the present Romelia, and in many respects one of the most deservedly celebrated countries in the world, was anciently bounded on the north by Macedonia and the river Strymon; on the west by the Ionian sea; on the north by the Mediterranean; on the east by the Egean sea and Archipelago. It extended from the Strymon, by which it was parted from Thrace, to the promontory of Tenaurus, the southernmost point of the Peloponnesus, now the Morea, about 6° 20' of latitude, or nearly 440 English miles, and in breadth from east to west about 359 miles.

The general names by which the inhabitants of this country were known to the ancients were those of Graioi, or Graicoi, from whence the name of Greece is plainly derived. These names are thought to come from Grecus, the father, or (according to some) the son, of Thestius, who gave name to Thestia; but some modern critics choose to derive it from Ragau, the same with Reu, the son of Peleg, by the transposition of a letter to soften the sound.—These names were afterwards changed for Achai and Hellenes; the first, as is supposed from Achaeus, the son of Xuthus, the son of Hellen, and father of Ion; or, according to the fable, the son of Jupiter: the other from Hellen, above-mentioned, the son of Deucalion, and father of Dorus, from whom came the Dorae, afterwards a famous nation among the Greeks. Another name by which the Greeks were known in some parts of the country, was that of Pelaegia, which the Arcadians, the most ancient people in Greece, deduced from their pretended founder Pelaegius, who is said to have got such footing in Peloponnesus, that the whole peninsula from him was called Pelaegia. But the most ancient name of all is universally allowed to have been that of Iones, which the Greeks themselves derived from Ion the son of Xuthus; Xuthus; or, as the fable hath it, of Apollo, by Creusa the daughter of Erechtheus the grandson of Deucalion. Jofephus, however, affirms, that their original is of much older date; and that Javan, the son of Japhet, and grandson of Noah, was the first who peopled these countries; which Bochart hath also rendered very probable. It is true, indeed, that among the Greeks themselves, only the Athenians, and such colonies as sprung from them, were called Ionics; but it is also plain beyond exception, that other nations gave this name to all the inhabitants of Greece.

The inhabitants of Greece in the first ages, even by the confession of their own historians, appear to have been savages scarce a degree removed from brutes. They lived indifferently on every fruit, herb, or root that came in their way; and lay either in the open fields, or at best sheltered themselves in dens, caves, and hollow trees: the country itself in the meantime remaining one continued uncultivated desert. The first improvement they made in their way of living, was the exchanging of their old food for the more wholesome acorns, building huts for themselves to sleep in, and covering their bodies with the skins of beasts. For all this, it seems, they were beholden to Pelagius above-mentioned (supposed by some to be Peleg spoken of in Scripture), and who was highly reverenced by them on that account.—This reformation in their way of life, however, it seems wrought none in their manners. On the contrary, they who had nothing to fight for but a hole to sleep in, began now to envy and rob one another of these slender acquisitions. This, in process of time, put them under a necessity of joining themselves into companies under some head, that they might either more safely plunder their neighbours, or preserve what they had got. Laws they had none, except that of the sword: so that those only lived in safety who inhabited the most barren and craggy places; and hence Greece for a long time had no settled inhabitants, the weakest always turned out by the strongest. Their gigantic size and strength, if we may believe Plutarch, added so much to their insolence and cruelty, that they seemed to glory in committing the greatest acts of violence and barbarity on those that unhappily fell into their hands.

The next advance towards civilization, was their forming themselves into regular societies, to cultivate the lands, and build themselves towns and cities for their safety. Their original barbarity and mutual violences against each other naturally prevented them from uniting as one nation, or even into any considerable community; and hence the great number of states into which Greece was originally divided. The most remarkable of these small principalities mentioned in history are the following: In Peloponnesus were those of Sicyon, Argos, and Messenia, Achaia Propria, Arcadia, and Laconia. In Graecia Propria (that part of Greece which lay without Peloponnesus), were those of Attica, Megara, Bœotia, Lucris, Epichnemidia, Doris, Phocis, Locris, Ozelea, and Ætolia. In Epirus were the Molossi, Amphilochi, Calydonii, Dracopes, Chaecos, Thesprotii, Almeni, and Acarnani. In Thessaly were those of Thessalotis, Eritotis, Pelaigotis, Magnesia and Phthia.—All these have at one time or other been severally governed by kings of their own, though we only find the names of many of them mentioned in the histories of the more considerable kingdoms of Sparta, Attica, Thebes, &c.—The erection of these kingdoms, however, for some time, did not much alter the case; the inhabitants of the new kingdoms plundered and destroyed one another without mercy. Attica was the only place in any degree free from these incursions, because it was naturally destitute of every thing that could invite a plundering enemy; but those cities fared much worse which were situated on the sea-coasts; because they were in continual danger of being plundered either by sea or land: for pirates at that time did not less infest all those seas than robbers did the land. And this was one main cause why most of the ancient cities of Greece were situated at some considerable distance from the shore; but even in these, as all their safety consisted in the resistance they could make against an invader, their inhabitants were under the necessity of going constantly armed, and being ever on their guard.

Another mischief arising from these continual piracies and robberies was, that they occasioned the far greater part of the lands to lie uncultivated, so that the people only planted and sowed as much as was barely necessary for their present support; and where there was such an universal neglect of agriculture, there could be as little room for any discoveries in other useful arts and trades. Hence, when other nations, as the Jews, Egyptians, Midianites, Phœnicians, &c. had improved themselves to a very high degree, the Greeks seem to have been utter strangers to every useful art.

During this period of savage barbarity, the most renowned Grecian heroes, as Hercules, Theseus, &c. performed their exploits; which, however exaggerated by poetical fiction, no doubt had a foundation in truth. Some indeed are of opinion that the Grecian heroes are entirely fictitious, and their exploits derived from those of the Hebrew worthies, such as Samson, Gideon, &c. Yet, considering the extreme degree of barbarity which at that time prevailed throughout Greece, it seems not at all improbable that some persons of extraordinary strength and courage might undertake the cause of the oppressed, and travel about like the more modern knights-errant in quest of adventures.

The first expedition in which we find the Greeks united, was that against Troy, the particulars of which are recited under the article Troy. Their success here (which happened about 1184 B.C.) cost them very dear; vast numbers of their bravest warriors being slain; great numbers of the survivors being cast away in their return; and many of those who had the good luck to get back again, being soon after murdered, or driven out of their country. It is probable, however, that their having flaid for such a long time in Asia, might contribute to civilize the Greeks somewhat sooner than what they otherwise would have been; and accordingly from this time, we find their history somewhat less obscure, and as it were beginning to emerge out of darkness. The continual wars, indeed, in which they were engaged among themselves, no doubt, for a long time, prevented them from making any considerable advances in those arts in which they afterwards made so great progress. These wars, which which indeed never ceased as long as the Greeks preserved their liberty, rendered them brave, and skilled in the military art above all other nations; but at the same time they effectually prevented them from making permanent conquests, and confined them within the bounds of their own country; while the different states were one way or other so equally balanced, that scarce one of them was able perfectly to subdue another. The Spartans, however, having with great difficulty, reduced the kingdom of Messene, and added its territories to their own, became the leading people in Greece. Their superiority was long disputed by Athens; but the Peloponnesian war at last determined that point in favour of the Spartans, when the city of Athens was taken, and its walls demolished by Ly- sander the Spartan general. See Attica, No. 164.

—By the battle of Leuctra, the Spartans lost that superiority which they had maintained for 500 years, and which now devolved on the Thebans. After the death of Epaminondas, the celebrated Theban general, however, as no person was found possessed of his abilities, the Thebans were again obliged to yield the superiority to the Spartans. But by this time the Greeks had become acquainted with the luxuries and elegancies of life; and all the rigour of their original laws could not prevent them from valuing these as highly as other people. This did not indeed abate their valour, but it heightened their mutual animosities; at the same time that, for the sake of a more easy and comfortable life, they became more disposed to submit to a master. The Persians, whose power they had long dreaded, and who were unable to resist them by force of arms, at last found out (by the advice of Alcibiades) the proper method of reducing the Grecian power; namely, by afflicting them by turns, and supplying one state with money to fight against another till they should be all so much reduced, that they might become an easy prey. Thus the Greeks were weakened, though the Persians did not reap any benefit from their weakness. Philip of Macedon entered into the same political views; and partly by intrigue, partly by force, got himself declared generalissimo of Greece. His successor Alexander the Great completed their subjection; and by destroying the city of Thebes, and exterminating its inhabitants, struck such a terror throughout Greece, that he was as fully obeyed by all the states as by any of the rest of his subjects. During his absence in Persia, however, they attempted to shake off the Macedonian yoke, but were quelled by his general Antipater. The news of Alexander's death was to them a matter of the utmost joy; but their mutual animosities prevented them from joining in any solid plan for the recovery of their liberties, and hence they continued to be oppressed by Alexander's successors, or other tyrants, till Aratus, an Achaean, about 268 B.C. formed a design of setting his country free from these oppressors. He persuaded a number of the small republics to enter into a league for their own defence, which was called the Achaean league; and notwithstanding that the republics, taken singly, had very little strength, they not only maintained their independency, but soon became formidable when united. This association continued to become daily more and more powerful; but received a severe check from Cleomenes, king of Sparta, which obliged them to call in Antigonus to their assistance. This prince overcame Cleomenes, at the battle of Sellasia, and afterwards made himself master of Sparta. Thus he became a more formidable enemy than the one he had conquered, and the recovery of the Grecian liberties was incomplete.

Soon after this, the Greeks began to feel the weight of a power more formidable than any which they had yet experienced; namely, that of the Romans. That insidious and haughty republic first intermeddled with the Grecian affairs, under pretence of setting them at liberty from the oppression of Philip of Macedon. This, by a proper union among themselves, they might have accomplished; but in this they acted as though they had been infatuated; receiving with the utmost joy the decree of the Roman consul, who declared them free; without considering, that he who had thus given them liberty, might take it away at his pleasure. This lesson, however, they were soon taught, by the total reduction of their country to a Roman province; yet this can scarce be called a misfortune, when we look back to their history, and consider their outrages upon one another: nor can we sympathize with them for the loss of that liberty which they only made use of to fill their country with slaughter and bloodshed. After their conquest by the Romans, they made no united effort to recover their liberty. They continued in quiet subjection till the beginning of the 15th century. About that time, they began to suffer under the tyranny of the Turks, and their sufferings were completed by the taking of Constantinople in 1453. Since that time they have groaned under the yoke of a most despotic government; so that all traces of their former valour, ingenuity, and learning, are now in a manner totally extinct.

Modern Greece comprehends Macedon; Albania, now called Arnaut; Epirus; Thessaly, now Jana; Achaia, now Livadia; the Peloponnesus, now Morea; together with the islands on its coast, and in the Archipelago. The continent of Greece is seated betwixt the 36th and 43rd degrees of north latitude; and between the 19th and 27th degrees of longitude, east of London. To the north, it is bounded by Bulgaria and Servia, from which it is divided by a ridge of mountains; to the south by the Mediterranean sea; to the east by Romania and the Archipelago; and to the west by the Adriatic or gulf of Venice. Its length is said to be about 400 miles, and its utmost breadth about 350 miles. The air is extremely temperate and healthy: and the soil fruitful, though badly cultivated; yielding corn, wine, delicious fruits, and abounding with cattle, fowls, and venison. As to religion, Christianity was planted in Greece soon after the death of our Saviour, and flourished there for many ages in great purity; but since the Greeks became subject to the Turkish yoke, they have sunk into the most deplorable ignorance, in consequence of the slavery and thraldom under which they groan, and their religion is now greatly corrupted. It is indeed little better than a heap of ridiculous ceremonies and absurdities. The head of the Greek church is the patriarch of Constantinople; who is chosen by the neighbouring archbishops and metropolitans, and confirmed by the emperor or grand vizir. He is a person of great dignity, being the head and director of the eastern church. The other patriarchs are those of Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria. Mr Tournefort tells us, that the patriarchates are now generally set at nought, and bestowed upon those who are the highest bidders. The patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops, are always chosen from among the Caloyers or Greek monks. Before the patriarchs receive their patents and the caftan, which is a vest of linen-wool, or some other stuff, presented by the grand signior to ambassadors, and other persons newly invested with some considerable dignity, they are obliged to make large presents to the vizier, &c. The income of the patriarch of Constantinople is said to amount to no less than one hundred and twenty thousand guilders, of which he pays the one-half by way of annual tribute to the Ottoman Porte, adding five thousand guilders besides as a present at the feast of Bairam. The next person to a bishop among the clergy is an archimandrite, who is the director of one or more convents, which are called mandren; then come the abbot, the arch-priest, the priest, the deacon, the under-deacon, the chanter, and the lector. The secular clergy are subjected to no rules, and never rise higher than high-priest. They are allowed to marry once; but it must be with a virgin, and before they are ordained. They have neither glebe nor tithes, but depend upon the perquisites that arise from their office; and they seldom preach but in Lent. The Greeks have few numeraries; but a great many convents of monks, who are all priests, and, students excepted, obliged to follow some handicraft employment, and lead a very austere life. The Greeks deny the supremacy of the pope, and abhor the worship of images; but have a multitude of pictures of saints in their churches, whom they pray to as mediators. Their fasts are very severe. They believe also in the doctrine of transubstantiation, and that the Holy Ghost does not proceed from the Son. They admit not of purgatory, says Mr Thevenot; but yet they allow a third place, where they say the blessed remain, in expectation of the day of judgment. At mats they consecrate with leavened bread; and communicate under both kinds, as well laics as priests, and as well women and children as men. When they carry the sacrament to the sick, they do not prostrate themselves before it, nor expose it to be adored; neither do they carry it in procession, or have any particular feast in honour of it. Baptism is performed among them by plunging the whole body of the child thrice into water. Immediately after baptism, they give it confirmation and the communion; and seven days after that, it undergoes the ceremony of ablution. When a priest is married, among other ceremonies, the bridegroom and bride drink each two glasses of wine; then the glass is given to the priest, who merrily drinks off the rest of the wine, and breaking the glass, says, So may the bridegroom break the virginity of the bride. As to the character of the modern Greeks, they are said to be very covetous, hypocritical, treacherous, great pederasts, and at the same time revengeful to the highest degree; but very superstitious. They are so much despised by the Turks, that they do not value even a Greek who turns Mahometan. The Turks are remarkable for their taciturnity; they never use any unnecessary words; but the Greeks, on the contrary, are very talkative and lively. The Turks generally practise what their religion enjoins, but the Greeks do not; and their misery puts them upon thousand mean shifts and scandalous practices, authorized by bad example, and perpetuated from father to son. The Greek women have fine features and beautiful complexions: their countenances still very much resemble those of the ancient Greek statues.