While our modern justice system might have its problems, it’s a vast improvement from the courts of old. Today’s word,
cephalonomancy
is a perfect example.
Cephalonomancy was used in ancient times to detect the guilt of a person accused of a crime. It involved, of all things, boiling the head of an ass.
Wha???
While boiling the head of the ass, the prosecutor would recite the names of possible suspects. If the skull cracked or the jaw moved when a name was spoken, that person was deemed to be guilty.
Engraving of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, 1875
Have mercy! And to think mankind has always been presumed to be intelligent beings. Yikes! It is a cool word though.
When I hear about these old practices for things like justice and medicine, it makes me shudder. So much useless suffering because of lack of knowledge and understanding! Reading about these old beliefs makes me appreciate that society has come a long way forward at least for some countries today.
Oh dear heavens! This is a terrible way to find out if someone is guilty. What was mankind thinking? I am glad that our justice system has improved after all these years. I would never want my life determined by something so ridiculous and unrelated.
Good grief! I am sure glad we don’t do anything so stupid as that today.
Omgosh!
Makes perfect sense.