover, establishing scholars as such museums was a peculiar event in the ancient world, and this unique phenomenon could be explained if people consider Aristotle's school of Lyceum that had a library and community of intellectuals. Therefore, there are connections between Alexander himself, the early Ptolemies, and the Peripatetic School (this school is based on the doctrine of Aristotle). On the aspect of the theory of political philosophy, the Great Library and Museum were essential for people in Alexandria because young people must learn philosophy and practical knowledge in a community. By doing so, teenagers acquired essential knowledge of politics and became capable citizens in a political community, the necessary condition to realize eudaimonia. In Aristotle's philosophy, virtues needed in a polis derive from nature, but they must be carefully cultivated by education. Thus, the Great Library and Museum in Alexandria were based upon the doctrine of Aristotle and provided a community to educate young people. With the knowledge they acquired in the study, young people are able to utilize knowledge in reality and hence live a flourishing life.

Secondly, Alexandria symbolized the authority of Alexander the Great himself. To begin with, Alexander deliberately named the city by his own name, and, according to Plutarch, he even added mythical content to the original of the construction: a man with hoary hair appeared and said to Alexander that there's an island in front of Egypt. This naming process demonstrated Alexander's desire to construct a heroic figure. Moreover,Siculus notes, “Alexander gave orders to build a palace notable for its size and massiveness”. After the original construction, he and his successors enlarged this palace with lavish decorations. The lavish palace distinguished Alexander from normal citizens, which enhanced his authority as a semi-god who was a descendent of Achilles. The palace also indicated Aristotle's philosophy of authority. According to Aristotle, the most desirable conception of justice is aristocratic, which provides rights to people who realize their potential as human beings in a community and people who have virtues. Authority is created to ensure this process of distribution of political rights. Alexander, on the other hand, strived to establish authority by distinguishing the royal palace from the ordinary residents. Although Alexandria was prosperous enough, the ornamentation of the palace was more lavish and noticeable, in order to symbolize Alexander's authority as a ruler of Egypt. Also, he deliberately created a story of naming and invoked Iliad and Homer once again. By doing so, Alexander wanted to convince his people that he is a semi-god who has the blood of Zeus,enhancing the authority. Consequently, Alexander's people tended to obey his order and treat Alexander as a sacred being. As a result, authority was firmly established, which lets it possible to maintain a necessary order and redistribute political rights to deserved citizens. This redistribution of rights by an established order was advocated by Aristotle, and he considered the ruler as a necessary component of a city. Since such authority was exactly what Aristotle argued in Politics , Alexander's construction of Alexandria indicates Aristotle's political philosophy of authority.