5 ms·

In ancient times, one was innocent until proven guilty. But, hey: Progress.

by smitty1e 2y ago

throwaway14356 2y ago
That was not long ago. In ancient times you wouldn't be on trial if you were innocent.
- upon_drumhead 2y ago
  Salem might want a word...
  - dspillett 2y ago
    That is the sort of thing Mx Throwaway was getting at: the fact that you were on trial was often seen as a sign of guilt, because why would an innocent person be on trial? Almost everybody else on trial was found guilty, so why should this trial be any different?
- eesmith 2y ago
  The Code of Hammurabi says otherwise. Quoting from http://www.general-intelligence.com/library/hr.pdf http://www.general-intelligence.com/library/hr.pdf, linked-to from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi: 1. If any one ensnare another, putting a ban upon him, but he can not prove it, then he that ensnared him shall be put to death. 2. If any one bring an accusation against a man, and the accused go to the river and leap into the river, if he sink in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river prove that the accused is not guilty, and he escape unhurt, then he who had brought the accusation shall be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of the house that had belonged to his accuser. 3. If any one bring an accusation of any crime before the elders, and does not prove what he has charged, he shall, if it be a capital offense charged, be put to death.
whimsicalism 2y ago
i think you might have an overly romanticized view of justice in ancient times
- smitty1e 2y ago
  "In ancient times" was intended as sarcasm, but labeling this as "Progress" made that point too subtly, I realize.
mr_toad 2y ago
Up until the last couple of centuries most countries didn’t have any sort of pro-active policing, beyond posting a bounty or a wanted notice. Unless you were caught red handed it was up to private citizens - thief takers, bounty hunters, or the aggrieved victims and family - to attempt to apprehend wanted criminals.

In ancient times, one was innocent until proven guilty. But, hey: Progress.

throwaway14356 2y ago

That was not long ago. In ancient times you wouldn't be on trial if you were innocent.

upon_drumhead 2y ago
Salem might want a word...
- dspillett 2y ago
  That is the sort of thing Mx Throwaway was getting at: the fact that you were on trial was often seen as a sign of guilt, because why would an innocent person be on trial? Almost everybody else on trial was found guilty, so why should this trial be any different?
eesmith 2y ago
The Code of Hammurabi says otherwise. Quoting from http://www.general-intelligence.com/library/hr.pdf http://www.general-intelligence.com/library/hr.pdf, linked-to from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi: 1. If any one ensnare another, putting a ban upon him, but he can not prove it, then he that ensnared him shall be put to death. 2. If any one bring an accusation against a man, and the accused go to the river and leap into the river, if he sink in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river prove that the accused is not guilty, and he escape unhurt, then he who had brought the accusation shall be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of the house that had belonged to his accuser. 3. If any one bring an accusation of any crime before the elders, and does not prove what he has charged, he shall, if it be a capital offense charged, be put to death.

whimsicalism 2y ago

i think you might have an overly romanticized view of justice in ancient times

smitty1e 2y ago
"In ancient times" was intended as sarcasm, but labeling this as "Progress" made that point too subtly, I realize.

mr_toad 2y ago

Up until the last couple of centuries most countries didn’t have any sort of pro-active policing, beyond posting a bounty or a wanted notice. Unless you were caught red handed it was up to private citizens - thief takers, bounty hunters, or the aggrieved victims and family - to attempt to apprehend wanted criminals.