Page:History of Art in Phrygia, Lydia, Caria and Lycia.djvu/247

 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PHRYGIAN CIVILIZATION. 231 plateaux. The battles of the Granicus, Issus, and Arbela were no doubt of great service in opening more widely existing routes, breaking down the last barriers ; but military action alone would have been powerless to effect a radical and lasting change in the condition of the world, had not a long period of tranquillity prepared the way, during which a propaganda, pacific and fruitful, was carried on, which contributed not a little in bringing about the final result, the definitive triumph of Hellenic genius, and the subjugation of the whole East to the commanding superiority of Greek civilization.