It was soon after this that the Persians, ignorant of their own decadence, and dreaming still of world power, resolved to conquer the remaining little states lying scarce known along the boundaries of their empire. They attacked the Greeks, and at Marathon (B.C. 490) and Salamis (B.C. 480) were hurled back and their power broken.[19]
This was a world event, one of the great turning points, a decision that could not have been otherwise if man was really to progress. The degenerate, enfeebled, half-Semitized Aryans of Asia were not permitted to crush the higher type which was developing in Europe. The more vigorous bodies and far abler brains of the Greeks enabled them to triumph over all the hordes of their opponents. The few conquered the many; and the following era became one of European progress, not of Asiatic stagnation.
[13] See Theseus Founds Athens, page 45.
[14] See Fall of Troy, page 70.
[15] See Pythian Games at Delphi, page 181.
[16] See Solon's Legislation, page 203, and Compilation of the Earliest Code, page 14.
[17] See The Foundation of Rome, page 116.
[18] See Rome Established as a Republic, page 300.
[19] See Battle of Marathon, page 322, and Invasion of Greece, page 354.
(FOR THE NEXT SECTION OF THIS GENERAL SURVEY SEE VOLUME II.)