Page:History of Greece Vol II.djvu/273

 POLITICAL DISUNION. 257 us distinguished from others, we cannot specify a great number ; but we may see enough to convince ourselves that there did really exist, in spite of local differences, a general Hellenic sentiment and character, which counted among the cementing causes of an union apparently so little assured. For we must recollect that, in respect to political sovereignty, complete disunion was among their most cherished principles. The only source of supreme authority to which a Greek felt respect and attachment, was to be sought within the walls of his own city. Authority seated in another city might operate upon his fears, might procure for him increased security and advan- tages, as we shall have occasion hereafter to show with regard to Athens and her subject allies, might even be mildly exercised, and inspire no special aversion : but, still, the principle of it was repugnant to the rooted sentiment of his mind, and he is always found gravitating towards the distinct sovereignty of his own boule, or ekklesia. This is a disposition common both to democ- racies and oligarchies, and operative even among the different towns belonging to the same subdivision of the Hellenic name, Achasans, Phokians, Boeotians, etc. The twelve Achaean cities are harmonious allies, with a periodical festival which partakes of the character .of a congress, but equal and independent political communities : the Boeotian towns, under the presidency of Thebes, their reputed metropolis, recognize certain common obligations, and obey, on various particular matters, chosen offi- cers named boeotarchs, but we shall see, in this, as in other cases, the centrifugal tendencies constantly manifesting them- selves, and resisted chiefly by the interests and power of Thebes That great, successful, and fortunate revolution, which merged the several independent political communities of Attica into the single unity of Athens, took place before the time of authentic history : it is connected with the name of the hero Theseus, but we know not how it was effected, while its comparatively large size and extent, render it a signal exception to Hellenic tendencies generally. Political disunion sovereign authority within the city walls thus formed a settled maxim in the Greek mind. The rela- tion between one city and another was an international relation, VOL. ii. 17oc.