The History of Punishment

The History of Punishment is divided into two parts. The first is a historical overview of the main currents of penal thought and practice as established by the first civilizations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The latter half of the book is a survey of the four main methods of punishment: imprisonment, corporal punishment, the death penalty and a consideration of torture. From punishment as described in the Bible to ancient Babylonian law codes, from the Greeks to the Romans, from China to India, from Mohammad to Sharia law today, the book explores the changing attitudes to law and punishment across thousands of years and widely different societies. Featuring more than 100 black-&-white photographs and artworks, The History of Punishment is a fascinating examination of penal practice across the centuries.