9781422279977

Law and Order in the Ancient World

Words to Understand

The man cowered in the dust, his arms covering his head. He whimpered prayers for protection as the stones cut his flesh and broke his bones, slowly, painfully taking his life. The crowd continued throwing stones, taunting as they did so: “Traitor! Rebel! This is what you get for plotting against the king!” Naboth could barely speak, but he tried to be heard above the shouts: “I am innocent! It is all a lie!” Nonetheless, the stoning continued until Naboth lay still on the ground, his blood pooling in the sand. The crowd quieted, then left. Not far away, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel watched from a tower on the city walls. Their fortress afforded a clear view of the stoning. Ahab seemed troubled. He looked at his wife. “Do you think anyone suspects?” The queen chuckled softly. “No one suspects. I paid the men well to conspire against Naboth. You can take his field now, just as youwished. As far as the people are concerned, justice has been served.” Acquitted: Declared not guilty by a court or judge. Blasphemy: A show of disrespect for God or sacred things. Gulag: A network of labor camps used in the former Soviet Union during the time of Joseph Stalin, especially to punish political dissidents. Penology: The study of the treatment of criminals and incarceration. Premeditated: Planned.

This copper engraving depicts the horrific death by stoning of Naboth.

9

The History of Punishment and Imprisonment

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