Beheadings

Beheading, or decapitation, is the act of removing the head from the body. Throughout history it has been used as a form of execution, punishment, or ritual in various cultures and periods.

Historically, decapitation was a common legal punishment in many societies. Methods included swords, axes, and other blades, as well as devices such as the guillotine in the late 18th century. In Europe, beheading could be used for high-status offenses or as a public spectacle; in Asia and the Middle East, it appeared in different legal and wartime contexts. The practice waned in many countries as legal systems reformed and abolition movements gained momentum.

In the modern era, state-administered beheading remains rare but persists in a few jurisdictions; for example, capital punishment by sword is reported in some states where it is legally sanctioned. Beheading has also been employed by extremist groups as propaganda or during executions, actions widely condemned by the international community.

Beheading intersects with debates over the death penalty, human rights, and criminal justice. International law addresses capital punishment variably by jurisdiction, with many states moving toward abolition or moratoriums on executions. The topic remains a sensitive and controversial element of legal and cultural history.