That's somewhat of an oversimplification. The were all kinds of punishments of varying degrees that didn't result in people going all Game of Thrones.
Oh, the really nasty stuff was reserved for really nasty crimes. Hanging or beheading would be a more typical capital punishment. They just had a broader spread of crimes that were considered capital crimes.
"You win 100% of the fights you avoid. If you're not there when it happens, you don't lose." - William Aprill
"I've owned a guitar for 31 years and that sure hasn't made me a musician, let alone an expert. It's made me a guy who owns a guitar."- BBI