SANCŢIONAREA CRIMELOR DE RĂZBOI ÎN ANTICHITATE ŞI EVUL MEDIU
THE SANCTION OF WAR CRIMES IN ANTIQUITY AND MIDDLE AGES

Summary/Abstract: Although war has been a constant presece in the analised period, there were few rules to regulate its conduct, this issue beeng often at the mercy of the military commanders. According to our rules, war in Antiquity and the Middle Ages was barbaric, but for those times it was perfectly normal. Cruelty was intended as an example, which aimed at descouraging those who might want to challenge the authority of the winner or to fight him. In Antiquity there were some provisions that attempt to limit excesses, but with a limited and selective application. These rules were not an expression of humanitarian spirit, but of utility, in order for the winner to obtain maximum benefits from a victory (it was more profitable to sell as slaves the inhabitants of conquered cities than kill them). In the Middle Ages as a result of religious wars in Europe, or battles between Muslims and Christians, the situation worsened. However, in this dark period a first ray of hope appeared in the form of chivalric code, which although had a limited applicability, was a beginning.

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