X.] ARISTOTLE ON HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. , 305

he tells us, were flung headlong over precipicesl. The na&es
of Gaul are similarly portrayed: we hear of their ^ Af'S
simplicity of character, their teachable spirit, their ' *"
fondness for display, and their impetuous courage; we are told
that they wore wide trousers and tunics with sleeves, and that the
arms which they carried were proportionate in size to their great
stature; and their mode of government and the conduct of their
assemblies, and also the barbarous customs which prevailed
amongst them, such as human sacrifices and carrying off the
heads of the enemies whom they slew in battle, are carefully
described*.
Let us now turn to Historical Geography. This branch of the
subject, when considered in its wider application—-
that is, as the study of the influence of strongly
marked natural features, and especially of the
boundaries of countries, on the history of nations and of the
world at large—did not attract much attention before the time of
the Roman conquest of Greece; indeed, this could hardly have
been otherwise, because the limited area to which Greek politics
were confined precluded any such extended outlook as an investi-
gation of this kind presupposes. In Aristotle, no
doubt, we meet with general reflexions on this
question, which are characterised by his usual pene-
tration, though we feel that he is looking from a Greek point of
view. Such are his observations in the Politics on the influence
of climate on national character. " The inhabitants of the colder
countries of Europe," he remarks, "are brave, but deficient in
thought and technical skill; and, as a consequence of this, they
remain free longer than others, but are wanting in political organi-
sation, and unable to rule their neighbours. The peoples of
Asia, on the contrary, are thoughtful and skilful, but without
spirit, whence their permanent condition is one of subjection and
slavery. But the Hellenic race," he adds, " as it is intermediate
between them in geographical position, so also combines their
qualities; it is at once spirited and thoughtful, and so continues
1 Strabo, 3. 3. 7; 3. 4.16—18.
8 Ibid. 4. 4. a—5.