EXILE. See BANISHMENT.
Among the Romans, the word exile, exilium, properly signified an interdiction, or exclusion from water and fire; the necessary consequence of which was, that the interdicted person must betake himself into some other country, since there was no living without fire and water.—Thus, Cicero ad Herenn. observes, that the form of the sentence did not express exile, but only aqua & ignis interdictio. The same author remarks, that exile was not properly a punishment; but a voluntarily flying, or avoiding the punishment decreed: Exilium non esse supplicium, sed perfugium, partusque supplicii. He adds, that there was no crime among the Romans, as among other nations, punished with exile; but exile was a recourse people flew voluntarily to, in order to avoid chains, ignominy, starving, &c.
The Athenians frequently sent their generals and great men into exile, out of envy of their merits, or distrust of their too great authority.*