ABSTRACT
THE political evolution of Greece is clearly defined up to the close of the sixth century. The city had grown strong by freeing the individual from patriarchal forms of servitude; the individual had become free through the protection of the city. But after these results had been achieved in some towns political power was seized by great families who succeeded in maintaining their hereditary prerogatives, whilst in others it passed to the whole body of emancipated individuals. Over against oligarchic and aristocratic cities arose cities where the voice of the people was capable of enforcing the sovereignty of the people. In which direction was the future of Greece to lie ?
