The Eye for an Eye concept was still applied symbolically during the Middle Ages and Renaissance in the form of executioners using the same murder weapon as the criminal and also providing psychological torture before the execution.
The presence of blood on cleaning equipment might help identify the killer. The preparation of the killer can reveal a lot about the motive and preparedness for the attack.
The family of those on death row are allowed hours of visitation time with their loved one before the execution, where they can say their goodbyes and receive gifts. This policy is seen as unfair and does not account for the time or closure of the victim's family.
In this episode, historian Paul Friedland discusses the common stereotypes and misconceptions about executions in early modern Europe and sheds light on the reality surrounding them, as well as the cultural, social, and political implications of capital punishment.
Historically, public executions were a popular spectacle that could make an impression on those in attendance while also serving as a warning to others. People in the present day may find it difficult to imagine the level of interest and attention that these events once attracted.