Paul von Otting is the first to present a comprehensive monograph on the cultural history of the (late) ancient death penalty, critically revising the prevailing conception of a regime of violence during this period. In addition, he determines the place of capital punishment within the changing society and culture of the late antique world, offering new insights into the nature of pre-modern criminal justice.

The Romans were not exactly known for their leniency towards criminals. Particularly during Late Antiquity, they are often described as especially brutal towards those on the wrong side of the law. But is this really true? Despite their poor reputation, most cruel forms of execution disappeared in the fourth century. State coercion faced increasing scrutiny by Christian authorities and sometimes resisted by the population, as doubts arose about the notorious raison d'état of Late Antiquity. But why did punishments such as the arena punishment or crucifixion become uncommon? Where did executions take place and how were they perceived by those present? What influence did the Christianization of the Imperium Romanum have on criminal justice? Paul von Otting addresses these and other questions by taking the fate of a woman sentenced to death as the starting point for the first comprehensive history of the Roman death penalty.

Autorentext
Geboren 1992; Studium der Geschichte und Lateinischen Philologie an der LMU München; Bachelor und Master Geschichte LMU München; Promotion LMU München; wiss. Mitarbeiter an der LMU München.

Inhalt

1. Das Wunder von Vercelli
   
   2. Die Strafe
   3. Der Kaiser
   4. Der Richter
   5. Der Henker
   6. Das Publikum
   7. Die Verurteilten
   8. Im Garten der Qualen?