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June 4, 2009
the citizen
The Lacedaemonian Pedaretus runs for the council of three hundred. He is defeated. He goes home delighted that there were three hundred man worthier than he to be found in Sparta. I take this display to be sincere, and there is reason to believe that it was. This is the citizen.
A Spartan woman had five sons in the army and was awaiting news of the battle. A Helot arrives; trembling, she asks him for the news. "Your five sons were killed." "Base slave, did I ask you that?" "We won the victory." The mother runs to the temple and gives thanks to the gods. This is the female citizen.
Rousseau - Emile
Posted by amin at June 4, 2009 9:22 AM