Dear Reader,It seems to me that a good case in point of a person putting the interest of the State and Society above his own, is from the story of Tarquinious Superbus by Livy. This example comes from the back end of the story.
After being dethroned, essentially by Lucricia’s sacrifice. Tarquinious Superbus, the last Etruscan king of Rome, made a last effort at regaining his seat. In this effort he enlisted the aid of two Roman Patrician brothers, along with several co-conspirators. The plan went awry, and the conspiracy was discovered. The father of the two brothers, (a Senator), personally ordered the immediate execution of his sons for their part in trying to bring back a tyrant to Rome, and overthrowing the new Roman Republic.
After watching his sons executed and overcome with grief, he went home to prepare the funeral. Then the other conspirators were brought up before the people. Trembling at what they had just seen, the conspirators, (who would have certainly murdered hundreds of people with no compunction whatsoever, had Tarquinious returned), pleaded for their lives. The people were so moved they almost gave them exile instead of execution. Some of the more stalwart plebeians and Patricians ran to the father and told him what was transpiring. The Father gathered himself up, went back to the Forum and talked sense into the masses. The conspirators were executed, and the resulting Republic lasted for nine hundred years. The people of Rome were granted nine hundred years of Liberty for this virtuous act. (A virtuous act that is clearly outside of my capability).
What does this teach us about the quality of mercy that should be shown to the Aristocracy?
