From the History of Punishment

The … and correction of … has changed considerably through the ages, reflecting custom, economic conditions, and religious and political ideas.

In ancient Babylonia, it was common to punish … … by placing offenders in slavery. Slaves were the … of their master and could be branded and flogged at his …; escape attempts were … …. Although the lives of people who had lost their … were severely restricted, they сould engage in business, borrow money, and buy their freedom.

In early Greece and Rome, the most common state-administered punishment was banishment or exile (вигнання, депортація). Only slaves were commonly subjected to … … … for their misdeeds. In the earliest period of Roman history, for exam­ple, the only crime for which … … could be administered was furtum manifestum – a thief caught in the act was executed on the spot (негайно, на місці). More common were economic sanctions and …, levied for such crimes as … on a slave, an … or housebreaking.

During the Middle Ages (fifth to eleventh centuries A.D.), there was little law or government control. Offences were settled by blood feuds carried out by the families of the injured parties. When possible, the Rome custom of settling disputes by fine or an exchange of property was adopted as a mean of resolving interpersonal conflicts with a minimum of bloodshed.

After the eleventh century, during the feudal period, … … … … was common punishment for persons who violated the law and custom. The word felony comes from the twelfth century, when the term felonia referred to a breach of faith with one`s feudal lord.