Public executions

Public executions are formal death penalties carried out in a way that allows spectators to witness the event. Historically, they served multiple societal functions: deterring crime, reinforcing state authority, and providing a sense of justice and closure. Typically held in public spaces, they involved methods such as hanging or beheading. Today, public executions are largely abolished worldwide due to ethical concerns, human rights advocacy, and changing attitudes toward punishment and dignity. They remain a dark chapter in history, illustrating how societies have shifted toward more humane and private justice systems.