The Death Penalty: King Hammurabi Of Babylon

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In the eighteenth century, King Hammurabi of Babylon was the first to introduce the death penalty, and others were quick to follow. The death penalty later became the only punishment for all crimes in Britain. Methods for punishment included crucifixion, drowning, beatings, burning alive and impalement. Although these methods did not last long, by the Tenth Century A.D., hanging became the more common method used. When Europeans first settled in America they brought along with them capital punishment. Captain George Kendall was the first to be executed in America in the Jamestown Colony of Virginia in 1608, for being a spy for Spain. His execution then led to the Divine, Moral and Martial laws enacted by Virginia Governor, Sir Thomas Dale.

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