Killing Time with Medieval Torture
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We love creative minds, and there are no minds as creative as medieval men looking to punish those they loathe; the innovative and intricate ideas they put into action are both horrifying and awe-inspiring. However, if there is one type of torture/execution that I find particularly fascinating, I’d say it is the artful practice of Scaphism. This technique dates to 550 to 330 BCE in the Achaemenid Persian Empire, and you can bet that whoever created this ritual was just as sweet as honey.
Scaphism is a type of execution made to maximize the pain and suffering of its victims and is said to have only been used on the most horrendous offenders. The practice uses what is described as two boats placed on top of each other, with areas for feet, hands, and head to dangle out. While those parts are exposed and the rest of the body is enclosed inside the boats, the real fun begins. Offenders are smeared in milk and honey and then force-fed obscene amounts until their bodies physically cannot handle it. What happens, you may ask, when you consume too much of these usually tasty and refreshing treats? Excretion! Lots and lots of it. But before anything can happen, they are pushed out onto a stale body of water and, for the most part, are left to their fate. The honey and milk will soon attract animals, birds, and fish to feast and pick at their vulnerable bodies.
You’d think the external pain would be enough, but there’s more in store for these poor souls. As previously mentioned, those receiving the punishment would be fed large amounts of honey and milk, giving them a rather aggressive case of diarrhea. So not only would they be afloat getting pecked to death, but they’d be lying in their feces, unable to move or shield themselves from the smell. As they lie in their own fecal matter, maggots, insects, and bacteria start to breed. Now, they will begin to be eaten from the inside out.
The physical pain of slowly being eaten alive, unable to move, with constant diarrhea, and the spread of infection caused by the critters gnawing at them was not the only damage done. The victims also had to deal with the psychological impact of the putrid smell surrounding them and the constant feeling of pain. Since it could also last multiple days, it's said that on occasion, the criminal would be reeled back in only to be fed more. This was to keep them in a constant state of what can only be described as extreme discomfort.
It's a horrible way to go if you ask me. However, it is important to mention that there is some doubt about whether this was an actual form of punishment due to a lack of hard evidence and the chance of over-exaggerations from Greek storytellers. It is highly probable that this method was never actually used, But whether it’s a lie or real is perhaps something we will never know.
Hi, my name is Breanne Gormley. I’m currently in my second year of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. I am passionate about the color blue, tiny skulls, folklore, and petting random cats I find on the street. I have a deep love of writing, and I can’t wait to take a trip with you through time and explore the finer things in life, specifically tragic events and brutal murders. I hope you will enjoy this blog as much as I do.
