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their names are preserved； but their actions have disappeared by reason of
the destruction of those who received the tradition； and the lapse of ages。
For when there were any survivors； as I have already said； they were men
who dwelt in the mountains； and they were ignorant of the art of writing；
and had heard only the names of the chiefs of the land； but very little
about their actions。 The names they were willing enough to give to their
children； but the virtues and the laws of their predecessors； they knew
only by obscure traditions； and as they themselves and their children
lacked for many generations the necessaries of life； they directed their
attention to the supply of their wants； and of them they conversed； to the
neglect of events that had happened in times long past； for mythology and
the enquiry into antiquity are first introduced into cities when they begin
to have leisure （Cp。 Arist。 Metaphys。）； and when they see that the
necessaries of life have already been provided； but not before。 And this
is the reason why the names of the ancients have been preserved to us and
not their actions。 This I infer because Solon said that the priests in
their narrative of that war mentioned most of the names which are recorded
prior to the time of Theseus； such as Cecrops； and Erechtheus； and
Erichthonius； and Erysichthon； and the names of the women in like manner。
Moreover； since military pursuits were then common to men and women； the
men of those days in accordance with the custom of the time set up a figure
and image of the goddess in full armour； to be a testimony that all animals
which associate together； male as well as female； may； if they please；
practise in common the virtue which belongs to them without distinction of
sex。
Now the country was inhabited in those days by various classes of
citizens；there were artisans； and there were husbandmen； and there was
also a warrior class originally set apart by divine men。 The latter dwelt
by themselves； and had all things suitable for nurture and education；
neither had any of them anything of their own； but they regarded all that
they had as common property； nor did they claim to receive of the other
citizens anything more than their necessary food。 And they practised all
the pursuits which we yesterday described as those of our imaginary
guardians。 Concerning the country the Egyptian priests said what is not
only probable but manifestly true； that the boundaries were in those days
fixed by the Isthmus； and that in the direction of the continent they
extended as far as the heights of Cithaeron and Parnes； the boundary line
came down in the direction of the sea； having the district of Oropus on the
right； and with the river Asopus as the limit on the left。 The land was
the best in the world； and was therefore able in those days to support a
vast army； raised from the surrounding people。 Even the remnant of Attica
which now exists may compare with any region in the world for the variety
and excellence of its fruits and the suitableness of its pastures to every
sort of animal； which proves what I am saying； but in those days the
country was fair as now and yielded far more abundant produce。 How shall I
establish my words？ and what part of it can be truly called a remnant of
the land that then was？ The whole country is only a long promontory
extending far into the sea away from the rest of the continent； while the
surrounding basin of the sea is everywhere deep in the neighbourhood of the
shore。 Many great deluges have taken place during the nine thousand years；
for that is the number of years which have elapsed since the time of which
I am speaking； and during all this time and through so many changes； there
has never been any considerable accumulation of the soil coming down from
the mountains； as in other places； but the earth has fallen away all round
and sunk out of sight。 The consequence is； that in comparison of what then
was； there are remaining only the bones of the wasted body； as they may be
called； as in the case of small islands； all the richer and softer parts of
the soil having fallen away； and the mere skeleton of the land being left。
But in the primitive state of the country； its mountains were high hills
covered with soil； and the plains； as they are termed by us； of Phelleus
were full of rich earth； and there was abundance of wood in the mountains。
Of this last the traces still remain； for although some of the mountains
now only afford sustenance to bees； not so very long ago there were still
to be seen roofs of timber cut from trees growing there； which were of a
size sufficient to cover the largest houses； and there were many other high
trees； cultivated by man and bearing abundance of food for cattle。
Moreover； the land reaped the benefit of the annual rainfall； not as now
losing the water which flows off the bare earth into the sea； but； having
an abundant supply in all places； and receiving it into herself and
treasuring it up in the close clay soil； it let off into the hollows the
streams which it absorbed from the heights； providing everywhere abundant
fountains and rivers； of which there may still be observed sacred memorials
in places where fountains once existed； and this proves the truth of what I
am saying。
Such was the natural state of the country； which was cultivated； as we may
well believe； by true husbandmen； who made husbandry their business； and
were lovers of honour； and of a noble nature； and had a soil the best in
the world； and abundance of water； and in the heaven above an excellently
attempered climate。 Now the city in those days was arranged on this wise。
In the first place the Acropolis was not as now。 For the fact is that a
single night of excessive rain washed away the earth and laid bare the
rock； at the same time there were earthquakes； and then occurred the
extraordinary inundation； which was the third before the great destruction
of Deucalion。 But in primitive times the hill of the Acropolis extended to
the Eridanus and Ilissus； and included the Pnyx on one side； and the
Lycabettus as a boundary on the opposite side to the Pnyx； and was all well
covered with soil； and level at the top； except in one or two places。
Outside the Acropolis and under the sides of the hill there dwelt artisans；
and such of the husbandmen as were tilling the ground near； the warrior
class dwelt by themselves around the temples of Athene and Hephaestus at
the summit； which moreover they had enclosed with a single fence like the
garden of a single house。 On the north side they had dwellings in common
and had erected halls for dining in winter； and had all the buildings which
they needed for their common life； besides temples； but there was no
adorning of them with gold and silver； for they made no use of these for
any purpose； they took a middle course between meanness and ostentation；
and built modest houses in which they and their children's children grew
old； and they handed them down to others who were like themselves； always
the same。 But in summer…time they left their gardens and gymnasia and
dining halls； and then the southern side of the hill was made use of by
them for the same purpose。 Where the Acropolis now is there was a
fountain； which was choked by the earthquake； and has left only the few
small streams which still exist in the vicinity； but in those days the
fountain gave an abundant supply of water for all and of suitable
temperature in summer and in winter。 This is how they dwelt； being the
guardians of their own citizens and the leaders of the Hellenes； who were
their willing followers。 And they took care to preserve the same number of
men and women through all time； being so many as were required for warlike
purposes； then as nowthat is to say； about twenty thousand。 Such were
the ancient Athenians； and after this manner they righteously administered
their own land and the rest of Hellas； they were renowned all over Europe
and Asia for the beauty of their persons and for the many virtues of their
souls； and of all men who lived in those days they were the most
illustrious。 And next； if I have not forgotten what I heard when I was a
child； I will impart to you the character and origin of their adversaries。
For friends should not keep their stories to themselves； but have them in
common。
Yet； before proceeding further in the narrative； I ought to warn you； that
you must not be surpr