10.5. 5. Gelon, King of Syracuse.
The noblest treaty of peace ever
mentioned in history is, in my opinion, that which Gelon made with the
Carthaginians. He insisted upon their abolishing the custom of
sacrificing their children.
[3]
Glorious indeed! After having defeated
three hundred thousand Carthaginians, he required a condition that was
advantageous only to themselves, or rather he stipulated in favour of
human nature.
The Bactrians exposed their aged fathers to be devoured by large
mastiffs — a custom suppressed by Alexander, whereby he obtained a
signal triumph over superstition.
Footnotes
[3]
See M. Barbeyrac's collection, art. 112.
