Page:History of Greece Vol VII.djvu/142

124 124. HISTORY OF OKEECK. in them the strongest emotions: and when the magistrates con vened the assembly for the purpose of deciding his fate, the voice of mercy was found paramount, in spite of the contrary recom- mendations of some of the political leaders. The most respected among the elder citizens earnestly recommending mild treat- ment towards a foe thus fallen and suppliant, coupled with scru- pulous regard not to bring upon the city the avenging hand of Nemesis found their appeal to the generous sentiment of the people welcomed by one unanimous cry of " Save the suppliant." 1 Duketius, withdrawn from the altar, was sent off to Corinth, under his engagement to live there quietly for the future ; the Syracusans providing for his comfortable maintenance. Amidst the cruelty habitual in ancient warfare, this remark- able incident excites mingled surprise and admiration. Doubt- less the lenient impulse of the people mainly arose from their seeing Duketius actually before them in suppliant posture at their altar, instead of being called upon to determine his fate in his absence, just as the Athenian people were in like manner moved hy the actual sight of the captive Dorieus, and induced to spare his life, on an occasion which will be hereafter recount- ed. 2 If in some instances the assembled people, obeying the usual vehemence of multitudinous sentiment, carried severities to excess, so, in other cases, as well as in this, the appeal to their humane impulses will be found to have triumphed over pruden- tial regard for future security. Such was the fruit which the Syracusans reaped for sparing Duketius, who, after residing a year or two at Corinth, violated his parole. Pretending to have received an order from the oracle, he assembled a number of colonists, whom he conducted into Sicily to found a city at Kale Akte on the northern coast belonging to the Sikels. We cannot doubt that when the Syracusans found in what manner their lenity was requited, the speakers who had recommended severe treatment would take great credit on the score of superior fore- sight. 3 1 Diodor. xi, 91, 92. 'O tie dijfiof uanep ~ivi /ua fyuvij au&iv u~avrf. 3 Mr. Mitford recounts as follows the re mm of Duketius to Sicil r : li Thfl Bjracusan chiofc brought back Dukctius from Corinth, apparently to iuake
 * Xenophon. Hellen, i, 5. 19 ; Pausanias. vi, 7, 2.