Footnotes
[56]
The citizens of Athens could not be put to the rack (Lysias,
"Orat. contra Agorat.") unless it was for high treason. The torture was
used within thirty days after condemnation. (Curius Fortunatus. "Rhetor,
scol.," ii.) There was no preparatory torture. In regard to the Romans,
the Leg. 3, 4, "Ad leg. Jul. Majest.," show that birth, dignity, and the
military profession exempted people from the rack, except in cases of
high treason. See the prudent restrictions of this practice made by the
laws of the Visigoths.