His very introduction into the notice and attention of his distinguished fellow-countryman would tend to prove that Dinocrates was a person of expediency, if nothing else. Let Vitruvius tell the story: “Dinocrates, the architect, relying on the powers of his skill and ingenuity, while Alexander was in the midst of his conquests, set out from Macedonia to the army, desirous of gaining the commendation of his sovereign. That his introduction to the royal presence might be facilitated, he obtained letters from his countrymen and relations to men of the first rank and nobility about the king’s person, by whom, being kindly received, he besought them to take the earliest opportunity of accomplishing his wish. They promised fairly, but were slow in performing, waiting, as they alleged, for a proper occasion. Thinking, however, that they deferred this without just grounds, he took his own course for the object he had in view. He was, I should state, a man of tall stature, pleasing countenance and altogether of dignified appearance. Trusting to the gifts with which nature had endowed him, he put off his ordinary clothing, and, having annointed himself with oil, crowned his head with a wreath of poplar, slung a lion’s skin across his left shoulder, and, carrying a large club in his right hand, he sallied forth to the royal tribunal, at a period when the king was dispensing justice. “The novelty of his appearance excited the attention of the people, and Alexander, soon discovering with astonishment the object of their curiosity, ordered the crowd to make way for him, and demanded to know who he was. ‘A Macedonian architect,’ replied Dinocrates, ‘who suggests schemes and designs worthy your royal renown. I propose to form Mount Athos into the statue of a man holding a spacious city in his left hand and in his right a huge vase, into which shall be collected all the streams of the mountain, which shall thence be poured into the sea.’ “Alexander, delighted at the proposition, made immediate inquiry if the soil of the neighborhood were of a quality capable of yielding sufficient produce for such a state. When, however, he found that all its supplies must be furnished by sea, he thus addressed Dinocrates: ‘I admire the grand outline of your scheme, and am well pleased with it; but I am of opinion he would be much to blame who planted a colony on such a spot. For as an infant is nourished by the milk of its mother, depending thereon for its progress to maturity, so a city depends on the fertility of the country surrounding it for its riches, its strength in population, and not less for its defence against an enemy. Though your plan might be carried into execution, yet I think it impolitic. I nevertheless request your attendance upon me, that I may otherwise avail myself of your ingenuity.’ From that time Dinocrates was in constant attendance on the king, and followed him into Egypt.”