Entitled: "Example of Recipitation, or throwing headlong, over a cliff and crucifixion, Roman military punishments for desertion." Official punishment by the infliction of pain or injury was practiced in most civilizations since ancient times. When the Roman soldier enrolled in service to the state, he swore a military oath known as the sacramentum: originally to the Senate and Roman People, later to the general and the emperor. The sacramentum stated that he would fulfill his conditions of service on pain of punishment up to and inclusive of death. Discipline in the army was extremely rigorous by modern standards, and the general had the power to summarily execute any soldier under his command. Beating to death was the punishment for many offenses, such as falling asleep on guard duty, giving false evidence, stealing, homosexual practice, and committing the same fault three times. Leaving your post out of fear and throwing away any of your weapons on the battlefield was also punished with death.