"In order that [Alaric's] body might be saved from the gaze of the vulgar and the rage of his foes, he gave direction that it should be buried in the bed of the river Busentinus."—Ridpath, 1885

The Burial of Alaric in the Bed of the Busentinus

"In order that [Alaric's] body might be saved from the gaze of the vulgar and the rage of his foes,…

Murder of Alfred Furnald. Caption below illustration: "On the eighth, while they were at breakfast, a faint moan was heard in the garret. Mrs. Furnald, after looking her husband in the face, left the table without speaking, and went upstairs." Alfred had been starved to death.

Murder of Alfred Furnald

Murder of Alfred Furnald. Caption below illustration: "On the eighth, while they were at breakfast,…

"And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him." Acts 5:5-6 ASV
<p>Illustration of three men carrying the body of Ananias to be buried. Two of the men wear head wrappings. Ananias is clothed in a long tunic.

The Body of Ananias is Taken to be Buried

"And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that…

The barge moved from the brink.

The Passing of Arthur

The barge moved from the brink.

"Other species, which also bore into timber in their larva state, are well known by the name of <em>Death-watch - Anobium -</em> from their habit of knocking with their jaws against the wood-work upon which they are standing, this being the call of the insect to its mate." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Deathwatch Beetles

"Other species, which also bore into timber in their larva state, are well known by the name of Death-watch

"And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee; and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. And she went out, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptizer. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not reject her. And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother." Mark 6:21-28 ASV
<p>Illustration of John the Baptist about to be beheaded. The daughter of Herodias stands in the background with a platter.

Beheading of John the Baptist

"And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the…

"And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live." Numbers 21:6-8 ASV
<p>Illustration of Moses holding up the bronze serpent on the staff and all of the Israelites looking upon it to be healed. Numerous people lie in various states of disease. Snakes are on the ground, coiled around arms, and biting people. Moses is pictured with horns made of rays of light. Tents and mountains can be seen in the background.

The Brazen Serpent and the Healing of the Israelites

"And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel…

The death of columbus

Death of Columbus

The death of columbus

The evils of communism and socialism.

Communism Evils

The evils of communism and socialism.

"The preceding cut represents the tombstone of a <em>cultrarius</em>, or the individual who slew the victim at the altar, and upon it two <em>cultri/i>, or sacrificial knives." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Tombstone of a cultrarius

"The preceding cut represents the tombstone of a cultrarius, or the individual who slew the…

"Death, Sleep, and Hermes laying a Body in the Tomb" &mdash; Gayley, 1893

Death

"Death, Sleep, and Hermes laying a Body in the Tomb" — Gayley, 1893

The Knight, Death and the Devil is an engraving that was created by German artist Albrecht D&uuml;rer in 1513. It depict a knight that represents moral virtue who rides on his horse past death and the devil.

The Knight, Death and the Devil

The Knight, Death and the Devil is an engraving that was created by German artist Albrecht Dürer…

"Be ready at all times to face death." -Trowbridge, 1866

Death Rebus

"Be ready at all times to face death." -Trowbridge, 1866

The angel of death appearing to an old man with long, flowing white hair and beard. He is leaning over a very large book. The winged angel is holding a sword in the right hand and gesturing with the left.

Angel of Death

The angel of death appearing to an old man with long, flowing white hair and beard. He is leaning over…

This sculpture by the great artist, Donatello, is of many people kneeling and standing around the body of Jesus Christ. It is a Bronze-relief and can now be found in S. Lorenzo, Florence.

The Deposition

This sculpture by the great artist, Donatello, is of many people kneeling and standing around the body…

"When an Egyptian died the friends of the deceased went at once to the embalmer, By him they were shown a set of models, that is, wooden images painted and wrapped in imitation of the different styles of mummies prepared at the establishment. The models were divided into three classes; first, second, and third; and among these the friends selected according to their rank and means. The dead body was then delivered to the embalmers, by whom the brain was removed through the nostrils. Then an incision was made in the left side with a sharp stone. Through this opening the entire viscera were removed, and being cleansed by washing with palm wine, were covered with pounded aromatics and deposited in four urns. The cavity of the body was filled with powdered myrrh, cassia, and other fragrant substances, and the wound carefully sewn up. The whole body was then packed for seventy days in salt and carbonate of soda, at the end of which time it was washed and then wrapped in linen bands anointed on the inner surface with a certain gum which acted as glue. The mummy was finally put into a wooden case in the form of a man, and delivered to the relatives, by whom it was set upright against the wall in one of the rooms of their house."&mdash;Ridpath 1885

Process of Embalming

"When an Egyptian died the friends of the deceased went at once to the embalmer, By him they were shown…

Enid watching over Geraint as he lay on his deathbed.

Enid Watching over Geraint

Enid watching over Geraint as he lay on his deathbed.

An illustration of two men, Egmont and Horn, being executed by beheading.

Execution of Egmont and Horn

An illustration of two men, Egmont and Horn, being executed by beheading.

Illustration of Saint Francis being carried on a pallet by five other clergy members. He is emerging from a wooded area. His right arm is upraised and his arm is around one of his companions. The facade of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi can be seen up on a hill in the background.

The Death of Saint Francis of Assisi with the Basilica of Saint Francis in the Background

Illustration of Saint Francis being carried on a pallet by five other clergy members. He is emerging…

An illustration of a funeral procession.

Funeral Procession

An illustration of a funeral procession.

"As the mummy of the dead was placed in a barge to be taken across the Lake of the Dead-for it was the manner of the Egyptians to bear the bodies about to be entombed across the water to the place of the sepulture-the members of the household, especially the women, were wont to follow in another barge, and with uplifted hands and unbound hair to cry out for the lost."&mdash;Ridpath, 1885

Funeral Procession Crossing the Lake of the Dead

"As the mummy of the dead was placed in a barge to be taken across the Lake of the Dead-for it was the…

This illustration shows various types of gladiators, each type with with his specific weapons attributed to him.
Gladiators were swordsmen whose profession was to fight for the public amusement. Gladiators are said to have been borrowed by Rome from the Etruscans. They were first exhibited in Rome in 246 BC, primarily at funerals, but afterwards at festivals, particularly those celebrated by the aediles and other magistrates. More than ten thousand were shown at Trajan's triumph over the Dacians. They were either free-born citizens, usually of a low class, who fought for hire, or captives, slaves, or malefactors, and were kept in schools, where they were carefully trained. Chief varieties were Andabatae, who wore helmets with no openings for the eyes, so that their blindfold movements provoked the spectators' mirth; Mirmillones, who used Gallic weapons, sword and shield; Retiarii, who carried a net and a three-pronged lance -- the net to entangle their opponents; and Thraces, who, like the Thracians, used a short sword and a round buckler. 
When a gladiator was severely wounded and defeated, the people cried out 'Habet' (He has it), and he lowered his arms; then, if the spectators wished his life to be spared, they turned their thumbs down; but it they desired his death, they turned them up. These combats were often attended by great cruelty and callousness on the part of the spectators; sometimes they were fights à outrance, none being spared alive. Discharged gladiators were presented with a rudis, or wooden sword, and hence were called rudiarii. Gladiatorial combats were disliked by the Greeks, and practically never took place in Greek cities.

Gladiators

This illustration shows various types of gladiators, each type with with his specific weapons attributed…

The house in which General Ulysses S. Grant died in Mount McGregor, New York

The House in which General Grant Died

The house in which General Ulysses S. Grant died in Mount McGregor, New York

An illustration of cross headstones in graveyard.

Cross Headstones in Graveyard

An illustration of cross headstones in graveyard.

A device used for carrying out executions by decapitation.

The Guillotine

A device used for carrying out executions by decapitation.

(1.) The guillotine is an instrument employed for the purpose of decapitation. It was officially introduced into France as the means of inflicting capital punishment in April, 1792. It was named after its reputed inventor, Dr. Joseph Ingace-Guillotin, who, contrary to popular belief, died a natural death, and not a victim of his own invention. The instrument consists of two upright posts held together at the top by a cross beam, the former being perpendicularly so grooved as to allow of the falling in a direct line a broad steel blade, whose edge is cut obliquely. The latter, sometimes weighted with lead, descends upon the neck of the criminal immediately after the cord which holds it up is released by the executioner.
(2.) A guillotine is a machine, similar in name and in general construction to the above, employed by bookbinders. It is used for cutting paper and trimming the edges of books after the sheets have been sewn together.

Guillotine

(1.) The guillotine is an instrument employed for the purpose of decapitation. It was officially introduced…

Moses Adams, High Sheriff of the County of Hancock. "On the twelfth of May, eighteen hundred and fifteen, Mrs. Mary Adams, wife of High Sheriff Moses Adams, was found to have been barbarously murdered in her own house, in Ellsworth, Maine."

Sheriff of Hancock

Moses Adams, High Sheriff of the County of Hancock. "On the twelfth of May, eighteen hundred and fifteen,…

The place where Andrew Jackson was buried in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Hermitage in 1861

The place where Andrew Jackson was buried in Nashville, Tennessee.

A representation of Kali, a Hindu goddess of death and destruction.

Kali, Hindu Goddess

A representation of Kali, a Hindu goddess of death and destruction.

"And Jacob called unto his sons, and said: gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the latter days. Assemble yourselves, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; And hearken unto Israel your father." Genesis 49:1-2 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jacob, sitting up in his deathbed, his right arm raised, speaking to his sons and grandsons. Jacob and his two sons, Ephraim and Manasses, stand on one side of Jacob. All of Jacob's sons crowd around his bed. A pitcher, bowl, and scroll are sitting on the bedside table. Two open windows show vines and foliage outside.

Jacob Blesses His Sons and Prophesies on His Deathbed

"And Jacob called unto his sons, and said: gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which…

"But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise. And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately: and he commanded that something be given her to eat." Luke 8:54-55 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus holding the hand of Jairus daughter as she reclines on her deathbed. Her mother is pulling back the shroud from her face. Her father stands behind her and leans over her. Peter, James, and John are standing nearby, watching the scene. The doorway opens on to the city.

Jesus Resurrects the Daughter of Jairus, Ruler of the Synagogue

"But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise. And her spirit returned, and she rose…

“When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep. But they laughed at him.

<p>After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, <i>’Talitha koum!’</i> (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).” —Mark 5:38-42, NIV</p> 

<p>Illustration of Jesus bringing Jairus' recently deceased, 12-year-old daughter back to life. Jesus is holding the hand of the girl as she raises her upper body from the bed. She wears a laurel crown and Jairus stands behind her bed. A woman kneels next to Jesus. Incense is burning. Two onlookers stand in the background.

The Raising of Jairus' Daughter - Jesus Brings a Young Girl Back to Life

“When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and…

A depiction of the bedroom where Thomas Jefferson died in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bedroom in Which Jefferson Died

A depiction of the bedroom where Thomas Jefferson died in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, It shall be neither mine nor thine; divide it. Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof." I Kings 3:25-27 ASV
<p>Illustration of Solomon sitting in judgement. He wears a crown and is holding a scepter. A soldier holds one baby by the foot and raises his sword to strike. One woman is holding the baby up, the other is kneeling and pleading for its life. The baby that passed away is lying on the ground. Two men, advisers, stand nearby. Several people watch the scene from behind a low wall.

The Judgement of Solomon - the Real Mother is Revealed

"And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.…

An illustration of an Egyptian hieroglyphic depicting the judgment of the dead. "An ape-assessor scourages an evil soul, that has been changed into an unclean animal." -Myers, 1896

Judgment of the Dead

An illustration of an Egyptian hieroglyphic depicting the judgment of the dead. "An ape-assessor scourages…

"Showing the weighing of the heart of the deceased in the scales of truth."—Myers, 1904

The Judgment of the Dead

"Showing the weighing of the heart of the deceased in the scales of truth."—Myers, 1904

An illustration of the death of King Phillip at the hands of another Native American.

Death of King Phillip

An illustration of the death of King Phillip at the hands of another Native American.

"The Knight, Death, and the Devil." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Knight

"The Knight, Death, and the Devil." —D'Anvers, 1895

"The Knight and the Lady. By Albrecht D&uuml;rer. From the engraving on copper." -Heath, 1901

The Knight and the Lady

"The Knight and the Lady. By Albrecht Dürer. From the engraving on copper." -Heath, 1901

"The Knight, Death, and the Devil. By Albrecht D&uuml;rer. From the engraving on copper." -Heath, 1901

The Knight, Death, and the Devil

"The Knight, Death, and the Devil. By Albrecht Dürer. From the engraving on copper." -Heath, 1901

"And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." John 11:43-44 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus standing over the open coffin of Lazarus, raising his right hand over the resurrected man. Lazarus is rising from the stone coffin, his hands clasped in prayer. Mary and Martha are on the left, one on her knees. Several people crowd around and two men help move the coffin lid.

The Resurrection of Lazarus of Bethany

"And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. He that was dead came…

"And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." John 11:43-44 ASV
<p>Illustration of Lazarus walking out of his tomb, wearing burial linens. Martha, Mary, and several other family members are gathered around watching.

Lazarus Walks Out of His Tomb When Jesus Raises Him from the Dead

"And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. He that was dead came…

Lincoln's death, after being shot by John Wilkes Booth.

The Death-Bed of President Lincoln

Lincoln's death, after being shot by John Wilkes Booth.

Severe justice of Jehangire, emperor of the Moguls. Caption below illustration: "The Emperor commanded him to be bound. The parents were mounted on the elephant, and he ordered the driver to tread the unfortunate young man to death."

Emperor of the Moguls

Severe justice of Jehangire, emperor of the Moguls. Caption below illustration: "The Emperor commanded…

The death of Montezuma II.

Death of Montezuma

The death of Montezuma II.

This sculpture by the great artist, Donatello, is of Carlo Marzuppini, an Italian chancellor from Florence, Italy. The body of Carlo Marzuppini is pictured laying in his tomb. The sculpture can now be found in Florence, Italy.

Monument of Carlo Marzuppini

This sculpture by the great artist, Donatello, is of Carlo Marzuppini, an Italian chancellor from Florence,…

Roman personification of death

Mors

Roman personification of death

"In 1840 Napoleon's body was removed from St. Helena, taken with great pomp to Paris, and deposited in a sarcophagus of red Finland granite under the gilded dome of the Hôtel des Invalides. Twelve colossal statues, representing the chief victories of Napoleon, surround the tomb, and between the figures are battleflags captured at Austerlitz. Two of the emperor's brothers are buried in adjoining chapels."—Webster, 1920

The Tomb of Napoleon

"In 1840 Napoleon's body was removed from St. Helena, taken with great pomp to Paris, and deposited…

The Nun is a print that was designed by German artist Hans Holbein in 1538. It is part of a series called the "Dance of Death". It depicts a nun that has admitted her lover into her apartment while praying, death extinguishes the candles on the altar signifying the punishment of unlawful love.

The Nun

The Nun is a print that was designed by German artist Hans Holbein in 1538. It is part of a series called…

In Norse mythology, Nornagesta was fated by the three Norns: Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld. Urd and Verdandi gave him a rich, heroic life. Skuld said he would live no longer than a burning candle. Nornagesta kept the candle safe and hidden and lived to be 300 years old. King Olaf found the candle, burned it, and Nornagesta died.

Olaf and Nornagesta

In Norse mythology, Nornagesta was fated by the three Norns: Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld. Urd and Verdandi…

A column depicting the Egyptian god Osiris. Osiris is usually affiliated with the Afterlife, the underworld and the dead.

Column of Osiris

A column depicting the Egyptian god Osiris. Osiris is usually affiliated with the Afterlife, the underworld…

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs come and licked his sores." Luke 16:19-21 ASV
<p>Illustration of the rich man, sumptuously clothed in robes and eating a feast with many guests. A harpist  plays in the background. Men and women eat and drink. There are arched windows in the background and an arched entryway leading to stairs. On the stairs is Lazarus, a beggar. Dogs are licking at his sores and his arms are raised in a gesture of begging.

Lazarus, the Beggar, and the Rich Man

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every…

An illustration of a patient laying on a table with a doctor leaning over him.

Patient on Table

An illustration of a patient laying on a table with a doctor leaning over him.

"The Pedlar. By Holbein. From the Dance of Death." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

The Pedlar

"The Pedlar. By Holbein. From the Dance of Death." —D'Anvers, 1895

The Plowman is a print that was designed by German artist Hans Holbein in 1538. It is part of a series called the "Dance of Death". It shows a plowman plowing his fields while death is following his cattle.

The Plowman

The Plowman is a print that was designed by German artist Hans Holbein in 1538. It is part of a series…

"When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher. Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God." John 20:14-17 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene outside of his tomb as an angel sits nearby, watching. Jesus holds the cross-banner in his left hand and Mary kneels on his right. A jar sits on the ground. A fence is in the background.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene Outside the Tomb

"When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it…

Juliet's feigned death.

Juliet's Feigned Death

Juliet's feigned death.

Romeo's death.

Romeo's Death

Romeo's death.

Juliet's death.

Juliet's Death

Juliet's death.

John Sedgwick (September 13, 1813 &ndash; May 9, 1864) was a teacher, a career military officer, and a Union Army general in the American Civil War. His death at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House is often considered a well known tale of irony.

Scene of Sedgwick's Death

John Sedgwick (September 13, 1813 – May 9, 1864) was a teacher, a career military officer, and…