Post

Warzone Codger wrote:

The Roman had the practice of 'Decimation', in the original meaning of the word. The cohort is divided into groups of ten and they pick straws to see who will be executed/decimated.

This system is a good balance to ensure the entire group bears responsibility, while acknowledging that practical problems of punishing every single individual.

Imagine the fear of being executed, and when you aren't picked but your battle-mate is. The one you went to war with. The one that you survived with. And you also would have to kill him, the group would stone him to death. It's a terrible feeling, and exactly what made it so effective.