Mutilation as Punishment in Zahava

The act of Mutilation has been a method of punishment in Zahava since the Iapetian sea peoples arrival, both as a method of law enforcement, ie the cutting off of a hand from someone convicted of being a thief, and as a political tool. Failed political power plays in Zahava are, by nature typically fatal affairs, mutilation is seen as a merciful alternative to execution for one's rivals and acknowledged as a gracious and fair wielding of authority.

According to the Epitoma Aiona, individuals who are mutilated are not whole and are impure, this deems them unfit for positions of authority in the eyes of the gods. Exceptions for this include wounds sustained in battle, in contrast accidents which result in permanent disfigurement are regarded as ill omens for leaders, even if the accident occurred during childhood.

The location, and severity of the mutilation depends largely upon the offense being punished. The most lenient form of mutilation is considered having ones ear cut off, as this does not directly affect the face and generally does not cause one to lose the ability to hear. Those accused of treason however are customarily totally blinded and have their tongues cut out in liue of being executed. In addition those accused of treason traditionally have their family marked, either by branding on the forehead, or cutting off the nose. Thieves typically have fingers or a hand removed, while those convicted of desecrating temples generally have their tongues removed and made deaf. Rivals to Imperial authority, and sometimes those whom have committed treason are also castrated.

The most severe forms, typically reserved for persons whom have harmed a member of the imperial family involve the removal of all sensation organs and the removal of entire limbs. Such was the punishment for Alcander, a nephew to the Emperor, whom, after being found by imperial guards attempting to strangle emperor Gelasius' son in the Palace gardens was blinded, made deaf, had his hands and feet cut off, his tongue removed and penis amputated before being made to beg naked by one of the palace gates before eventually being beaten and dragged to death through the streets of Arcanium by a mob.