Child Sacrifice

**antisocialmunky** · 01-19-2009, 03:31

Originally Posted by Antinous

Never heard of the romans burying people alive before as a way of torture or sacrifice.

Vestal Virgins got buried alive periodically when they were found to have slept with someone.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 01-19-2009, 04:04

Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

Vestal Virgins got buried alive periodically when they were found to have slept with someone.

That was because it was illegal to kill them, they weren't actually burried, they were walled up underground with food and water. That way you didn't offend the Gods, because you hadn't actually killed them.

**antisocialmunky** · 01-19-2009, 04:49

Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla

That was because it was illegal to kill them, they weren't actually burried, they were walled up underground with food and water. That way you didn't offend the Gods, because you hadn't actually killed them.

I know that, but I don't think that would hold up in a modern court. "I didn't kill her, I buried her in a small room with some water and food for a few days with no intention of digging her up."

**Atilius** · 01-19-2009, 05:00

Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

Vestal Virgins got buried alive periodically when they were found to have slept with someone.

That was a punishment, not torture or sacrifice.

**Antinous** · 01-19-2009, 05:30

That doesn't sound like murder at all.(with lots of sarcasm)

**antisocialmunky** · 01-19-2009, 05:57

Originally Posted by Atilius

That was a punishment, not torture or sacrifice.

And how do the psychological and physical effects of being buried alive not factor in?

**russia almighty** · 01-19-2009, 06:13

I'm sure they were left with an oversized butter knife.

**Atilius** · 01-19-2009, 06:16

Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

And how do the psychological and physical effects of being buried alive not factor in?

What? My point was that you quoted Antinous' post:

Originally Posted by Antinous

Never heard of the romans burying people alive before as a way of torture or sacrifice.

and responded with an example of something that was neither torture nor sacrifice.

**Antinous** · 01-19-2009, 06:28

That sure does sound like torture. There is no way that can be put as a punishment. If I was one of those women I would ask for a special drink made of hemlock for myself.

**HunGeneral** · 01-19-2009, 11:06

Originally Posted by Antinous

If I was one of those women I would ask for a special drink made of hemlock for myself.

Maybe they were given something like that..
By the way has anyone of you heard of any evidence of such a "Punishment" having been found?

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 01-19-2009, 12:48

Originally Posted by Antinous

That sure does sound like torture. There is no way that can be put as a punishment. If I was one of those women I would ask for a special drink made of hemlock for myself.

It was not torture. We have said, it was a punishment because killing her was illegal under any circumstances. Nor would she be given hemlock, as that would be allowing her to commit suicide. This a religious issue, not a jurisprudal one.

If you don't like it either get over it or study another culture.

**We shall fwee...Wodewick** · 01-19-2009, 14:05

Wow, thanks guys! This has started a nice little discussion.

**antisocialmunky** · 01-19-2009, 14:51

What? My point was that you quoted Antinous' post and responded with an example of something that was neither torture nor sacrifice.

You're right, it was just something that came to mind in relation to buried alive rather than the latter part.

Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla

It was not torture. We have said, it was a punishment because killing her was illegal under any circumstances. Nor would she be given hemlock, as that would be allowing her to commit suicide. This a religious issue, not a jurisprudal one.

If you don't like it either get over it or study another culture.

Way to over react: "You object to part, therefore you reject the whole." I guess you love everything associated with Roman culture huh?

Look, we aren't saying that Roman culture = bad, we were saying that that punishment would totally suck. We were also saying that it had a side effect of inflicting mental distress. If you've read or seen commentary by people who have actually been buried alive, the most common sentiment is that they never want to do it again because its a psychologically terrifying experience. There is something primally terrifying in being buried alive.

So yes it was a punishment. We aren't saying that the primary intent wasn't punsihment. We are just saying that there is an element of torture that is a side effect of being buried alive because many of us would consider being placed in a position like that extremely terrifying.

tor⋅ture /ˈtɔrtʃər/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [tawr-cher] Show IPA Pronunciation
noun, verb, -tured, -tur⋅ing.
–noun 1. the act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty.
2. a method of inflicting such pain.
3. Often, tortures. the pain or suffering caused or undergone.
4. extreme anguish of body or mind; agony.
5. a cause of severe pain or anguish.
–verb (used with object) 6. to subject to torture.
7. to afflict with severe pain of body or mind: My back is torturing me.
8. to force or extort by torture: We'll torture the truth from his lips!
9. to twist, force, or bring into some unnatural position or form: trees tortured by storms.
10. to distort or pervert (language, meaning, etc.).

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Origin:
1530–40; < LL tortūra a twisting, torment, torture. See tort, -ure
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc.

On a side note: I don't really see what's wrong with calling it a ritualized killing when you understand the intent and the fact that its a way to get around a law.