15 Ancient Punishments That Sound Unreal Today

Here's a list of 15 ancient punishments that reveal the extreme and often bizarre methods societies once used to enforce justice.

Alyana Aguja
October 29, 2025
4 min read

15 Ancient Punishments That Sound Unreal Today — Tingey Injury Law Firm from Unsplash

Throughout history, punishments were designed not only to kill but also to terrorize, humiliate, or send political messages. From the gruesome blood eagle of the Vikings to the humiliating drunkard’s cloak in England, societies used creative cruelty to control people. These punishments sound unreal today, but they were once very real reminders of power and fear.

1. 1. Scaphism in Persia

In ancient Persia, criminals could be punished with scaphism, also called “the boats.” The victim was trapped between two boats, force-fed milk and honey, and smeared with the same mixture to attract insects. They were left in stagnant water where bugs ate them alive over several days.

2. 2. Brazen Bull of Ancient Greece

The Brazen Bull was a hollow bronze statue designed by Perillos of Athens. Victims were locked inside and roasted alive while fires burned beneath. Cleverly, pipes were fitted so their screams echoed like a bull’s roar.

3. 3. Flaying Alive in Assyria

The Assyrians were infamous for their brutal executions, including flaying enemies. Skin was peeled from the body, often displayed on city walls as a warning. It was both physical torment and a political message of fear.

4. 4. Sawing in Half in Ancient Rome and Beyond

Sawing was a punishment where the victim was hung upside down and cut in half through the groin. Being inverted kept them conscious longer as blood rushed to the brain. It was reported in both Rome and later medieval Europe.

5. 5. The Breaking Wheel in Medieval Europe

Criminals in Europe could face the breaking wheel, a large wagon wheel used to shatter limbs. Bones were smashed with hammers before the victim was woven into the spokes. Death often took hours or days as birds pecked at their bodies.

6. 6. Lingchi in Imperial China

Also called “death by a thousand cuts,” Lingchi was one of the most feared punishments. The condemned endured slow slicing of flesh while tied to a post. It was intended to disgrace both the body and the spirit.

7. 7. Crocodile Pit in India

Some rulers in India sentenced criminals to death by being thrown into crocodile-infested waters. It was a public spectacle, with the crowd watching nature deliver the punishment. This combined terror of execution with a reminder of royal power.

8. 8. Blood Eagle of the Vikings

According to Norse sagas, the blood eagle involved cutting open the victim’s back and pulling out ribs to resemble wings. Salt was rubbed into the wounds to intensify pain. While historians debate its accuracy, it remains one of the most chilling reported punishments.

9. 9. Execution by Elephant in South and Southeast Asia

Kings in India and parts of Southeast Asia trained elephants to execute criminals. The animals crushed, dismembered, or tossed victims at the ruler’s command. It showcased the ruler’s dominion over both men and beasts.

10. 10. Tarring and Feathering in Medieval Europe

Though less deadly, tarring and feathering was an excruciating punishment. Boiling tar was poured on the skin, then feathers were thrown onto the victim to humiliate them. Many died from burns and infections afterward.

11. 11. Poena Cullei in Ancient Rome

Romans had a unique punishment for parricide called poena cullei. The criminal was sewn into a sack with animals like snakes, a dog, and a rooster before being thrown into water. The chaos of the sack often killed them before drowning did.

12. 12. Neck Violin in Medieval Germany

Petty criminals in medieval Germany could be locked in a device called the “neck violin.” It clamped the head and hands into an iron contraption that resembled a fiddle. Offenders were paraded in public, mocked, and sometimes left for days.

13. 13. Amputation in Ancient Mesopotamia

The Code of Hammurabi established amputation as a punishment for theft and false testimony. A hand or finger would be cut off as repayment for the crime. It was intended as a permanent reminder of wrongdoing.

14. 14. Stoning in the Ancient Middle East

Stoning was one of the oldest and most communal forms of execution. A group of people hurled stones until the condemned died, making responsibility collective. It was used for crimes ranging from blasphemy to adultery.

15. 15. Drunkard’s Cloak in 17th-Century England

Drunkards in England could be punished by wearing a heavy wooden barrel with holes for the head and arms. They were paraded through town while mocked. Though not fatal, the humiliation was intense and often worse than physical pain.