Torture and Brutality by Bassam Imam - HTML preview

CHAPTER ONE

The use of physical, mental, and sexual torture has been around since time immemorial. Emperor Julius Caesar claimed to have killed nearly 1.2 million enemies; it is unknown how many people he had tortured in his life but what is, known is that these particular victims endured incredible agony, some of which were deliberately, maimed for life rather than be, killed. Emperor Caligula sawed some of his imagined enemies in half. Some of the common punishments in ancient Babylon included the slicing off the feet, lips, and noses, blinding, disembowelling, and ripping out the heart. Ashurbanipal (668 BC - 627 BC), an Assyrian King, was quite bombastic about his brutality, exclaiming that he was going to chop up his victims' flesh and then take it with him to show it off in other countries. The payments to the king, by the governors had to be given on time usually a late payment of only one day meant a severe punishment including being staked on a peg (Inserted inside an oiled anus) and then having the skin on the victim’s back removed.

As conveyed by Andreas Fuchs, a specialist in the study of the Assyrians, "The king was the deadliest ... It was he alone who decided what would happen to the victims. The ability to make those decisions was the very essence of personal, royal power." (SPIEGEL ONLINE, By Matthias Schulz, May 15, 2009; Torture Practices of the Ancient World)

The oldest surviving legal code prescribing the use of torture to determine innocence or guilt is the Sumerian Code Ur- Nammu (Written on tablets; 2100 – 2050 BC), and the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi, of Mesopotamia.

Ancient Egyptian laws were, drafted and the Pharaohs and the bureaucrats enforced the serious cases. Breaking the law almost always meant terrible news for the victims, because the punishments for crimes were overwhelmingly severe. Prevention of crime and apprehension of criminals was the job of local officials and their version of police forces; citizens were, allowed to file complaints with the authorities. Death penalties were uncommon but when ordered were designed to be slow and quite agonizing. Ramses III ordered the impalement of a group of people who plotted against him. Tomb raiding (Grave robbery), and corruption were other crimes punishable by decapitation or drowning. Egyptian prisons consisted of deep pits and wells, primarily used to prevent escape. The inmates were debtors and deserters.

Vandalism of Ancient Egyptian temples and other places of worship resulted in the guilty party being, burned alive. This was an uncommon penalty due to Ancient Egyptians’ belief that being, burned alive would rob the person of his or her body and eternal life. Other punishments include forced suicide and not being, granted a proper burial.

Non-lethal Ancient Egyptian punishments included 100 canings in addition to several bleeding cuts, reserved for those convicted of unlawful trade, fencing of stolen property, and tax evasion. In severe cases, an additional punishment may include forced exile to Nubia (Sudan) or another remote region, or enslavement. Thieves were maimed and disfigured, exiled or enslaved. Obtaining confessions through torture was a common practice. Foot whipping (Using a cane) was a common method to extract confessions. This form of torture is, called Falaka in Iran. Long-term or permanent foot damage occurs relatively quickly. Confessions were, also extracted by whippings.

According to Facts on File, 'Women who committed adultery had their noses cut off to ruin their looks so they wouldn’t do it again. Most women in ancient Egypt were dealt with more harshly than men as in other ancient cultures.' “A man caught in adultery with a married woman received a beating as a penalty, usually 1,000 strokes with a stick ... However, if a man raped a freeborn woman he was castrated.”(Ancient Origins, By Mark Miller, Analysis of Skeletons Reveals Harsh Punishment in Ancient Egypt)

The Aztec Civilization in Mesoamerica (An area extending roughly from Central Mexico, to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) has had a notorious reputation for being one of the most bloodthirsty human sacrificial civilizations ever. Many of us have heard tales of sacrificial victims being strapped down and having their hearts pulled out of them, skinning alive, decapitations, dismemberment, and other forms of torture, all bloodied and with no mercy from the tormentors.

The intention of the Aztec sacrifices was to honour and pay tribute to the Gods, and was, believed to be an imperative act in order to safeguard the existence of their civilization, along with the rest of humanity. Human sacrifice in Mesoamerica likely began with the Olmecs (1200 - 300 BCE; the first major civilization in the region). The Olmecs performed their ritual sacrifices atop their pyramids; the Mayas (Southeastern, Guatemala and Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador) and the Toltec’s (a part of Mexico) also practiced human sacrifice.

The Aztecs practiced human sacrifice at a much higher rate than the Mayas and Toltecs taking it to an unprecedented scale, terrifying visiting enemies and friends alike. Nonetheless, the scale of sacrifice was, exaggerated by the Spanish Conquistadors in order to justify their brutal genocide and the large-scale looting of gold, land, other valuable commodities, and to convert the so-called heathen savages to Christianity.

Human sacrifice was a way to pay the Gods back for creation. The Gods were, fed sacrificed human and animal flesh and blood in order to ensure the success of Aztec society. Warfare was a major supplier of human sacrificial victims. Prisoners, in particular those who showed bravado, were snagged for sacrifice. Aztec members of society also practiced self- sacrifice (Self-cutting and mutilation), and animals were used for sacrifice. The Aztec ball game, which had a ritual significance, pitted two teams of men against each other, each side tried to hit a solid rubber ball weighing 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) through a loop. According to the rules the captain or the entire losing team were, sacrificed. This game traces its origins to the Olmecs, and later spread to the Mayas, the Aztecs mastered it. Even without the possibility of sacrifice, it was quite a tough game.

"There are even some depictions of ball players playing with the heads of the losers in place of a ball. Whether this actually occurred is up to artistic speculation. The Spanish who observed the game reported horrendous injuries to those who played it — deep bruising requiring lancing, broken bones, and even death when a player was hit in the head or by an unprotected bit by the heavy ball." (By Monica Petrus, January 9, 2014; Atlas Obscura.com: The Brutal and Bloody History of the Mesoamerican Ball Game, Where Sometimes Loss Was Death)

The Spanish Inquisition dates back to the 1230s CE by Pope Gregory IX, but was officially, established in the late 1470s. Although the early Christians endured horrific persecution and torture, by the middle Ages the Catholic Church had become a very powerful religious and political force in Europe. In order to preserve its power and authority the suppression of heretics and other enemies of the sort was necessary. A person believed to have belonged to this category of people was, considered a heretic. Many Jews were, victimized in horrible attacks. Many Jews lived in special ghettos making it easier for their oppressors to execute pogroms. Some Jews found it convenient to convert to Catholicism. Even the converts were not, considered equals they were known as Marranos (Spanish for pig). Nonetheless, many were, accused of clandestinely practicing Judaism. Following the conquest of Granada in 1492, by the Spanish, Muslims found themselves the target of horrible persecution. Muslims who converted to Catholicism were known as Moriscos (Spanish for Moorish). Protestants, in particular Lutherans, became targets, and later, Spain’s colonial subjects felt the wrath of the Inquisition. The, Portuguese Inquisition was formally introduced on May 23, 1536 and eventually reached its colonies.

Accusations of witchcraft, sorcery, and blasphemy could, be launched at anyone, including Catholics. The accused were usually, considered guilty as charged, he or she had to testify in his or her own defence, no attorney was provided, anyone could be brought in to testify against the defendant, and perhaps worst of all, torture was commonly used to extract confessions. Trial by Ordeal entailed the determining of guilt or innocence based on survival. Most victims were, subjected to torture or a dangerous experience such as possible drowning. Proof of innocence was, determined by survival. The idea was to leave the determination of guilt or innocence in the hands of GOD, or a higher being, Judicium Dei (The Judgement of GOD).

An excerpt from the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi pertaining to trial by ordeal states, “If anyone bring an accusation against a man, and the accused go to the river and leap into the river, if he sink in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river proves that the accused is not guilty, and he escapes unhurt, then he who had brought the accusation shall be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of the house that had belonged to his accuser.” (October 12, 2015; ancient-origins.net: Trial by Ordeal: A Life or Death Method of Judgement)

According to the Catholic Church, “A heretic publicly declared his beliefs (Based upon what the church considered inaccurate interpretations of the Bible) and refused to denounce them, even after being corrected by the authority. He also tried to teach his beliefs to other people. He had to be doing these things by his own free will, not under the influence of the devil.” (How the Spanish Inquisition Worked, By Shanna Freeman, February 5, 2008; howstuffworks.com)

THE ANCIENT WORLD WAS RAMPANT WITH HORRIFIC METHODS OF TORTURE, USED TO EXTRACT CONFESSIONS, PUNISH, HUMILIATE, AND EXECUTE; BELOW IS A PARTIAL LIST, MORE WILL BE INCLUDED LATER IN THIS BOOK:

• THE RACK: The victim's ankles were, secured to one end of the device, the wrists to the other. The rack would, then be cranked during the questioning process, literally stretching the victim's limbs. The bones, ligaments, and flesh made terrifying sounds in the process. Dislocation occurred; if the procedure continued the limbs were, torn off.
• TONGUE TEARER: A crude scissor-like instrument that contained a screw that would tighten the blades, ripping and tearing through the victim’s tongue. A device called the ‘mouth opener’ would, be used to forcefully open the mouth of the reluctant victim.
• THE JUDAS CRADLE: Was, used during the middle Ages for obtaining confessions; it was, feared across Europe. The victim was, securely restrained and then set down upon a special chair with a pyramid-shaped seat. The apex point of the chair gradually ripped through the anus or vagina. The victim endured horrific shock or death by orifice impalement.
• THE BRAZEN BULL OR BURNING BULL: In a literal sense, this was a hellish punishment. A bronze bull with a door in which a victim was forced, into and then securely locked was placed over a heated fire; the victim was cooked to death.
• NECK TORTURE: A very slow and painful punishment, the instrument used was metallic or wooden with sharp spikes secured to the victim’s neck. In addition to the pain caused from the spikes, the victim was unable to eat, sleep, relax, or even lie in a comfortable position; mental torment was expected.
• THE CHAIR TORTURE OR JUDAS CHAIR: A device used during the middle Ages, consisting of many variations of a specially designed chair completely covered with sharp spikes (500 to 1,500 in total). The victim was strapped to the chair to ensure immobility. Worse yet, openings in the bottom of the chair allowed for the burning of coal beneath, severely burning the victim in the process. Death occurred from a few hours to a day.
• HERETIC’S FORK: Used during the Spanish Inquisition to extract confessions, this instrument was double-pronged on both ends, was, inserted between breastbone and the throat. The victim was unable to speak or rest; severe mental confusion and turmoil often resulted in a confession.
• CHOKE PEAR OR PEAR OF ANGUISH: An instrument consisting of a pear-shaped body, predominately used for women, homosexuals, liars, and robbers, it was divided into spoon-like sections that had a cranking device which would expand the metallic protrusions that were inserted into the vagina, mouth, or anus; it mutilated the victim.
• THE TUB OR SITTING IN THE TUB: The victim was, placed in a wooden tub with his or her body completely submerged in water, except for the head. Thereafter, milk and honey was, pasted on the victim’s face. It did not take long for flies and other insects to converge upon the tasty meal. Worse yet, the victim was force-fed in order to induce urination and excreting, resulting in a cesspool of filth.
• RAT TORTURE: Although there was a multitude of methods of using rats to torture humans, the victims had to be tied or restrained, rendering escape or self-defence impossible. The most common method was to set a rat atop a chosen body part of the victim. An escape-proof container was, placed over the rat. The container was then heated; with no way for the rat to escape it desperately clawed and burrowed into the victim's body (Usually the abdomen), the victim eventually died.
• IRON MAIDEN: An iron cabinet with an interior full of sharp steel spikes, used to house a human. Once Inside, the victim was, rendered immobile, resulting in multiple small-scale impaling. Furthermore, some victims were jabbed with a sharp object in the process.
• IMPALEMENT: The most notorious impaler in known history was Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Dracula (1428/1431 – 1476/77; a Romanian ruler). This form of execution involved the slow, forceful penetration of a stake, pole, spear, or a similar object into the victim. The victim was, forced to sit on a sharp, sturdy pole that was, raised vertically. Gravity (The victim’s own weight) did the rest. Death could take up to three days. Historical accounts indicate that Vlad Dracula enjoyed the spectacle.
• CRUCIFIXION: Although people today associate crucifixion solely with the early days of Christianity, this practice had been used for much earlier as a form of punishment, slow execution, humiliation (In full public view) and a deterrent for others. Extreme pain, excessive bleeding, starvation and dehydration, septic shock, and complications from the elements resulted in death. So-called ISIS has been, reported to use this method of execution.
• GUILLOTINE: A mechanism with a heavy blade used primarily to decapitate victims. For a long period, of time this was the most notorious and speedy form of execution, reaching its peak in a period of more than 200 years. Tens of thousands of people were, beheaded from common criminals to the rich, aristocrats, and royalty it served as a symbol of the French Revolution. King Louis XVI of France (August 23, 1754 - January 21, 1793) was executed by guillotine in the Place de la Revolution.
• ROPE TORTURE: This was the easiest, cheapest, and most readily available instrument of torture. The rope was, used to tie the victim’s hands, feet, and/or body, oftentimes in painful positions for extended periods, of time. Ropes were, also used to immobilize victims during torture sessions.
• THUMBSCREW: Used throughout the middle Ages, the victim’s fingers and/or toes were, placed inside a special device, used to slowly, crush the body-parts. Larger versions were, used to crush the knees, elbows, and head (Head Crusher). The Head Crusher punishment was, usually used to extract confessions.
• SCAPHISM: The victim was, eaten alive, placed in a hollow tree- trunk or other similar concoction and then force-fed a mixture that induced diarrhoea. Thereafter, the victim was disrobed and smothered with milk and honey. Unable to escape, the victim was also, smothered in his or her own waste, dehydrating, and eaten by insects; septic shock often occurred.
• SAW TORTURE OR DEATH BY SAWING: Simply put, the victim was, sawed in half, vertically or horizontally, notoriously used in Rome and to a lesser extent in Morocco, Imperial China, the Ancient Persia, and elsewhere. Most victims were, hung upside down to increase the blood flow to the head; a massive saw was, placed between, the victim’s legs wherein the body would be, slowly cut in half.
• LEAD SPRINKLER: This instrument of torture was, filled with molten lead, boiling water or boiling oil. The contents were sprinkled over, the victim’s body the eyes were a favoured target.
• COFFIN TORTURE: It was mainly, used during the middle Ages. The victim was, placed inside a ‘coffin-like’ cage; a favoured target, were people who were heavy-set. The length of time a victim was, kept inside the coffin depended on the perceived crime committed. Blasphemy and other serious crimes entailed a death sentence. The victim was set out in the blazing sun, facing hunger, dehydration, prolonged immobility, and being eaten alive by animals and insects. Most cages were about the size of a human. However, some unlucky victims were, placed in coffins that were too small for their bodies, increasing the pain and discomfort.
• CROCODILE SHEARS: The overwhelming purpose of this form of punishment was to mutilate any person who attempted to kill the king. The instrument used was a red-hot iron pincer crudely shaped like the head, jaws, and teeth of a crocodile. The interior consisted of numerous spikes on both ends; the appendages were, torn from the body.
• THE BREAST RIPPER: Exclusively for women, the instrument was a metal claw, usually red hot, that pierced the victim's breasts with harp spikes, designed to induce blood loss, and to rip and tear flesh. The helpless victim was, tied to a wall, while her tormentor clawed away at her breasts. This form of punishment was designed to, scar the breasts of unmarried mothers and mutilate women found guilty of heresy, adultery, and other serious crimes.
• REPUBLICAN MARRIAGE: Practiced primarily during the French Revolution involving the tying together of a nude couple and then tossing them into an icy body of water to drown. If no water was available, the couple was, stabbed with swords and bayonets, a favoured method used on priests and nuns.
• THE BREAKING WHEEL OR CATHERINE WHEEL: Used as a form of capital punishment during the middle Ages, reserved for hated criminals. The victim's limbs were, secured to the spokes of a large wooden wheel which, was slowly turned as the tormentor was smashing the victim's limbs with an iron hammer. As expected, limbs were broken, thereafter, the victim was left to die or worse yet, was tied on the top of a pole were he or she would be eaten alive by birds of prey. Sometimes the victim survived the ordeal for several days the lucky ones received a deathblow (A mercy blow) to end their suffering.
• WOODEN HORSE OR SPANISH DONKEY OR CAVELETTO SQUARCIAPALLE: Was used during the Spanish Inquisition consisted of two variations. The nude victim was, placed and then securely strapped onto a donkey-like contraption, a vertical wooden board with a sharp V- shaped wedge on top of it, along with short metallic spike on the top and sides. Weights would, then be added unto the victim increasing the pressure on his or her body and the force of the sharp metallic spike's penetration into the flesh. Sadly, a similar torture was, used generations later, during the American Civil War.

As conveyed by Milton Asbury Ryan, Co. G, 8th MS Regiment," There were some of our poor boys, for little infraction of the prison rules, riding what they called Morgan's mule every day. That was, one mule that did the worst standing stock, still. He was, built after the pattern of those used by carpenters. He was about fifteen feet high; the legs were nailed to the scantling so one of the sharp edges was turned up, which made it very painful and uncomfortable to the poor fellow especially when he had to be ridden bareback, sometimes with heavy weights fastened to his feet and sometimes with a large beef bone in each hand. This performance was, carried out under the watchful eyes of a guard with a loaded gun, and was, kept up for several days, each ride lasting two hours each day unless the fellow fainted and fell off from pain and exhaustion. Very few were able to walk after this hellish Yankee torture but had to be supported to their barracks." (Wooden Horse Device, Wikipedia the Free Encyclopaedia)

• BURNED AT THE STAKE OR DEATH BY FIRE: This was one of the most painful methods, of execution; the victim was probably, accused of heresy or, witchcraft. It was always, performed in public a stake was, erected at the designated location of the burning. A pile of straw and wood reaching about the height of the accused was, placed in the burning site. A pathway was, cleared for the victim to be, taken to the burning site. The accused was naked and smeared with sulphur. Once there, he or she would, be securely tied onto a stake with ropes and chains. Thereafter, the pile was, put on fire from all sides at the same time. In unusual cases gunpowder was be placed around the accused or a mortal blow would be, given in order to shorten the suffering, and yet in rare and extraordinary cases, the accused was, strangled to death before the body was, burned. In France, about the year 1520, fires for the execution of witches blazed in almost every town. Danaeus, in his ‘Dialogues of Witches’, says that, “They were so numerous that it would be next to impossible to tell the number of them. So deep was the thraldom of the human mind that the friends and relatives of the accused parties looked on and approved.” (By Greg Layden, December 2, 2012; Science Blogs.com: How Many People Were Killed as Witches in Europe from 1200 to the Present?)
• HANGED, DRAWN, AND QUARTERED: This was a penalty for high treason begun in the 13th Century during the reign of King Henry III, and became statutory law in mid-14th century. The victim was, hanged, dragged and quartered in public; secured to a hurdle or wooden panel, to the place of execution. Hanging would last until near-death, what followed was disembowelment and castration, the entrails and genitalia were burned in full view of the victim.
• THE STRAPPADO OR CORDA: Used during the Middle Ages against heretics, witches, and the like, entailed the tying of the victim's hands and feet behind his or her back hanged by a rope fastened to the wrists, commonly dislocating the shoulders; weights were sometimes added onto the victim to increase the pain. The routine occurred in short periods, of time with a rest otherwise, death would occur.
• SEWN INTO A DONKEY: This was an Ancient Roman torture entailing the killing and disembowelling of a donkey and then a naked victim was stuffed into the, donkey’s abdomen. Thereafter, the abdomen was sewn shut except for a small space for the head of the victim to be exposed, prolonging the suffering. Worse yet the donkey was placed the sun’s rays resulting in the carcass to decompose and the, victim to fry. Soon, flies, maggots, other tiny creatures, and vultures would begin to eat the rotting flesh; the victim, unable to defend him, or her-self was also another convenient target.
• Buried Alive: This was an Ancient Roman punishment where, vestal virgins that broke their vows of chastity were buried alive. Sometimes, the victim was, ordered to dig his own plot, thereafter a sharp object was, penetrated into his body.
• FED TO WILD HOGS: A punishment practiced in Heliopolis, Egypt during Roman rule. The virgins that were, punished by this method would, first be passed around to gladiators. They would guarantee that the women had their virginity broken. Then the virgin, would be publicly disrobed and disembowelled. Barley was, stuffed inside the empty cavity and then she was sewn shut. Finally, the victim was, given to wild boars that tore her apart.
• PUBLIC CASTRATION: In, Ancient Rome, it was commonly, permitted for a person of higher social rank to violate the sexual rights of an inferior. Naturally, under this system, the emperor could violate the rights of virtually anyone. Many people were unable to climb up the social ladder, deeming them potential victims of those above them for life. A common citizen that tried to enter an unwilling, soldier was, publicly castrated. If the soldier were a willing partner, he was, disembowelled.
• PREVENTION OF URINATION: Emperor Tiberius (November 16, 42 BC - March 16, 37 CE) was a cruel and feared Roman emperor who enjoyed inflicting torture on others, especially his perceived enemies. One method of punishment involved a bit of deceit, he would allow his enemies to drink wine with him. Thereafter, he would order the closing of the tip of the targeted person’s penis thereby preventing urination. The Egyptian dictator Gamal Abdul Nasser (January 15, 1918 - September 28, 1970) had an unknown number of political prisoners’ penises closed; wine drinking did not precede this version of the punishment.
• SKINNING: This involved the removal of skin from the victim. It was common for victims to pass out several times during the process. The skin was usually, removed in pieces and not in its entirety, unless a trophy was offered for doing so. Tormentors devised a plan to skin the victim upside down; the increased blood-flow to the brain helped to maintain consciousness. A knife or other sharp object was, used for the procedure. The strips of skin were, tossed into a fire given to animals, or shown to the victim. In rare instances the victim, was crucified upside down and skinned.

Throughout history, there have been numerous cases of large-scale atrocities and torturing of large groups of people in the name of conquest, racism, nationalism, retribution, fear, persecution, the blame game, religion, or because of some form or another of hatred. In the summer of 64, CE Rome was, beset by a terrible fire that burned for six days and seven nights destroying most of the city. Many of the citizens accused Emperor Nero (December 15, 37 CE - June 9, 68 CE) of deliberately starting the fire. Nero, along with Caligula was likely the most sadistic and mental