In 300 AD, asphyxiation by ash, smoke, or sealed environments emerged as a variant of execution in various cultures. This method was often used in contexts of punishment or warfare, reflecting the harsh realities of ancient justice systems. The use of asphyxiation as a means of execution underscores the historical complexities surrounding capital punishment and societal attitudes toward crime and punishment.

The metaphor of asphyxiation in ash or smoke, dating back to 300 AD, has been used in protest and dystopian poetry to symbolize oppression. Poets like T.S. Eliot and W.H. Auden have drawn on this imagery to critique societal issues and existential despair, influencing contemporary poets like Claudia Rankine, who explore themes of race and identity.