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PRESERVATION OF THE NATIONAL CHARACTER. 83Olympia, it is *true, had originally an oracle also ;but fromunknown causes, it became hushed, probably just after thedistinguished success of the oracles of Apollo. We leave toothers all further investigation of these institutions; thequestion which claims our attention, is,how far they contributed to preservethe spiritand the union of the nation.They did not effect this by being regarded as intended onlyfor the Hellenes. Foreigners also were permitted to consultthe oracles ;and to recompense the answers which they received by consecrated presents.But this took place only inindividual cases ;and was done probably by none but rulersand kings, from the time when Alyattesfirst made application at Delphi. 2In other cases, the difference of languagewas alone sufficient to keep foreigners away, as the Pythianpriestess spoke always in Greek. These institutions belonged, if not exclusively, yet principally to the Hellenes; ofcould always have accesswhom both individuals and citiesto them. They formed the connecting link between politicsand the popular religion. Their great political influence,especially in the states of the Doric race, is too well knownfrom historyto make itnecessary for us to adduce proofsof it. That influence doubtless became less after the Persian wars. Whether this diminution of influence was injurious or advantageous cannot easily be decided. When thereciprocal hatred of the Athenians and Spartans excitedthem to the fury of civil war, how much suffering wouldhave been sparedto Greece, if the voice of the gods hadbeen able to avert the storm. But the affairs of the Delphictemple were still considered as the concern of the Greciannation ;and even after infidelityhad usurped the place ofthe ancient superstition,the violation of the sanctuary gavethe politiciansa pretence,sufficient to kindle a civil war,which was destined to cost Greece its liberties.the numerous festivals which the several GrecianAmongcities were accustomed to celebrate, there were some, which,from causes that are no longer well known, or were perhapsquite accidental, soon became really national. At these,foreigners could be spectators but the Hellenes alone were;The rightto do so bepermitted to contend for the prizes.longed to the inhabitant of the farthest colony, as well as of1Strabo, viii. p. 542. * Herod, i. 9.G 2