The Downward Journey or The Tyrant

​Cyniscus “On the whole, there was not even a need for words; for you will know him immediately from his marks as to what kind of man he is. Nevertheless, I myself will expose the man to you and show him even more clearly through speech. For as for the things this thrice-accursed man did while he was a private citizen, I think I shall pass over them; but when, having associated with the boldest men and gathered bodyguards, he rose against the city and established himself as tyrant, he put to death without trial more than ten thousand, and by taking away the properties of each and arriving at the highest peak of wealth, he left no form of licentiousness untried, and used every cruelty and insolence against the wretched citizens, corrupting virgins, dishonoring young men, and in every way playing the drunken bully against his subjects. And as for his arrogance, pride, and haughtiness toward those who met him, you could not, even in proportion to his deserts, obtain justice from him; at any rate, one would have looked at the sun more easily without blinking than at this man. Furthermore, who could relate his novelty in cruelty regarding punishments, he who did not even spare his closest relatives? And that these things are not otherwise some empty slander against him, you will know immediately by summoning those who were murdered by him; or rather, unsummoned, as you see, they are present and standing around, choking him. All these, Rhadamanthys, died at the hands of this pest, some having been plotted against on account of beautiful wives, some having been indignant when their sons were dragged away for outrage, some because they were rich, and some because they were clever, prudent, and in no way pleased with what was being done.”

​Rhadamanthys “What do you say to these things, you filthy wretch?” Megapenthes “I have committed the murders which he speaks of, but as for all the other things — the adulteries, the outrages on young men, and the corruptions of virgins — Cyniscus has lied about all these against me.” Cyniscus “Therefore, Rhadamanthys, I will present witnesses to you for these things as well.” Rhadamanthys “Who are these you speak of?” Cyniscus “Hermes, summon his lamp and his bed for me; for they themselves will come forward and testify what kind of deeds they were conscious of him doing.” Hermes “Let Megapenthes’ Bed and Lamp stand before us. They did well to obey.” Rhadamanthys “Tell us then, what you are conscious of regarding this Megapenthes; and you first, Bed, speak.” Bed “Cyniscus has accused him of everything truly. However, I am ashamed, master Rhadamanthys, to say these things; such were the things that were committed upon me.” Rhadamanthys “Indeed, you testify most clearly by not even enduring to speak of them. And you, Lamp, testify now.” Lamp “I did not see the things by day, for I was not present; but as for what he did and suffered by night, I shrink from saying. Nevertheless, I witnessed many unspeakable things that surpassed all insolence. And indeed, many times willingly I did not drink the oil, wishing to be extinguished; but he would bring me close to what was being done and defile my light in every way.”

​Rhadamanthys “Enough now of witnesses. But strip off your purple robe too, so that we may see the number of the marks. Bless me! This man is entirely livid and covered with writing, or rather he is dark blue from the marks. In what way, then, should he be punished? Is he to be cast into Pyriphlegethon, or delivered to Cerberus?” Cyniscus “By no means; but if you wish, I will suggest to you a certain new and fitting punishment for him.” Rhadamanthys “Speak, and I will feel the greatest gratitude to you for this.” Cyniscus “It is the custom, I believe, for all the dead to drink the water of Lethe.” Rhadamanthys “Certainly.” Cyniscus “Then let this man alone of them all be without drinking.”

​Rhadamanthys “Why indeed?” Cyniscus “He will thus undergo a harsh penalty by remembering what kind of man he was and how much power he had in the world above, and by continually counting up his luxury.” Rhadamanthys “You speak well; and let judgment be passed, and let this man be led away and bound beside Tantalus, remembering all that he did during his life.”