Leon Battista Alberti, THE ENEMY, Dinner pieces, III, 4

According to tradition, in our ancestors’ day a number of Pisan noblemen were captured by the Genoese in a naval battle. After the victory, the question of what to do with the numerous prisoners was brought before the members of the Senate in Genoa. Some of the senators thought that all the prisoners should be put to death (Livio), and they cited the saying of Theodectus, who recommended that Pompey be killed: «A dead man does not bite»(Plutarco). They said that under the code of war they should take harsh revenge on their cruel enemy, so that others would be deterred from future violence and brutality. «We must by all means consider one fact», they said. «Now that we have fought the enemy in deadly combat, defeated him by stregth of arms, and obtained this victory through grat efforts and dangers, we must do nothing which would force us to fight again. We must not spare these warlike and savage captives for another time or occasion when, as leaders of our enemies and accomplices of fortune, they may bring disaster down on us, and cause us to regret having spared them. Nor is it expedient, in order to avoid such danger, to assume the onerous and difficult task of keeping enemies under guard in our city, when in a single hour we can eliminate the problem quite simply and justly.»

Others argued that the captives should be released free and unharmed (Livio). «We should only use violence», they said, «against those who attack us with arms and hatred. But once you have vanquished your opponents, it is better to rule them as subjects than to destroy them as wretches. Nor is it right that we, whom fortune or victory spared in armed combat,(Ennio) should so fear vanquished, unarmed, and imprisoned men that we disgrace ourselves by cruelty, which valiant men have always shunned. Rather than mere victory, we should seek a peace which will put an end to wars. And that peace will be just, expedient, and lasting, which is sustained by goodwill rather than fear. (Virgilio) By far the noblest victory of all is one which abolishes enmity rather than the enemy. After defeating their foe, valiant men must avoid appearing to yeald to anger or rage. (Seneca) Instead, they should strive to subdue by kindness and mercy those whom they have conquered by arms. It is our duty to see that these men, who were not destroyed by the fury of war and enraged soldiers, are not put to death by just and responsible civilians.»

Still others were of a radically different opinion, which, they say, was proposed by a certain Pisan, an infirm fellow and quite poor, but not, it would seem, of slow wit. Seeking revenge for his exile, he proposed neither killing the prisoners, nor freeing them unharmed, but keeping them in prison. One should remember, he said, that the Pisans bear an ancient and incredible hatred for the Genoese. And one generous deed could scarcely cancel the memory of such great defeats, for their savage and enraged spirits tended more to vengeance than to gratitude for favors. «As long,» he said, «as they have even a glimmer of hope for revenge, I am sure that armed strife will not cease. I know the hearts and minds of my countrymen. You must not think that your state will be served by putting them to death. I deem it expedient, if you decide to seek peace, to keep them as hostages. But if war should threaten, you may expect to find them equally useful in any wartime eventuality. By my proposal, the enemy is severely punished, while mercy is observed. Since the greatness and strength of cities lie in the abundance of their wealth and in the number of their citizens, my plan will exhaust the Pisans’ resources in supporting these prisoners, and cut off their future generations, since the prisoners’ wives can neither have children nor remarry. My plan is merciful: your generosity will spare those who have threatened your lives by the sword. And it is severe: you will weaken a dangerous foe in every way you can».

His proposal was adopted, and nearly destroyed Pisa. Thus it is not difficult to see that on occasion a single person, even an abject one, may wreak, injury and ruin an entire nation.