ts fruit only by hard labor, were elements well
calculated to produce a hardy race,--a race with lofty ideals, loving
beauty both of mind and body.

=The Olympian Games.=--Because of their national popularity and their
direct influence on the education of the people, a description of the
Olympian games is not out of place in a history of education. At first
they were religious in character. They were celebrated in honor of Zeus,
at Olympia, in Elis, which became the Holy Land of Greece. They took
place once in four years, and this period, called an Olympiad, furnished
the basis of computing time. The first Olympiad begins with
B.C. 776. All of the states took part in these contests, and
when at war, hostilities were suspended during the games, that visitors
might attend them unmolested. Thus once in four years the various states
of Greece were united in friendly contest and joyous festivity.

At first there was only the foot race, but afterward wrestling, jumping,
and throwing the spear were added. Still later, chariot and horse races,
and contests in painting, sculpture, and literature, were included. Only
Greek citizens of good moral character could enter the contests. The
prize, though but a simple wreath of laurel or olive, was most highly
esteemed. At first spectators were attracted from the different parts of
Greece only; but afterward the games became great fairs for the exchange
of commodities, as well as contests which attracted people from all
parts of Europe.

The Olympian games tended to unite the people and cultivate the arts of
peace. They encouraged the development of perfect bodies, the training
being designed to produce superior athletes. They inculcated broader
views, bringing together people from different parts of their own land
and from other lands. They incited intellectual ambition by adding in
later times literary productions. They created a manly spirit and
stimulated a national patriotism.

CHAPTER VIII

ATHENS

=Literature.=--(See general literature for Greece.) _Harrison_, Story of
Greece; _Macaulay_, Essays; _Curtius_, History of Greece; _Davidson_,
Education of the Greeks; _Wilkins_, National Education in Greece;
_Freeman_, Historical Essays.

=History.=--The ideals of Athens--educational, political, and
moral--were in direct contrast to those of Sparta. At Athens, love of
liberty, love of knowledge, and love of beauty went hand in hand. Though
the body was not neglected, a