Greece in this and the succeeding centuries had arrived at that curious condition that her people who emigrated obtained fortune and distinction all over the world, while those who remained at home seemed unable even to till the land,--which was everywhere relapsing into waste pasture,--far less to prosecute successful trade, for want of both capital and sustained energy. One profession unfortunately flourished,--that of politics; and the amount of time and ability spent on this profession may perhaps account for the decadence of both agriculture and commerce. [Sidenote: The advocates for union with Rome.] § 82. Greek politicians were divided into three classes. There were first those who saw in Roman domination the only salvation from internal discord and insecurity. They either despaired of or despised the prospects of political independence, and saw in the iron Destiny which extended the Roman sway over the East, a definite solution of their difficulties, and possibly a means of increasing their material welfare. They therefore either acquiesced in or actively promoted every diplomatic encroachment on the part of Rome, and made haste to secure to themselves 'friends of the mammon of unrighteousness,' as their adversaries thought, that by and by they might be the local governors, and recipients of Roman favour. [Sidenote: The advocates of complete independence.] Over against them were the uncompromising Nationalists,--I apologize for using the right word,--who maintained absolutely the inalienable right of the Greeks to be independent and manage not only their internal affairs, but their external differences as they pleased. They insisted that the Romans had gained their power over Greece by a system of unconstitutional encroachments, and that no material advantages of enforced peace or oppressive protection could compensate for the paralysis which was creeping over Hellenic political life. The tyrannous and cruel act of the Romans, who deported one thousand leading Achæans to Italy (on the charge of disloyalty to Rome in sentiments) and let most of them pine in their exile and die as mere _suspects_, without ever bringing them to trial, gave this party the strongest support by the misery which it inflicted and the wide-spread indignation it excited. [Sidenote: The party of moderate counsels.]