Far am I from thinking that a good law which
Cyrus made to oblige the Lydians to practise none but mean or infamous
professions. It is true he directed his attention to an object of the
greatest importance: he thought of guarding against revolts, and not
invasions; but invasions will soon come, when the Persians and Lydians
unite and corrupt each other. I would therefore much rather support by
laws the simplicity and rudeness of the conquering nation than the
effeminacy of the conquered.
Aristodemus, tyrant of Cum,
[9]
used all his endeavours to banish
courage, and to enervate the minds of youth. He ordered that boys should
let their hair grow in the same manner as girls, that they should deck
it with flowers, and wear long robes of different colours down to their
heels; that when they went to their masters of music and dancing, they
should have women with them to carry their umbrellas, perfumes, and
fans, and to present them with combs and looking-glasses whenever they
bathed. This education lasted till the age of twenty — an education
that could be agreeable to none but to a petty tyrant, who exposes his
sovereignty to defend his life.
