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E.V. Rung (Moscow) – The System of Punishment for State Crimes in the Achemenid Empire

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Abstract

The article examines the system of punishments in the Achaemenid Empire. The material examined demonstrates that the system of punishments for state crimes included, on the one hand, traditional types of punishment causing both mutilation (cutting off the nose, ears, g ouging out an eye) and death (fl aying, impaling, beheading) of the condemned, and, on the other hand, punishments obviously used exclusively in Persia (trough torture – “scaphism”, throwing into smoldering ashes). The latter could have been introduced by individual Persian kings in certain circumstances. For example, scaphism is mentioned for the fi rst time under Artaxerxes I, and aga in - under Artaxerxes II. However, throwing into smoldering ashes is ass ociated only with the reign of Darius II. In addition, it is possible to determine the evolution in the Achaemenids attitude towards the system of punishments. For example, Darius I, Xerxes I, Artaxerxes II adhered to the traditional system of punishments. Artaxerxes I practiced a more humane approach, while Artaxerxes III, on the contrary, was introducing a harsher system of punishments. Darius II, in turn, tried to reform the system of punishments, introducing a new type of execution. Punishment for state crimes was not only a legal, but also an ideological factor in the domestic and foreign policies of the Achaemenids. It was considered the most eff ective way to cause fear in both the enemies of the Persian Kings and its subjects, and to prevent the latter from conspiring or rebelling against the king.

Keywords

Persia, Achaemenids, law, crime, punishment.

Eduard V. Rung

Russian State University for the Humanities, Moscow, Russia

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Acknowledgements: Russian Science Foundation, project no. № 23-28-01562

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