484 PELOPONNESUS. 
CHAP, than the Lacedemonian, but it was also less 
VIII. 
artificial ; and the contrast it exhibited, when 
opposed to the infamous profligacy of Corinth, 
where the manners of the people, corrupted 
by wealth and luxury, were further vitiated 
by the great influx of foreigners 1 , rendered 
Argos, in the days of her prosperity, one of the 
most enviable cities of Greece. The stranger 
who visited Athens might indeed regard with 
an eager curiosity the innumerable trophies 
everywhere suspended, of victors in her splen- 
did games ; might admire her extensive por- 
ticoes, crowded with philosophers ; might gaze 
with wonder at the productions of her artists ; 
might revere her magnificent temples ; but 
feelings more affecting were called forth in be- 
holding the numerous monuments of theArgives, 
destined to perpetuate the memory of indi- 
viduals who had rendered themselves illustrious 
only by their virtues 2 . 
(1) " Ex hac peregrinorum hominum colluvie, necesse erat et civium 
mores corrumpi. Quapropter Lacedacmonii, quorum gravis et severa 
semper fuit Resp. nullos ad se peregrinos recipiebant, ne alienigeuis 
ritibus urbis uptime constitute status everteretur." Gerbelitts in 
Corinth. Descript. ap. Gronov. Thes. Gr&c. Antiq. torn. IV. p. 51. 
L. Bat. 1699- 
(2) Witness the filial piety of Cteobis andJBiton, to whom thedrgives 
also erected statues at Delphi; the heroism of Telesilla, in rescuing 
Hie 
