Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c16.16

c16.16

Another significant point which has impressed us very strongly in this connection, is that most of the states of antiquity which evolved republican institutions appear to have inhabited unfavourable geographical terrain, e.g., hilly regions, marshy lands, forests, etc. Athens was built on a hill, Rome was founded on seven hills, the Sakyas, Licchavis, Mallas, etc., all inhabited comparatively difficult regions. So did the Yaudheyas, Mālavas and Kṣūdrakas of the northwest of India. Among the German tribal republics the Chattis had their settlement in a forested, hilly region, and the case was similar with the Chaudi and Suebi Confederacy which occupied the marshy, forested and hilly Suebian land. It seems that their difficult geographical location and harsh climate inspired in all these peoples a martial zeal and democratic spirit unsurpassed by that of the docile subjects of monarchies.