Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-06-03

self in httica. He taught the nat;ves acri-
culture and introduced the Give among them.
1t was Cecrops who Instituted the Areopa-
gus. The government of Athens was demo-
cratic. In the year 5S4 before Christ. after
the death of Codrus, the last king, the city
erected itself into republic, the constitution
of which was framed by Scion; he placed
the sovereignty in the hands of the populace,
who decided upon the objects which had
been dehberated upon by senate of great
numbers. The magistrates of the Athenian
republic were Archons, who were at trst
chosen for life, afterwards for ten wears, and
finally they were increased and elected an
n1ally. The period Of greatest grandeur for
Athens was about the time of the Persian
war. when she was seen to accomplish acts
OF frm courage and to exhibit the most asto-
nishing virtues The fate OF Athens was de-
cided 4o4 years before Christ, when the city
was taken by Lysander, I.acedemonian
chief, towards tire conclusion of the Pelopon-
nesian war: her walls were thrown down
and her government changed. From this Sc
we're blow she never recovered.
1heoeS was founded in the year 1894 be-
fore Christ, by Cadmus, who arrived from
the. neighborhood of Tyre with colony of
Phenicians, and built the city of Thebes in
Beotia, the citadel of which took from him
its name. He carried along with him the art
of writing. The government was variable
The misfoftunes of Laius, of Jocasta, of Edi-
pus, of Eteocles, and of Polynices, are iden-
tilted with the history OF the Thebans, and
have furnished subjects for the theatres. The
magistrates we're Beotarc,ls, who were SD
preme in Thebes, and at the same time the
head of the Beotian league. The time of
their highest renown was under Pelopidas
-
from the Lacedemonian yoke, and gave them
a superiority over the rest of the Greeks.
About $50 years before Christ the CITY was
taken by Alexander, against whom it had
revolted it was then demolished and burnt,
with the exception OF the house of Pindar,
who was accounted the chief of the nine Ly-
ric poets, viz. Alcsus, Acman, Anacreon,
Bacchyiides, Ibicns, Sappho, Stcsichorus,
SiInonides, and Pindarus, or Pindar. He was
a man of a su.iime and majestic genius, and
Horace describes his style as being adorned
with f1uency beautifully irregular. 1t was
for his poetical talent that Alexander spared
him. All the inhabitants of Thebes were
sold.
Cori,th was. founded in the year 1926 be-
fore Jesus Christ. Properly speaking, Siri-
Fsus was the first king, the Corinthians ha-
wing previously submitted TO those of Argos
and Mycene. Her commencement is much
more obscure than that of the other cities
just mentioned. Generally, the government
of Corinth was oligarchic. About loo years
after the siege of Troy, the race of Siriphus
was driven out, and 10 it succeeded that of
the Bacchides, under whom Corinti assurn-
ed republican form of rule. with the au-
thority in the hands OF the elders. The ma
gistrates were the Prytanes, OF en- arlstocra
teal cast, elected by the elders, who chose
them annually out of their own body CO.
rinth was most distinguished during the A
chean league, when this city was regarded as
the first OF Greece. In the year I46 before
Christ is Was taken by the Rom.rn. general
Mummius, who Consigned the houses to the
flames and rased the walls. Nothing could
surpass the riches of the place in metals and
IN master-works OF all kinds. With the de-
struction of Corintll the independence of
Greece became extinct.
Parioas and IMPORTANT affects Of Grecian
History.
The Oiymfiiad was an interval of time,
corresponding to four of our years, which
elapsed between two successive celebrations
OF the Olympic games. 1t served the Greeks
for mode of computing time.
The HnfhyctioEs was a diet the council
and supreme tribunal of the Greek ccn!ede-
ration, composed of deputies from every
member of the confedaracy, and,it Assem-
bled every year at Thermopyle.
The freohagns was celebrated court Of
Justice at Athens. The number Of its mem
bers was not fixed. 1t was composed Of Ar
chons who had gone out of Office and who
had worthily discharged their duties. No
tribunal ever had q greater reputation for
wisdom and equity. Il more especially ex-
ercised authority over the morals and the
education of the youth. 1t interdicted in The
deliberations Of its members the use Of de-
clamation, that their Understandings might
not be seduced by eloquence and Is held its
sittings in the night in order to Guide thu in
fuence of gesticulaticr. Its DEGREES were
enacted by simple plurality; and, in case
OF divIsioR, sub lltern officer added in "a
vor of the accused, the suffrage of Minerva
Tic Fo&r Pu5lic end Solemn Games of
Greece.
The Olymhic Games, celebrated every
four years in honor Of Jupiter
The Pytfian Ga7nes, celebrated every
four years in honor Of Apollo
The Lsth1ntaH Gaares, celebrated every
foit years nfhonor Of Neptune.
The .Nefaed7l Games, instituted byHereu-
les, and celebrated every two years.
PRINCIPAL LegfsLQtoTs If Greece.
In The year 1905 before Christ Minos gave
laws to the Cretans. These laws served as
a basis for those of Lycurgus.
SIS years before Christ LyeurEus compile
ted code Of laws FOR Sparta. They were
very s;ngIlarj and ha obliged the lords and
Commons TO keep them until his return from
Deiphos, whittier he went 70 consult the ora