Page:The Ancient City- A Study on the Religion, Laws, and Institutions of Greece and Rome.djvu/281

 CHAP. XV. WAR. 175 never any lights for a foreigner, least of all in t^me of war. No one was required to distinguish the )ust from the unjust in respect to him. Mucins Scaav- ola and all the Romans believed it was a glorious deed to assassinate an enemy. The consul Marcius boasted publicly of having deceived the king of Mace- donia. Paulus^milius sold as slaves a hundred thoi sand Epirots who had voluntarily surrendered them selves to him. The Lacedaemonian Phebidas seized upon the cita- del of the Thebans in time of peace. Agosilaus was questioned upon the justice of this action. "Inquire only if it is useful," said the king; "for whenever an action is useful to our country, it is right." This was the international law of ancient cities. Another king of Sparta, Cleomenes, said that all the evil one could do to enemies was always just in the eyes of gods and men. The conqueror could use his victory as he pleased. No human or divine law restrained his vengeance or his cupidity. The day on which the Athenians decreed that all the Mitylenaeans, without distinction of age or sex, should be exterminated, they did not dream of transcending their rights; and when, on the next day, they revoked their decree, and contented themselves with putting a thousand citizens to death, and confis- cating all the lands, they thought themselves humane and indulgent. After the taking of Plataea, the men were put to death, and the women sold; and yet no one accused the conquerors of having violated any law. These men made war not only upon soldiers, but upon an entire population, men, women, children, and slaves. They waged it not only against human beings, but against fields and crops. They bui'ned houses and