159 



the whole the more reasonable of the two explanations, 

 especially when there seems to be little doubt in the minds 

 of many historians as to the great significance of com- 

 merce and the exchange of ideas in the development of 





FIGURE 57. Confidence-inspiring Environment of Greece, Mount Ossa. 



Greek civilization. But there is much truth in what 

 Buckle suggests. His contention is that the intellectual 

 achievements of the Greek have been in large measure 

 due to the absence of aspects of nature which terrified and 

 the presence of geographic surroundings which inspired 

 confidence in human skill. The .^Egean, with its numer- 

 ous islands and sheltered harbors, furnished refuge and 

 safe hiding-places from hostile neighbors. The moun- 

 tains of the mainland were not lofty enough to be 

 awe-inspiring, but were sufficiently high to give beauty 

 and suggestion to the scenery. 47 Under these conditions 



47 See figures 50 and 57. 



