PART 24
XXIV. Such, in outline and in general, is the
character of Europe and of Asia. In Europe too
there are tribes differing one from another in stature,
in shape and in courage. The differences are due to
the same causes as I mentioned above, which I will
now describe more clearly. Inhabitants of a region
which is mountainous, rugged, high, and watered,
[p. 135]
where the changes of the seasons exhibit sharp
contrasts, are likely to be of big physique, with a
nature well adapted for endurance and courage, and
such possess not a little wildness and ferocity. The
inhabitants of hollow regions, that are meadowy,
stifling, with more hot than cool winds, and where
the water used is hot, will be neither tall nor well-made,
but inclined to be broad, fleshy, and dark-haired ;
they themselves are dark rather than fair, less
subject to phlegm than to bile. Similar bravery and
endurance are not by nature part of their character,
but the imposition of law can produce them artificially.
Should there be rivers in the land, which drain off
from the ground the stagnant water and the rain
water, these
1 will be healthy and bright. But if there
be no rivers, and the water that the people drink be
marshy, stagnant, and fenny, the physique of the
people must show protruding bellies and enlarged
spleens. Such as dwell in a high land that is level,
windy, and watered, will be tall in physique and
similar to one another, but rather unmanly and
tame in character. As to those that dwell on thin,
dry, and bare soil, and where the changes of the
seasons exhibit sharp contrasts, it is likely that in
such country the people will be hard in physique
and well-braced, fair rather than dark, stubborn and
independent in character and in temper. For where
the changes of the seasons are most frequent and most
sharply contrasted, there you will find the greatest
diversity in physique, in character, and in constitution.
[p. 137]
These are the most important factors that create
differences in men's constitutions ; next come the land
in which a man is reared, and the water. For in
general you will find assimilated to the nature of the
land both the physique and the characteristics of the
inhabitants. For where the land is rich, soft, and
well-watered, and the water is very near the surface,
so as to be hot in summer and cold in winter, and if
the situation be favourable as regards the seasons,
there the inhabitants are fleshy, ill-articulated,
moist, lazy, and generally cowardly in character.
Slackness and sleepiness can be observed in them,
and as far as the arts are concerned they are thick-witted,
and neither subtle nor sharp. But where
the land is bare, waterless, rough, oppressed by
winter's storms and burnt by the sun, there you will
see men who are hard, lean, well-articulated, well-braced,
and hairy ; such natures will be found
energetic, vigilant, stubborn and independent in
character and in temper, wild rather than tame, of
more than average sharpness and intelligence in
the arts, and in war of more than average courage.
The things also that grow in the earth all assimilate
themselves to the earth. Such are the most sharply
contrasted natures and physiques. Take these observations
as a standard when drawing all other
conclusions, and you will make no mistake.