duels

A duel is a formalized combat between two people, typically conducted to settle a contested matter of honor, following agreed rules and in the presence of witnesses.

Historically, duels arose in Europe and spread to the Americas, reaching prominence among military officers and the aristocracy from the early modern period through the 19th century. Common weapons included swords such as the rapier or smallsword and, later, single-shot dueling pistols. Duels could be fought at close range or after a set distance, and the objectives varied from ensuring honor to achieving a bloodless resolution.

Dueling was often organized under codes that prescribed how challenges were issued, how seconds and physicians participated, where and when the meeting would take place, and what engagements were permissible. These codes, sometimes associated with the Code Duello in various regions, aimed to regulate violence and reduce unintended harm. The proceedings combined ritual, negotiation, and, when needed, a formal surrender or reconciliation.

In many countries, dueling was illegal or discouraged by law, and social acceptance waned as state authorities extended penalties. The practice declined in the late 19th century due to legal reforms, changes in attitudes toward violence, and the growth of alternative forms of competition, such as fencing, marksmanship, or sport.

Today, the term survives mainly as a historical reference and in metaphor, describing reputational or ceremonial confrontations. Dueling also influenced literature, cinema, and discussions of honor, codes of conduct, and the limits of personal resolve.