so THE HISTORY AND ART 



fo proper and ufcful upon other occafions, that Plu- 

 tarch declared to his countrymen, ' it was as abfurd 

 ' and fauhy in one who intended to ride, to be ignorant 

 ' of it, as it would be in a perfon who did not under- 

 ' ftand mufic, to undertake to play upon the pipe.' 



The next, and mod remarkable period in the pro- 

 grefs of our fubjedt, is the inftitution of the public 

 games, which were exhibited at ftated feafons in diffe- 

 rent parts of Greece, wdth the utmoft fplendour and 

 magnificence ; infomuch that by the pomp with which 

 they were celebrated, efpecially thofe of Olympia, one 

 would almoft think, that the fafety of the ftates and 

 the glory of the Grecian name depended upon them. 

 The chronology of Greece was fixed, and the mofl me- 

 morable events were dated from their periodical cele- 

 brations. The performances exhibited were of feveral 

 kinds, all defigned and calculated to call forth the ut- 

 moft exertion of the powers of the human body. 



To make thefe games more folemn and awful, they 

 were confidered as adls of religion, and confecrated to 

 different deities, as thofe of Olympia to Jupiter, and 

 Pythia to Apollo. Policy likewife had no inconfider- 

 able fhare in thefe folemnities, and under the cloak of 

 religion advanced her own ends, by ftirring up a fpirit 

 of emulation, and an ardent love 6f fame among the 

 Grecian princes and chiefs, by the rewards and honours 

 which were conferred upon the conquerors, in thefe 

 trials of courage, flcill, ftrength, and activity. Hence 

 the youth of Greece acquired a martial genius, and 



became 



