They say that we have come to the most extended peace we have ever had in centuries. And we believe so because for one, we no longer have barbaric, inhuman, and vomit-inducing torture techniques that our ancestors practiced decades and civilizations ago. These techniques are so gruesome that you will have to reevaluate the conscience of these people and lose your faith in humanity altogether. Whether they are used to punish criminals, to extract some useful information, or just for pscyhomaniac people who take pleasure in other’s pain, we must be thankful that none of these are prevalent today. But aren’t they? Try not to shock your conscience with this list of 10 Most Brutal Torture Techniques of All Time
10 – Boiling
It’s a good thing that now, we only boil food to eat. Before, it was used to boil people to death – like those in fairytales where the witch boils you on its large pot. Archaeologists concluded that this punishment was executed in China when they found human bones in cooking pots about 500,000 years old. But this method is also common in England and was even legalized in the 1500s, where prisoners are immersed in boiling water, oil, or tar, as punishment!
9 – Water Torture
Although Water Torture is one of the most brutal torture technique, it is believed that it is still widely used today – in secret. The process goes by restraining the victim in a table, his head looking up the ceiling or he is lying face up. Then, a gallon of water will be emptied, drop by drop, in his forehead. If you come to think of it, it isn’t really brutal, but the result is – the victim will either foam at the mouth or turn crazy. It is the combination of cold water and not knowing when the next drop will be that turn the victims maddening.
8 – Necklacing
Necklacing is a recent form of brutal torture commonly practiced in South Africa, even until this last years! This method consists of putting a rubber tire filled with gasoline at the victim’s neck, chest, and arms and setting it on fire. It is similar to death by burning, but it is messier because it turns the body into a melted mess together with the charred vulcanized rubber.
7 – Flaying
Flaying is for fish and not for people. But before, it has been executed to punish and torture humans! Civilizations ago, this method was used by removing the skin of the entire body while the prisoner was still alive. Worse, this was a public form of torture! After being skinned alive, you will be left bleeding to death in public or even be sprayed with salt for more excruciating pain. Even Hannibal Lecter would not agree to this.
6 – Wheel Torture
Also known as breaking wheel, this form of torture is one of the most medieval punishments for prisoners. First, this was a public method – like so many other tortures during the medieval age. The prisoner would then be tied into a wheel, his limbs against the spokes. The wheel will be turned slowly, and besides you, an executioner with a hammer in his hands will begin breaking your limbs and bones, as you rotate round and round. Afterward, you will be left in the open to be eaten by crows and finish the mess.
5 – Brazen Bull
Otherwise known as Sicilian Bull, it is one of the most brutal torture technique used during the rule of ancient Greece. This method uses a solid brass shaped into a hollow bull, with a door on its side to push in the victim. When the victim is placed inside of the brass bull, it will be set on fit – like cooking stew. The victim inside will be roasted to death as the metal turn yellow from the heat. The brass was even designed in a manner that the screams of the victim would turn out sounding musical to the executioner!
4 – Sawing
No words will ever justify how cruel and inhuman the sawing torture was. This was done by hanging the prisoner upside down with legs apart. Then, the executioner will slowly saw your entire body until it halves your head into two. Worse is that most of the time, you will not usually die unless and until the torture act reaches your head. Slow and painful, it is!
3 – Head Crusher
The head crusher at its first look does not look much, but wait until you hear the story behind it. It is comprised of metal to accommodate your chin at the bottom bar, and the head of the prisoner is placed under the larger cap above. The executioner would then slowly turn a screw that pushes the cap down, until the prisoner’s head is crushed at the bottom bar. The slow, agonizing pain that constitutes this method is unexplainable.
2 – Death by Rat
Death by rat is both unusual and incredibly brutal. This method is commonly tied with the practices of Chinese punishment, but it is also known to be practiced in other countries. This torture comprises laying the victim down in a table and putting a metal container in his stomach. The tank is then filled with infected rats, and heat will be raised. Ordinarily, the rats will burrow out to escape. They have no choice but to dig down to your stomach and crawl into your intestines in an attempt to escape the heat!
1 – Slow Slicing
Back in 900 AD, slow and painful death was the mainstream punishment for criminals, especially in China. And one of which is the slow slicing or what is locally known as “Ling Chi,” which means ‘the lingering death.’ True enough, the victim will experience long and painful torture before succumbing to death. The prisoner, set for public executions, is punished by slicing his different body parts, slowly and one by one, with a small knife. Usually, this lasts for 20 minutes before the victim finally dies.
