AHC: Trial By Gambling Is Common

Medieval European cultures sometimes used trial by combat in the belief that God would grant the righteous side victory. Divination has also been popular throughout history. Could a system of law arise where trials are conducted through gambling, in the belief that wherever the dice fall determines guilt or innocence, due to it being seen as divine will?

Urim and Thummim in Israelite society as depicted in 1 Samuel 14:41 seem to be a historical example, but could such a practice be more widespread? Are there other cultures that did this that I am ignorant about?


(I was inspired to make the topic after thinking of one of the Vaults in Fallout New Vegas, where all disputes are resolved by gambling)
 

Sabot Cat

Banned
Perhaps a trial by jury, where the juror with the deciding vote is drawn by lots, implemented with reference to this sort of thing happening in the book of Jonah?
 

LordKalvert

Banned
Perhaps a trial by jury, where the juror with the deciding vote is drawn by lots, implemented with reference to this sort of thing happening in the book of Jonah?

That actually became a common practice when the jury system was introduced in Imperial Russia with the peasants determining guilt in tough cases by casting lots before an icon
 

Sabot Cat

Banned
That actually became a common practice when the jury system was introduced in Imperial Russia with the peasants determining guilt in tough cases by casting lots before an icon

That's pretty neat; it feels good when I accidentally stumble into historical fact with my speculation. :D
 
So how do you think such a system would handle crimes like cheating at cards or throwing loaded dice?
 
So how do you think such a system would handle crimes like cheating at cards or throwing loaded dice?

The idea I had in mind when creating the topic was a fatalist theocratic kind of society. Chances are it would be interpreted as "taking the gods' will in vain", which would be dealt with in a similar fashion to how religious inquisitions treated blasphemy or heresy historically. Or an alternate trial by combat where the odds are stacked heavily against the offender. (e.g. giving the criminal a blunt wooden sword when the opponent is wearing plate armor)

It's almost as much a fantasy story idea I've kicked around in my head as much as a "historical what if" really.
 
The idea I had in mind when creating the topic was a fatalist theocratic kind of society. Chances are it would be interpreted as "taking the gods' will in vain", which would be dealt with in a similar fashion to how religious inquisitions treated blasphemy or heresy historically. Or an alternate trial by combat where the odds are stacked heavily against the offender. (e.g. giving the criminal a blunt wooden sword when the opponent is wearing plate armor)

Yes, it would be seen as blasphemy, likely, like swearing (profanity) is, compared to swearing (e.g. in a court of law).
 
I wonder how much measurement tech could advance as the society looks for loaded dice and try to produce the most uniform ones they can.
 
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