From Pericles to Philip

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Excerpt from From Pericles to Philip The period from Pericles to Philip is in many ways the most interesting of Greek history. Indeed, when we use the word "Greek" - whether we think of art or literature, of philosophy or politics, of the Greek spirit or of the Greek attitude to life - nine times out of ten we are turning, consciously or unconsciously, to the century and a quarter between the birth of Pericles and the accession of Philip. It is because in all the regions of thought and life, which I have named, the formative impulses come from this time, or reach maturity in it, recognize themselves or are recognized in it. But, if we are to understand history, we have to ask, more carefully than we sometimes do, what are the things that matter. In the perspective of time, for instance, how many events of the decade 1850-60 are yet of such consequence as the publication of The Origin of Species, or have meant so much to mankind? Lecky spoke of John Wesley's conversion as an epoch in English history. Can we imagine the comment of Horace Walpole, or of Dr. Johnson himself, on such a criticism, if it had been made by a contemporary? Yet it is hard to say that Lecky was not right. But do the histories as a rule give us such events in a perspective, that will bring out their significance? About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com