HISTORY'S GHASTLY METHODS OF EXECUTION
Added on: 16th Jul 2015
SEPPUKU
Practiced by Samurai this was a form of suicide that allowed warriors to
die honourably. They would first disembowel themselves and then
immediately be beheaded.
HANGED, DRAWN, AND QUARTERED
As the name implies this English execution typically came in three parts.
First, the victim was dragged on a wooden frame to the place of execution
(drawn), then they were hung until nearly dead (hanged), and finally their
abdomen was cut open and their intestines were removed and
burned as the victim watched. They were then emasculated, beheaded
and cut into four parts (quartered) which were put on display around
England. This punishment was only for men as women were burnt at
the stake as a matter of decency.
PREMATURE BURIAL
Pretty much self-explanatory, many governments in history would
execute condemned prisoners by burying them alive.
BAMBOO
Often used in Asia, the victim would be tied over several bamboo shoots.
Because bamboo can grow up to 1 foot in a day it would quickly impale them.
CRUCIFIXION
Designed for maximum pain and suffering, the Romans often made the
victim carry their own cross to the location of their death. They were then
nailed or tied to the cross after which it could take several weeks to die.
BURNING AT THE STAKE
A historically popular method of capital punishment, if the victim was
lucky they would be executed with several others. This would ensure a
larger flame which would lead to death by carbon monoxide poisoning
rather than actual burning.
THE SPANISH TICKLER
Also called the cat’s paw, this device was used to rip and tear the skin
off a victim. Death was usually not immediate but would occur due to
infections that eventually set into the wounds.
LING CHI
Outlawed in China at the turn of the 20th century this involved pieces
of the victim’s body being removed slowly and methodically while
the executioner tried to keep them alive for as long as possible.
Comment on this