Expert: Francesco Marchesani - 11/4/2004

Question
hello!
I asked for your help earlier on this subject and it was very helpful and much appreciated!
I need your help again though :) I was wondering if it could be argued that Draco's laws were not as brutal as their reputation. Perhaps, his laws while more direct and lethal to the wrongdoer, were actually more merciful and designed to have less effect on the families and society. Could this point be argued or am I just deluding myself? thank you again for your help!


Answer
Hello,
I agree with your statement: Draco's laws were harsh, but not brutal; they served to protect the society and families from the wrong-doers, by clearly stating the punishments and thus taking the application of law from the field of uncertainity to a new level, in which crimes and punishments are known to everybody, so they can be applied evenly.