The History of Political Literature from the Earliest Times (Reprints in History)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. ON THE POLITICAL LITERATURE OF GREECE. We have now to commence with the Grecian era of political science;--an era which has exercised, on the practical affairs of governments, and on the trains of thought of speculative politicians, no little influence and authority. Before, however, proceeding to notice, in their order, the political writers of the Greek school, we shall give a general summary of the political institutions of Greece; for, unless we have some bird's eye conceptions of the ordinary polity of this interesting people, we can in no degree be benefitted by any analysis of their political systems or speculations. There must be governments of some kind before there can be any literary discussions on their nature or advantages. In framing this summary we shall be as brief as possible; premising, at the outset, that we shall avoid all knotty and controverted points of general and social polity, and all matters that properly belong to the historical connoisseur or antiquarian. The mere skeleton or frame work of Grecian legislation is all that can here be given; and this solely for the especial purpose of aiding the general reader's power to grapple more successfully with both ancient and modern treatises on political science, in all ages and countries. The early history of Greece is enveloped in great obscurity. All the historians of the country flourished long after the main transactions they describe took place; and this, of course, has been a fruitful source of much of the fabulous being incorporated with the true history of public events. Sir Isaac Newton fixes the year B.c. 1080, as that in which the city of Athens was founded; and this chronological date has been generally acquiesed in by subsequent writers of critical skill and ...