refuge in Persia, and accompanied Xerxes at this time. This Greek thus described to Xerxes the Character of his countrymen: "They are to be feared," said Demaratus, " because they are poor and virtuous." But an Asiatic despot did not comprehend this, and he laughed at his counsellor. At this period, little communication could exist between Upper and Lower Greece. The countries of Macedonia and Thessaly were covered with woods and mountains; and roads and cleared tracts, were too few to permit a ready march from these to the more southern provinces.

5. Without the map of Greece you cannot understand the history of this Persian invasion; but if you examine the map, you will see the mountains which stretch irregularly across the country, and which terminate at the eastern extremity in Mount Oeta. Between the foot of Oeta and the Malian gulf, and connecting Thessaly with the more southern country of Phocis, was the pass of Thermopyla.

6. The pass of Thermopyla from this period B. C. 480, has been held in honourable recollection, for hither about 4000 men, the confederated armies of many of the Greek republics, advanced to repel their common enemy. The chief conduct of this enterprise was allotted to Leonidas, king of Sparta, who had under his more immediate command three hundred Spartans : he and his followers took upon themselves to occupy this passage, which was the only one accessible to the Persians. In the dead of the night this devoted band penetrated into the midst of the Persian camp, and cut off all that came in their way. The next day the Persians avenged themselves, and Leonidas, and all

his valiant soldiers, fell by the swords of their enemies. On this spot, some years after, a monument in honour of Leonidas and his three hundred Spartans, was erected, on which a few words, to this effect, were engraved, "Go, passenger, tell at Sparta that we died here in obedience to her laws."

WOODEN WALLS.

4. On the day that Leonidas fell, Themistocles obtained a considerable victory over the Persian fleet, and then steered for Salamis, near Athens, to take measures for the safety of the Athenians. When this people consulted the Oracle, to learn what was expedient to be done in their perilous state, the response informed them that in order to preserve themselves they must be protected by Themistocles interpreted these wooden walls to be ships, and advised the inhabitants of Athens to abandon their city, and take refuge in their fleet. To desert their gods and the tombs of their ancestors, was a grievous thought to this people, whose piety and amiable affections were conspicuously manifested at this awful crisis; but Themistocles told his countrymen that the will of the gods was expressed by the oracle, and that, therefore, religion commanded them to save, and not to sacrifice their lives.

5. The Athenians were thus persuaded to abandon their city; they left within its walls a few old people, and found an asylum for such as fled at Træzene in Peloponnesus. The Persians soon made way to Athens, and after taking possession of the city, set fire to it. Eurybiades and Themistocles commanded the fleet, and did not agree in respect to the place proper to be taken to await an engagement with the Persians. On this occasion

so warm an altercation arose between them, that the irritated Eurybiades aimed a blow at 'Themistocles; the latter stayed the lifted arm of his opponent, by this expostulation, "Strike, but hear me." This noble moderation checked the passion of Eurybiades, and the eloquence of Themistocles prevailed.

6. The Grecian fleet was stationed near Salamis, and here they gave battle to the Persians who lost two hundred ships, while their victory cost forty to the Greeks. The battle of Salamis was fought under the conduct of Themistocles, and covered him with glory. How he was received afterwards at the Olympic games is related in another place. After this defeat Xerxes was easi ly persuaded to withdraw part of his army into Persia, and to leave Mardonius with 300,000 troops to prosecute the war. B. C. 479, Mardonius marched, at the head of his troops, from Eleusis to Platea in Boeotia, and encamped at the foot of Mount Citheron; and here they were encountered by 70,000 confederated Greeks. Aristides commanded the Athenian, and Pausanias the Lacedemonian troops, and the result of this conflict was the consummate defeat of the Persians, and the loss of 10,000 Greeks.

7. The Persian fleet, previous to the battle of Platea, in fear of the Greeks who had so constantly prevailed over them, sought for safety near the shores of Ionia, and they were pursued thither by the Athenians. A decisive engagement took place, between these hostile powers on the very day of the battle of Platea, which ended, like the former ones, in the disgrace of the invaders; and that memorable day forever froed the Greeks from any

future invasion of the Persians. Immense wealth was acquired by the Greeks in these successive victories. A tenth part of the spoil was consecrated to religious purposes, to the temples, and to the service of the gods, and the rest was equitably divided among those who achieved the victory.

8. Pausanias the Spartan, and Aristides, were appointed to expel all remains of the Persian power from the Greek colonies surrounding the Egean sea, and also from the neighbouring islands. The conduct of Pausanias in this enterprise was offensive to the Greeks. Themistocles in the mean time directed the Athenians in what manner to rebuild their houses, to fortify their city, and to form advantageous connexions with other states, but his zeal for their welfare could not protect him from their displeasure. The Spartans represented to the Athenians that Themistocles had conspired with Pausanias against them, and in consequence of their resentment, he fled into a foreign country.

9. Aristides died 471 B. C. and the command of the Athenian fleet devolved upon Cimon, the son of Miltiades. Cimon was destined to give the last blow to the naval power of the Persians. He took from them every place they retained on the coast of Asia Minor, and made himself master of inmense wealth, which they had in their ships and garrisons in the Egean sea. These spoils were expended, like the former, for public and religious uses, besides a large portion awarded to Cimon himself. But this disinterested patriot, more regardful of his native city than of any merely selfish gratification, expended his share in the embellishment of Athens. He formed public walks, gar

dens, and schools of exercise, and executed many other designs for the general good.

of

of

10. While Cimon was establishing the power his country upon the sea, Pericles, one of the most eminent men whom Greece ever produced, arose. A writer upon the Grecian history, has described the period from Solon to Pericles as the age of justice and the laws, and the time of his life as the age luxury and the arts. This great man excelled in every species of knowledge then cultivated, and he was in all respects highly accomplished; his deportment was at once majestic and amiable; and he was alike interesting in his conversation, and commanding in his eloquence.

11. Pericles encouraged every art that could defend or adorn his country. Agriculture, the fine arts, literature and philosophy, all prospered under his influence. Anaxagoras, the father of moral philosophy, was his instructor and friend; Euripides, that beautiful moral poet, and Parrhasius and Phidias, who made painting and sculpture expressive of the noblest sentiments, were objects of his peculiar esteem and favour.

12. Pericles was disposed to allow every species of public amusement to the common people; he procured for them a multitude of exhibitions, and set them an example of great expence and profu sion. Cimon was public-spirited and munificent, but he was frugal. The Athenians preferred the splendour of Pericles to the simplicity of Cimon.

13. After the defeat of the Persians, the states of Greece began to fight among themselves. The Spartans held large numbers of Messinians and Helots in a state of slavery; these unfortunate people combined together and made themselves