GREECE INVADED BY THE GAULS.

125

3. But the most powerful of these officers were determined to have more than their share; and in the year 312 B. C. four of them had got possession of the whole. Alexander had then been dead eleven years. All his children and relatives had been destroyed by his ambitious officers.

4. The Greeks, when they heard of Alexander's death, had attempted to regain their liberty But their struggles were unsuccessful; and the country was reduced to subjection by Cas-san'-der, who had been general of Alexander's cavalry. Cassander died in

a few years. Thenceforward, the history of Greece tells of nothing but crimes and revolutions, and misfortunes.

5. In the year 278 before the Christian era, the Gauls invaded Greece. They were a barbarous people, who inhabited the country now called France. Their general's name was Brennus; and their numbers are said to have been a hundred and sixty-five thousand men. 6. Brennus met with hardly any opposition. He marched to Delphos, intending to steal the treasures that were contained in the famous temple of Apollo. "A deity, like Apollo, does not want these treas ures," said Brennus. "I am only a man, and have great need of them.`

7. Accordingly, he led his barbarians toward the temple. The stately marble front of the edifice was seen at a short distance before them. It was considered the holiest spot in Greece. Here was the mysterious oracle, from which such wonderful prophecies had issued.

8. A wild shout burst from the army of the Gaus, and they were on the point of rushing forward to the tempie. But suddenly a violent storm arose. The thunder roared, and the wind blew furiously. At the same moment a terrible earthquake shook the ground beneath the affrighted Gauls.

9. A band of Greeks had assembled, to fight in defense of the temple. When they saw the disorder of the barbarians, they attacked them, sword in hand. It had grown so dark that the Gauls could not distinguish friends from foes. They killed one another, and the whole army was destroyed.

10. Such is the story which the old historians tell about this battle; it is doubtless much exaggerated, for some of the particulars appear hardly credible. But, at any rate, this was the last great victory that the ancient Greeks ever achieved over their enemies.

8. What took place in the year 812 B. C.? What of Alexander's children and relatives? 4. Who put Greece under subjection? Who was Cassander? What of the history of Greece after his death? 5. When did the Gauls invade Greece? Who was their general? What of their army? 6. Where was Delphos? Direction from Athens? Sparta? Thebes? What famous temple was at Delphos? 7. Describe the march toward the temple. 8. What affrighted the Gauls? 9. What of the Greeks? How were the Gauls destroyed? 10. What may be said of this victory over the Gauls?

CHAPTER

LXIII.-EUROPE-CONTINUED.

End of Grecian Independence.

1. THE Greeks had now almost entirely lost their love of liberty, as well as the other virtues which had formerly distinguished them. In proof of this, I will relate the story of A'-gis, the young king of Sparta.

2. King Agis was anxious for the welfare of Sparta, and he greatly desired to restore the ancient laws which Lycurgus had enacted. But the Spartans were now vicious and cowardly. They hated the very name of Lycurgus, and resolved not to be governed by his severe laws.

3. They therefore seized the virtuous young king, and dragged him to prison. He was condemned to death. The executioner shed tears at the moment when he was going to kill him. "Do not weep

for me," said Agis; "I am happier than my murderers."

4. A little while after Agis was killed, his mother and grandmother came to the prison to see him, for they had not heard of his death. They were led into his dungeon; and the murderers of Agis immediately strangled them both, and threw their dead bodies upon his.

5. Some time after this horrible event, the Spartans had a king called Na'-bis. He was such a cruel monster, that Heaven seemed to have made him a king only for the punishment of the people's wickedness. Nabis had an image in his palace. It resembled his own wife, and was very beautiful; it was likewise clothed with magnificent garments, such as were proper for the queen to wear. But the breast and arms of the image were stuck full of sharp iron spikes.

6. These, however, were hidden by the rich clothes. When king Nabis wished to extort money from any person, he invited him to his palace, and led him up to the image. No sooner was the stranger within reach, than the image put out its arms and squeezed him close to its breast.

7. This was done by means of machinery. The poor man might struggle as hard as he pleased; but he could not possibly get away from the cruel embrace of the statue. There he remained, with the

CHAP. LXIII.-1. What of the Greeks? Who was Agis? What did he desire? What of the Spartans? 3. What did they do to Agis? Describe his death. 4. What of the mother and grandmother of Agis? 5. What of Nabis? 6. What did Nabis do when he wanted to extort money out of any one?

MODERN GREECE.

127

iron spikes sticking into his flesh, until his agony compelled him to give Nabis as much money as he asked for.

8. When such enormities were committed by the kings of Greece, it was time that the country should be governed by other masters. My readers will not be sorry to hear that this soon happened. One hundred and forty-six years before the Christian era, Greece submitted to the authority of Rome.

9. Thus I have given you a very brief account of ancient Greece. Its history is full of interest, and full of instruction. I hope you will hereafter read the whole story in some larger work than mine.

CHAPTER LXIV.-EUROPE-CONTINUED.
Modern History of Greece.

1. FROM this time forward, the history of Greece is connected with that of other nations. The Greeks had no longer any power, even in their own native country. But they were still respected, on account of the poets, and historians, and sculptors, who appeared among them.

2. But, in course of time, the genius of the Greeks seemed to have deserted them, as well as their ancient valor. They were then wholly despised. I have not space to relate any of the events that occurred to them while they were governed by the Romans.

3. Between three and four hundred years after the Christian era, the Roman dominions were divided into the Eastern and Western empires. The capital of the Eastern empire was Constantinople. The territory of ancient Greece was included under this government, and it was sometimes called the Greek Empire.

4. About a thousand years elapsed, and nothing happened of such importance that it need be told in this brief history. But, about the year 1450, the Turks invaded the Eastern empire of the Romans. Greece then fell beneath their power. During almost four centuries the Greeks were treated by the Turks like slaves.

5. At last, in the year 1821, they rebelled against the tyranny of the Turks. A war immediately broke out. It continued a long time, and was carried on with the most shocking cruelty on both sides.

8. When was Greece conquered by the Romans?

CHAP. LXIV.-1. What of the Greeks? Why were they respected? 2. What happened in course of time? 3. When were the Roman dominions divided? 4. What happened about 1450? Into whose power did the Greeks then fall? How were they treated? 5. What took place in 1821?

6. Many people from other countries went to assist the Greeks. The ancient renown of Greece made friends of all who were acquainted with her history. Lord Byron, the illustrious English poet, lost his life in Greece, for the sake of this famous land.

7. The Turks, now greatly excited, resolved not to give up the country. The Greeks, on the other hand, determined either to drive away their oppressors, or to die. But they would not have succeeded if England, France, and Russia had not taken their part.

8. The fleets of these three nations formed a junction off the coast of Greece. They were all under the command of the English admiral, Sir Edward Codrington. In October, 1827, they attacked a Turkish fleet of more than two hundred vessels, in the bay of Navarino [nav-a-ree'-no.]

9. The Turks were entirely beaten, and their vessels were sunk or burned. In consequence of their losses in this battle, they were unable to continue the war. Greece was therefore evacuated by the Turks.

10. But as the Greeks were not considered entirely fit to govern themselves, a king was selected for them by England, France, and Russia. The new king was a young German prince of eighteen, named Otho. He was placed on the throne in the year 1829, and reigned till 1863, when he was succeeded by George I., son of the King of Denmark. At the same time the Ionian Islands were incorporated with the kingdom.

CHAPTER LXV.-EUROPE-CONTINUED.

About Italy as it now is.

1. ITALY is a strip of land or peninsula on the south of Europe, extending into the Mediterranean Sea. It is fancied to have the shape of a boot, the island of Sicily lying at the toe. It has a beautiful climate, the seasons being very mild.

2. If you were to go to this country, you would be charmed with the beauty of the sky, and the balmy softness of the air. You would find grapes so abundant that you could buy a delicious bunch, as large as you could eat, for a few cents; and if you wished for wine, you could get a bottle for ten cents.

6. Who assisted the Greeks? Why did Greece find so many friends? What of Byron? 7. What of the Turks? The Greeks? Who took part with Greece? S. Who commanded the combined fleet of England, France, and Russia? When did they attack the Turks? 9. What of the Turks? Were they obliged to leave Greece? 10. Who chose a king for the Greeks? What is his name? When did he come to the

throne? By whom and when was he succeeded?

CHAP. LXV.-1. What is Italy? Its shape? Where is Sicily? Climate of Italy? 2. What of the air and sky in Italy? What of Grapes? Wine?

3. You would find, in short, that Italy abounds in pleasant fruits, and in every species of production required for the comfort of man. You would find the people-men, women, and children-living a great part of the time in the open air, often singing, and sometimes dancing in groups beneath the trees.

4. But, in the midst of these signs of cheerfulness, you would observe a great deal of poverty, and you would soon discover that many of the people are indolent, ignorant and superstitious.

5. In the cities, many of which are large, and filled with thousands of people, you may notice costly churches and splendid palaces, many of them built of marble. The union of nearly all of Italy under one government, that has lately taken place, has given the people great satisfaction, and raised their hopes as to the future.

3. Fruits? Other productions? The people? 4. What would you discover after observing the people of Italy carefully? 5. What of the cities?