Random Historical Torture Methods Designed To Make The Pain Last As Long As Possible (14 items)

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  (#12) Live Burial Is A Tried-And-True Method

  Live burial is one of the most widespread, longlasting, and well-documented execution methods in the world. In ancient Egypt, for example, some slaves who were forced to build pyramids were interred alive in the walls of the structures. Live burial was also used throughout Europe from a time before some European countries even existed, and it was a common punishment for heresy in the Holy Roman Empire. 

  However, this is not the extent of this punishment's practice; reports of this form of execution also exist from the Nanking Massacre. 
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  (#14) Crucifixion

  • Cause Of Death

  Probably one of the most infamous methods of prolonged execution in history (thanks to Jesus), crucifixion was widely used in antiquity.

  During the process, the target was nailed or tied to a wooden pole. Often, their legs were smashed with clubs, breaking the bones so that they could not hold themselves up. They were then left, usually unclothed, to perish of starvation, loss of bodily fluids, or asphyxiation.
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  (#9) Boiling Alive Was One Of Henry VIII's Fave Slow Torture Methods

  A favorite method of King Henry VIII, being boiled alive can be an extremely drawn out process. Although being boiled at a consistently hot temperature for several minutes straight can quickly do the trick, this wasn't always the method used by torturers. In fact, some boiling involved lowering the liquid to an unbearably hot - but not quite boiling - temperature, torturing the victim. 

  Also, the liquid used for boiling was totally up to the torturer - oil and water were two favorite options.
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  (#3) Lingchi Cutting Made A Victim Slowly Bleed Out

  Lingchi is a traditional Chinese method of execution that also goes by the snappy nickname of "death by 1,000 cuts." In use for 1,000 years, a lingchi recipient would be tied to a pole and then gashed all over their body, and the cuts would just keep coming until they finally bled out. In some cases, the cuts would number over 3,000, and the person's demise would take three days.

  Lingchi was used in China up until the 20th century, and it didn't always involve simply slashing a victim. It also took the form of live dismemberment.
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  (#13) Bamboo Impalement Could Be Accomplished In A Matter Of Days

  Bamboo is known for its ability to grow extremely quickly. At some point in history, some sadistic individual had the brilliant idea of turning bamboo's fast growth into a way of slowly torturing people. Reports of bamboo torture in Ceylon started appearing in the 19th century, and many claim that it was used by the Japanese during WWII, but this has not been proven. Basically, bamboo torture involved letting bamboo grow into - and impale - a person.

  A victim would be tied securely to a young bamboo shoot, and, over several days, the plant would enter their body and eventually come out the other side.
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  (#2) The Blood Eagle Suffocated A Person With The Appearance Of Flight

  As brutally demonstrated on an episode of the show Vikings, the "blood eagle" was an incredibly tortuous method of execution used by Vikings. A person's back would be cut open and their ribs would be pulled through the open skin and bent outwards, exposing their lungs and creating "wings." 

  It may not have taken years to perish, but however long it was, it probably felt like an eternity.

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