In ancient Mesopotamia, the Code of Hammurabi (c. 18th century BCE) used the principle of lex talionis: “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”, for crimes. Punishments included physical mutilation (cutting off hands, breasts, tongues, or eyes) for offences like hitting a parent, stealing property, or switching a baby. There was death for crimes such as robbery or stealing from temples. Imprisonment existed…