殷纣“炮烙之刑”释疑

On the Interpretation of King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty's‘Pao Lao Zhi Xing’

殷商“炮烙之刑”重点在“炮”,原意为烧杀,它与辽的“炮烙之刑”重点在“烙”,即灼伤,是不同的。殷纣的“炮格之法”是殷商“炮烙之刑”的一种具体执行办法,即在用薪或焦炭烧死人前,加入了罪犯在圜木(而非铜格、铜柱)上行走的娱乐成分。殷纣的“炮格之法”,惩罚的并不是自由民,它对外惩罚诸侯反叛者,对内惩罚有怨望的百姓。

The original meaning of the late Shang Dynasty's"pao luo zhi xing"was burning and killing,and it differs from the Liao's"pao luo zhi xing,"where the emphasis is on"luo"(burning).The"pao ge zhi fa"of King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty is a specific implementation method of the"pao luo zhi xing"punishment,which adds an element of entertainment by making the criminals walk on a round log(instead of a bronze lattice or column)before being burned to death using firewood or charcoal.King Zhou's"pao ge zhi fa"does not punish free citizens;instead,it targets rebellious vassals externally and disgruntled commoners internally.