CORRIGENDA THE author's absence, while this work was printed, has caused the following errors, and a few others which it is not necessary to point out. The reader is requested to pardon and correct them. Page 21, note 1, for 'EoIλabwdŋ, read 'Eolλabwoŋ. 21, note 2, for öyıs, read öis. 22, line 9 from foot, read The siege of that city was to be the first step. ... 25, read in Byzantine society. 77, 6 from foot, read spoke the French language were. 174, ... ... 6, for Scripon, read Scripou. 190, 8, for Hanniades, read Hunniades. 235, note, read þvλakηy, and ȧþióρкov. 283, line 5, for former, read farmer. ... 297, note, read 3d December. Peace was. ... 334, last line, for Kanyskos, read Karystos. 338, line 2, for Savoukhan, read Saroukhan. 363, first line of notes, read which taking the price of gold at. 389, lines 2 and 10 from foot, read Khoaresmian. . 391, line 1, for not, read now. 412, note 1, line 2, read but they had not been able. . 488, line 11, read Koyounlou. 506, 7, for sultan read sultans. NOTE.-The Binder is requested to place this leaf at the end of the Volume. FROM THE TIME OF ITS CONQUEST BY THE ROMANS UNTIL THE EXTINCTION OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN THE EAST-B. C. 146, TO A. D. 717. In Octavo, price 16s. His work is therefore learned and profound. It throws a flood of light upon an impor- tant though obscure portion of Grecian history. and learning, Mr Finlay bears a favourable comparison with any historical writer of our day.”— North American Review. MEDIEVAL GREECE CHAPTER I. CHANGES OF THE POPULATION AFTER THE DECLINE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. A. D. 540-1460 SECT. I.-OBSERVATIONS ON THE EARLY POPULATION OF GREECE THE fate of the Greeks, after the loss of their liberty, continues to supply us with lessons of political experience that are to be found in no other portion of the annals of the human race. The Roman conquest first compressed the Hellenic race into a distinct nation. That union was effected by the destruction of the local patriotism that gives its greatest charm to ancient history. Fortunately, it had been fully accomplished before Greece was invaded by the northern nations; for though the Greeks repulsed the Goths and Huns, they could not prevent the Sclavonians from creeping silently into the most secluded valleys of their primeval scats. Two leading facts form the basis of Greek history at the commencement of the Byzantine empire: the diminution in the numbers of the Hellenic race, and the A § 1. CHAP. I. settlement of Sclavonian colonies throughout Greece. The Byzantine writers inform us, that for several centuries the Sclavonians formed the bulk of the population in ancient Hellas. The precise extent to which this Sclavonian colonisation was carried has been the subject of warm discussion. One party still maintains that the present inhabitants of Greece are Byzantinised Sclavonians; another upholds them to be the lineal descendants of the men who were conquered by the Romans. This latter party generally selects an earlier genealogical era, and talks only of a descent from the subjects of Leonidas and the fellow-citizens of Pericles. Both seem equally far from the truth. But nations affect antiquity of blood and nobility of race as much as individuals; and surely the Greeks, who have been so long deprived of glory in their immediate progenitors, may be pardoned for displaying a zealous eagerness to participate directly in the fame of a past world, with which they alone can claim any national connection. It is not, therefore, surprising that the work of Professor Fallmerayer, who attempted, with great ability, to prove that the Hellenic race in Europe was exterminated by the Sclavonians, deeply wounded both Greek patriotism and Philhellenic enthusiasm.1 Before reviewing the various immigrations into Greece during the middle ages, it is necessary to notice two questions connected with the population in earlier times which still admit of doubt and discussion. Their importance in determining the extent to which the bulk of the popula 1 The principal work of Fallmerayer is entitled Geschichte der halbinsel Morea während des Mittelalters. A subsequent tract forms a necessary appendix. It is entitled Welchen Einfluss hatte die Besetzung Griechenlands durch die Slaven auf das Schicksal der Stadt Athen? oder die Entstehung der heutigen Griechen. In both these works, which contain much original matter, there is too much latitude in the use of authorities. The ablest opponent of Fallmerayer is Zinkeisen, but his Geschichte Griechenlands is far from a triumphant refutation. It has the merit of exact references to the original authorities. Two Greeks at Athens have also attempted to reply to Fallmerayer, but their works contain nothing that has not been better stated in Germany. |