Note 174-6 — Chapter III

Hence Menander (342-290 before Christ) says it is better to be the slave of a good master than to live wretched in freedom. (Stobœus, Flor., 62, § 7. Meinecke, Fr. com. Gr., IV, 274.) Libanios, too, (Tom., 483, Reiske), in his "Blame of Poverty," represents slavery as better cared for, and freer from worry. Horrible contracts made even in Cæsar's time, from want, by freemen, to become gladiator-slaves. Cicero, pro Roscio, Am. 6; Horat., Serm., II, 7, 58 ff.; Petron., 117; Seneca, Epist., 37. And so by Justinian, cases of declined freedom are supposed. (L. 15, Justin., Cod., VII, 2.) "Dans une armée on estime bien moins un pionnier, qu'un cheval de caisson, parce que le cheval est fort cher, et qu'on a le pionier pour rien. La suppression de l'esclavage a fait passer ce calcul de la guerre dans la vie commune." (Linguet.)