\t\t\t\tWhile our modern justice system might have its problems, it’s a vast improvement from the courts of old. Today’s word,<\/p>\n
cephalonomancy<\/p>\n
is a perfect example.<\/p>\n
Cephalonomancy was used in ancient times to detect the guilt of a person accused of a crime. It involved, of all things, boiling the head of an ass.<\/p>\n
Wha???<\/p>\n
While boiling the head of the ass, the prosecutor would recite the names of possible suspects. If the skull cracked or the jaw moved when a name was spoken, that person was deemed to be guilty.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.raisingjane.org\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/800px-Trial_by_Jury_-_Chaos_in_the_Courtroom.png\")
Engraving of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, 1875<\/p><\/div>\n
\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
While our modern justice system might have its problems, it’s a vast improvement from the courts of old. Today’s word, cephalonomancy is a perfect example. Cephalonomancy was used in ancient times to detect the guilt of a person accused of … Continue reading