Open AccessA lo largo de la Historia paulatinamente fue imponiéndose el respeto de la vida de los prisioneros por motivos religiosos, estratégicos o, casi siempre, económicos al venderlos como esclavos o cobrar rescates por su libertad. Esta tendencia, sin embargo, en ocasiones no fue respetada y los prisioneros perdieron la vida, fríamente ejecutados por sus captores. El autor reflexiona acerca de los motivos que indujeron a reyes y jefes militares a este proceder.
The respect for the lives of prisoners was imposed progressively throughout history by religion reasons, strategic and most of the time economic motives, as prisoners were sold as slaves and ransoms were paid to obtain their freedom. However, this tendency wasn’t always followed given that prisoners lost their lives as they were, coldly executed by their captors. The author reflects about the motives that lead kings and military chiefs to behave in a way.