Moreover, she has established her polity in general in such a spirit of welcome to
 strangers Thucydides in Pericles’ funeral oration
 emphasizes the open hospitality of Athens to
 foreigners and strangers, Thuc. 2.39.1 . and
 friendliness The word οἰκείως suggests μέτοικοι , the
 foreign residents, who numbered about one-third of the free population of Athens . to all men, that it adapts itself both
 to those who lack means and to those who wish to enjoy the means which they possess, and
 that it fails to be of service neither to those who are prosperous nor to those who are
 unfortunate in their own cities; nay, both classes find with us what they desire, the
 former the most delightful pastimes, the latter the securest refuge. Again, since the different populations did not in any case possess a country that was
 self-sufficing, each lacking in some things and producing others in excess of their needs,
 and since they were greatly at a loss where they should dispose of their surplus and
 whence they should import what they lacked, in these difficulties also our city came to
 the rescue; for she established the Piraeus 
 as a market in the center of Hellas—a market of such abundance that the articles which it
 is difficult to get, one here, one there, from the rest of the world, all these it is easy
 to procure from Athens . Thucydides states that all the products of the whole world found their way to
 Athens , ii. 38. 2. 
 Now the founders of our great festivals are justly praised for handing down to us a
 custom by which, having proclaimed a truce The armistice or
 “Peace of God”—the sacred month as it was called at Olympia—during which the states
 participating in the games ceased from war. See Gardner and Jevons, Manual of Greek Antiquities, p.
 270. and resolved our pending quarrels, we come together in one place, where, as
 we make our prayers and sacrifices in common, we are reminded of the kinship which exists
 among us and are made to feel more kindly towards each other for the future, reviving our
 old friendships and establishing new ties. Lys. 33.1 , speaks of Heracles as having founded the Olympic
 festival out of good will for Hellas . 
 And neither to common men nor to those of superior gifts is the time so spent idle and
 profitless, but in the concourse of the Hellenes the latter have the opportunity to
 display their prowess, the former to behold these contending against each other in the
 games; and no one lacks zest for the festival, but all find in it that which flatters
 their pride, the spectators when they see the athletes exert themselves for their benefit,
 the athletes when they reflect that all the world is come to gaze upon them. Since, then,
 the benefits which accrue to us from our assembling together are so great, here again our
 city has not been backward; for she affords the most numerous and the most admirable spectacles, some passing all
 bounds in the outlay of money, some highly reputed for their artistic worth, and others
 excelling in both these regards; Isocrates here refers to
 the sights and show-places of Athens , and to
 the Panathenaic and the Dionysiac festivals especially. See Tucker, Life in
 Ancient Athens , Chap. xii. 
 and the multitude of people who visit us is so great that, whatever advantage there is in
 our associating together, this also has been compassed by our city, Athens . Besides, it is possible to find with us as
 nowhere else the most faithful friendships and to enjoy the most varied social
 intercourse; and, furthermore, to see contests not alone of speed and strength, but of
 eloquence and wisdom and of all the other arts—and for these the greatest prizes;