344 flint's NaTUEAL HISTORY. [Book XVI. 



each might happen to present itself, the honourable distinction 

 given to the acorn being the only thing observed. Eigorous 

 laws were, however, enacted, to maintain the lofty glories of 

 this wreath, by which it was placed npon an equality even 

 with the supreme honours of the wreath that is given by 

 Greece in presence of Jove 33 himself, and to receive which the 

 exulting city of the victor is wont to break 34 a passage through 

 its very walls. These laws are to the effect that the life of a 

 fellow-citizen must be preserved, and an enemy slain; that 

 the spot where this takes place must have been held by the 

 enemy that same day ; that the person saved shall admit the 

 fact, other witnesses being of no use at all ; and that the person 

 saved shall have been a Eoman citizen. 



To preserve an ally merely, even though it should be the 

 life of a king that is so saved, confers no right to this high re- 

 ward, nor is the honour at all increased, even if it is the 

 Eoman general that has been thus preserved, it being the in- 

 tention of the framers of the law that it should be the status 

 of the citizen that is everything. When a man has received 

 this wreath, it is his privilege to wear it for the rest of his 

 life. When he makes his appearance at the celebration of the 

 games, 35 it is customary for the Senate even to rise from their 

 seats, and he has the right of taking his seat next to the senators. 

 Exemption, too, from all civic duties is conferred upon him as 

 well as his father and his father's father. Siccius Dentatus, as we 

 have already mentioned 36 on an appropriate occasion, received 

 fourteen civic crowns, and Manlius Capitolinus 37 six, 38 one, 

 among the rest, for having saved the life of his general, Ser- 

 vilius. Scipio Africanus declined to accept the civic crown 

 for having saved the life of his father at the battle of Trebia. 

 Times these, right worthy of our everlasting admiration, 

 which accorded honour alone as the reward of exploits so 

 mighty, and which, while other crowns were recommended by 

 being made of gold, disdained to set a price upon the safety of 

 a citizen, and loudly proclaimed thereby that it is unrighteous 

 to save the life of a man for motives of lucre. 



33 At the Olympic games celebrated in honour of Jupiter. > At Olympia 

 there was a statue of that god, one of the master-pieces of Phidias. 



34 Implying thereby, that the city that could produce a man who could 

 so distinguish himself, stood in no need of walls. 



35 In the Circus. 36 In B. vii. c. 29. 



v B. vii. c. 29. ' 



38 Livy says eight. He saved the life of Servilms, the Master of the Horse. 



