Archæologiæ Græcæ, or, The antiquities of Greece by John Potter ...

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Title
Archæologiæ Græcæ, or, The antiquities of Greece by John Potter ...
Author
Potter, John, 1673 or 4-1747.
Publication
Oxford :: Printed ... for Abel Swall ...,
1697.
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Subject terms
Greece -- Antiquities.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A55523.0001.001
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"Archæologiæ Græcæ, or, The antiquities of Greece by John Potter ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A55523.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 6, 2024.

Pages

CHAPTER XXV. Of the Athenian Punishments, and Rewards.

THE most common and remarkable Punishments inflicted at A∣thens on Malefactors are these,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which, tho' sometimes it be us'd in a large and ge∣neral sence for any punishment, yet has often a more limited and re∣strain'd signification, being taken for a pecuniary Mulct, or Fine, laid upon the Criminal according to the merit of his Offence.

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〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ignominy, or publick Disgrace, whereby the Offender was rendred uncapable of bearing any Office, pleading in the Courts of Judicature, or giving his Voice in the publick Assemblies, and de∣priv'd of all other Privileges of a Citizen, that gave him any Title to the management of the Common-wealth. Out of these Men, the Scholiast upon Aristophanes (a) 1.1 tells us, they appointed whom they pleas'd to labour at the Oars, to which Drudgery, Plutarch reports, it was usual to put their Prisoners of War (b) 1.2.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Servitude, was a punishment, by which the Criminal was reduc'd into the condition of a Slave. It was never inflicted on any besides the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Sojourners, and Free'd-servants, because it was forbidden by one of Solon's Laws, that any Free-born Citizen should be treated as a Slave.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was a severity seldom exercis'd upon any but Slaves, or some very notorious Malefactors, of which before I have spoken more at large.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was, as the word imports, a Pillar, wherein was ingraven in legible Characters an account of the Offender's Crime. The Persons thus expos'd to the laughter and reproaches of the World, were call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Hence 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is taken for any invective, or defamatory Oration.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was a punishment, by which the Criminal was condemn'd to Imprisonment, or Fetters. The Prison was call'd by a lenitive Name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or House; for the Athenians us'd to mitigate and take of from the badness of things, by giving them good and innocent ap∣pellations; as a Whore, they would call a Mistress; Taxes, Rates; Garrisons, Guards; and this (saith Plutarch) seem'd at first to be So∣lon's contrivance, who call'd the releasing the People from their Debts 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a throwing off a burthen (c) 1.3. Plato tells us, the Athenians had three sorts of Prisons; The first was near the Forum, and was only design'd to secure Debtors, or other Persons from running away. The second was call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or a House of Correction, such as our Bride-well. The third was seated in an uninhabited and lonesome place, and was design'd for Malefactors guilty of Capital Crimes (d) 1.4. One of their Prisons was call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and the Gate, thro' which Criminals were led to Execution, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from Charon, the infernal Ferry-man. At the Prison-door was erected the Image of Mercury, the Tutelar Deity of the place, call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the hinge of a Door.

Of Fetters there were divers sorts, the most remarkable are these: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Collar usually made of Wood, so call'd from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because it constrain'd the Criminal to bow down his head. This punishment

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was call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and hence pernicious Fellows, or Things, are sometimes nam'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (a) 1.5; others call it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because the Criminal's Neck was shut, or enclos'd within it. Some Grammarians tell us, the Neck, Hands, and Feet were made fast in it, and therefore it is probable, it was the same with the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Fetters with five holes, mention'd by Pollux, and seems to resemble the punishment of binding Neck and Heels, us'd amongst our Souldiers. Aristophanes calls it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as his Scholiast informs us in his Comment upon these words in Lysistrate,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Women must have their stiff and haughty Necks With Fetters crampt, least they grow insolent And us of our Authority divest, For see here, in this Canvass-pourtraiture By skilful Micon drawn, how th' Amazons Mounted on prancing Steeds with burnisht spears engage▪
Mr. Abell.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifies Fetters in which the Feet, or Legs were made fast, as we are inform'd by Aristophanes in his Plutus, where speaking of an impudent, and insolent Slave, he saith, he deserves to be set in the Stocks,
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
You'r' ripe, you Rogue, for Fetters, the Stocks groan for you.
Not much unlike this seems to have been the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, sometimes call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from the matter it was made of (b) 1.6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was a piece of Wood, to which the Malefactor was bound fast, as the same Poet reports (c) 1.7,
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. —
Here, Lictor, bring him in, and bind him to the Rack.

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And a little after,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Order the Executioner to strip Me naked, and to cord me to the Rack.
Mr. Abell.
Beside these, many others occurr in Authors, which barely to men∣tion would be both tedious, and unnecessary.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, perpetual Banishment, whereby the condemned Persons were depriv'd of their Estates, which were publickly expos'd to Sale, and compell'd to leave their Countrey without any possibility of return∣ing, except they were recall'd (which sometimes happen'd) by the same Power that expell'd them; wherein it differ'd from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which only commanded a Ten years absence, at the end of which, the banish'd Persons were permitted to return, and enjoy their Estates, which were all that time preserv'd entire to them (a) 1.8. It was instituted not so much with a design to punish the Offender, as to mitigate and pacifie the furie of the Envious, that delighted to depress those, who were eminent for their Virtues, and glorious Actions, and by fixing this disgrace upon them, to exhale part of the venemous rancour of their Minds. The first, that underwent this condemnation was, as Plutarch reports, Hipparchus the Cholargian, a Kins-man to the Tyrant of the same Name. Eustathius makes it much ancienter, and carries it as high as Theseus's Time, who, he tells us out of Theophrastus and Pau∣sanias, was the first that suffer'd it (b) 1.9. Heraclides will have it to have been first instituted by Hippias, the Tyrant, a Son of Pisistratus (c) 1.10; Pho∣tius, by one Achilles, the Son of Lyco (d) 1.11; and Aelian, by Clisthenes, who also, as he tells us, was the first that underwent it (e) 1.12. It was never inflicted upon any but great Persons; Demetrius, the Phalerian, (as Plutarch reports) will have it to have happen'd to none but Men of great Estates, and therefore as an argument to prove the pletiful con∣dition of Aristides, (whom he maintains to have been possess'd of a large Fortune, contrary to the opinion of most other Writers) he al∣ledg'd, that he was banish'd by Ostracism. But my Author is of ano∣ther opinion, and not without reason, for all Persons were liable to the Ostracism, who for Reputation, Quality, Riches, or Elo∣quence, were esteem'd above the common level, and expos'd to the envy of the People, insomuch, that even Damon, Preceptor to Pri∣cles, was banish'd thereby, because he seem'd a Man of more than or∣dinary Sence. Afterwards, when base, mean, and villainous Fel∣lows

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became subject to it, they quite left it off, Hyperbolus being the last, whom they banish'd by Ostracism. This Hyperbolus was a very rascally Fellow, who furnish'd all the Writers of Comedy in that Age with matter for their Satirical invectives; but he was wholly uncon∣cern'd at the worst things they could say, and being careless of glory was also insensible of shame; he was neither lov'd, nor esteem'd by any body, but was a necessary tool for the People, and frequently made use of by them, when they had a mind to disgrace, or calumniate any Person of Authority, or Reputation. The cause of his Banish∣ment was this; Alcibiades, Nicias, and Phaeax at that time were of different Factions, and each of them bearing a great sway in the City, lay open to the envy of the inferiour Citizens, who, at Hyperbolus's perswasion, were very eager to decree the Banishment of some one of them. Alcibiades perceiving the danger they were in, consulted with Nicias, or Phaeax, (for it is not agree'd whether) and so contriv'd matters, that by uniting their several parties, the Ostracism fell upon Hyperbolus, when he expected nothing of it. Hereupon the People, being offended, as if some contempt or affront had been put upon the Thing, left off, and quite abolish'd it. It was perform'd, to be short, in this manner; Every one taking an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Tyle, carried it to a certain part of the Market-place surrounded with wooden Rails for that purpose, in which were ten Gates, appointed for the ten Tribes, every one of which en∣ter'd at a distinct Gate. That being done, the Archons number'd all the Tyles in gross, for if there were fewer than six-thousand, the Ostracism was void; then laying every name by it self, they pro∣nounc'd him, whose name was written by the major part, banish'd for ten Years, enjoying his Estate (a) 1.13. This punishment was some∣times call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by which the People gave their Suffrages were Earthen Tyles, or pieces of broken Pots (b) 1.14. The like was us'd at Argos, Megara, and Mile∣tum (c) 1.15; and the Syracusian 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was instituted upon the same account, in the third Year of the eighty-sixth Olympiad, but differ'd from it in this, That this Banishment was but for five Years, and in∣stead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the People made use of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Leaves, usually those of the Olive-tree, in giving their Voices (d) 1.16.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Death, was inflicted on Malefactors several ways, the chief of which were these,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, with which the Criminal was beheaded.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, with which he was either strangled after the Turkish fashion, or hang'd in the manner usual amongst us, for that this was a very ancient, but withal a very ignominious Punishment, appears from Homer, in whom Ulysses and Telemachus punish the Men, that took part

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with the young Gentlemen, who made love to Penelope, only with a common and ordinary Death; but the Maid-servants that had sub∣mitted to their Lust, and behav'd themselves with scorn and contempt towards their Masters, as being guilty of a more heinous and noto∣rious Crime, they order'd to be hang'd; the manner of it the Poet has describ'd in these words (a) 1.17,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Then young Telemachus a cable ty'd Hardned with pitch t'a lofty Pillar's side, That he might there make swings above the floor For all his nasty Queans, who'd play'd the Whore; In hempen Twists they all hung in a Row Tossing their Legs, and moving to and fro. So have I seen the warbling Larks beset With knotty mazes of the Fowler's net, Hw they do make a flutter and a rout With wings expanded, tho' they can't get out.
Mr. Abell.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Poyson, of which there were divers sorts, yet what they most commonly made use of, was the juice of the Herb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Cicuta, not much unlike Hemlock, which thro' it's extreme coldness is poisonous; it was a draught of this gave Socrates his death,
Rem populi tractas, barbatum hoc crede Magistrum Dicere, sorbitio tollit quem dira cicutae.
You, who sustain the weight of Government, To these prudential Maxims be attent, Maxims, not mine, but that grave Sir's, whose fate A draught of Hemlock did precipitate.
(Mr. Abell.)
Saith Persius, meaning Socrates (b) 1.18.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Precipice, from which the Malefactor was tumbled headlong.

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〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, were Cudgels of wood, with which Male∣factors were beaten to death (a) 1.19, being hang'd upon a Pole, which was also call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and therefore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is by Suidas, and the Etymologist expounded 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by Hesychius; for their conceit is vain and ridiculous, that would thence inferr it to have been a kind of Gallows, or Cross. No less groundless and frivolous is their opinion, that imagine it to have been an instrument, on which Criminals were distended, like the Covering of a Drum, which the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and to have been of the same nature with the Roman Fidiculae, which were little Cords, by which Men were stretch'd upon the Rack, and seem to have resem∣bled the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, us'd in the punishment call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Cross, mention'd in Thucydides (b) 1.20, was us'd in Greece, but not so frequently as at Rome: it consisted of two Beams, one of which was plac'd cross the other; the figure of it was muchwhat the same with that of the letter T, as Lucian tells us (c) 1.21, differing only from it, because the transverse Beam was fix'd a little below the top of the straight one. The Malefactor was hang'd upon the Beam that was erect, his Feet being fix'd to it with Nails, and his Hands to each side of that which was transverse.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was a deep Pit belonging to the Tribe Hippothoontis, into which condemn'd Persons were cast headlong, it is sometimes call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, whence the publick Executioner receiv'd the appellation of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. It was a dark, noisome hole, ad had sharp Spikes at the top, that no Man might escape out, and others at the bottom, to pierce and torment such as were cast in (d) 1.22. From it's depth and capaciousness, it came to be us'd proverbially for a covetous, Miser, or voracious Glutton, that is always craving, and can never be satisfied; and such an one the Latins call'd Barathro, hence Lu∣creius (e) 1.23,

Aufer abhinc lacrymas, Barathro, & compesce querelas.
— Forbear thy sighs, Thou Miser, cease complaints, and dry thine Eyes.
And Horace,
Mendici, mimae, Barathrones, hoc genus omne (f) 1.24. Beggars, Jack-puddings, Rooksters, and such like.
A place of the same Nature was the Lacedaemonian 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, into which Aristomenes the Messenian being cast, made his escape after a wonder∣ful manner, as Pausanias reports (g) 1.25.

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〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Lapidation, was a common punishment, and usually inflicted by the primitive Greeks upon such as were taken in Adultery, as we learn from Homer's third Iliad, where Hector tells Paris, he de∣serves to dye this death,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
For all your villanies you shall be ston'd to death.
Many other punishments there were, which they inflicted for par∣ticular Crimes, some of which I shall treat of in their proper places.

As the Laws inflicted severe Penalties upon Offenders, thereby to deterr Men from Vice and Wickedness, and from base and dis∣honourable Designs, so again they conferr'd ample Rewards upon such as merited them, thereby to incite others to the practice of Vir∣tue and Honesty, and the performance of good and glorious Actions; and upon the just and equal dispensation of these two Things, it was Solon's Opinion, that the Safety of any Common-wealth chiefly de∣pended (a) 1.26. Now not to mention publick Honours and State-pre∣ferments, to which even those of the inferiour Sort might not despair of advancing themselves in a popular State, if by their eminent Ser∣vices they approv'd themselves to the People; beside these, I say, there were several publick Rewards, and Honours conferr'd upon such as had merited enough to be thought worthy of them; The chief of which were these;

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or, the privilege of having the first place at all Shows, Sports, Banquets, and publick Meetings (b) 1.27.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or, the Honour of having their Pictures, or Statues erected in the Cittadel, Forum, or other publick places of the City (c) 1.28. With such monuments of Virtue Athens seems to have abounded more than any City in the World, as will evidently appear to any, that will be at the pains to peruse Pausanias's accurate description of them.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or, Crowns, were conferr'd in the publick Assemblies by the Suffrages of the People, or by the Senators in their Council; but of these, because they were for the most part bestow'd upon those that had signaliz'd themselves by their Valour, as also of other Mili∣tary rewards, I shall give you an account of in another place.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was an immunity from all publick Duties, Taxes, and Contributions, except such as were requir'd for carrying on the Wars, which no man was excus'd from. This Honour was very rare, but yet there want not instances of it, as particularly those of Harmodius, and Aristogiton's whole Families, which enjoy'd it for a great many ge∣nerations (d) 1.29.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was a maintenance al∣low'd

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such as deserv'd well of the Common-wealth in the Common-hall, call'd Prytaneum. This Privilege was granted sometimes to whole Families for the Services of their Ancestors, as particularly to those of Hippocrates, Harmodius, and Aristogiton. Their common Fare was a sort of Cakes, or Puddings call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, upon Holy-days they had an allowance of Bread (a) 1.30; and beside other provisions, the Tenths of all the Bellies of Animals offer'd in Sacrifice were always reserv'd for them, which if any Man neglected to send, he was liable to be punish'd by the Prytanes, as we learn from Aristophanes (b) 1.31,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Your Frauds I'll to the Prytanes disclose, Since you with sacrilegious Stealth keep back The Tithes of sacred Victims Bellies.
A great deal more might be said about the Honours conferr'd after Death upon such, as had been eminently serviceable to the Common-wealth, in the celebration of their Funerals, and the pious care of their Memories, but this I shall leave to be spoken of in another place, I shall only add that not themselves only, but their Posterity reap'd the fruits of their Virtues, for if any of their Children were left in a poor condition, they seldom fail'd of obtaining a plentiful provision from the Publick; Thus Aristides's two Daughters were publickly mar∣ry'd out of the Prytaneum, the City decreeing each of them three-hun∣dred Drachms for her Portion. Nor is it to be wondred (saith my Author) that the People of Athens should take care of those that live in the City, since hearing that Aristogiton's Grand-daughter was in a low condition in the Isle of Lemnus, and, by means of her poverty, like to want Husband, they sent for her to Athens, marry'd her to a Per∣son of considerable Quality, and bestow'd upon her a large Farm, as a Dowry. Of which Bounty, and Humanity (saith he) this City of Athens, even in this Age, hath given divers Demonstrations, for which she is deservedly had in great Honour and Admiration (c) 1.32.

Notes

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