We are extremely familiar with censorship nowadays. Censorship is most commonly found in cinemas; in most countries, the different categories of films are usually rated, in order to differentiate the target groups of audience, as well as to prevent minors from watching movies that are involve too much violence or sex. Censorship can also appear in governmental statements; how much the government decides to tell its citizens is often heatedly debated within the cabinet before a press release is made!

However, the above examples of censorship only seem to involve only issues that are only relevant to current contexts. But if you think censorship did not exist in the past, then you are absolutely wrong!

One of the first and most widespread forms of censorship occured in ancient China. It was around 221 BC when Emperor Ch'in ShiHuang had just ascended his throne. He was the first emperor of China and had called for a number of centralization reforms. Yet, he was not at all popular for his tyrannical rule. In addition, Emperor Ch'in was also infamous for his obsession with power; thus, his everlasting wish for immortality. Not surprisingly, such a man also felt extremely insecure about his prized position, and his attempt at censorship was to control the thoughts of all his citizens. He therefore ordered, at his advisors' advice, all Confucius texts as well as all books not related to Science, Math and reading oracles to be burnt in 231 BC! Also, all books that dealt with history before him were also not spared, as Ch'in wanted to be remembered as the first king. Thus, all his citizens would not have any opposing view to turn to, and they would all remain loyal to him!

His efforts only served to fortify the people's hatred for him, as eventually, not only the books were burnt, but so were the scholars. Unfortunately for the people, Ch'in lived till the ripe middle age of 49. However, they channeled their hatred together, and a few years after his death, the Ch'in dynasty was no more.

Ch'in's attempts at censorship, no doubt, were extreme measures. Of course, the Confucians would not give up their teachings just because of that; they might obey Ch'in on the surface and turn to legalism, but in their hearts, Confucius is still the one they truly admire and wish to imitate. Rather, the more effective form of censorship would be the the pressure of society on an individual to conform.

It cannot be denied that each society has its own set of traditions and beliefs to follow. Breaking one of these was usually taboo in ancient times, and meant death to the offender. Even in the most liberal of all states, Athens, which prided itself on allowing everyone to air their views, these rules applied. The burning of Socrates is a prime example and the best proof that censorship applied to the quality of ideas being spread around. Socrates advocated that the Greek gods did not exist and this was taboo; thus, for airing these views and "corrupting the minds of youths", he was burnt at the stake.

Ironically, there were also some Greek philosophers who called for the censorship of ideas. Plato, in his work, the Republic, called for censorship of the arts and he proposed that all unbelievers of the Gods be punished. Other instances of the repression of ideas can also be seen in the burning of Prothagoras's books and the punishing of Anaxagora for impiety.

Yet, in the end, it was actually the Roman empire that coined the term "censorship"; it came from the word "censors", who were officials who collected taxes. Eventually, censorship, which initially included only the supervision of the citizenship standards, grew to include the supervision of moral conduct. Roman citizens, except for the privileged few, who were officials or wealthy businessmen, did not have the privilege of speaking in public--they faced prosecution otherwise. The Emperors, too, did not take kindly to criticisms of themselves. Nero was known for deporting his critics and burning their books.

Constantine, though, took the act further. He legalized Christianity, and burned all the works of Greek philosopher Arius. His successor, Theodolius, made Christianity the state religion, hence, leading eventually to the rise of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church was the main pervading force of censorship. It decided what books could or could not be read, even publishing a list of them in 496 AD. It had the final say on what was correct or wrong; generally with anything opposing their views to be wrong and punishment was meted out to all opposition, especially to heresay.

Perhaps you have heard of the notorious Inquisition, which is well known for punishing many an intellectual during the medieval times. This is an example of censorship. Today, the Church's influence has weakened, and it can no longer control our thoughts as it did before. Yet, censorship now comes in other forms. Looking back on history, do you think censorship is now stronger or weaker then before? Is censorship beneficial? Does the government have the ground to censor and sanction free speech?