ATHENS. 



37 



Athens, numents of illustrious men. Two of its most splendid 

 ' - ' v .. ' ornaments, however, were without the walls : These 

 were the temples of Theseus and of Jupiter Olym- 

 pius, situated, the one on the north, and the other 

 on the south side of the city. The former was Do- 

 ric, bearing a considerable resemblance to the Parthe- 

 non, and having the achievements of this hero carved 

 on the metopes. The temple of Jupiter Olympius 

 was Corinthian, and surpassed, if possible, every 

 other structure of which Athens could boast. Im- 

 mense sums were spent upon it by the Athenians ; 

 additions were made to it by successive sovereigns ; 

 and at length the fabric was completed by Hadrian. 

 The exterior contained about 1'20 columns, fluted, 

 sixty feet in height, and six in diameter. The inclo- 

 sure was half a mile in circumference. 



Besides these wondrous productions of art, Athens 

 presented other scenes, sacred in the eyes of posteri- 

 ty by the classical associations which they awaken. 

 The ancient philosophers did not, as has been usual 

 with modern men of letters, immure themselves in 

 the smoky atmosphere of cities. They sought re- 

 tirement, and the scenes of nature ; nor did the zeal 

 of their disciples scruple to follow them. The Aca- 

 demy, where Plato taught, was about three-quarters 

 of a mile to the north of the town : From being a 

 marshy and unwholsome spot, it was gradually im- 

 proved, planted with trees, and refreshed with streams 

 of running water. The Lyceum, where Aristotle 

 taught, and which, from him, became the seat of 

 the academic school, was situated on the other side 

 of the city, beyond the Ilissus. It was used also as 

 a theatre fur gymnastic exercises. Near it was the 

 less famous Cynosarges, where Antisthenes taught, 

 the founder of the Cynic school. 



The subsequent sects of Zeno and Epicurus taught 

 within the city. Zeno chose the portico called Pae- 

 cile, which was embellished with representations of 

 Athenian victories. Epicurus, fond at once of so- 

 ciety and of rural scenery, was the first who introdu- 

 ced a garden within the walls ; and thus enjoyed at 

 once these two species of luxury. 



Not only literary, but political associations conspi- 

 red to give interest to particular districts of Athens. 

 The hill of Areopagus, where that august assembly 

 pronounced its decisions ; the Prytantum, or senate- 

 house ; the Pnyx, or forum, where the sovereign 

 people of Athens met to deliberate : all these places, 

 without being particularly splendid in themselves, 

 become in the highest degree interesting to us, by 

 the dignity and importance of the events of which 

 they were the theatre. 

 Her noli- ^ e have aheady given a view of the Athenian 

 tical consti- constitution, as originally established by Solon. This, 

 tution. however, will give a very inadequate idea of the ef- 



fects produced by that system, when called into action. 

 The popular branch, as we already observed, was 

 not long of acquiring an ascendency, far beyond what 

 he had either foreseen or intended. To this cause 

 may be attributed, at once her prosperity, and the 

 evils with which it was chequered. The activity, 

 the emulation, the free scope to talents of every de- 

 scription, which were excited and afforded by a go- 

 vernment so completely popular, were doubtless the 

 grand causes which raised Athens to such a height 



of glory. The multitude of great men in every de- 

 partment, who followed each other in splendid suc- 

 cession, even to her last decline, is altogether unex- 

 ampled. ' This constitution also combined with her 

 military power, in rendering her the head of the po- 

 pular interest in Greece, and thus necessarily secured 

 the attachment of a majority of the members of every 

 Grecian community. Thus she often conquered by 

 her institutions, as much as by her arms ; and was 

 enabled, after conquering, to hold states in easy 

 subjection. We have had sufficient occasion to ob- 

 serve those errors in foreign policy, into which the 

 same constitution precipitated her ; her rashness in 

 engaging in enterprizes above her strength ; her le- 

 vity in changing from one to another ; the perpetual 

 jealousy and suspicion which she nourished against 

 her great men, a jealousy which her circumstances 

 indeed might perhaps render necessary, but which 

 often prompted her to reject their services at the time 

 when they were most wanted. We have also had oc- 

 casion to observe that ambitious and unprincipled 

 avidity which she displayed in her transactions with 

 foreign states, in which the maxim too often was, 

 that every thing was lawful that was for the benefit 

 of Athens. This was a maxim indeed but too pre- 

 valent among the ancient republics ; yet Sparta seems 

 generally to have maintained a character of equity 

 decidedly superior to that of her rival. Accordingly 

 the most upright among the Athenians, Aristides, 

 Cimon, and Phocion, generally favoured the party of 

 Sparta and aristocracy. On the other hand, the 

 Athenians are more celebrated for humanity : Their 

 treatment of slaves was milder than in other Grecian 

 states ; and the few instances of atrocity towards 

 conquered states, seem to have been sudden bursts of 

 passion, that were quickly followed by repentance. 



In their internal economy, the energies of a free 

 government were also, as we shall presently see, 

 powerfully displayed in a career of science and art, 

 the splendour of which has no parallel in the history 

 of nations. At the same time it was productive also 

 of a complication of disorders. The free states of 

 antiquity differed from those of modern times, in not 

 being representative governments. The popular as- 

 sembly was composed of the whole body of the na- 

 tion ; which not only produced a disorderly multi- 

 tude, but took away all check of responsibility, such 

 as exists now between the electors and the elected. 

 The people were absolutely despotic, and exercised 

 their power often as arbitrarily and as capriciously as 

 the most worthless individual. As most of the ma- 

 nual labour was performed by slaves, such of the 

 free citizens as had no inheritance, that is, the great- 

 er part of them, were in a state of extreme necessity. 

 When therefore they found, that the public revenue, 

 as well as the property of private individuals, was at 

 their disposal, they soon discovered, and were taught 

 by their flatterers, that these resources might be 

 turned to their private accommodation. This was 

 gradually done more and more, every new courtier 

 endeavouring to outstrip his predecessor. Theatrical 

 amusements, of the utmost splendour, were afforded 

 at the public expense ; and a law was at length passed, 

 making it capital to propose any other use of the 

 funds appropriated to them. In the same manner, 



Athens. 



