The third archon, called Pol'emarch, had originally the superintendence of military affairs; but his jurisdiction was afterwards confined to strangers and sojourners, and to the appointment of games in honor of those who fell in to the care of the education of their children. war, and The six other archons were called Thesmoth'eta. They presided at the election of inferior magistrates, ratified public contracts or leagues, received complaints against persons guilty of various offences, and decided disputes respecting trade and commerce. The Athenian magistrates were divided into three sorts; 1st, the Chirotone'ti, who were chosen by the people, in a lawful assembly, in which they voted by holding up their hands; 2d, the Clero'ti, who, after having been approved by the people, were promoted by lots drawn in the temple of Theseus; 3d, the Ereti, who were extraordinary officers appoint ed by particular tribes to take care of any business. The poorer citizens were admitted to a share in the government, and might aspire to preferments; yet the higher offices were generally bestowed upon the most distinguished persons. The candidates for office were obliged to give an account of their past life in the public forum. While in office, the magis trates were liable to trial for an accusation of any failure in the discharge of their duties; and, after their office had expired, they were obliged to give an account of their management, and during 30 days every man was allowed to bring forward his complaint. Assemblies. The assemblies of the people were composed of all the citizens or freemen of Athens; all foreigners, slaves, women, children, and such persons as had received an infamous punishment, being excluded. They were held four times in 35 days; the place of meeting was the forum, the pnyx, or the temple of Bacchus. No business could be transacted in an assembly containing less than 6,000 citizens. When the question under consideration was sufficiently discussed, the president called for a decision, which was manifested by show of hands. Senate. The senate, which was elected annually, originally consisted of 400, but was afterwards increased to 500. It was the business of this body to examine, with care, all matters, before they were proposed to the people, and to see that nothing was submitted to them which was contrary to the public good. The senate also examined the accounts of the magistrates, took care of the fleet, and punished such offences as were not forbidden by any written law. Areopagus. The name of this court, which signifies Mars' Hill, was taken from the place where it was held. This was the most distinguished and venerable court of justice in ancient times, and took cognizance of crimes, abuses, and innovations, either in religion or government. The Areop'agites were guardians of education and manners, and inspected the laws. To laugh in their assembly was an unpardonable act of levity. Ostracism. One of the most iniquitous and absurd peculiarities in the government of Athens, and some other of the Grecian states, was the practice of the Os'tracism, a ballot of all the citizens, in which each wrote down the name of the individual most offensive to him; and he who was marked out by the greatest number of votes, was banished from his country for 5, 10, or 20 years. It was not necessary that any crime should be alleged, and the property and honor of the exile remained unhurt. This barbarous institution was, often subservient to the worst purposes, and stained the character of the Athenians with many flagrant instances of injustice and ingratitude. Government of Sparta. Classes of inhabitants. The inhabitants of Sparta consisted of citizens and slaves or Helots. The citizens were divided into two classes, the Homoii, and the Hypomiones; the former alone could be elected to office; the latter, consisting of the poorer citizens, were only allowed to vote at the elections. The slaves or Helots were much more numerous than the freemen. They performed all the servile labor in the field and in the house; also served as sailors in the fleet, and were attached to the army, every soldier being attended by one or more. Kings. The two chief magistrates of the republic of Sparta were styled kings; but their power was very limited. They presided in the senate, and were high priests of the nation One of them commanded the army, while the other usually remained at home to administer justice. They appeared in public places without any retinue, and could scarcely be distinguished from other citizens. Senate. The senate of Sparta consisted of the two kings and 28 elective members who were above 60 years of age, and retained their dignity till death. It constituted the supreme council of the republic, and considered all questions relating to peace and war, and other important affairs of state. None were admitted into this august assembly except such as had been distinguished from youth for prudence and virtue. Ephori. The Eph'ori were five Spartan magistrates elected annually by the people, and might be taken from every rank of citizens. It was their duty to inspect the education of youth, and the administration of justice. Assemblies. Two public assemblies met at Sparta; one called the general assembly, attended by all the freemen of Laconia; the other, called the lesser assembly, composed of the freemen of the metropolis who were above 30 years of age. The general assembly was convened when questions relating to peace or war, or other matters of general concern, were to be determined. The lesser assembly was held at every full moon, and regulated the succession of the crown, and discussed matters relating to government and religion. SYRIA UNDER THE SELEUCIDÆ. 1. After the death of Alexander the Great, Antig'onus, onc of his generals, obtained possession of his principal dominions in Asia. But Seleu'cus, another officer of Alexander, and son of Antiochus, one of Philip's generals, revolted against Antig onus, and took possession of Babylon; and by the battle of Ipsus, in which Antig'onus was defeated and slain, Seleu'cus was confirmed in his authority. He founded the kingdom of Syria, or Syro-Media, which, reckoning from the time of his taking Babylon to the period when Syria became a Roman province, lasted 247 years. It was governed by 23 kings, who were styled the Seleu'cida, from the name of the founder. 2. Seleu'cus was a great general, an able and popular sovereign, and was surnamed Nica'tor or Conqueror, on account of 23 battles which he gained. He founded 16 large cities, the most famous of which were An'tioch, Seleu'cia, Apame'a, and Laodice'a. An'tioch, which became the capital of the kingdom, was a very large and splendid city, styled "The Queen of the East," and also "The Eye of the Christian Church." The disciples of Christ were here first called Christians; and this city, at an early period, became the seat of a Christian patriarch. 3. Seleu'cus, having made war against Lysimachus, king of Thrace, defeated and slew him in battle, but was himself soon after assassinated by Ptolemy Cerau'nus, who was afterwards king of Macedon. He was succeeded by his son Antiochus Soter, during whose reign the Gauls made an irruption into Asia Minor, and founded the state of Galatia. 4. The reigns of his successors, Antiochus Theos and Seleu'cus Callini'cus, were disturbed by conspiracies and by wars, particularly with the Parthians and Bactrians, who revolted from the government. 5. One of the most distinguished of this race of sovereigns was Antiochus the Great, who had a long reign of 36 years, and was as much distinguished for his faults and misfortunes, as for his great qualities and successes. His reign was a continued warfare, presenting alternately victories and defeats. He subdued several governors of different provinces who revolted from him. In a war with Ptolemy, king of Egypt, after hav ing gained many advantages, he lost a great battle at Raphia He carried his victorious arms into Media, Parthia, Hyrcania, and India. 6. Antiochus was visited by Han'nibal, the great Carthaginian general, who endeavored to persuade him to make war upon the Romans, by invading Italy. Instead of this, however, he invaded Greece, but was defeated by the Romans, and compelled to retire into Asia. Being pursued by a Roman army, commanded by Scipio Asiaticus, he was entirely defeated in a great battle, on the plains of Magne'sia, and compelled to accept of peace on humiliating terms. He was afterwards put to death by his own officers. 7. The next two kings were Seleucus Philop'ator and Antiochus Epiph'anes, sons of Anti'ochus the Great. The latter profaned and plundered the temple of Jerusalem, and attempted to abolish the Jewish worship. But the Jews, under Ju'das Maccabe'us, revolted, and defeated the army of Antiochus, who immediately engaged in a design to exterminate the whole nation; but before he had effected any thing, he died in a sudden and signal manner. 8. The succeeding reigns of the Seleu'cidæ exhibit a series of assassinations, conspiracies, and contests, till Syria was finally conquered by Pompey, 65 B. C., and made a Roman province. B.C. THE SELEUCIDE, KINGS OF SYRIA. [The figures denote the commencement of the reign of each.] 312. Seleucus I. Nicator. 283. Antiochus I. Soter. 261. Antiochus II. Theos. 146. Demetrius II. Nicator. B.C. 144. Antiochus VI. 143. Tryphon. 139. Antiochus VII. 127. Alexander II. 95. Antiochus X. 69. Antiochus XIII. Asiaticus deposed by Pompey, 65 B. C |