[32]
You hear, sirs, how it directs that, if anyone forcibly debauches a free adult or child, he shall be liable to double 1 damages; while if he so debauches a woman, in one of the cases where it is permitted to kill him, he is subject to the same rule. Thus the lawgiver, sirs, considered that those who use force deserve a less penalty than those who use persuasion; for the latter he condemned to death, whereas for the former he doubled the damages,
Law
You hear, sirs, how it directs that, if anyone forcibly debauches a free adult or child, he shall be liable to double 1 damages; while if he so debauches a woman, in one of the cases where it is permitted to kill him, he is subject to the same rule. Thus the lawgiver, sirs, considered that those who use force deserve a less penalty than those who use persuasion; for the latter he condemned to death, whereas for the former he doubled the damages,
On the Murder of Eratosthenes. Lysias. W.R.M. Lamb (Translator). London. 1930.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.