66. "All the pre-conditions for an all-round syncretism [eclectic blending of many religions] obtained in the Graeco-Roman world - ... the international policy of Alexander [the Great] ... [the] unifying allegorical interpretation, the rise of the Roman Empire ... [and] the tolerance of paganism" - p. 187.
And, "Alexander's campaigns gave the first powerful impetus to universal syncretism which confounded the nationality of gods as well as of men." - p. 188.
And, "Alexander's unification of mankind and of culture led of necessity to mutual borrowing and lending and conduced to a unity of religion. He adopted the Persian policy of tolerance toward foreign religious usages and cults subsisted side by side.... His Graeco-Oriental cities were permanent centres for the amalgamation of culture and religion. Of these foundations the most successful in fulfilling Alexander's policy of blending the nations was Alexandria, which remained for centuries the headquarters of syncretism." - The Mystery-Religions, S. Angus, Dover Publications, 1975.
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