Historical Methods of Torture

Tied in a Sack with Animals - A favorite practice in Ancient Rome. The frightened animals would go into a frenzy and tear the person and each other apart

Torn Apart Between Two Trees - Two trees would be pulled down so they would come together from opposite directions. One arm and leg would be tied to one tree, the other arm and leg to the other tree. Then, let go of the trees.

Torn Apart by Horses - A person is attached to four horses, one to each limb of the body. The horses then pull in oppostie directions, so that the person will become dismembered. Not a very effective method unless certain tendons in the limbs are pre-cut. Similar in effect to the rack.

Water Death - Person is forced to drink water until death occurs from distention and rupturing of the stomach. Beheading by Axe or Sword - An executioner, usually hooded, chops off the person's head. In England more likely to be regarded as a 'humane' form of death reserved for the nobility while the 'common' people went to the gallows. Beating to Death - For example when American slaves were beaten to death by their masters until they died, often using heavy bullwhips that cut right to the bone. Boiling Alive - Intensely painful way of killing people, popular in the Middle Ages Buried Alive - Widely used around the world throughout the ages. For example, in India they buried women in sand up to their necks, then left them, head emerged only, to bake in the sun.