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The194 ANCIENT GBEECE. [CHAP, xiv,their systems.It is our objectto show how the connexionbetween philosophy and politics originated among theGreeks, how it was continued and increased, and what wasits influence ?The philosophyof the Greeks, as of other nations, beganwith inquiriesinto the originof things.The opinions ofthe Ionian school respectingit are generally known. If, asa modern historical critic has made to appear very probable, 1they were at first connected with religious representations,as we find them in the Orphic precepts, they did not longremain thus united, for they were stript of their mythologicalgarb ; and in this manner the philosophy of the Greeksgained its independence, while in the East it always remained connected with religion.Still it is no where mentioned, that the philosophers who belonged to this schoolhad made the state the objectof their inquiries ; yet if weconsider Anaxagorasas of the number, his connexion withPericles, and the influence which by means of his instructions he exercised over that statesman, are remarkable.But, as we observed in a former chapter, no instruction ina philosophic system was given ;but in the application ofsome propositionsin natural philosophy to practical politics.Plutarch has preservedfor us the true " object.He freedPericles," says the biographer, 2 " from that superstition,which proceeds from false judgments respecting auguriesand prodigies, by explaining to him their natural causes."He who bears in mind the great influence exercised by thisbelief or superstition on the undertakings of the statesmenof antiquity,will not mistake the importance of such instruction ;and he will also understand the consequences, whichcould follow this diminution of respect for the popular religion in the .eyes of the multitude. persecution ofAnaxagoras for denying the gods, and exercising his reasonrespecting celestial 3 things,could not be averted by Pericleshimself; who was obliged to consent to the banishment ofthe philosopher. And this was the commencement of thea concontest between philosophy and the popular religion ;test, which was afterwards repeatedly renewed, and was at-'Bouterweck. Commentatio de primis philosophorum GrjBcorum decretisphysicis. See Gott Gel. Anzeig. 1812, St 11.2 Pint i. p. 597.* Plat i. p. 654, 655.