Breaking news from 17th Century Algiers reported by Cavelo...
PRESS RELEASE:
Barbary Slave by Cavelo
(KW AM-SLAVE PUNISHMENT) (DO 233/M PA)
DV: (4.22)03-MAY-1681
(ON-LINE WIRE WZOO:D0233;N BRX)
(WB) Christian slave punished for relationship with Moslem woman
Algiers- An estimated crowd of 3000 gathered in the town's main square today to witness sentence being carried out against a Christian slave who indulged in sexual encounters with a Moslem woman.
The slave, Michel (last name unknown), 23, a native of Brittany, was owned by Saban Akmed Agha, one of the richest and most influential men in Algiers. The slave was arrested last Tuesday in the public baths while in the arms of a Moslem woman. Michel was apparently smuggled into the baths, dressed as a woman, by one of Agha's wives. It is rumored that Agha's favorite wife, Ayisha, had taken the young Christen slave as a lover -- this she managed with the connivance of Agha's 5 other wives. Agha eventually learned of Ayisha 's infidelity from his older wives and had the couple arrested.
Ottoman law demands terrible penalties for sexual intercourse between a Christian man and a Moslem woman; the former to be beheaded or burned alive, the latter sewn up in a sack and thrown into sea.
During the trial Agha had an apparent change of heart and sought repeatedly to influence the judge on his wife's behalf. He pleaded with the judge to take pity on his wife for her indiscretions and to lessen the sentence.
The judge was persuaded -- the woman was prohibited from ever entering the public baths again. The offending slave's sentence was also commuted.
The sentence was carried out today in Algiers' main square where a large crowd gathered. The most well-behaved crowd watched as the slave was stripped completely naked. He was then strung up by his right wrist and ankle and given the 300 lashes the sentence called for. Finally, he was castrated.
The slave was also sentenced to spend the remainder of his days at the oars in the galleys.
PP-DS-03-MAY-1681 1726 EDT/L
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31118azti - June 6, 2019, 8:37 am
Excellent story and thrilling artwork….thanks.