Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Notes |
CHAPTER XII: OF THE ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT [p.45]
THESE people have a Grand Lord who is like an emperor, and they moreover had and have others like kings, dukes, counts, governors, gentlemen,30 shield-bearers and men-at-arms. The Lords appointed the governors of the provinces, the administrators, and other officials. These Lords are so dreaded and obeyed that they are adored like gods. There was such justice among them that for the least crime or dereliction that any one committed, he was put to death or reduced to slavery. Theft and murder were severely punished, and above all the entrance into another man’s land, in order to steal fruits or grain. If any one entered a field and stole three or four ears of maize he became the slave of the owner of the field. If any one was guilty of treason or any other crime against the emperor or king he was condemned to death with all his relatives unto the fourth generation. |
