Meaning of Scytalismus | Babel Free

Examples

“After the subversion of oligarchy in the Peloponnesian war, Argos continued strictly democratic... The licentiousness and aggressions of the demagogy now rose to such a pitch that they roused the wealthier orders to plot against the democracy; but the conspiracy being discovered, the rage of the multitude broke out into the most brutal and infuriated excesses, during which they massacred twelve hundred of the rich and their adherents; this butchery was entitled the Scytalismus (fustuarium). Horrorstruck at this appalling outrage, which seemed to pass in enormity every thing that had gone before, the Athenians caused their market-place to be consecrated, lest they should share with their guilty allies the vengeance of the offended Nemesis.”

CEFR level