whom it was little more than a romance. I trust that the recent examples of men so learned and able as Bishop Thirlwall and K. O. Müller, neither of whom have thought subjects of this kind too uninviting to reward inquiry, may avail both to prevent the interposition of a preliminary bar to the discussion, and to protect it against an adverse prejudgment. By anticipation I can reasonably make no other answer to a condemnatory sentence, than that which is conveyed in the words ‘let us try.’ But at any rate, _est operæ pretium_: the stake is worth the venture. He would be indeed a worthless biographer who did not, so far as his materials carried him, pursue the life of a hero back to the nursery or even the cradle: and the same faithful and well-grounded instincts invest with a surpassing interest all real elucidation of the facts and ideas, that make up the image of the Greek nation either in its infancy or even in its embryo. There are three and only three names of ordinary use in the Iliad, by which the poet designates the people that had been banded together against Troy. This same people afterwards became famous in history, perhaps beyond all others, first by the name of Hellenes, which was self-applied; and secondly by the name of Greeks, which they acquired from their Italian conquerors and captives. Greece is now again become Hellas. These names, prominent far beyond all others, are, 1. Δαναοὶ, Danaans. 2. Ἀργεῖοι, Argeians or Argives. 3. Ἀχαιοὶ, Achæans. They are commonly treated as synonymous. It appears at least to have been assumed that they are incapable of yielding any practical results to an attempt at historic analysis and distribution. To try this question fully, is a main part of my present purpose. Thus much at least is clear: that they seem to be the equivalents, for the Troic period, of the Hellenic name in later times. But there are other names, of various classes, which on account of their relations to the foregoing ones it is material to bring into view. First, there are found in Homer two other designations, which purport to have the same effect as the three already quoted. They are 1. Παναχαιοὶ, Panachæans. 2. Πανέλληνες, Panhellenes. Next come three names of races, whose relations to the foregoing appellations will demand scrutiny. These are 1. Πελασγοὶ, Pelasgians. 2. Ἕλληνες, Hellenes. 3. Θρῇκες, Thracians, or rather Thraces.