A Few Strange Facts About Ancient Death Penalties

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Many countries have used the death penalty. It has been used for different reasons and enforced in several different ways. The death penalty has evolved over the centuries from gruesome public be-headings to private lethal injections. As the evolution occurred so did the rising cost of enforcing the death penalty.

The use of the death penalty has been enforced throughout history and in various different cultures.  During the 18th century BC, in Babylon, the Code of King Hammurabi established the death penalty for twenty five different crimes; however murder was not part of the list.  Draconian Code of Athens, in the 7th century BC, enforced the death penalty for any crime that was committed. In Rome during the 5th century BC the Twelve Tablets established the guidelines for the death penalty. The Romans would use different methods for enforcing which depended on a person’s social status. Methods included crucifixion, drowning at sea, beating to death, burial alive, as well as impalement; in addition to these methods the Romans as had a unique penalty for those who killed a parent. The condemned was put in a sack with a dog, rooster, a viper, and an ape was then submerged in the water.

So you think the death penalty is too harsh now just think about what would go on in that sack if you killed your parents.