Function of stoning as a punishment

[Martinus]

Other than being a particularly painful and nasty way to die, was there any additional function to stoning that made it preferable in certain cases to other forms of execution?

I mean, it appears to be present in many Mediterranean cultures of bronze and iron age, and was frequently used with respect to women, and not just for adultery (for example, Odoacer's wife was stoned to death by order of Theodoric). Is there any reason for that? I can only speculate that it being a form of execution usually performed collectively, by a group of people rather than a single executioner (and with no person being clearly the one who struck the killing blow) it could have been some measure of dividing/avoiding responsibility but I cannot think of any other particular justification for it.

[Eddie Teach]

I can only speculate that it being a form of execution usually performed collectively, by a group of people rather than a single executioner

Yeah, that's probably what the appeal was. Also, it's cheap and requires no specialized equipment, so small villages could join the fun.

[Josquius]

As well as responsibility for actually killing someone its also collective justice I guess.

And its pretty low tech and easy to do.

[PDH]

It does take a shit ton of weed though.

[The Brain]

What would make more sense to throw?

[Martinus]

What would make more sense to throw?

Farm animals.

[Syt]

What would make more sense to throw?

Apple products.

[Grey Fox]

Do not forget the entertainment value of it.

[Martim Silva]

Do not forget the entertainment value of it.

This.

Don't forget that humans have a morbid fascination with executions (as long as they're not the ones getting whacked). France stopped having public beheadings in the 1930s exactly because massive crowds gathered to watch the executions, and beacuse members of the public still wanted to drench their handckerchiefs in the blood of the executed after the deed, even though it was already the XXth century.

(just think of what would happen if an execution was made public/aired live on TV today: the attendance would be enormous).

So, while executions were always a source of entertainment and example, stonings also provided a low-tech interactive experience, where everyone could see if they could hit the wretch at the wrong end of the throwing area. I suppose it was used mostly on women because stoning was done by males, adding a sort of sexual tension to it.

[DGuller]

(just think of what would happen if an execution was made public/aired live on TV today: the attendance would be enormous).

Not with lethal injections.  Yeah, watching at the heart rate monitor is soooo exciting. 

[szmik]

but I cannot think of any other particular justification for it.

fun 

[alfred russel]

So, while executions were always a source of entertainment and example, stonings also provided a low-tech interactive experience, where everyone could see if they could hit the wretch at the wrong end of the throwing area. I suppose it was used mostly on women because stoning was done by males, adding a sort of sexual tension to it.

A big part was guys getting their rocks off.

[Martim Silva]

Not with lethal injections.  Yeah, watching at the heart rate monitor is soooo exciting. 

I admit that's not the coolest execution ever, and ratings would be better with an electric chair, but even so, I think even just waiting for the guy to croak, and seeing his anxietey, would make a lot of people watch it.

(just the thought 'it's not me' would give confort and internal pleasure to many)

A big part was guys getting their rocks off.

It was where hard rock started 

[Viking]

all that plus the participation effect you get by having the entire society take part.

[jimmy olsen]

all that plus the participation effect you get by having the entire society take part.