Scaphism is a form of ancient torture and execution that was practiced mainly in Persia during the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BCE). Also known as "the boats," scaphism was a particularly gruesome and slow method of punishment.
The word "scaphism" is derived from the Greek word "skapos," meaning "anything scooped or hollowed out." This accurately describes the nature of this horrific practice. Scaphism involved trapping the victim between two narrow, hollowed-out boats or logs, with the head, hands, and feet protruding. The boats were then tightly sealed together, leaving the victim completely immobilized.
Next, the torturers would force-feed the victim large quantities of milk and honey to induce diarrhea. This combination served two purposes: to keep the victim alive and to lure insects to the feces and exposed flesh. Over time, the decomposing excrement and insects would attract more insects, creating a breeding ground for pests.
As the days and weeks passed, the victim would suffer increasingly unbearable torment. The insects would burrow into the victim's skin, and the wounds would become infected. The constant exposure to excrement and the inability to move or clean oneself led to further physical discomfort and disease.
Ultimately, the prolonged exposure to these unsanitary and inhumane conditions would lead to the victim's excruciating death from infection, dehydration, septic shock, or a combination of these torturous elements.
Scaphism continues to be viewed as one of the most brutal and cruel forms of punishment ever devised, and it serves as a stark reminder of the extremes to which human cruelty can reach.
