Created during the Spanish Inquisition, this collar was specifically designed for witches and pagan worshipers. A dual-pronged fork pressed against the upper chest and lower jaw, penetrating the flesh. The word Renuntio [i renounce] engraved on the steel edge. The strap compresses the adam’s apple, inducing brief spasms of suffocation. The victim was left for hours, starring at a dungeon ceiling in place of the stars. Unable to speak, wreathing in discomfort.
IV. Brazen Bull
Invented by Perillos of Athens around 570 BC. This bronze sculpture was designed to be hollow with a fire lit underneath. The bull’s nose was packed with incense to combat the stench of burning flesh. Tubes distorted the sound of the victim’s scream, becoming the bellow of a bull in heat. After the roast was complete, the bones were made into bracelets and sold to the highest bidder.
III. THE CRADLE OF juDAS
Another baddie from 16th century Spain. Designed by Ippolito Marsilli. This fucker created a wooden chair with a pyramid as a seat. The accused victim would be tied with ropes and gear, then lowered directly onto the tip of the pyramid. Their anus/vagina would slowly rip open. For increased torment, weights were tied to their legs. Other times, oil was lathered over the tip which– again, increased the pain. This torture would last anywhere between a few hours to entire days.*
II. Petrine Cross**
Take your classic crucifixion, now flip it. When inverted, blood will instantly start rushing to the victims head. Blood vessels rupture; it can even trigger a brain hemorrhage. Most complications are caused by asphyxiation. While upside-down, the victims organs weight down on their lungs, making it harder to breathe. More blood flowing toward their heart, making their heart pump harder. Dangling too long adds pressure behind the eyes, causing them to bulge, and eventually, pop.
I. Blood Eagle
Viking sagas describe a ritual execution in where victims are kept alive while their backs are sliced open and their ribs, lungs, and intestines are pulled out into the shape of bloody wings– all in the name of vengeance. From the tailbone, up towards the rib cage, each rib is meticulously separated from the backbone with an ax. Vikings would then rub salt into the gaping wound in the form of a saline stimulant. Then after having all of the ribs cut away and spread out like giant fingers, the torturer pulls out the lungs and gives the victim a pair of wings, spread out on their back. They were left hanging alive, feasted on by crows.
*[fun fact: ippolito marsilli created a device so fearsome, the spanish king who commissioned him became horrified, like, so horrified to the point where he was convinced only a man inspired by demons could ever conceive of something so heinous. thus, ippolito marsilli was pronounced a heretic, and became the first victim of his very own creation]
**[also known as the upside-down cross, satanic cross, and the cross of saint peter. it is rumored that this special form of torture was not only rare but reserved for the worst of capitol punishment. st. peter, after being sentenced to die by crucifixion, pleaded to be put upside-down so as not to dishonor jesus and the way he was immortalized. diehard catholics today see the cross of saint peter as a symbol of humility and deep reverence.]
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