论凌迟之刑的起源及在宋代的发展

五代以前的东晋已有类似凌迟的脔割存在，但仅偶尔为之，到五代时期才成为一种法外之刑。最先有凌迟之刑的是契丹，起源于其本民族的习惯法，且契丹最先使用凌迟作为死刑的名称。宋代凌迟之刑在宋太宗晚期开始使用，仁宗时开始以诏令的形式规定其适用范围，神宗时凌迟之刑的适用范围扩大，南宋相沿无改。凌迟之刑在宋代仅以敕令的形式存在，所以俗称法外之刑。但宋代大量使用凌迟是以奏断进行的，反映了凌迟之刑的适用范围仍在形成过程中。盗贼及兵变的频繁是凌迟之刑在宋代存在和发展的重要原因。宋代凌迟之刑的使用对元明清均产生了重要影响。

On the Origin and Development in Song Dynasty of Death Penalty by Cutting Flesh Bit by Bit

Something like the punishment of death by cutting flesh bit by bit already existed in the Eastern Jin before the Five Dynasties,but it become a severe punishment only in the Five Dynasties.The earliest practice of this cruel punishment was carried by the Qidan.This punishment was used in Song dynasty with growing frequercy as a result of too frequent robbery and military mutiny.It had an important influence on later dynasties.