What was the form of the Roman light-towers? This is a question not easily answered, when we remember that Herodian compares them to the catafalques of the emperors. The catafalques were square; but it is certain that quadrangular lighthouses were very seldom constructed. Montfaucon reproduces a medallion, from the famous cabinet of the Maréchal d’Estrées, which represents a Roman lighthouse as a circular tower, built in four stories of decreasing diameter. Another medal, discovered at Apameia, in Bithynia, and also figured by Montfaucon, likewise depicts a circular building. This medal bore the following inscription:—“Colonia Augusta Apameia, Colonia Julia Concordia decreto decurionum.” [Illustration: A ROMAN PHAROS (FROM A MEDAL IN THE D’ESTREES’ COLLECTION).] Murleia, in Bithynia, was founded by a colony from Colophon, but having been captured by Philip of Macedonia, he gave it to Prusias, King of Bithynia, who called it after his wife Apameia. It was situated on the south coast of the Gulf of Cius, and to the north-west of Prusa. The Romans converted it into a _colonia_, apparently about the time of Julius Cæsar; certainly not later than that of Augustus.[7] And we shall hereafter see that the pharos at Dover, as at Boulogne, was also of this form. [7] See Dr. Smith’s “Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography,” vol. i., _sub. nom._ [Illustration: ROMAN PHAROS (AFTER A MEDAL OF APAMEIA).] [Illustration] CHAPTER II. THE PHAROS OF ALEXANDRIA. One of the most famous lighthouses of antiquity, as I have already pointed out, was the pharos of Alexandria, which ancient writers included among the Seven Wonders of the World. It might naturally be supposed that the founder of so remarkable a monument of architectural skill would be well known; yet while Strabo and Pliny, Eusebius, Suidas, and Lucian ascribe its erection to Ptolemæus Philadelphus, the wisest and most benevolent of the Ptolemean kings of Egypt, by Tzetzes and Ammianus Marcellinus the honour is given to Cleopatra; and other authorities even attribute it to Alexander the Great.