and therefore the Lacedaemonians placed the temple of Fear by the Syssitium of the Ephors, having raised that magistracy to almost regal authority.' Between Athens and Florence the parallel is not so close.

These two republics, however, resemble one another in the freedom and variety of their institutions.

In Athens, as in Florence, there was constant change and a highly developed political consciousness.

Eminent men played the same important part in both.

In both the genius of individuals was even stronger than the character of the state.