te land was reclaimed then
as now by colonists from centres of civilization; the migrating
pastoral folks lacked the initiative and experience necessary to
establish new communities in undeveloped districts. Highly civilized
men sowed the harvest and the barbarians reaped it.

It must not be concluded, however, that the migrations were historical
disasters, or that they retarded the general advancement of the human
race. In time the barbarians became civilized and fused with the
peoples whom they conquered. They introduced, too, into communities
which had grown stagnant and weakly, a fresh and invigorating
atmosphere that acted as a stimulant in every sphere of human
activity. The Kassite, for instance, was a unifying and therefore a
strengthening influence in Babylonia. He shook off the manacles of the
past which bound the Sumerian and the Akkadian alike to traditional
lines of policy based on unforgotten ancient rivalries. His concern
was chiefly with the future. The nomads with their experience of
desert wandering promoted trade, and the revival of trade inaugurated
new eras of prosperity in ancient centres of culture, and brought them
into closer touch than ever before with one another. The rise of
Greece was due to the blending of the Achaeans and other pastoral
fighting folks with the indigenous Pelasgians. Into the early States
which fostered the elements of ancient Mykenaean civilization, poured
the cultural influences of the East through Asia Minor and Phoenicia
and from the Egyptian coast. The conquerors from the steppes meanwhile
contributed their genius for organization, their simple and frugal
habits of life, and their sterling virtues; they left a deep impress
on the moral, physical, and intellectual life of Greece.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE HEBREWS IN ASSYRIAN HISTORY

Revival of Assyrian Power--The Syro-Cappadocian Hittites--The
Aramaean State of Damascus--Reign of Terror in
Mesopotamia--Barbarities of Ashur-natsir-pal III--Babylonia and
Chaldaea subdued--Glimpse of the Kalkhi Valley--The Hebrew Kingdoms
of Judah and Israel--Rival Monarchs and their Wars--How Judah became
subject to Damascus--Ahab and the Phoenician Jezebel--Persecution of
Elijah and other Prophets--Israelites fight against
Assyrians--Shalmaneser as Overlord of Babylonia--Revolts of Jehu in
Israel and Hazael in Damascus--Shalmaneser defeats Hazael--Jehu
sends Tribute to Shalmaneser--Baal Worship Supplanted by G