hangmen

A hangman is a device historically used for execution by hanging, typically by suspending a condemned person from a noose or ligature attached to a fixed support. The method has been employed in various forms across different cultures and legal systems, often as a form of capital punishment for serious crimes such as murder, treason, or piracy. The execution process generally involves the person being placed on a platform or drop board, with a noose placed around their neck. Upon the signal, the support is removed, allowing the person to be suspended by their neck until death occurs, typically due to asphyxiation.

Historically, hangmen were often professional executioners, sometimes referred to by titles like "hangman," "executioner," or "carcerarius" in medieval Europe. These individuals were responsible for carrying out judicial executions, though their roles varied by region and era. In some cases, hangmen were also tasked with other duties, such as maintaining prisons or overseeing executions. The profession was often stigmatized, and executioners were sometimes shunned by society.

The use of hanging as a method of execution has declined in many countries due to the abolition of capital punishment. Modern legal systems increasingly favor alternative methods or have abolished the death penalty altogether. In some jurisdictions, hangings were replaced by firing squads, electrocution, or lethal injection. The last known execution by hanging in the United States occurred in 2006, while in the United Kingdom, the method was officially abolished in 1964, though it remained in use for some crimes until 1998.

Hangmen have also been depicted in literature, film, and art, often symbolizing justice, punishment, or the darker aspects of human society. Their role in history reflects broader societal attitudes toward crime, punishment, and the administration of justice.