The major purposes of punishment historically have been retribution, expiation, deterrence, reformation and social defense. The article attempts to show linkages among proportionality, equivalence, retribution, capital punishment, and deprivation of liberty; and to demonstrate that there is no rationale of punishment or disposition of a convicted offender that requires the death penalty. The article draws on ancient Greek scholars for ideas concerning punishment, including the death penalty, and also examines more recent philosophies and theories regarding punishment of offenders. Last year South Africa became the 42nd nation since the Second World War to abolish capital punishment and declare it unconstitutional. The United States is alone among Western industrialized countries in retaining the death penalty. However, individual States have the power to abolish the death penalty, as Michigan did more than 150 years ago. Notes, references