04-21-2006, 02:33 PM
"Something often mentioned about Richard, while Saladin often gets off with his (indeed!) very lenient treating of the garrison and population of Jerusalem."
Which is, of course, precisely why it is so oft mentioned, because it stands in such stark contrast to the usual and accepted "laws of war" for that age.
So too is Julius Caesar's clemency toward captured enemies often mentioned. One wonder if he had captured Pompey if Caesar would have spared his life and pardoned him as he did many others in the Civil War.
Of course the Romans were practical and pragmatic to a fault, and such seemingly kind treatment of enemies was not motivated by any sense of morality but rather usually served some practical end.
And this is just my attempt to bring us back on topic--sort of anyway. :wink:
Narukami
Which is, of course, precisely why it is so oft mentioned, because it stands in such stark contrast to the usual and accepted "laws of war" for that age.
So too is Julius Caesar's clemency toward captured enemies often mentioned. One wonder if he had captured Pompey if Caesar would have spared his life and pardoned him as he did many others in the Civil War.
Of course the Romans were practical and pragmatic to a fault, and such seemingly kind treatment of enemies was not motivated by any sense of morality but rather usually served some practical end.
And this is just my attempt to bring us back on topic--sort of anyway. :wink:
Narukami
David Reinke
Burbank CA
Burbank CA
