Medieval ordeals worked by exploiting defendants’ genuine fear of divine punishment
Evidence
From the beginning of Plato’s Republic it is clear that the fear of punishment after death was common in fifth-century Athens, and it is not likely that it grew less in the interval between Socrates and Epicurus. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1015 (
#corroborates, via linked claim)
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Popular Greek religion included widespread fear of punishment after death — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1015
Related
Broader Connections
- Popular Greek religion included widespread fear of punishment after death
#corroborates(0.78) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1015