branding

Corporal punishment is the infliction of physical pain as punishment for a crime or infraction. This can include actions like flogging, beating, or branding. Historically, corporal punishment was common, often following the principle of lex talionis ("an eye for an eye"). However, with the rise of humanitarian ideals, its use has significantly declined, largely replaced by imprisonment.1

Branding, in the context of punishment, involves marking a person's body, often with a hot iron, to signify a crime or status, such as a thief or runaway slave. This practice has ancient roots and was used in various societies, including ancient Greece and Rome, and later in England. While branding as a form of punishment is now rare in most developed nations, it has historically served as a deterrent and a means of identification.21