496 EARLY MAN IN BRITAIN. [CHAP. xiv. 



the use of iron became known, and in the Prehistoric 

 Iron age the condition of Britain was higher than it had 

 ever been before. A commerce was carried on with the 

 Mediterranean peoples, and works of Etruskan art pene- 

 trated as far to the west as Ireland. 



We have also noted the gradual disappearance of the 

 wild animals, which stands in an inverse ratio to the 

 increase in the domestic species. 



The influence of the classical peoples of the Mediter- 

 ranean on the nations of the north has also engaged our 

 attention, and we have remarked the trade-routes by 

 which Greek, Etruskan, and Phoenician commerce was 

 carried on with the barbarians of the north, a commerce 

 which was 'aimed more particularly at the gold, tin, and 

 amber so eagerly sought in the ancient world. We have 

 also traced the progress of discovery in the north-western 

 seas by the Phoenicians and Greek mariners, and have 

 only ended our enquiry with the circumnavigation of 

 Britain in the time of Agricola. The Etruskans, from 

 their commanding position in northern Italy, were most 

 powerful in spreading civilisation northwards, in Gaul 

 and Germany. Their influence was felt in Gaul in 

 the Bronze age, and throughout Germany in the late 

 Bronze and Iron ages. It is natural to suppose, also, 

 that the Phoenicians, from their extended commerce, 

 must have exercised a powerful influence on the peoples 

 of Spain and of Gaul, but this it is impossible to trace, 

 because they were mere manufacturers and merchants, 

 without any art of their own. In later times the Greek 

 influence became powerful in Gaul and Germany, pene- 

 trated into Britain, and was followed in due time by 

 that of Rome. There is obviously a considerable over- 

 lap between the Historic period of the Mediterranean 



