This book charts the development and character of the political forms that grew out of the age of Greek immigration into the Aegean, and establishes the forms which in the course of history were decisive. It also examines the impact which the various forms of state exerted on Greek civilization and in so doing strengthens the bridge between political history and the history of civilization. This volume encompasses many disciplines: political, social history, and religious history, law, administration and geography.

An archaic boustrophedon inscription found a few years ago at Dreros is one of the oldest extant Cretan inscriptions, probably not later than 600 B.C., and is of the greatest interest for our knowledge of the early development of the Polis. The text runs as follows: 1. ←Aδ' εϜαδε πολι επει κα κοσμησει, δεκα Ϝετιον τον αIa←θιοσολοιον 2. →Ϝτον μη κοσμεν αι δε κοσμησιε, οπε δικακσιε, αϜτον οπηλεν διπηλεν καϜτον 3. ←ακρηστον ημεν, ας δοοι, κοτι κοσμησιε, μηδεν. 4. ← ομοται (...) δε κοσμος κοι δαμιοι κοι ικατι οι τας πολ[ιο]ς. (shrink)

1. T. Der hellenische Staat.--2. T. Der hellenistische Staat.