Xylinepolis or Xylenopolis (Greek: Ξυλίνη πόλις, meaning: wooden city/town) was a temporary military fortress (phrourion) in the naval base of Patala, founded in 325 BC by Alexander the Great.[1] It is mentioned by Pliny the Elder.[2] Alexander's admiral Nearchus stayed there for four months before his voyage.[3]

William Woodthorpe Tarn argues that Pliny was mistaken in his reference to the town, and that Pliny's source merely mentioned a Ancient Greek: xyline polis, meaning a town made of wood. According to Tarn the town was therefore a pre-existing Indian town rather than one founded by Alexander.[4]

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  1. ^ Conquest and empire By A. B. Bosworth Pages 140,249 ISBN 0-521-40679-X
  2. ^ Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), Xylenopolis
  3. ^ A compendium of ancient and modern geography, Arrowsmith Aaron, p.552
  4. ^ Woodthorpe Tarn, William. The Greeks in Bactria and India. Cambridge University Press. p. 244. ISBN 978-1108009416.

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