For all you wannabe dictators, a list of ancient torture and execution devices that you would not want to find yourself in.



Brazen Bull - Designed in Ancient Greece, this device was a hollow bull made entirely of brass. Criminals were sealed inside. The bull was then heated up over a fire. The conductive metal would literally roast the victim alive. As if that weren't enough, a series of valves in the bull's snout would muffle the screams of the victim, creating a sound like an angry bull.



Crocodile Shears - A medieval torture device that consisted of two blades. When clamped together, the blades formed a tube. Inside the tube were several sharp spikes. The crocodile shears were clamped down on an an erect penis and after enough force was exerted, the penis was torn from the body. Reserved for those who attempted to assasinate members of the royal family.



Instep Borer - A device of German engineering, that was essentially a metal boot that was worn by the victim. A crank on the boot dug a blade into the victim's instep.



Iron Maiden - An awesome metal band that when listened to would literally "rock your socks off". Not exactly a good torture, but the cause of many lost socks.



Scavenger's Daughter - Using the opposite principle of the boring-old-stretching rack, this device compressed the victim. Shaped like an "A" the victim was strapped to the device and the head was swung down to the knees causing blood to pour out of the ears and nose.



Shrew's Fiddle - Used against woman caught nagging and bickering. This version of a yoke, strapped around the woman's neck, the hands both locked in in front of her face. Primarily used to parade the woman throughout town.



Spanish Tickler - Not to be confused with the French Tickler, this claw-like device strapped to the torturer's hand and tore strips of flesh from the victim. Vega from Street Fighter wore a version of the Spanish Tickler, which made him look like a "vicious gay man".



Wooden Horse - This saw-horse shaped device had a pointed edge across that top. The victim was forced to "ride the horse" putting full body weight on the genitals. Used on both men and women.