THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 



Two phases of Phoenician civilization, represented by Sidon and Tyre. 

 In tlie west, we can trace tlie former by tlie deities Poseidon (i. e., Baal- 

 Sidon) and Amphitrite (i. c, Aphrodite) ; the latter Herakles (jNIelcarth) 

 and Pallas (/. e., Baalatj Athena. The quarrel between Poseidon and 

 Pallas : the Parthenon group. The Olympia metopes. 



The extent of the Phoenician trade, and its effect upon the countries 

 visited. They double the Cape of Good Hope. The Phoenician colo- 

 nies, Carthage, etc., and their civilization: its strength and weakness. 

 Want of idealism and political sense. The dangers of a merely industrial 

 civilization. Why Carthage succumbed to Rome. 



The world's debt to Phoenicia, as an example of industrial enterprise, 

 unrelieved by art, litei'ature, or science. 



March 29. Greece, by Professor Benja.min Ide Wheeler, LL. D., of 

 Cornell University. 



Greece: how its geography explains its history. 



Its position. The outpost of Europe; though removed from it by its 

 peninsular form, not severed from connection with it. Greek ideas are 

 representative occidental ideas. The contrast of occidentalism and orien- 

 talism. Joined to Asia by a bridge of islands and by the navigable 

 iEgean. Hence open to the reception of eastern ideas and motives, but 

 secured in its capability of assimilating them. The extent and nature of 

 eastern influence. Surrounded by the Mediterranean, hence a distribut- 

 ing medium. Its primacy in Mediterranean civilization. Relations of 

 this civilization to modern European civilization. 



Its geography. The irregularity of its coastline. Proximity of all its 

 parts to the sea. Abundance of sheltered beach-harbors. Absence of 

 great rivers. Contrast with the great river civilization of Egypt and 

 Mesopotamia. Partition into districts by mountains. Features of moun- 

 tain chains: not impassable barriers. Plains of limited size: these en- 

 courage particularism and a consciousness of the .power of individual 

 initiative. Plains mostly accessible to the sea. Communication by sea 

 rather than by land encouraged. Opened outward rather than inward, 

 motive to union lessened. Variety in relative location of the plains pro- 

 ductive of variety in conditions of life, and hence of social and political 

 ideas.. Greece a mosaic. The islands so numerous as to set a standard of 

 political and material existence. Extension of the analogy to the Athens 

 of Themistocles and Pericles. Citadels treated as islands. 



Its size and the distances between its ports. Superficial area. Distance 

 between important points. Routes and methods of communication- 

 Effect of dimensions upon the Greek sense of proportion and upon the 

 stimulation of individual energy. 



Climate and products. Temperature and contrast of seasons. Outdoor 

 life. Sociability. Democracy. Interest in athletics. Winds. Effect on 

 commerce. Rainfall and fertility. Products of soil. Bent toward com- 

 merce rather than agriculture. Urban life and attitude toward farmers. 



Important sites. Cities: Sparta, Thebes, Corinth, Athens, and their 

 geographical characteristics. Battlefields : Marathon, Mantinea, Chsero- 

 nea, Salamis. Festal places : Olympia, Delphi. 



Impressions of Greek scenery. 



