The influence ascribed to music, which to us seems exaggerated, is also a Pythagorean feature; it is not to be regarded as representing the real influence of music in the Greek world.

More nearly than any other government of Hellas, the Pythagorean league of three hundred was an aristocracy of virtue.

For once in the history of mankind the philosophy of order or (Greek), expressing and consequently enlisting on its side the combined endeavours of the better part of the people, obtained the management of public affairs and held possession of it for a considerable time (until about B.C.

500).

Probably only in States prepared by Dorian institutions would such a league have been possible.