Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1914-08-03
Trial of
His Sons by Brutus

Probably the only instance in history
where a father tried two of his sons
for treason, found them guilty, SEN
fenced them to death. and was present
at their execution, was that related oil
Lucius Junius Brutus by Livy. Lu-
cius Junius was a celebrated Roman
during the reign of Tarquinius Super
bus, and was the author of the con-
spiracy which drove this monarch from
his throne and into Punishment.
While yet young in years Brutus saw
his father and brother slain by the ord
er of Tarquin, and having no means of
avenging them, and fearing the same
fate 10 himself he affected a stupid air
in order not to appear at all formidable
in the eyes of a suspicious and cruel
tyrant.
At length. however when the empe-
rors eldest son SeXtus Tarquinius out
ragged Lucretia, the daughter of Bru-
tus. the father, amid the Indignation
that pervaded all orders, threw off his
mask and snatched the dagger from the
bosom of the victim and swore upon
it eternal exile to the family of Tar
quin.
Wearied out with the tyranny of this
monarch, and exasperated by the spec
tacle of the funeral solemnities of Luc-
retia, the people abolished royalty and
confided the chief authority to the SEN
ate and two magistrates naming as the
latter Brutus and the husband of Luc-
retia. They signalized their entrance
upon its duties by making all the peo-
pie take a solemn oath never again to
have a king of Rome.
Efforts, nevertheless were soon made
in favor of the Tarquins, and before
the end of the year a conspiracy was
formed in which many of the young
nobility We're concerned, among the rest
the two sons of Brutus. They were
so infatuated by supernatural blind
ness" says Dionysius. as to write un-
der their own hands letters to the ty-
rant informing him Of the number OF
conspirators, and the time appointed
for despatching the cOnsuls.
A slave of the name of Vindicius be-
came acquainted with their designs and
gave information to the consuls, who
Immediately went with a strong guard
and apprehended the conspirators and
seized their letters.
As soon as it was day Brutus as
cended the tribunal. The prisoners
were brought before him and tried in
form The evidence of Vindicius was
heard, and the letters to Tarquin read:
after which the conspirators were asked
if they had anything to urge in their
defense.
Signs. groans and tears were their
only answer The whole assembly stood
with downcast looks, and no man
ventured to speak. This mournful sill
ence was at last broken with slow
murmurs of Punishment Danish
ment." but the public good, which pre-
dominated over the feelings of par
ent. urged Brutus to pronounce on them
the sentence of death.
Never was an event more capable OF
creating at the same time feelings OF
grief and horror Brutus, father and
Judge of the two offenders, was obliged
1
cuted. A great number of the most
| noble youths suffered death at the
same time, but they were as little re-
| earded as if they had been persons UNI
| known.
The sons of Brutus alone attracted
all eyes. The people were quite willing
| that the father should pardon them
| AS they stood for trial he never took
his ewes off of them. His was not the
hard, cruel glance of revenge, we are
| told. but rather expressed all the IN
| ward parental feeling at a most I'M
usual ordeal The sons bore their trial
| bravely. They acknowledged having
conspired against their father and
| acknowledged that they deserved any
fate that he might feel it his duty to
administer to them.
| There was murmur of horror
throughout the entire assembly when
| he passed the sentence of death upon
| them. They received it unflinchingly
II was all or none, and Brutus knew
that his sons had been equally guilty
with the other young mobiles.
| He resorted to most remarkable
method to demonstrate to his followers
that he believed in the motto, Let JUS
tice be done. though the heavens fall.
From this time on, however. Brutus
| sought only to die himself, and some
months after battle between the
| Romans and the troops of Tarquin en-
| abled him to crafty his wish. He en-
| countered in the fight, Aruns, the sor
| of the exiled monarch, and with sc
much impetuosity did they rush to the
| attack, that they both fell dead on The
| spot pierced to the heart each by thu
| weapon of the other.
I The Roman matronS mOurned for
year for Brutus as "the avenger o
Woman's honor" and a status wa!
erected to him in the capitol. The con
spiracy of his sons is the subject OF {
tragedy by Voltaire. His corpse wa
} carried to Rome in triumph, and tn
consul Valerius pronounced a funera
eulogy over it.
| Touoorra,.,-Tba LavdAp Trial