What the hell is Scaphism?

Scaphism (from Greek σκάϕη, meaning “boat”), also known as the boats, is an alleged ancient Persian method of execution. It entailed trapping the victim between two boats, feeding and covering them with milk and honey, and allowing them to fester and be devoured by insects and other vermin over time.

Who was killed by Scaphism?

According to Plutarch, one of the victims of Scaphism, a Persian soldier called Mithridates, suffered in his wooden prison for a total of 17 days. He was involved in the death of Cyrus the Younger (although he did not kill him) and paid a heavy price.

Why was scaphism used?

Scaphism was an ancient Persian torturing method that was used many centuries ago to punish people for the crime they commited. Scaphism was also referred to as “boats” when it was legal thousands of years ago.

Who practiced scaphism?

For sheer, delirious, nauseating horror, scaphism may be one of the worst execution methods ever devised. Practiced by the Ancient Persians, starting around 500 B.C., it saw the victim placed inside a hollowed-out log or narrow boat, their hands and feet tied to each end.

Why was Scaphism used?

What is blood Eagle punishment?

In this execution, people had their ribs ripped open from their spine and their lungs stabbed through. The intestines and ribs would also be pulled through while the victim was being tortured, making the internal parts of the body seem like wings. This is why it’s called the Blood Eagle.

How did the Spanish donkey work?

The Spanish Donkey, a feared torture device from the middle ages, consisted of a wedge on which the victim was seated with weights tied to his or her legs so that with enough weight, the wedge could even slice though the victim’s entire body.

Where was scaphism used?

Scaphism was not an execution method for entertainment. It took place in swamps where only torturers were present and in some cases, the people affected by the victim’s crime were also present.

What happens during a Blood Eagle?

The killing of Ælla, after a battle for control of York, is described thus: They caused the bloody eagle to be carved on the back of Ælla, and they cut away all of the ribs from the spine, and then they ripped out his lungs.

What punishments did the Vikings use?

There were usually two types of punishment: outlawing and fines. The most common means of justice were, however, fines; the amount varied, depending on the severity of the offense.

Was the Spanish donkey actually used?

During the Spanish Inquisition, the Spanish donkey or wooden horse was a torture device used primarily on women. As the additional weight gets heavier, the device would slowly cut the woman in half through her genitals. A similar device was used on Confederate prisoners during the American Civil War.

How did the breaking wheel work?

The wheel was made to revolve slowly, and a large hammer or an iron bar was then applied to the limb over the gap between the beams, breaking the bones. This process was repeated several times per limb.

Where did the term scaphism get its name?

Scaphism, also known as the boats, is an ancient Persian method of execution designed to inflict torturous death. The name comes from the Greek word skaphe, meaning ” scooped out “.

How are the victims of scaphism covered up?

Two boats are taken, which are so made as to fit over one another closely; in one of these the victim is laid, flat upon his back; then the other is laid over the first and carefully adjusted, so that the victim’s head, hands, and feet are left projecting, while the rest of his body is completely covered up.

What was the cause of death in scaphism?

Death, when it eventually occurred, would probably be due to a combination of dehydration, starvation and septic shock. In other recorded versions, the insects did not eat the victim; biting and stinging insects such as wasps, which were attracted by honey on the body, acted as the torture.

Why was Mithridates sentenced to death by scaphism?

Death by scaphism is painful, humiliating, and protracted. Historical records suggest that Mithridates, sentenced to die in this manner for a perceived insult to the king, survived for 17 days before expiring. Ancient Persians often used scaphism as a means of torture to those who insulted Royalty .