o6 THE AOK OF PERICLES. 



events in the history of this State. This period has been divided, not 

 unaptly, into three parts. 1st, The age of Solon, or that of the laws; 

 2dly, The age of Themistocles and Aristides, or the age of glory; and 

 3dly, The age of Pericles, or that of luxury. These all are related to 

 each other as cause and effect. Our object in mentioning them, is not 

 to expatiate upon them, but, in a cursory manner, to show the steps 

 which led to the last age, which is especially under consideration. The 

 laws of Solon contributed mainly to the establishment of a regular form 

 of government based upon fixed principles. Where there are no general 

 principles to which actions can be referred and by which their character 

 and influence can be estimated ; and where there are no laws explana- 

 tory of those principles, there can be no regular government. The ad- 

 judication of causes must then be referred to the sword, and might must 

 give right. Now the laws of Solon, even admitting that they were ex- 

 tremely defective and inadequate, would contribute very much to the 

 establishment of general peace, and would direct attention to a more ra- 

 tional and easy mode of settling difficulties than that of the sword. It 

 is not our intention to discuss the merits of the laws of Solon. It will 

 be sufficient to state that from the time of the adoption of those laws, 

 Athens was comparatively free from the confusion and misrule which 

 liad previously prevailed. Here then was laid the foundation of her 

 future glory. It is true Pisistratus, who was coteraporary with Solon, 

 by his eloquence and art succeeded in assuming the chief authority, 

 which would not be very difficult with a people in a state of transition 

 from lawlessness to the restraints of wholesome laws. Yet even he, 

 we are informed by Herodotus, was wise enough to see the importance 

 of maintaining the established order of things even for the security of 

 his own person and power. 



The laws of Solon gradually united the different conflicting interests 

 and parties which formerly existed, at least so far as to submit to the 

 government of uniform laws. Security for person and property was es- 

 tablished. This furnished one of the most efllciont stimidi to trade, 

 both foreign and domestic; wliilst the laws regulating the military fur- 

 nished the best security for the protection of the city from foreign ene- 

 mies. Under such a government, the Athenians aided their colonies in 

 Asia Minor to throw off the yoke of a powerful neighbor and even to 

 sack and burn his capital. Thus they gathered strength and renown, 

 continually until, under Miltiadcs, they were enabled to rout the Per- 

 sian foe at Maratlion, and under Themistocles and Aristides to destroy 

 the fleet of the most powerful monarch then known. Now the Athe- 

 nian name was celebrated above that of every other Grecian name, and 



