EXILE. See Banishment.

Among the Romans, the word 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 exilium, but only aquae et ignis interdictio. The same author remarks, that exile was not properly a punishment, but a voluntarily flying or avoiding the punishment decreed: Exilium non est supplicium, sed perpugnium, partusque suppellicium. He adds, that there was no crime among the Romans, as among other nations, punished with exile; but exile was a resource to which people flew voluntarily, 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. See Ostracism.