342 PROBLEMS OF HUMAN EVOLUTION 



in progress. But as soon as they were all united under one 

 government this is said to have been the work of King Menes 

 not only was physical energy undermined by the infrequency 

 of war, but the stimulus of competition was removed. A 

 monotonous sameness overspread the land, differences were 

 toned down or vanished and there was little or no opportunity 

 for experiment. Then began the reign of that fatal enemy of 

 progress, over-centralisation. Stimulus from without was, of 

 course, not entirely wanting ; there were fairly frequent wars 

 with Asiatic peoples. But these were mostly at a lower level 

 in civilisation than the Egyptians. There was intercourse too, 

 with the Greeks, and the Greeks borrowed largely from the 

 Egyptians when they themselves were far behind. But Egypt 

 till late in her history came but little in contact with nations that 

 were nearly on the same level as herself. The case was very 

 different with the small Greek States. They spurred each other 

 on in the race till Egypt was far out-distanced, and at length 

 had to learn from her former pupil. What produces progress, 

 if this view be correct, is rivalry between communities who are 

 nearly at the same level of civilisation. When rivalry ceases 

 through the formation of a strong central government, that 

 moulds into one the rival states, then there is an end of pro- 

 gress. This it was that, in conjunction with other causes, 

 produced stagnation in the Roman empire. The Pax Romana 

 was, no doubt, a glorious thing, but it prevented the growth of 

 other things that were far better. It is true that Christianity 

 was not crushed. Its non-political character saved it from 

 extermination till it had become so strong that it had to be 

 recognised. And however remarkable the growth of the young 

 religion in the Roman empire, it must never be forgotten that 

 it was born among a people who had recently been struggling 

 for freedom, who had never laid aside their national aspirations 

 and who were soon to renew the struggle against their 

 oppressors. 



Its dull uniformity, the absence of rivalry, the disappearance 

 of the compelling motive for strenuous exertion sapped the 

 energy of the Roman world. And there was at work, too, 



