n states. The other
chief divisions of Peloponnesus were Achaia, Argolis, Laconia,
Messenia, and Elis. ACHAIA is a narrow slip of country lying between
the northern barrier of Arcadia and the Corinthian gulf. ARGOLIS, on
the east, contained several independent states, of which the most
important was Argos. LACONIA and MESSENIA occupied the whole of the
south of the peninsula from sea to sea: these two countries were
separated by the lofty range of Taygetus, running from north to south,
and terminating in the promontory of Taenarum (now Cape Matapan), the
southernmost point of Greece and Europe. Sparta, the chief town of
Laconia, stood in the valley of the Eurotas, which opens out into a
plain of considerable extent towards the Laconian gulf. Messenia, in
like manner, was drained by the Pamisus, whose plain is still more
extensive and fertile than that of the Eurotas. ELIS, on the west of
Arcadia, contains the memorable plain of Olympia, through which the
Alpheus flows, and in which the city of Pisa stood.

Of the numerous islands which line the Grecian shores, the most
important was Euboea, stretching along the coasts of Boeotia and
Attica. South of Euboea was the group of islands called the CYCLADES,
lying around Delos as a centre; and east of these were the SPORADES,
near the Asiatic coast. South of these groups are the large islands of
CRETE and RHODES.

The physical features of the country exercised an important influence
upon the political destinies of the people. Greece is one of the most
mountainous countries of Europe. Its surface is occupied by a number
of small plains, either entirely surrounded by limestone mountains or
open only to the sea. Each of the principal Grecian cities was founded
in one of these small plains; and, as the mountains which separated it
from its neighbours were lofty and rugged, each city grew up in
solitary independence. But at the same time it had ready and easy
access to the sea, and Arcadia was almost the only political division
that did not possess some territory upon the coast. Thus shut out from
their neighbours by mountains, the Greeks were naturally attracted to
the sea, and became a maritime people. Hence they possessed the love
of freedom and the spirit of adventure, which have always
characterised, more or less the inhabitants of maritime districts.

CHAPTER II.

ORIGIN OF THE GREEKS AND THE HEROIC AGE.

No nation possesses a history till events are r