28 HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SCIENCE 



holding aristocracy of Nordic origin was superimposed upon 

 a larger group of dependents which was almost wholly 

 iEgean. For example, in Sparta and Crete the citizens 

 were virtually military garrisons commanding a hostile 

 population. The helots or serfs were controlled with dif- 

 ficulty. Gradually the conquering stock died out or mingled 

 with the conquered as the two intermarried and the more 

 competent JEgean strains came to the fore. It is not clear to 

 what extent the Nordic element existed throughout Greece 

 at a later date, but there is evidence that the iEgean strain 

 was more extensive among the Athenians than in many 

 other communities. We know that there was present every- 

 where a relatively large population of slaves. The modern 

 student of racial heredity finds even these meager facts of 

 interest as a clue to the Hellenic genius. Some critics have 

 believed that there exists a causal connection between the 

 dilution of the northern blood and the final decline of the 

 Greek states. The attainments of the iEgeans before the 

 advent of the invading Hellenes renders such a belief less 

 plausible. 



Continuity between the culture of Hellas and the three 

 preceding civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Crete 

 has thus been established. It does not appear that the 

 northern conquerors brought to their new home a culture 

 which nearly approached that of the iEgeans. Civilization 

 was, for the time being, obliterated and barbarism prevailed. 

 The original invaders were still in a neolithic stage. They 

 did not bring civilization with them, but only strong bodies, 

 and minds capable of assimilating some measure of the cul- 

 ture they trampled upon. The iEgean civilization was 

 crushed, but some influence must have remained. In the 

 course of time there was increasing contact, through the 

 Phoenician traders, with Egypt and Mesopotamia. Greek 

 civilization was, therefore, not a spontaneous product, as 



there was a certain amount of forced emigration eastward and southward* 

 But the majority of the iEgeans no doubt remained as serfs and slaves. 



