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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825 edition. Excerpt:...Sic. lib. 13. p. 22. Marm. Oxon. epoch. 65. He at first applied himself to lyric poetry: but his genius soon urged him to pursue a more glorious track; and his first success finally confirmed him in his choice. He was twenty-eight years of age when hebecame a competitor with Eschylus, who was then in possession of the stage.1" At the representation of the pieces, the first of the archons, who presided at the contest, could not draw by lot the judges who were to confer the crown. The spectators,divided in their opinions, made the theatre resound with their clamours: which continually grew more loud, when the ten generals of the republic, having at their head Cimon, who by his victories and generosity had attained the summit of renown and influence, ascended the stage, and approached the altar of Bacchus, to make the accustomed libations before they retired. Their presence, and the ceremony which they were performing, appeased the tumult; and the archon, having chosen them to name the victor, made them take their seats, and the customary oath. The plurality of voices was in favour of Sophocles;q and Eschylus,offended at the preference which had been given to his rival, retired soon after into Sicily. 1 Schol. Vit. Soph. k Id. ibid. 1 Athen. lib. 13. p. 592 et 603. m Plat. de Rep. lib. 1.1. ii. p. 329. Plut. t. ii. p. 1094. Cicer. de Senect. c. 14. t. iii. p. 309. Athen. lib. 12. c. 1. p. 510. Stob. serm. 6. page 78. n Thorn. Mag. in Vit. Euripid. 0 Suid. in 2oiloK. P Marm. Oxon. epoch. 57. Corsin. Fast. Attic, t. ii. p. 48; t. iii. p. 189. So splendid a triumph seemed for ever to ensure to Sophocles the sovereignty of the stage; but it had been witnessed by the youth Euripides; who aspired to emulate it, even while he was taking lessons of...