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forts flife; yet the spirit of invention and discovery, in the early period under review, was awaked in several counties, particularly in Greece. Even Rome had built her magnificent Capitol.

4. Most of the governments which existed during this period, as in former periods, were monarchical; yet that of Greece was a confederated republic, sin ilar but much inferior both in theoretic and practical excellence to that of these United States.

Rome, before the conclusion of this period, is found added to the list of republics. Her government previously had been strictly monarchical. The times however were marked by violence, and a people whose origin was that of a lawless banditti, ill brooked the restraints of a monarchy.

5. The Assyrian empire ceased to exist, upon the taking and destruction of Nin'eveh, its capital, by Nebuchadnezzar. But other nations, we have seen, were rising into existence and importance in the West.

Several places of consequence were founded in this period, as Taren'tum, in Italy, by the Parthe'nians ; Chalce'don by the Megar'ians; Byzan'tium by Pusa' nias, king of Spar'ta; and Cyre'ne, in Africa, by Iattus of Lacede ON.

PERIOD VII,

THE PERIOD OF GRECIAN GLORY,

EXTENDS FROM

THE BATTLE OF MAR'ATHON,

490 YEARS B. C.

ΤΟ

THE BIRTH OF ALEXANDER,

356 YEARS B. C.

The length of this period is 134 years.

Important Events in Period VXX.

Six principal events are included in this period.

First, the Battle of Marathon :

Second, the Destruction of Leon'idas and his band at Thermop'ylæ :

Third, the Dictatorship of Cincinna'tus at Rome :

Fourth, the Retreat of 10,000 Greeks under Xen'ophon :

Fifth, the Taking of Rome by the Gauls:

Sixth, the War between The'bes and Spar'ta

The sources of information in regard to events of this date, are most of them too authentic to be doubt ed. Some of the most eminent of the Greek historians then flourished, viz. Herod'otus, Thucyd'ides, and Xen'ophon.

1. The Battle of Marathon was fought between the Greeks and Persians, in which the latter were defeated with great slaughter. The Greeks were led on by Milti'ades, and the Persians fought under Dari'us their king. This event occurred 490 years B. C.

This war originated in the ambition of Darius, and his passion for revenge. After losing a large number of ships, he effected a landing of his troops in Eubœ'a, and poured down impetuously on At'tica. Milti'ades met them on the plain of M rathon, and slaughtered 6300 of the enemy, while his own loss was only 190

men.

For his heroic conduct Miltiades received from the Athenians, his countrymen, the basest ingratitude. He died of his wounds in prison, whither he had been thrust upon the imputation of treason, in an unsuccessful attack soon afterwards upon the Isle of Paros.

An incident in this war, mentioned by Justin the historian, may be related. Cynegy/rus, the brother of the poet s'chylus, having performed prodigies of valour, pursued the Persians o the shore, and laid hold of a ship, which was ready to sail, with his right hand.

Some of the enemy seeing tl is, cut it off, on which he seized it with his left; and neing deprived of that also, he fastened his teeth in it, and thus expired.

2. The Destruction of Leonidas and his band at Thermop'yle, was an eminent instance of devoted patriotism. It took place in an engagement which they had with the Persians at tha celebrated pass. Leon'idas and his 300 men resisted the whole Persian army, till they were

overpowered and crushed by numbers. The date of this event is 480 years B. C.

Xerx'es, the son of Dari'us, in prosecution of his father's plans, had invaded Greece. It is estimated that his army consisted of 2,000,000 of fighting men besides vast numbers of women and domestics-the largest army and assemblage of persons of which history gives an account.

To transport so vast a body of people, he employed 1200 ships of war, and 3000 ships of burden. Landing in Thes'saly, he proceeded by rapid marches to Thermop'ylæ, a narrow defile on the bay anciently called Maliacus.

Leonidas, king of Sparta, was chosen to oppose this immense force with only 6000 men. During two days the Persians strove in vain to force their way, and were repeatedly repulsed with great slaughter. Opposition however was fruitless, on account of the immense difference of numbers.

Foreseeing certain ruin, the Spartan king commanded all to retire but three hundred of his countrymen. His motive was to show the Persians what sort of people they had to encounter, and to acquire immortal fame. He and his brave men were all destroyed.

3. The Dictatorship of Cincinna'tus at Rome is dated 456 years B.C. He hastened to resign it at the expiration of sixteen days, having rescued a Roman army from destruction, defeated a powerful enemy, and rendered other signal services to his country.

After Rome had become a republic, the executive power was held by two consuls annually chosen from among the Patricians at first, and afterwards from among the Plebeians also, or the lower order of the people, when the government became altogether democratical. Besides these, there were ther officers entrusted with great power, as the tri unes chosen from among the Plebeians, and, for a few years, th Decem/viri.

The office of a Dicta'tor was a temporary despotism resorted to in times of imminent danger. The Dicta tor had absolute and unlimited authority, to provide for the public safety and defence, by enrolling all the citizens who were capable of bearing arms, and by putting to death any that should refuse obedience.

Cincinna'tus, previously to being called to the dictatorship, had been Consul; but retiring to his little farm in the neighbourhood of Rome, he hoped to enjoy, during the remainder of life, domestic and rural tranquillity. The public danger, however, upon the invasion of the Æqui and Volsci, required a person of his great talents to hold this high office.

He acquitted himself in it to the satisfaction of all parties, though the times were extremely turbulent. By extricating the army of one of the Consuls, which was hemmed in by the enemy, from its perilous situa tion, and by defeating the enemy, and taking their city, he probably saved Rome itself from destruction.

4. The Retreat of 10,000 Greeks under Xen'ophon, through an enemy's country 1600 miles in extent, was an instance of astonishing skill and success. It happened 401 years B. C. and is admirably described by Xenophon himself.

A younger brother of Artaxerx'es Mne'mon formed the project of dethroning him, and, with the aid of 13,000 Greeks, engaged him in battle near Babylon, but was defeated and slain.

The remainder of the Grecian army, amounting to 10,000 men, were obliged either to submit to the enemy, or to make good their retreat from Babylon to the banks of the Euxine. They chose the latter; and notwithstanding incredible hardships and dangers, they succeeded entirely.

Their loss was not more than 1500 men, from sick ness, hardships, casualties and battles, during the whole course. This retreat is reckoned the most celebrated in history, and, together with a beautiful account of it from Xenophon, has acquired for him and his countryn en signal honour.