Ab urbe condita

of treason. Lictor, bind his hands.” The lictor had approached and was fastening the cord, when Horatius, at the suggestion of Tullus, who placed a merciful interpretation on the law, said

“I appeal.” The appeal was accordingly brought before the people. Their decision was mainly influenced by Publius Horatius the father, who declared that his daughter had been justly slain , had it not been so, he would have exerted his authority as a father in punishing his son. Then he implored them not to bereave of all his children the man whom they had so lately seen surrounded with such