16. Of the Rack. The Spirit of the Laws | ||
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.
16. Of the Rack. The Spirit of the Laws | ||