The Glorious Memory of Brave Men Kept Alive
Besides the speaker over the body about to be buried,
note
after having finished the panegyric of this
particular person, starts upon the others whose
representatives are present, beginning with the
most ancient, and recounts the successes and achievements
of each. By this means the glorious memory of brave
men is continually renewed; the fame of those who have
performed any noble deed is never allowed to die; and the
renown of those who have done good service to their country
becomes a matter of common knowledge to the multitude,
and part of the heritage of posterity. But the chief benefit of
the ceremony is that it inspires young men to shrink from no
exertion for the general welfare, in the hope of obtaining the
glory which awaits the brave. And what I say is confirmed
by this fact. Many Romans have volunteered to decide a
whole battle by single combat; not a few have deliberately
accepted certain death, some in time of war to secure the
safety of the rest, some in time of peace to preserve the safety
of the commonwealth. There have also been instances of
men in office putting their own sons to death, in defiance of
every custom and law, because they rated the interests of
their country higher than those of natural ties even with their
nearest and dearest. There are many stories of this kind,
related of many men in Roman history; but one will be
enough for our present purpose; and I will give the name as
an instance to prove the truth of my words.
