The shocking truth about the pilori: history of humiliation!

The shocking truth about the pilori: history of humiliation!

In the course of history, the public display of convicts was an often practiced instrument of punishment. In many European countries, including France and Germany, public punishments such as exhibiting criminals were widespread in exposed locations. This form of punishment was used to bring shame over the convict and at the same time give society an example.

The pilori, as a very well -known symbol of this practice, served not only the exposure of the convict, but also the amusement and sometimes also torture. The punishment should not only humble the perpetrator, but also as a warning to the public. The sovereignty was accompanied by the giggling and the mockery of the spectators, whose reactions could be fatal for the prisoner.

The role of the piloris in case law

The pilori was a tool of the high judiciary, often in the hands of men and judges who decided on the fates of their subjects. The public embarrassment that the convict suffered was part of a larger strategy to demonstrate authority and control. A judge decided that the criminal should be brought to the public, whereby the following reactions of the people often go far beyond mere punishment.

The legal foundations for this practice can already be found in Napoleon's new criminal law of 1810. Despite the progress that this law brought with it, there was a provision that prescribed the public issue of criminals. Depending on the severity of the crime, a convict had to spend a certain time in the pilori. The stigmatization by fire marks was also not neglected.

In many cities, these structures have become tourist destinations today, protected by local monument protection laws and often represented by city leaders who inform visitors about the dark past of the punishment.

public punishment and their importance

The public display of convicts was more than just a punishment; It was a social event. At this point, historical stories and literature meet the reality of the time. The writer Stendhal describes in his work "Le Rouge et le noir", the shilda-elderly thoughts of a woman who is afraid to be presented at the pillory.

These punishments not only had a deterrent effect on the population, but also helped to define and consolidate social norms. People knew what would happen to them should they get on the wrong track. The focus was often on the humiliation of the convict, which was displayed in a miter - a special hat with a shameful imprint.

This shows that the idea of public punishment has been reverberating to the present day. The modern concept of the “public denominator” is often used in a figurative sense in the current media reporting. Today we find ourselves in an age in which people are exposed to a court of public opinion by social media without actual legal proceedings. This raises questions about fairness and justice, in the sense of the historical debate about the public reception center.

The traces of the past can not only be found in old documents or monuments, but also in the way we tell and discuss stories. The topic remains relevant, as well as the social responsibility that we wear for the way we treat others. This complex relationship between law, public and image of society makes the memories of old practices even more important than we sometimes believe.

The complete image of these historical practices and their influence on the present can in an article on www.js.fr