Burn the Witch, the Enemy and the Evildoer! Punishment by fire in Ancient Mesopotamia

Abstract

This article intends to summarize the instances when fire is used as a tool for inflicting punishment in Mesopotamia in both ritual and legal contexts. When dealing with this kind of sanction, we should first try to understand what the inhabitants of this region thought about death, and why is immolation considered such an atrocious retribution. Fire is perceived as both judge and executioner in ritual context, and as a way of punishing capital crimes such as incest, sacrilege or treason.