Page 215 sur 1391

He shall be worshipped after death in the manner prescribed by

the oracle; and not only he, but all other benefactors of the

State who die in any other way, shall be admitted to the same

honours.

The next question is, How shall we treat our enemies? Shall

Hellenes be enslaved? No; for there is too great a risk of the

whole race passing under the yoke of the barbarians. Or shall the

dead be despoiled? Certainly not; for that sort of thing is an

excuse for skulking, and has been the ruin of many an army. There

is meanness and feminine malice in making an enemy of the dead

body, when the soul which was the owner has fled-like a dog who

cannot reach his assailants, and quarrels with the stones which

are thrown at him instead. Again, the arms of Hellenes should not

be offered up in the temples of the Gods; they are a pollution,

for they are taken from brethren. And on similar grounds there

should be a limit to the devastation of Hellenic territory-the

houses should not be burnt, nor more than the annual produce

carried off.