Page:Life and Writings of Homer.pdf/28

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16
An Enquiry into the Life

of their Possessions; and as they knew not how soon a superior Force might spoil them of their Lands, so they were sure of finding in any Country such a scanty Subsistance as they then enjoyed; and therefore, without much Opposition, they quitted their sorry Dwellings, and made room for an Invader.

Of a piece with this way of living at Land, was their Manner at Sea, as soon as they began to build Ships, and ventured to visit foreign Coasts: They turned themselves wholly to Piracy; and were so far from thinking it base, that the living by Plunder gave a Reputation for Spirit and Bravery. This Practice continued long in Greece, not among the meaner sort of People only; but the most powerful of the Tribe sailed out with those under their Command, took what Ships they met, and if they thought their Numbers sufficient, they often fell upon the Villages along the Coast, killed the Men, and carried the Women and Goods to their Ship. Thucydides says, that even in his time there were several uncivilized Countries in Greece, that lived both by Sea and Land after the old barbarous manner.


[1]

[2]

These
  1. ' "059-1113 '3 En" éi'fibhénc, sgt'mfhmuu' a: (taught, "til cm'w 73¢. Smbo Geogmph. Lib. 17.
  2. Thucydides, Lib. r. Kati pix? 733'; can}: 1' 171N339- 991 93A":- '1': 15: "-41.3, «552 «u Marya" 13" '06)", x; 'Auwfite 3s; "Aunfnae, 73' riv raérg'fla'kw. See also Plutarch, in the Life of T. Q. Flaminius.