The guillotine is best known for its use in France, in particular during the French Revolution, when it “became a part of popular culture” and it became celebrated as the people’s avenger by supporters of the Revolution and vilified as the pre-eminent symbol of the Reign of Terror by opponents.”
The notorious killing machine of the French Revolution, was used to behead thousands, including King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. The guillotine continued to be used long after the Revolution and remained France’s standard method of judicial execution until the abolition of capital punishment with the backing of President François Mitterrand in 1981. The last person guillotined in France was Hamida Djandoubi, on 10 September 1977.
Coroner’s Report
Why was it a humane form of execution for its time, and did victims’ brains continue functioning after decapitation?
Contents
16 octobre 1793 Mort de la Reine
You must be logged in to post a comment.