Question

One of the most distinctive features of 15th Century Italian justice was its emphasis on equality of all under the law, particularly with regard to punishments.

Answer 1

15th Century Italian justice emphasized legal equality, but historically, justice systems often favored certain groups over others; reforms over time have moved towards a more enlightened approach that takes into account individual circumstances.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the distinctive features of 15th Century Italian justice was its emphasis on equality under the law, where all individuals were subjected to the same legal norms irrespective of their status. However, historical perspectives reveal that this ideal was not always a reality. For example, during the Tang dynasty, a person's birth and social roles had significant implications on the severity of their punishments, with the law favoring the privileged. Similarly, the Code of Hammurabi showed that penalties often varied based on social class. On the other hand, Roman law introduced practices such as using precedent in legal decisions and the radical concept that one is innocent until proven guilty, influencing modern justice systems. In Puritan colonies, only members of the 'elect' were treated equally under the law, somewhat contradicting the principle of equality.