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 recorded in written
documents; and it was not till the epoch known by the name of the
First Olympiad, corresponding to the year 776 B.C., that the
Greeks began to employ writing as a means for perpetuating the
memory of any historical facts. Before that period everything is
vague and uncertain; and the exploits of the heroes related by
the poets must not be regarded as historical facts.