opened up and the offender placed inside. The person would then be embraced by the iron maiden, being impaled by all the stakes. The Wheel Wheels were used in a variety of ways. For example, a person could be somehow attached to the outer rim of a wheel and then either rolled over sharp spikes or off a hill. Crucifixion Most people immediately think of Jesus. Early crucifixions were carried out on trees. Drowning Used in a variety of ways. Popular at sea. Probably the most well-known variation is the witch's test. If the water rejects the woman and she floats, then she is guilty and executed by anth method. If the water accepts her and she drowns, then she was innocent. Blown from a Cannon The person is positioned across the mouth of a can, then a shot is fired, blasting through the person's body. Pendulum Just like in the Edgar Allen Poe story. A person lies on his or her back and a razor edged pendulum swings above them, slowly descending. Poison Interestingly, this has not been a common method of execution. Socrates, who was forced to drink hemlock, is probably the most well-known victim of poison. Pressing The person lies under some sort of slab-like surface and then heavy objects such as stones are placed on top until the person is crushed to death. The Rack Catch-all term for a number of mechanical devices and practices which cause torture and death by stretching the person. Sawed in Half Not just used in magic shows Death by Insects, Etc, There are many variations on the scenario in which the person is staked to the ground, smeared with something sweet like honey, and left out to eventually be eaten/stung to death/devoured by insects. Disembowlment The torso is slit open and the entrails are removed. Shot by Arrows Practiced by the Vikings. They would aim at non-vital parts of the body in order to prolong agony as long as possible. Spanish Donkey/ Wooden Horse The person sat astride a V-shaped structure as if on a horse or donkey...
