founding the Roman monarchy with the globe of the earth."

A modern historian, however, may impress a juster image of the greatness of Rome by observing, that the empire was above two thousand miles in breadth, from the wall of Antoninus, and the northern limits of Dacia to Mount Atlas, and the tropic of Cancer; that it extended, in length, more than three thousand miles, from the western ocean to the Euphrates; that it was situated in the finest part of the temperate zone, between the the twenty-fourth and fifty-sixth degrees of north latitude; and that it was supposed to contain above sixteen thousand square miles, for the most part of fertile and well cultivated land.

A SHORT

GEOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT

OF

GREECE.

MOST of the different states of Greece were founded within a few centuries after the deluge, and the accounts of their origin and extent are equally obscure. We, however, learn that at the siege of Troy, which is generally supposed to have happened about twelve hundred years before the birth of Christ, there were many independent kingdoms in Greece, which appear to have been founded some ages before that period the description of the country, however, as it was divided when the Grecians were at the height of their power and grandeur, is more particularly the object of the present investigation.

This country, which was rendered so famous by the courage and learning of its inhabitants, was of small extent, being nearly confined to the Southern part of what is now called Turkey in Europe. Greece anciently comprehended, the Peloponnesus, Græcia Propria, Epirus, Thessalia, and Macedonia.

The Peloponnesus was united to the continent by the Isthmus of Corinth, which is only five miles across, and was divided into Achaia, Argolis, Laconia, Messenia, Elis, and Arcadia.

The chief towns of Achaia, were Sicyon, and Corinth; the capital of Argolis was Argos; it also contained the city and residence of Agamemnon, the generalissimo of the Grecian forces during the Trojan war. Laconia was highly celebrated in history, as it contained Sparta, or Lacedæmon, the most powerful city in Greece.

Messenia derived its name from Messene, its capital.

The chief towns of Elis, were Elis, its capital, and Olympia, where the Olympic games were celebrated. Arcadia was situated in the centre of the Peloponnesus; the most remarkable

town was Mantinea, where Epaminondas was killed in battle.

Græcia Propria was divided into Attica, Megaris, Boeotia, Phocis, Doris, Locris, and Ætolia.

The most remarkable towns of Attica were Marathon and Athens, its capital, which latter was celebrated as being the second city of Greece, and the most renowned for learning and the arts.

The capital of Megaris was Megara. The Capital of Boeotia was Thebes. Plátea was also in this province. The chief town of Phocis was Delphos, remarkable for its oracle. Doris and Locris, possessed no remarkable city.

EPIRUS.

The principal divisions of Epirus, were Acarnania, Thesprotia, Molossis, and Chao

nia.

THESSALIA.

Thessalia was wholly enclosed by mountains;

it contained the celebrated and delightful vale

of Tempe.

Macedonia was little remarkable, until Philip and his son, Alexander, became sovereigns of

that country.

GRECIAN ISLANDS.

The Grecians also possessed the Islands of Corcyra, Cephallenia, and Zacynthus on the western coast of the country; Cythera, to the south of Peloponnesus; Ægina, near Attica; Euboea, to the North west of Attica and Boeotia; the Cyclades, Delos, Paros, and Naxos, in the Egean Sea; Crete in the Mediterranean Sea; and the Sporades, Rhodes, Samos, Lesbos, and Tenedos, on the coast of Asia.

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As the Persians invaded the Greeks with immense forces, the utmost efforts of the latter were necessary to preserve their country entire from the frequent attacks of the former, who were, however, obliged to retire to their own dominions. But what the Persians could not attain by open force, they effected by corrupting the Greeks, whom they set at variance

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