The present publication is intended to meet the demand for a text-book or reference work that will give a comprehensive account of the history of education before the day of the monastic schools. The aim has been to present sufficient material to mark the most significant movements, and disclose the underlying principles, without entering into unnecessary detail, or dwelling upon matters but remotely related to the educational problems of to-day. While there has been no attempt to adduce exhaustive proof of the various theses maintained, it is hoped that enough has been presented to make them acceptable for the occasion, and to serve as an interpretative basis of further study.