Throughout history, the use of torture has been a stark reality. It is hard to believe that humankind’s harshest form of punishment has been inflicted upon its citizens — especially in ancient civilizations. Ancient rulers used torture as a means to deter their populace from dissidence or disloyalty and send a warning against potential criminal acts.
The earliest recorded use of torture dates back to the 1900’s BC when criminals were hung from trees by their arms. This was typically done for crimes like theft and treason. It was used to scare off potentially defiant citizens by providing an extreme example of what could happen should they decide to commit a crime themselves.
In addition to punishing criminals, many rulers turned to torture as an interrogation tool. Common practices included flogging, waterboarding, burning at stake, and pulling out fingernails, among other atrocities, as ways to break down individuals and force them into giving up valuable information that could not be obtained through reasonable questioning tactics.
Ancient societies required vicious methods to ensure citizens followed their rules and regulations or acquired peace with other communities. The need for such punishment tools arose to control populations that seemed uncontrollable by the usual means of law enforcement due to their lack of loyalty or obedience towards authority. Thus the use of torture could range from inflicting physical pain through complex machinery and bands to psychological torment through embarrassing or demoralizing forms of treatment.
Wooden Horse Torture Device
The Wooden Horse, also known as the Spanish Donkey, is a medieval torture tool believed to have been used between the 16th and 18th centuries in Europe. It was used by the Ancient Greeks to punish their prisoners by suspending them in a seated position on a wooden horse frame. It was believed that the rocking motion of the wooden frame caused unbearable agony and would eventually cause death.
The most popular design had an upholstered horse body with a “saddle” of sorts which held the victim’s limbs and prevented them from sliding down or being pulled up during use. This seat featured two stirrups connected to a yoke on either side, allowing two or more people to hold it in place while another could perform the procedure. In some versions, wooden pegs were along each side of the yoke meant to secure legs or arms if desired.
The Wooden Horse was usually positioned over an open flame so that extreme heat could be directed at targeted areas such as the stomach, arms, legs, and feet. Hot pincers were sometimes inserted between joints for severe pain. The weight combined with the flames would slowly weaken victims until they cried out in pain, often resulting in confessions or pleas of mercy. Ultimately, this cruel device slowly tortured its victims until death finally came as a relief from unbearable agony.
Why was the wooden horse the popular form of torture?
The most likely reason for its use was its simplicity and material availability. The wooden horse was easy to make from simple tools yet effective in inflicting pain and suffering with minimal effort. Additionally, it can be easily modified in size or shape depending on the needs of the torturer.
Aside from the physical pain, this cruel method was also thought to cause psychological anguish, leading to physical effects caused by fear or despair, such as trembling, fainting spells, and increased blood pressure. Despite its brutal nature, this terrible device was employed around Europe until well into Victorian times before becoming obsolete after World War II.
Brutal History Of The Spanish Donkey
The main variety of the wooden horse device is a three-sided gadget with one finish of the triangle facing up, mounted on a sawhorse-like support. The casualty is made for riding the three-sided “horse.” Additional constraints were frequently added to hold the casualty back from tumbling off. A discipline called “riding the rail” was utilized later in the American colonial period. The casualty was much of the time brought through town in this dilemma, frequently related to the discipline of publicly shaming. The crotch could be harmed, leaving the casualty unfit to stroll without torment.
The gadget was utilized during the American Civil War by Union guards for their Confederate detainees. Officials also used the device to restrain troops, freedmen, and women after the Civil War.
Although not widely used today due to its cruel methods, evidence remains as artefacts scattered throughout museums throughout Europe and America, constantly reminding viewers of their unfortunate past.
Conclusions
In conclusion, wooden horse torture is one example of medieval punishment documented throughout history. Though its horrific effects resonated throughout Europe for centuries, this practice has been abandoned as the world seeks to continue more humane methods when punishing criminal activities. In all cases, these are extreme examples of inhumane treatment meant to produce fear in any alleged wrongdoers.
