I know he was exiled, by why didn't they sentence him to jail?
2007-04-12 23:08:59 · 4 answers · asked by redefined. 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
At first Galileo was jailed. He was forced to recant, but he spent the rest of his life under house arrest.
In medieval times, they didn't have the concept of jail like we do today. Most people, were either publically humiliated and beaten for minor crimes, or excommunicated and/or killed for major or religious offenses. People weren't given prison sentences like they are today. There was no "well you've sat in time out for 20 years, you can come out now." Jail was very short term, you were either taken to be beaten in the public square, or taken to be hanged. Galileo, because of his promenence and his wealth, was spared death. His sentence of house arrest was very uncommon, and not oft repeated unless the person in question was very notable.
2007-04-13 04:03:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Galileo was jailed for saying earth is round.
2007-04-13 06:20:58 · answer #2 · answered by J.SWAMY I ఇ జ స్వామి 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Galileo was put in jail, the Vatican forced him to denounce his theory or he would be put to death by burning for being a heretic, he did so thus saving his life.
2007-04-13 07:34:29 · answer #3 · answered by buster_medow 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
his teachings conflicted with the church and state teachings...........
2007-04-13 10:45:05 · answer #4 · answered by alex grant 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋