How They Did It - Prisons in Ancient Rome DOCUMENTARY
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- Опубліковано 9 тра 2020
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What was it like to go to prison in ancient Rome? In this history documentary we begin with an overview of how prisons were present since the earliest civilizations but did not function the same as today. Justice did not involve locking people up. Rather, justice was built around the idea of vengeance and the philosophy of "an eye for an eye". In this context, prisons served merely as temporary holding cells while people awaited trial or their punishment.
In ancient Rome we see this with the Mamertine prison which was built during the early monarchy. Consisting of a small dungeon, it never saw widespread use and was instead reserved for mostly high profile figures like war captives. Notable prisoners include Vercingetorix, Simon Gioras, and the Catiline Conspirators. During the late Republic however the demand for prisons increased as reforms to the criminal justice system meant more people were going to court. More public prisons were built as well as growing trend in private prisons. During the transition to the Roman Empire however the consolidation of power prompted a crackdown against private prisons and shifting the focus back to public prisons. These would continue to see use a temporary holdings cells but now also housed enemies of Rome. For the most part however, corporal punishment still remained the norm. This trend would continue through the medieval era and its only with the age of Enlightenment that we start to see justice systems shift to mass incarceration as the preferred vessel for justice.
Bibliography and suggested readings:
The Oxford History of the Prison
Penal Practice and Penal Policy in Ancient Rome
Crime and Punishment in Ancient Rome
Prison, Punishment, and Penance in Late Antiquity
The Cambridge Companion to Roman Law
#History
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Definitely check out the rest of our Law & Order in Ancient Rome series for the full view of this fascinating subject:
I've studied Roman law in law school (I'm not from the US), and I can tell you, 99% of crimes ended up with reparations and additional fines, as was established by the Lex Aquila. For instance, if I were to end a slave's life, i would have to pay the owner the highest price that slave could have had in the last year, if I did it intentionally, twice that price.
I will never look at radishes the same way again.
Bad pleb, bad pleb
The Roman Guide to Slave management translated by Jerry Toner is amazing.
2:13
Lets not forget serious crimes but not too serious for capital punishment committed by young Roman citizens had the option to serve to the Legions for full term
"eye for an eye" is not a statement of vengeance but a stipulation that the punishment should fit the crime, i.e., be reasonable. It's the most misunderstood part of ancient law I've ever seen.
Another top quality video exploring the nuanced history of life in antiquity. Thank you Invicta!
This has got to be one of my favorite history series to date
The series of law on ancient history are awesome
And remember, nobody starts stoning until I blow the whistle. Even if the do say "JEHOVA."
R A D I S H S O D O M Y
So much history so little time. Luckily we have people like you to digest it and give us a simplified version. Thank you for the work that you do, you were a huge influence on why I started my channel.
Always love when Pullo or Vorenus get a little nod! Great video as usual, but I'd like a follow up that examines the prison systems of other cultures between like 100 BCE and 200 CE just to see how the differ.
Seriously this is an amazing series, and one untouched by most channels. I'm loving this.
dude, this is an amazing channel! I have always wondered many of these questions, but haven't been able to get any good quality books lately. This channel allows me to expand my knowledge of the ancient world for free, thanks!
I really enjoy your videos, thank you for making them. Really appreciate the source being listed.
The frames on this video are from the ROME tv series (2005), i rewatched it just a week ago and is superb.
Remember when you’re in the public baths at Roman prison, don’t drop the olive oil