Comment by cat_plus_plus

Maybe they had most peaceful society possible at the time, all things considered? Democracy / constitutional republic is an option for highly intelligent and engaged population. Didn't work for Greeks, Romans and Russians, at this rate not sure how long it will work in US. Without democracy, revolts just result in more revolts because new rulers have no special claim of legitimacy. Outright prosecution invites revenge and preemptive backstabbing out of fear. So, if that's all the options you have, maybe keeping society calm by people "accepting" their own punishment is the best you can do. Mind you, I don't want to live in that kind of society, but compared to people literally tearing each other's hearts out on streets in Syria...?