This Ancient Torture Technique Is So Horrifying I Can't Believe It's Real

by N/A, 10 years ago | 1 min read

Scaphism is a method of torture that essentially causes its victims to be eaten to death by bugs. It's even worse than it sounds.

scary History torture Non-Premium

Scaphism, alternatively called "the boats," was an ancient Persian method of torture and, ultimately, execution.

A victim was initially placed in a boat, and another boat was placed on top. The feet, head and hands were left exposed.

Alternatively, hollowed out tree trunks were used in place of boats.

The victim was then forced to ingest massive amounts of milk and honey.

This would give the victim a terrible case of diarrhea, which would attract countless insects.

Extra honey was placed onto the body to attract even more insects.

The victim would then essentially be eaten alive by the insects.

It was, without a doubt, extremely painful and horrifying.

Sometimes, the method would last for several days.

If the victim survived the first day of being eaten alive by insects, they would be taken back to shore, only to have to return to the torture again the next day. What a terrible way to die.