When Alexander returned victorious to the gates of his palace, he opened his treasuries and poured out vast dinars upon the poor and destitute, so that those who had labored in poverty found themselves enriched. From that place, he gladly commanded his army to move, halting briefly at the port of Jeddah. There he ordered his forces to construct countless ships and vessels, embarking his pathfinding host toward the realm of Egypt.
In Egypt reigned King Qaitun, whose legions and wealth exceeded all human reckoning. Upon hearing that the victorious world-conqueror approached from the direction of the sacred realms with immense grandeur, Qaitun rode forth to welcome him accompanied by a vast army, bearing purses of gold, noble captives, crowns, and thrones. Alexander was delighted by Qaitun's hospitality, wishing his host well while invoking ill upon his enemies. The conqueror lingered in Egypt for a full year so that his army might rest and recover from their arduous marches.
During this time, in the distant realm of Andalusia, there ruled a queen named Qaidafah—a sovereign of profound wisdom, boundless generosity, and an innumerable host. Hearing of Alexander's swift conquests, she summoned an artist from her army who possessed the rare talent of depicting true likenesses. She commanded him in secret: "Go unto Alexander, making no mention of our name or domain. Observe him deeply—his stature, his countenance, his skin—and paint an exact portrait of him from head to foot upon Chinese silk." The painter obeyed, girded his loins, and rode like a fleet courier from Andalusia to Egypt. Observing Alexander both upon his royal throne and atop his war-saddle, the artist rendered his precise portrait upon silk and parchment, then hastily returned. When Qaidafah beheld the accurate likeness of the great king, she grew somber and contemplative, hiding the portrait away and keeping her silence.
Meanwhile in Egypt, Alexander questioned Qaitun: "Who upon this earth can be matched with Qaidafah?" Qaitun replied: "O Sovereign, there is no ruler in all the world so triumphant and noble as she. None can count her armies save through vast ledgers. In wealth, greatness, prudence, and virtue, she has no equal. She has erected a stronghold of solid stone that not even a leopard's claws could scratch—a fortress city four leagues long and four leagues wide, housing treasures beyond all measure."