What does the law of retaliation mean? Origin and history

The law of retaliation, from Latin lex talionisoften remembered by the famous formula “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”, refers to an ancient principle of justice in which punishment corresponded directly and equitably to the harm caused.

In most modern societies, this law is not applied literally, but has evolved over time to adapt to current cultures. Contemporary legal systems are based on the idea of ​​punishment that is fair and proportionate, but not identical to the harm inflicted..

In this article, we will shed light on the meaning, origin and history of this controversial law. Let us begin.

Origin and etymology of the law of retaliation

The word “talion” comes from the Latin root talis-tale, which means ‘similar’ or ‘equal’. Therefore, The law of retaliation proposes that a bad act must be responded to with another bad act of the same magnitude.

While this rule may seem barbaric and primitive at first glance, it is essential to understand its origin in the context of ancient societies that lacked an advanced and sophisticated legal system like the current one.

Historic context

This law originated in Mesopotamia, home to some of humanity’s oldest civilizations, such as Akkadia and Babylon. It was a common practice there. It was perceived as a way to dispense justice and regulate and satisfy feelings of revenge.

The rule ruled that retaliation should be proportional to the damage inflicted, with the aim of maintaining a balance and preventing disputes from escalating uncontrollably. In this way, those who applied it sought to minimize the uncontrolled consequences of violence, where less serious crimes resulted in lighter punishments.

In addition, the law included a preventive aspect by seeking to deter potential offenders through fear of suffering similar injuries. This served as a kind of warning, discouraging people from committing criminal acts.

The first time the law of retaliation is mentioned is in the famous Hammurabi Code., made by the king of Babylon, 16 centuries before our era. Legend says that the monarch received the code from the god Shamash himself. The law was later mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, where it is described as “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

This concept has had a profound influence on ancient and contemporary cultures, affecting both our social interactions and legal systems. In relation to this, an article published in Beehive points out that the resource of brutal revenge did not completely die out, although it was relegated by more modern versions of criminal justice.

Gandhi’s wisdom on revenge

It is pertinent to remember one of Mahatma Gandhi’s most emblematic quotes: “An eye for an eye and the world will go blind.” This phrase highlights the importance of seeking justice peacefully, as opposed to the concept of direct and vindictive retaliation that this law represents.

The wisdom present in this statement has resonated throughout history as a call for conflict resolution through dialogue and empathy rather than redress.

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