Few issues have been as hotly debated and controversial as the death penalty, with its many conflicting moral, social, and legal implications. There are compelling arguments for final punishment, and equally strong arguments exist for ending its practice. Additionally, given its divisive history, globally and uniquely in the United States, this issue is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. In the United States in particular, the issue is of great importance to the Bill of Rights and the 8th Amendment, which prevent cruel and unusual punishment. The death penalty, due to the intense debate over its morality and constitutionality, as well as the many conflicting decisions made on it to date, is and will likely remain a highly controversial issue in the United States. The death penalty has existed almost as long as civilization itself, established in the 18th century BC in one of the first great societies, by the Code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon, which provided for the death penalty for 25 unique crimes . Additionally, the death penalty continued to be used in early civilizations, such as in the Hittite Code, the Draconian Code of Athens, and the Roman law of the Twelve Tablets, which lasted for hundreds of years. At the time, most death sentences were gruesome and painful, including drowning, beatings, burning, impalement and crucifixion. Later, in countries such as Britain, hanging became the predominant method of inflicting capital punishment, and William the Conqueror, who reigned at that time, abolished the death penalty altogether, making it a measure spectacular. However, the death penalty was reinstated in the 16th century under Henry VII, where thousands and thousands of people were... middle of paper ...... etter, Michael. “Death penalty and crime rate: what you need to know.” Issues: understanding controversy and society. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. February 27, 2014.KENNEDY v. LOUISIANA. The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. February 25, 2014. “Part I: History of the death penalty.” Deathpenaltyinfo.org. Death Penalty Information Center, nd Web. February 24, 2014. “Methods of Execution.” Deathpenaltyinfo.org. Death Penalty Information Center, 2011. Web. February 25, 2014. Banks, Cyndi. “Capital Punishment: Overview.” Issues: understanding controversy and society. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. February 27, 2014. “Capital Punishment: Chronology.” Issues: understanding controversy and society. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. February 27, 2014. “Support for the death penalty in the United States is at its lowest level in more than 40 years. » Gallup.com. Gallup, October 29, 2013. Web. February 26. 2014.