208 MARRIAGE AND HEREDITY 



tions of sentiment which inevitably occur in a society 

 passing from the rude barbaric to the highly cultured 

 stage. Euripides is less stern and severe in his views 

 than the earlier poets. His heroes preach clemency 

 and pardon. Menander and the writers of his school 

 are almost as indulgent as the moderns in respect of 

 the relations of father and son. "A good father," 

 says Menander, " ought not to be angry with his own 

 flesh and blood. If he would have his son watch 

 over him in his old age, let him give the youth what 

 he wants." In Eome the same spirit of moderation 

 was developed from the austere customs of the early 

 Eepublic, the father gradually relinquishing what 

 may be called the functions of the magistrate in 

 order to take up those of the parent as the word is 

 now understood. The change is clearly indicated in 

 one of the dramas of Terence. A father is resolved 

 to be severe with his son, according to the ancient 

 custom, and by his rigorous discipline he drives the 

 young man into foreign service. Thenceforward he 

 knows no peace of mind. He is given up to remorse, 

 and lives a life of hardship in order to punish 

 himself for his cruelty to his son, whom he ulti- 

 mately welcomes home with open arms. In the 

 same play the paternal authority is attacked from 



