Dear Reader,
It seems to me that what is the fundamental attribute of a member of an aristocracy is the willingness to do violence to have ones will met.
History certainly provides us with legion examples. The patrician boy whom Cyrus ordered to be seized and beaten is a perfect example. When Cyrus was a boy, and was still in the care of the sheep herder, he was playing ’king’ with some other boys. When it was Cyrus’s turn to be king, Cyrus ordered the boys to kneel and pay him homage. One boy refused, being of patrician blood, so Cyrus ordered the assembly of boys to seize and beat the offender.
The aristocrat’s son was incensed. Ran home to his father and wanted Cyrus and his entire family killed. The Father thought this a good idea, went to Croesus the king of Lydia, and asked to have Cyrus and his family executed. Croesus was incredulous at the thought that a sheep herder’s son would have the nerve to do this. He ordered Cyrus, and his sheep herder mother and father, to come before him.
When Cyrus entered the kings hall, there was shocked silence. Not a person was there who didn’t recognize the resemblance to the king, including the king. Croesus asked the story of Cyrus’s birth. The sheep herder initially lied and said that Cyrus was his own child. When Croesus put the sheep herders wife on the chopping block, however, the sheep herder caved and told Croesus the whole story about getting Cyrus.
Croesus was dumbfounded. Cyrus was indeed the grandson of Croesus. He had ordered Cyrus murdered when Cyrus was a baby. Now the boy stood before his grandfather, in perfect health and still a threat to the throne of Croesus. The king ran to the Magi and chastised them that Cyrus was still alive. The Magi said that the prophesy, as dreamt by Croesus, had been met. Cyrus had been made a ‘king’ and had seized the ‘world‘. Croesus was off the hook and could welcome Cyrus into his house.
Elated, Croesus called for a great celebration. Croesus asked his chief advisor, the man who Croesus had entrusted the murder of Cyrus, to send his oldest son to help prepare the meal. When the repast was over Croesus asked his advisor if he liked the meal, the mutton in particular. The advisor replied that, as was usual at the table of Croesus, the food was magnificent. At this Croesus motioned for a great silver tray with an ornate cover to be brought out and placed in from of his Chief advisor. When the lid was opened it revealed the head of the man’s son. Croesus informed the man that he had eaten his own son. The advisor bowed and recognized the wisdom of Croesus. Asked for the remains that were left to be returned to him to be buried. In an act of kindness, Croesus let him bury his son.
This is only one example of the nature of aristocracy. But, people are more civilized now…Right?
