Although, however, the principal treasures of Athenian art were accumulated in the Acropolis, the city itself contained many noble structures. Among these we may particularly mention the Pcecile, or gallery of historical engravings ; the Tower of the Winds, by Andronicus Cyrrhestes ; and numerous mo numents of illustrious men. Two of its most splendid ornaments, however, were without the walls : These were the temples of Theseus and of Jupiter Olym pius, situated, the one on the north, and the other on the south side of the city. The former was Do ric, bearing a considerable resemblance to the Parthe non, and having the atchievements of this hero carved on the metopes. The temple of Jupiter Olympius was Corinthian, and surpassed, if possible, every other structure of which Athens could boast. Im mense sums were spent upon it by the Athenians ; zdditions were made to it by successive sovereigns ; znd at length the fabric was completed by Hadrian. The exterior contained about 120 columns, fluted, sixty feet in height, and six in diameter. The inclo sure was half a mile in circumference.
Besides these wondrous productions of art, Athens presented other scenes, sacred in the eyes of posteri ty by the classical associations which they awaken. The ancient philosophers did not, as has been usual with modern men of letters, immure themselves in the smoky atmosphere of cities. They sought re tirement, and the scenes of nature ; nor did the zeal of their disciples scruple to follow them. The Aca demy, where Plato taught, was about three-quarters of a mile to the north of the town : From being a marshy and unwbolsome spot, it was gradually im proved, planted with trees, and refreshed with streams of running water. The Lyceum, where Aristotle taught, and which, from him, became the seat of the academic school, was situated on the other side of the city, beyond the Ilissus. It was used also as a theatre for gymnastic exercises. Near it was the less famous Cynosarges, where Antisthenes taught, the founder of the Cynic school.
The subsequent sects of Zeno and Epicurus taught within the city. Zeno chose the portico called Px cile, which was embellished with representations of Athenian victories. Epicurus, fond at once of so ciety and of rural scenery, was the first who introdu ced a garden within the walls ; and thus enjoyed at once these two species of luxury.
. Not only literary, but political associations conspi red to give interest to particular districts of Athens. The hill of Areopagus, where that august assembly pronounced its decisions ; the Putaneum, or senate house ; the Pnyr, or forum, where the sovereign people of Athens met to deliberate : all these.places, without being particularly splendid in themselves, become in the highest degrde interesting to us, hy the dignity and importance of the events of which they were the theatre.
We have already given a view of the Athenian constitution, as originally established by Solon. This, however, will give a very inadequate idea of the ef fects produced by that system, when called into action. The popular branch, as we already observed, was not long of acquiring an ascendency, far beyond what he had either foreseen or intended. To this cause may be attributed, at once her prosperity, and the evils with which it was chequered. The activity, the emulation, the free scope to talents of every de scription, which were excited and afforded by a go vernment so completely popular, were doubtless the grand causes which raised Athens to such a height of .glory. The multitude of great men in every de partment, who followed each other in splendid suc cession, even to her last decline, is altogether unex ampled. • This constitution also combined with her military power, in rendering her the head of the po pular interest in Greece, and thus necessarily secured the attachment of a majority of the members of every Grecian community. Thus she often conquered by her institutions, as much as by her arms; and was enabled, after conquering, to hold states in easy subjection. We have had sufficient occasion to ob serve those errors in foreign' policy, into which the same constitution precipitated her ; her rashness in engaging in enterprizes above her strength ; her le= vity in changing from one to another ; the perpetual jealousy and suspicion which she nourished against her great men,—a jealousy which her circumstances indeed might perhaps render necessary, but which often prompted her to reject their services at the time when they were most wanted. We have also had oc casion to observe that ambitious and unprincipled avidity which she displayed in her transactions with foreign states, in which the maxim too often was, that every thing was lawful that was for the benefit of Athens. This was a maxim indeed but too pre. valent among the ancient republics • yet Sparta seems geneially to have maintained a character of equity decidedly superior to that of her rival. Accordingly the most upright among the Athenians, Aristides, Cimon", and Phocion, generally favoured the party of Sparta and aristocracy. On the other hand, the Athenians are more celebrated for humanity : Their treatment of slaves was milder than in other Grecian states ; and the few instances of atrocity towards conquered states, seem to have been sudden bursts of passiop, that were quickly followed by repentance.