unlimited. Ancient Athens, at the time of the Persian invasion, had such a
limited freedom. The people were divided into four classes, according to
the amount of their property, and the universal love of order, as well as
the fear of the approaching host, made them obedient and willing citizens.
For Darius had sent Datis and Artaphernes, commanding them under pain of
death to subjugate the Eretrians and Athenians. A report, whether true or
not, came to Athens that all the Eretrians had been 'netted'; and the
Athenians in terror sent all over Hellas for assistance. None came to
their relief except the Lacedaemonians, and they arrived a day too late,
when the battle of Marathon had been already fought. In process of time
Xerxes came to the throne, and the Athenians heard of nothing but the
bridge over the Hellespont, and the canal of Athos, and the innumerable
host and fleet. They knew that these were intended to avenge the defeat of
Marathon. Their case seemed desperate, for there was no Hellene likely to
assist them by land, and at sea they were attacked by more than a thousand
vessels;--their only hope, however slender, was in victory; so they
relied upon themselves and upon the Gods. Their common danger, and the
influence of their ancient constitution, greatly tended to promote harmony
among them. Reverence and fear--that fear which the coward never knows--
made them fight for their altars and their homes, and saved them from
being dispersed all over the world. 'Your words, Athenian, are worthy of
your country.' And you Megillus, who have inherited the virtues of your
ancestors, are worthy to hear them. Let me ask you to take the moral of my
tale. The Persians have lost their liberty in absolute slavery, and we in
absolute freedom. In ancient times the Athenian people were not the
masters, but the servants of the laws. 'Of what laws?' In the first place,
there were laws about music, and the music was of various kinds: there was
one kind which consisted of hymns, another of lamentations; there was also
the paean and the dithyramb, and the so-called 'laws' (nomoi) or strains,
which were played upon the harp. The regulation of such matters was not