It was understood that irresponsible behavior resulting in wrongful injury to others resulted in consequences. That understood, irresponsible behavior was deterred. What s missing when trying to compare people and ideas from past and present and from culture to culture is historical context. Beheading, stocks, floggings, many punishments previously thought effective came to be viewed as cruel. Cultures and standards change.
History continues to prove the wisdom of their vision and their fears again and again.
History is what happened, regardless of whether we like it.