the goddess that if the fates forbade the Greeks to conquer, they might at least fall like warriors. And while uttering this prayer the tokens waited for became suddenly visible in the victims, and the augurs announced the promise of coming victory. Therewith the order of battle ran instantly through the army, and, to use the poetical comparison of Plutarch, the Spartan phalanx suddenly stood forth in its strength, like some fierce animal-erecting its bristles, and preparing its vengeance for the foe. The ground, broken in many steep and precipitous ridges, and intersected by the Aso'pus, whose sluggish stream winds over a broad and rushy bed, was unfavorable to the movements of cavalry, and the Persian foot advanced therefore on the Greeks. 5. "Drawn up in their massive phalanx, the Lacedæmonians presented an almost impenetrable body-sweeping slowly on, compact and serried-while the hot and undisciplined valor of the Persians, more fortunate in the skirmish than the battle, broke itself in a thousand waves upon that moving rock. Pouring on in small numbers at a time, they fell fast round the progress of the Greeks-their armor slight against the strong pikes of Sparta-their courage without skill-their numbers without discipline; still they fought gallantly, even when on the ground seizing the pikes with their naked hands, and with the wonderful agility which still characterizes the Oriental swordsmen, springing to their feet and regaining their arms when seemingly overcome, wresting away their enemies' shields, and grappling with them desperately hand to hand. 6. "Foremost of a band of a thousand chosen Persians, conspicuous by his white charger, and still more by his daring valor, rode Mardonius, directing the attack-fiercer wherever his armor blazed. Inspired by his presence, the Persians fought worthily of their warlike fame, and, even in falling, thinned the Spartan ranks. At length the rash but gallant leader of the Asiatic armies received a mortal wound-his skull was crushed in by a stone from the hand of a Spartan. His chosen band, the boast of the army, fell fighting around him, but his death was the general signal of defeat and flight. Encumbered by their long robes, and pressed by the relentless conquerors, the Persians fled in disorder toward their camp, which was secured by wooden intrenchments, by gates, and towers, and walls. Here, fortifying themselves as they best might, they contended with advantage against the Lacedæmonians, who were ill skilled in assault and siege. 7. "Meanwhile the Athenians obtained the victory on the plains over the Greeks of Mardonius, and now joined the Spartans at the camp. The Athenians are said to have been better skilled in the art of siege than the Spartans; yet at that time their experience could scarcely have been greater. The Athenians were at all times, however, of a more impetuous temper; and the men who had 'run to the charge' at Marathon were not to be baffled by the desperate remnant of their ancient foe. They scaled the walls-they effected a breach through which the Tegeans were the first to rush— the Greeks poured fast and fierce into the camp. Appalled, dismayed, stupefied by the suddenness and greatness of their loss, the Persians no longer sustained their fame-they dispersed in all directions, falling, as they fled, with a prodigious slaughter, so that out of that mighty armament scarce three thousand effected an escape." 8. Another writer remarks that "the treasure found in the camp of the Persians on this occasion was immense: the furniture of the tents glittered with gold and silver; and vessels of the same metals were seen scattered about for ordinary use, and piled up in wagons." "Pausanias, when he entered the tent of Mardonius, and saw the rich hangings, the soft carpets, the couches and tables shining with gold and silver, ordered the Persian slaves to prepare a banquet, such as they were used to set out for their master. When it was spread he bade his helots set by its side the simple fare of his own ordinary meal, and then invited the Greek officers to mark the folly of the barbarian who, with such instruments of luxury at his command, had come to rob the Greeks of their scanty store." 9. When the deluge of the Persian wars rolled back to its Eastern bed, and the world was once more comparatively at rest, the continent of Greece rose visibly and majestically above the rest of the civilized earth. Then began what has been called the "Age of Pericles," the era of Athenian greatness, which has been briefly described in a previous article,* but to which we again refer for the purpose of giving the following beautiful extract descriptive of the glories and greatness of Athens during that period: 10. "Nowhere else," remarks Alison, "is to be found a state so small in its origin, and yet so great in its progress; so contracted in its territory, and yet so gigantic in its achievements; so limited in numbers, and yet so immortal in genius. *See the Part on Architecture, page 285. Its dominions on the continent of Greece did not exceed an English county; its free inhabitants never amounted to thirty thousand citizens, and yet these inconsiderable numbers have filled the world with their renown: poetry, philosophy, architecture, sculpture, tragedy, comedy, geometry, physics, history, politics, almost date their origin from Athenian genius; and the monuments of art with which they have overspread the world still form the standard of taste in every civilized nation on earth." LESSON IX. THE ERA OF GRECIAN ELOQUENCE AND LIT ERATURE. 1. THE golden age of Grecian eloquence and literature is embodied in a period of a hundred and thirty years, reckoning from the time of Pericles; and during this period Athens bore the palm alone. Of the many eminent Athenian orators, the most distinguished were Ly'sias, Isoc'rates, Es'chines, and Demos'thenēs. Among historians whose works are still venerated may be mentioned, as most conspicuous, the names of Herod'otus, Thucyd'ides, Xen'ophon, and Polyb'ius; among poets and dramatists, Es'chylus,* Soph'ocles, Eurip'idēs, and Aristoph'anes; and among philosophers, Soc'ratēs, Plā'to, and Aristot'le. Volumes would be requisite to describe the character and works of these writers, and to convey a just idea of the indebtedness of the moderns to the lights which they kindled. 2. The Greeks were exceedingly fond of the drama, which we may now look back upon as one of the best expositors of the Athenian mind in the departments of politics, religion, and philosophy. In the time of Pericles a large number of dramas was presented on the Athenian stage every year; the whole population of Athens flocked to the theatres to witness them; and when we reflect that these representations embraced not only, as at first, the religious notions of the Greeks, but that they were finally extended to every subject of political and private life, we shall be satisfied that so powerful poetic influences were never brought to act upon any other people. 3. Of the very great degree of license which was given to Es'chylus fought in the battle of Marathon, and also in that of Sal'amis. From one of his tragedies, entitled The Persians," we have given an extract descriptive of the naval battle of Sal'amis. See page 502. the Grecian drama in attacking, under the veil of satire, existing institutions, politicians, philosophers, poets, and even private citizens by name, some idea may be formed from the following extract from "The Knights" of Aristoph'anēs, in which a chorus of singers, coming upon the stage, thus commences an attack upon Cleon, a corrupt political demagogue who had gained such consideration by flattering the lower orders and railing at the higher, that he stood in the situa tion of head of a party. THE POLITICAL DEMAGOGUE. Scene: the public market-place of Athens. Close around him, and confound him, the confounder of us all; Worthy veterans of the jury, you that, either right or wrong, Chorus. Rightly served'! we serve you rightly, for your hungry love of pelf; Him, besides, the wealthy man, retired upon an easy rent, Hating and avoiding party, noble-minded, indolent, Fearful of official snares, intrigues, and intricate affairs; Him you mark; ; you fix and hook him, while he's gaping unawares; At a fling, at once you bring him hither from the Chersonese, Down you cast him, roast and baste him, and devour him at your ease. Cleon. Yes'! assault', insult', abuse' me! this is the return I find For the noble testimony, the memorial I designed : Meaning to propose proposals for a monument of stone, On the which your late achievements should be carved and neatly done Chorus. Out, away' with him! the slave'! the pompous, empty, fawning knave'! Does he think with idle speeches to delude and cheat us all, Cleon. Save me, neighbors'! Oh the monsters'! Oh my side, my back, my breast' ' Chorus. What! you're forced to call for help'? yon brutal, overpowering pest'! [Cleon is pelted off the stage, pursued by the Chorus. Aristoph'anes: translated by MR. FRERE. LESSON X.-THE OLYMPIAN GAMES. [The Olympian Games, which were celebrated at Olympia, in Greece, every fifth year, consisted of horse and foot races, leaping, throwing, wrestling, and boxing, and other athletic exercises. The following description of a chariot-race is from one of the tragedies of Sophocles, translated by Bulwer. Orestes had gained five victories on the first day, and on the second he starts with nine competitors in the chariot-race: an Achæan, a Spartan, two Libyans, an Ætolian, a Magnesian, an nian, an Athenian, and a Boeotian. The great art of the charioteer consisted in turning as close as possible to the goals, but without running against them or against the other chariots.] THE CHARIOT-RACE, WITH THE DEATH OF ORESTES. 2. Ores'tes still, Aye,' as he swept around the perilous pillar 3. Behind, Orestes, hitherto the last, Had kept back his coursers for the close; |