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There are histories of numberless wars, both before the building of
Rome and since its rise and the extension of its dominion; let these
be read, and let one instance be cited in which, when a city had been
taken by foreigners, the victors spared those who were found to have
fled for sanctuary to the temples of their gods; or one instance in
which a barbarian general gave orders that none should be put to the
sword who had been found in this or that temple. Did not Æneas see
"Dying Priam at the shrine, Staining the hearth he made divine?"
Did not Diomede and Ulysses "Drag with red hands. the sentry
slain, Her fateful image from your fane, Her chaste locks touch,
and stain with gore The virgin coronal she wore?" Neither is that
true which follows, that "Thenceforth the tide of fortune changed,
And Greece grew weak."
For after this they conquered and destroyed Troy with fire and sword;
after this they beheaded Priam as he fled to the altars. Neither did
Troy perish because it lost Minerva. For what had Minerva herself
first lost, that she should perish? Her guards perhaps? No doubt;
just her guards. For as soon as they were slain, she could be
stolen. It was not, in fact, the men who were preserved by the
image, but the image by the men. How, 3then, was she invoked to
defend the city and the citizens, she who could not defend her own
defenders?
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