master builders, architects and masons and who
began the work of rearing an empire by directing the erection of a
monument which, by its form, expressed the all-pervading plan of
organization.

141 "Taylor says that the reason Plato adopted this division is because
the number 12, the image of all-perfect progression, is the product
of 3 by 4, both of which numbers, according to the Pythagoreans, are
images of perfection. On the other hand, Ast conceives that Plato
had in mind the division of the country in twelve parts found in
Egypt and elsewhere, and which seems, as may be inferred from other
portions of his work, to have been connected with the division of
the year into twelve months, each under the superintendence of one
of the twelve greater gods." To this note I add the remark that, in
B. VI, C. 8, Plato distinctly refers to the twelve tribes as "the
thrice four tribes, recommending that they should appoint thrice
four interpreters," one for each tribe. It should also be recalled
that Cecrops is said to have employed the division into twelve and
is supposed to have brought it from Egypt. In the present summary
the employment of the same division in other countries can be
verified.

It may be of interest to note here that, like the Egyptians, the
Greeks divided their month into 3 decades. The year consequently
contained 3x12=36 decades+5 days.

142 Considering that the employment of silver or gold currency among the
nations of antiquity has been regarded, by some, as a proof of
advanced culture, it is interesting to learn, from the following
passage, that, as a result of experience and with wisdom and
foresight, Plato recommended the adoption of different forms of
currency in each different state, in order to avert the dangers
resulting from the accumulation of riches. "A law ... that no
private person be permitted to possess any gold or silver; but that
there be a coin for the sake of daily exchange, which it is almost
necessary for handicrafts to change and for all who have need of
such things to pay the wages due to hired persons, be they slaves or
domestic servants. On which account we say that _they must possess
coin which is of value to themselves, but of no worth amongst the
rest of mankind_." It is cu