Crime and Punishment...in Ancient Rome Quiz

Answer: Clubbing the convict to death.

It would seem that this kind of thing happened often? Table VIII prescribes this punishment for a lyrical law-breaker. Most countries today would treat this, at worst, as a civil matter.

Answer: Making small cuts over the entire body of the convict until they bleed to death.

It would seem that being killed by wild beasts was not a sufficient deterrent and so the drowning and burning options were encouraged in the 5th century. The visual and audio (the screams and moans lasting hours) component of the burning was considered an effective way of warning future criminals.

Answer: His creditors cut pieces from him relative to the size of the debt.

According to Table III he had to be bound and displayed in the market with minimal food. This served to embarass him. On the third market day his creditors would each cut a piece from him relative to his share. In this way they could encourage the debtor's family members to pay the debt as they would 'buy' back the body parts for burial.

Answer: Tarpeian Rock

This was also the punishment for murderers, traitors and being significantly deformed when born. This place was so named for Tarpeia, who according to legend betrayed the Romans for what the Sabines 'bore on their arms'. In return the Sabines crushed her with their shields and threw her from the rock.

Answer: An ape

Yes,an ape! It seems to have been a later addition. This punishment was for the murder of a parent or grandparent. If this doesn't sound sufficiently harsh it might be because I omitted to say that first one would be whipped till one bled and afterward be thrown into the sea or exposed to wild animals.

Answer: sacramentum

The 'sacramentum' was the military oath taken by soldiers. This was not a punishment but the requirements that one should retake the oath was and was known as "demanding sureties". 'Gradus deiection' was a reduction in the rank of the soldier, 'Missio ignominiosa' was a dishonorable discharge and 'Munerum indictio' was the giving of additional duties to the soldier.

Answer: His fellow soldiers.

The soldiers in a cohort selected for this punishment were divided into groups of ten each. These men would then draw lots to select who was to die. The other nine would then stone or club to death the soldier who drew the 'short straw'. Interestingly, this form of punishment could befall a soldier of any rank in the cohort.

Answer: St. Andrew the Apostle

St. Andrew's Cross is an 'X' shaped cross, rather than upright. This was the manner in which St. Andrew was crucifed as he did not see himself as sufficiently worthy to be crucified like Jesus of Nazareth. This cross is also know by the Latin name 'Crux decussata'.

Answer: The privilege of a legal process.

You still had to be tried and convicted of treason first. Surprisingly, the punishment for treason was usually beheading and the state confiscating all your property. This is surprising because the Romans seemed incredibly able to develop new and interesting forms of capital punishment.

Answer: Banishment

The parties to the adultery were banished to different islands. In some cases the killing of the adulterous woman was condoned. Augustus himself had to enforce this law against both his daughter and grandchild, both named Julia. Hope you enjoyed this quiz!