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THE HEEOIC AGE THE TROJAN WAK. 55Patricians from the Plebeians in the early period of Romanhistory.The correct feeling of the Greeks is observable inthis, as in so many other things.The respectfor their illustrious families was continued in the recollection of theiractions; but the descendants were not long permitted tolive on the fame of their forefathers.The constitutions of the heroic age were the result of circumstances, and wants which were felt. Esteem for theruling families secured to them the government but theirjpower was not strictly hereditary. Princes were not muchmore than the firstamongst their peers; even the latter1were sometimes denominated princes.The son had commonly the precedence over others in the succession ;buthis claim was measured byhis personal qualificationsfor thestation. 2 It was his firstduty to lead in war ;and he couldnot do this, unless he was himself distinguishedfor courageand strength. His privilegesin peace were not great.Hecalled togetherthe popular assembly, which was chiefly,ifnot exclusively, composed of the older and more distinguishedcitizens. 3 Here the kinghad his own seat ;the ensign ofhis dignity was a sceptre or staff. He had the right of addressing the assembly, which was done standing. In allimportant events he was bound to consult the people. Inaddition to this he sometimes acted as 4judge but not al;ways ;for the administration of justice was often committedto an assembly of the elders. 5Nothing was known of particular taxes paid to the king. His superiority consisted ina piece of land, and a larger partof the booty.Exceptingthis, he derived his support from his own possessions andthe produce of his fields and herds. The preservationof his dignity required an almost unbounded hospitality.His house was the place of assembly for persons of the*upper class, who almost always sat at table with him;to turn away strangers, who asked for shelter? or only1As, in Od. YiiL 41, the