Abstract:

It is seen that process of "throwing into water" (water ordeal) was applied as a method of crime determination and punishment in Ancient Mesopotamia and Anatolian societies which are chains of Cuneiform law system. This method which is included in cuneiform law articles was generally accepted by Ancient societies related with the belief of holiness of water and that it reveals and cleans evil deeds; thereby rivers were attributed the characteristics of God. It was the river of god who determines the truth against aspersion and punish if the person is guilty. In this way the guilty person was punished and the person who is suspected to commit an offense was thrown into river in order to determine whether s/he is innocent or not. This method was clearly determined in Mesopotamia law and continued in Hittite society as a tradition. It was even not restricted with Ancient societies and used as an interesting method in hunting witches in the Middle Ages

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