Seven Deadly Sins

How many have you committed?

In this intriguing series, HISTORY examines the impact of the seven deadly sins on mankind from before the dark ages through current times.

We learn how the concept originated – as a way to keep a lustful fourth-century monk from sinning again – and how the sins were pared down from eight to the seven we recognise today: gluttony, lust, greed, anger, sloth, envy, and pride. For the Catholic faithful they became a guide on the path to heaven. To repeat offenders, they promised damnation in Hell and very specific, very gruesome punishments.