Abstract
Medieval historians evaluated the deaths of individuals in moral terms and often interpreted them as divine intervention. They discerned two types of death: a good, even beautiful death in terms of the “Art of Dying,” and a bad, shameful death, particularly when inflicted in a public execution. However, the indignity of a public death could lead to greater admiration for and a positive judgment about the executed because of the way in which he met his end. While such a “legal death” contained obvious elements of retribution, deterrence, and atonement in a sacral sense, the spectacle of a public execution could provide a very subtle interplay of learning and teaching how to die on the part of the executed and the spectators alike.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
