Explanation: During the Crisis of the Third Century and the split of the Roman Empire into 3/4 squabbling factions, the Roman Emperor Aurelian was tasked with re-uniting the Empire. Aurelian had devastated previous cities which had rebelled after his ascension, but Aurelian, after having a dream wherein a famous philosopher implored him to show mercy, offered fair terms to the city of Tyana.

Aurelian’s men, however, were upset, and reminded him that he said that ‘not even a dog’ would survive his capture of Tyana - words which would normally be accepted as hyperbole, but the troops were hoping to change Aurelian’s decision so they could have a little murder and robbery in the city - as a treat!

Aurelian conceded the point. Aurelian was a man of his word, after all.

He gave the troops permission to kill all the dogs in the city. And nothing else.