Barbarian Justice

[Hedgemage]

I'm trying to think of some of the more common rules/laws/prohibitions that real-world 'barbaric' cultures had. There's the fairly universal 'lose a hand for stealing' and 'lose your tongue for harmful lying' crime/punishment combos, but I wanted to find some more.

Also, along with this, I wanted to find out what some people thought about these types of quick and brutal punishments. Would they be acceptable for a good-aligned culture?

 

[Liquide]

I'm trying to think of some of the more common rules/laws/prohibitions that real-world 'barbaric' cultures had. There's the fairly universal 'lose a hand for stealing' and 'lose your tongue for harmful lying' crime/punishment combos, but I wanted to find some more.

Also, along with this, I wanted to find out what some people thought about these types of quick and brutal punishments. Would they be acceptable for a good-aligned culture?

Those are actually punishments in old lawful cultures mate , and since there has been no REAL barbarian cultures in the world I cannot really debate on this.

The Old Norse were a very strict and lawful society, which kinda contradicts what some people think here

 

[Heap Thaumaturgist]

Definately applicable to a good culture.

Then again, we have to realize that "good" is a relative term based on the moral constructs of the main hegemonic structure influencing whoever's perception we're using to make the determination.

In a culture whose context is much less economically stable than our own and who survives only through great struggle and the absolute cohesion of all within the society in terms of ideology and behavior then punishment which is severe and swift and a situation offering very little in options may be "good".

To us drinking camel milk might be disgusting and branding theives before banishment might be a bit extreme, but it might be what this 'barbarian' culture does to exist.

-- HT

 

[Hedgemage]

Ah, branding and banishment. I had forgotten about those.

There was also cutting off noses and ears to mark someone as a criminal. I remember reading a law about how Quakers caught in Massachusetts Bay Colony would be branded and have an ear cut off, and when they ran out of ears, they would move on to noses and tongues. Something our Pilgim forefathers thought was all well and good.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Wereguild, the payment for wrongs done. This could be in money, goods or service. Even to the point of taking in a family as your own.

Failure of payment or duty meant that every one will turn their backs on you, no door wil be open to you and no camp will welcome you. In harsh areas a person alone did not make it too long.

 

[Darraketh]

It’d probably be easier to inquire about what one would now consider barbaric forms of punishment. Then pick a few to adapt to your needs.

Put to the lash.
Slavery: laborer, oarsman etc.
Fed to wild beasts or insects.
Stoned.
Crushed.
Dragged.
Keel hauled.
Put to the rack.
Burned.
Staked out.
Crucified.
Drawn and quartered.
Drowned as in a dunking chair.
Blinded.
Fed molten lead or hot coals.
Skinned alive.
Locked in stocks.
Watch inane children’s shows.

All of these I’ve read about at one time or another.

 

[Turlogh]

Trial by combat is fairly common form of punishment in some societies.
In some cases the criminal's family might be punished along with him/her- sins of the father and all.

 

[Tonguez]

The Yama of 'Ghenghis' Khan is generally available around the net and is the system of laws the Great Khan imposed upon the clans who became the Mongol Empire.

A short translation would be - if you break the law you die...

In my culture Punishment took two forms either Muru or Utu

Muru was for within clans and relates mainly to civil 'crimes of (social) negligence (such as allowing your child to drown or get burnt), lying and stealing (which was rare becuase of communal property practices). Muru would involve members of the affected family coming to your home beating you with sticks and then 'raiding' your home and taking what ever they wanted.

Utu was for inter-clan criminal offences (rape, murder, black magic, violation of religious prohibitions) and pretty much involved killing the criminal party.

 

[eXodus]

now why would you need something like that? (private joke)

 

[med stud]

Actually, fines was a very common punishment, and weregeld. So if someone kills your uncle, you can A) have the killer executed or B) get compensation from the killer (often a very high compensation)q