Former King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were executed at the guillotine in 1793. Towards the end of the Terror in 1794, revolutionary leaders such as Georges Danton, Saint-Just and Maximilien Robespierre were sent to the guillotine.

How many were executed by the guillotine?

At least 17,000 were officially condemned to death during the 'Reign of Terror', which lasted from September 1793 to July 1794, with the age of victims ranging from 14 to 92.

Who was killed by the guillotine?

The guillotine, the notorious killing machine of the French Revolution, was used to behead thousands, including King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Why was it a humane form of execution for its time, and did victims' brains continue functioning after decapitation?